Growing old disgracefully (win a copy of Virginia Ironside's new book)

Jeni: Not at all - there's nothing disgraceful about that it's quite sensible!

Pamaga: Goth Weekend! I never thought of that ...

I don't like to "act my age". I can get away with about ten years younger and I'm happy with that.

My church at the time certainly considered me disgraceful, and only out of politeness allowed me to leave on my feet - they have been known to throw someone out the door. That was when I "came out".

The obvious 'growing old disgracefully' tip is - to Say What You Think. It's quite liberating. To be honest, my friends ( I still have them!) would tell you I was doing it long before I got my bus pass!

Bring on the HI heels mischief !!

Thongs , em , will think about them ?

[moon[

OK. Compensations for growing old.

Well, I love high heels and have some really cool ankle boots but I wear thick inner soles, which makes it easier.

I still work, so I like to wear pencil skirts and little jumpers but in this weather there are big knickers (instead of the g-strings) and a thermal vest underneath. (yes I do tuck it into my knickers)

I deferred my pension but I am now drawing it as well as working and next weekend I'm off to PC World to buy a tablet, new laptop or smart TV or maybe all of them, for my retirement, whenever that is. (or maybe that's just an excuse)

Both my daughters work in technology in London and I have to try and keep up with them. They keep me feeling young, and keeping up with my GD is also a bonus when you are fit.

Going to get a membership to our local gym next month to tighten up all the saggy bits that have appeared over the last few years. Don't like them.

Feeling tired now......

you dont need glasses... just move the item a little closer instead! :D

Must admit I was interested in the Bellydancing at the community centre where we were living a couple of years ago - but was a bit put off by the deadly seriousness the group seemed to have. I thought it would be joyful but whenever I saw them they always looked so solemn and more interested in messing around with yards of gauze and sequins than actually dancing.
OH and I have taken up Ballroom and Latin now that we have settled here. We have a private lesson once a week and are starting to go to the dances held 2 or three times a month at the dance school, they are graded beginners etc etc so that you dont feel at all 'out of step' ho ho! Am getting to grips with Ballroom Jive, Rumba and Quick step at the moment and have done a little waltz and cha cha. Its all very jolly. Lots of hard work - but you hardly notice you are having a great work-out.

Our local B & Q was playing 1960s music one Wednesday when we went in. As Wednesdays are over 60s discount days I asked the assistant if it was deliberate. She didn't know but we agreed that it was a good idea. As we left they were playing a quickstep and I asked DH to dance with me in the aisles. Miserbale old ... refused! He seemed to think it was unsuiatble behaviour and that we would get oursleves locked up but I thought if we started it a lot of others would join in and we would be a flash mob.

It is hard to grow old disgracefully when DH refuses to cooperate but I do manage it sometimes. Doing the can-can at Birmingham Royal Ballet's informal New Year's Eve party certainly showed all those fit young things that I was far from past it and made DS3 rather proud of his mum!

A couple of months ago I was taken onto the stage by a nice young man from an Israelli dance company and ended up doing a tango on stage as well as improvising. I was the last one standing! Not sure whether that was disgraceful or not

Belly dancing is great fun and keeps you flexible too. I believe Zumba is as good and I keep meaning to try it. A lot of us do crawling round the floor after toddlers as well, in an attempt to reach their intellectual level before we collapse in a mindless daze after they have been taken home.

At the age of 66 I've booked a place at the Whitby Goth Weekend this April. I have most of the clothes already - biker jacket, net skirt, biker boots. I have bought some lace gloves (sure to come in handy later...) and a be-feathered hat. Can't wait. Look out Whitby......

I'm with HildaW...gorgeous perfume and black mascara...then I can face the world!

Best thing being old is not to have to shave my legs anymore. At 81 I still wear shorts when it's warm

Well, I do need reading glasses, and why should I grow old disgracefully. Is that seen as having more chutzpa and being more fun, than growing 'old' gracefully, or any other way?
Why pigeon-hole or stereotype people who become old. 'Growing Old Disgracefully' is becoming an irritating cliche.
Feeling cranky? You bet!

My tip for growing old disgracefully involves being very rude and naughty with the grandchildren (if you are lucky enough to have them) I have 3 grandsons and I'm always having running races with them and telling them naughty jokes like 'Yum Yum pig's bum' They love it and I love it. Of course if you don't have any you could always borrow some for an afternoon.

To use the phrase "you go girl!!!!!".

(And I do hope that is taken in the way it was meant, nothing to do with ladies, women etc!)

Definitely wearing low cut or V neck tops is on my list; they draw the eye away from the developing chins and jowls - and my Bon empointment is not to be sniffed at.
As a newish, fairly youngish widow I hope one day to find someone with whom to have fun - and as for the suggestion that 'if a relationship has to be secret, you shouldn't be in a it' - where's the fun in that? .
I will continue to shout loud and hard about anything I disagree with, whether it be my neighbour's recently painted shocking pink front door in a conservation area, the state of the economy or the suggestion that we should stop eating mackerel when the Faroese and Icelanders continue to fish it illegally with gay abandon.....
Lots more on my disgraceful list but that'll do for now

Phoenix and merlot you have cheered my up no end. Thanks

I agree about the perfume. I've decided I'm old enough to wear Arpege tho I still don't think I'm sophisticated enough. I agree about the brain. I frighten the DDs enough on our choices of holiday without springing a sudden holiday on my beleaguered DH five flights between us last week. Slightly miffed when one DD said that she was impressed that we had managed to fly without each other. She retracted swiftly. I'm reading the complete Elizabeth Taylor stories at the moment and I remembered one of her novels where the older woman said she felt that other people were relieved that she dressed appropriate ly and made an effort. I know it's not the Fifties but I think she (mrs Palfrey) had a point. Plunge neckline on crepey breasts beer bellies for the world to admire shorts on varicose veined legs.men and women I'm meaning

I've never been very slender, never been particularly athletic, never managed to be really fashionable, began to colour my hair since I was sixteen, so am not finding many changes apart from the bits that ache and the wrinkles. Up with which I can put. Mainly.

NFK not yet, thanks for asking, but to be honest all I have dome so far is send an article to the Oldie. Once I hear if they want it or not, then I'll round a few others!

glass you rebel you!

That'll do it glass.

I like odd socks.

I remember buying my mother a book by Hermione Gingold that I think was called 'How to grow old disgracefully'. I can't remember much off the top of my head but mother was a little shocked at some of her Naughtier stories. Maybe I should re-read it to get some tips?

I blame my calcium and vitamin D tablets for making me belch uncontrollably.

Brilliant Phoenix - have you found a publisher yet?

Like Jane I have an expanding Bucket List. It's great to look back and see what I've achieved but I still haven't managed the first thing on it. The ambition that started the list - to ride a camel, properly, in the desert.

I had two big red streaks put in my (white) hair to coincide with the change in government and the birth of my grand babies.