Getting old? September 18, 2019, 12:27:44 am OK, I received my first Social Security check today. Am I officially a geezer? 4 Likes
Re: Getting old? Reply #1 – September 18, 2019, 01:46:57 am Quote from: HiLola - September 18, 2019, 12:27:44 amOK, I received my first Social Security check today. Am I officially a geezer?Nah... Consider yourself properly seasoned...aged (like fine wine, whiskey, or cheese)...venerable...ripened (like a persimmon at its peak)...matured. Though it was nice to discover a while back that a local grocery gives a 5% discount on Tuesdays for those 55+, so that's my "date night" with the weekly sale circular & I make sure to remind them about my "old lady discount."I got SS started a couple of months back (found there was an unexpected benefit to being married to my kids' father >10 years before he traded me in on a newer model, so mine can marinate another 5 years), but boy was I really excited to finally have insurance again with Medicare startimg this month (that was better than turning 21 & throwing out the fake ID ).Congratulations & Happy Birthday!Lynne 6 Likes
Re: Getting old? Reply #2 – September 18, 2019, 02:20:55 am No. SS check is not an indicator of geezerhood. It does mean that you are undeniably 'over the hill'.Once gave my dad a birthday card that said "You're not getting older". Inside it read "H*** you were old last year".He was a cook, so for his 85th I gave him a 'birthday cake kit' consisting of a cake mix box, frosting mix box, 5 boxes of candles and a fire extinguisher.You might make geezer on your yet-to-be-delivered LD's 10th anniversary.Cheers,Joel 3 Likes
Re: Getting old? Reply #3 – September 18, 2019, 03:24:49 am The next stage is when you have to take RMDs (required minimum distribution) from your IRAs every year....Steve 1 Likes
Re: Getting old? Reply #4 – September 18, 2019, 10:03:39 am Thanks, Lynne! That makes me feel better that I’m getting better with age. Doesn’t feel like it on some days though, I’ll admit!Joel, I like the birthday gift for your dad. The fire extinguisher is hilarious!Steve, no RMD’s as we were advised to convert to Roth’s several years back. Very thankful we did that, although DW has an inheritance that requires them.I think I’m going to enjoy this next phase of my life and buy a Lazy Daze! 1 Likes
Re: Getting old? Reply #5 – September 18, 2019, 10:40:24 am "The next stage is when you have to take RMDs (required minimum distribution)..."You really cannot make a claim to 'Geezerhood' until the broker calls you up every month wanting to know what other assets you're willing to sell in order to make up that month's RMD. That's the point when you become a Super Senior! 3 Likes
Re: Getting old? Reply #6 – September 18, 2019, 11:13:39 am Yes, yes you are.G-gold medal for making it this farE-endurance award for surviving the trials and tribulationsE-enthusiasm for your new adventuresZ-zzz's nap whenever you wantE-elective choices "Do what you Want"R-repeat:)Welcome to the Geezer Zone! 8 Likes
Re: Getting old? Reply #7 – October 03, 2019, 09:58:41 am Once again the boat ownership analogy comes to mind. The happiest day of my life was the day I got my first real job. The second happiest day was the day I officially retired and knew I'd never have to get up in the morning and go to a job again.Then another analogy comes to mind. "It was the best of times it was the worst of times." Retiring is the best but unfortunately getting old as part of the deal is the worst. Whoever said age is just a number is full of crap. No matter how hard you try and how good of care you take care of yourself the human body just starts deteriorating and there's nothing you can do about it.
Re: Getting old? Reply #8 – October 03, 2019, 10:24:37 am I just finished reading Being Mortal by Atul Gawande. It's a wonderful book and a perfect primer for Geezerhood.Chris 4 Likes
Re: Getting old? Reply #9 – October 03, 2019, 10:29:50 am Quote from: Chris Horst - October 03, 2019, 10:24:37 amI just finished reading Being Mortal by Atul Gawande. It's a wonderful book and a perfect primer for Geezerhood.ChrisSounds like a must read as you age and watch loved ones get old and die. People around me seem to be dropping like flies lately.
Re: Getting old? Reply #10 – October 03, 2019, 09:55:55 pm Just (as in less than an hour ago) finished an older book (1993) by Tracy Kidder, "Old Friends." A bit of a play on words for the title.I recommend it as a motivator to take care of yourself lest you end up in a nursing home via stroke; but not so good a care of yourself you end up fairly blind, but in otherwise pretty good shape for 92, needing to be in a nursing home for "safety." And then there's dementia in all of its forms...Maybe continuing to wander in one's Lazy Daze is the better answer!TinaPFormer Owner of "Wild Thing" 2006 MB...those were the days!!! 2 Likes
Re: Getting old? Reply #11 – October 04, 2019, 09:48:10 am You need to put this into the proper perspective. Last week we were cruising US 395 in our 2017 RB LD. We had to stay an extra night in Bishop due to snow and chain restrictions over Tioga Pass and US 50, and I-80. No big deal, as weather in Bishop region was nice and sunny, albeit a little cool. We took a day trip up to another of our favorite areas -- the Bristle Cone Pine forest in the Nevada White Mountains and hiked the 4.5 mile self-guiding tour (all above 10K feet!). Now, if any of you feel old and dated, I heartily suggest this hike through thousands of trees that were germinated before the birth of Christ. Many are as old as 4K years! Attached is a photo of my dog Tag (age 6) and me (age 70+) standing on a ridge. That small tree to my right that is growing out of a crack in the rock is -- according to the trail brochure -- more than 100 years old! The second photo is of an old "geezer" still going at age 4K years. 8 Likes
Re: Getting old? Reply #12 – October 04, 2019, 09:58:05 am I am reminded of a saying of George Burns -- 'every day I wake up and don't smell flowers is a good day".As I slowly but surely turn into a pile of rubble I will live life till I can't. My brain still thinks of stuff my body says I shouldn't or can't but I keep trucking on. On my daily 6 mile walk I stop and talk to a 93 year lady -- we both agree the day you quit moving is the day you die......glen 8 Likes
Re: Getting old? Reply #13 – October 04, 2019, 11:37:23 am I'm reminded of a hike we took to a glacier in Grand Teton NP last summer. Early on the way up a young couple in there twenties flew by us. An hour later we chugged by them as they took a snack break and a bit later they flew by us again. An hour later we chugged by them as they took a break and then a bit later they passed us but slower this time. An hour later we chugged by them as they took a break and they had funny look on their faces as we chugged by them.An hour later we were seated by the glacier having lunch and they showed up dragging arse but they made it. They sat down by us and said you guys are amazing. When we first passed you we thought those old people will never make it all the way and then you beat us here. They just didn't know what to think about it and felt a bit humiliated. I tried to put their minds at ease and just said we have old muscle, its not fast but once it's in motion it stays in motion. Besides that if we ever stopped it would sieze up and we'd be stuck there. Now when you get back down will you call 911and send a resuce party to come get us please. LOL 9 Likes
Re: Getting old? Reply #14 – October 04, 2019, 01:59:10 pm Reminds me of the story about the “Turtle and the Hare”. Fast doesn’t always get to the top first. Plus you miss a lot of beautiful scenery if you’re racing to your destination. 7 Likes