Who Knew?

Who knew being an ancient adolescent would turn out to be one of the best times in life?  When I was in my 20s or 30s, it always seemed like being a senior was years and years away...and I really dreaded being OLD.  Bur, now, I think...what defines OLD?

I don’t feel old.  I feel pretty damn good really.  I have plenty of energy and my mind hasn’t decided to vacate yet...hoping that sudoku and playing bridge save my marbles for a few years.  One side of my family is rampant with dementia, the other side has stayed pretty with it well into their 80s.

Is 80 old?  My aunt is as funny and delightful at 80 as she was at 20 so I don’t see her as old.  I’m sure if I make it to 80, I won’t see myself as old either.  It’s funny how no matter how I age, I still feel like I’m so much younger...like in my 30s.

Believe it or not, there are huge perks to being a senior.  I know, unlike many boomers, I was lucky enough to opt for a career that still has a pension.  Tons of boomers started in careers that held the promise of pensions but that promise eroded over the years.  Pubic service, however, has maintained its promise to its workers.  Although I never had a huge salary as a teacher and later a principal, my pension is decent and can support a modest lifestyle.

I have been able to retire.  Retirement opens a world of freedom I have never experienced.  I go to bed when I want, I get up when I want.  I can play bridge or go to the beach or landscape the yard or read a book or go to a movie.  I have the freedom to do the things I could never do when I was working.

If you like the movies, go to AMC on Tuesday.  Seniors only pay $6.  For an extra $5, there’s a Senior Special here in Venice where you get a very small popcorn and soda.
I can’t watch a movie without eating popcorn but the sizes are way too big for someone who eschews American portion sizes. The caveat is finding a movie you actually want to see.  Our last movie was Oz and next week we’ll see Dustin Hoffman’s directing debut, Quartet.  Pretty cheap date, right?

Have you ever tried Great Clips?  It’s a walk-in hair salon that features a $9 cut for seniors on Tuesdays.  For years, I went to chic salons and paid through the nose for a haircut....like $75 including tip.  Really!  I had to have highlights to hide the gray...another $200.  Then, there were years when I was doing the Japanese straightening process to get rid of those natural waves.  I won’t even tell you how much that was!  Now, I just find someone I like at Great Clips and voila!  Done, at a fraction of the cost!  Hey, it’s hair.  It’ll grow out if you don’t like it!

We love to go out to eat but that can destroy a budget, so we try to only go out twice a week and...duh....for the Early Bird Specials.  I love those things!  I actually like to eat between 5 and 6, so it works for me!  We usually split a dinner....again, portions are way too much for one person!  Plus, we’re cheap.  Ya think??!!

OMG!  The Happy Hours here are CRAZY!  Believe it or not, some of these places have happy hours from 3 to 7!  Half price, all you can eat appetizers.  Not kidding...you could get real happy here!

When we travel, we always take advantage of the senior rate.  Here’s my plan.  First, I go to Hotels.com or some other travel website to see what their rates are.  I find the hotel then go on their website to see if the senior rate is cheaper.  It usually is.  Booked!

So far, the greatest perk for me is being healthy and active!  I’ve got my quirks like high cholesterol, so I take my minimum Lipitor daily dosage.  I’ve got osteoarthritis,which I fight everyday with 200 milligrams of ibuprofen and a daily 55 minute workout.  It’s a battle but I do it, because I could turn into a slug in a heartbeat!

Besides, would Buff Honey want a sloppy slug?  Would I?  No!

Time is a luxury I never had.  How fun it is to visit friends I rarely get to see!  How sweet it is to have someone in my life I love after 17 years without it!

I hope this ancient adolescent lasts a long, long time!  Who knew??