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

Hate the idea of a "bucket list" - just live life to the full - don't write a list!

I am working through my bucket list - done quite a few so far but the longer I live - the longer it grows! But that's good, I think!

It's in this thread, on 30/01/2012. There is also an earlier posting about another of my underwear problems.

www.gransnet.com/forums/chat/a1190786-I-have-been-to-school

No, not teasing at all, sadly. And it was not as exciting as it sounds!

(Has already been documented on here, I will try to find the link)

I thjnk Phoenix might be teasing . great shame (envy)

Yes. I would like to know more about that.

Thanks, jane and jingle. phoenix, Is there any chance we can have some more details about the knickers on the train???

That's got to be a book for merlot or I'm a Dutchman!

Phoenix and Merlot you are both priceless

The thought of getting older doesn’t fill me with much dread
Just so long as no one shouts at me or pats me on the head.
I’ll play my music loudly and wear the clothes I choose,
And my feet will be rewarded with a pair of comfy shoes.
I might swap my faithful Volvo for the trendiest of cars
With an ipod docking station that I think belongs on Mars.
I’d like my seven grandchildren to think that I am fun,
They’re growing fast, I must keep up, or else I’ll be the one
Who struggles with technology, can't send a simple text,
And listens to their racket music saying, ‘Lord, whatever next?’
In my youth I went to concerts, screaming loudly at The Who,
So I’ll buy my grandsons tickets to see Blink 182.
I’ll have my faithful lap dog top and a Kindle for my books,
And a tablet I won’t swallow or I’ll get some funny looks.
It’s challenging, this growing old, I need to keep ahead,
Because we all know, don’t we? You’re an awfully long time dead.

When I was younger I always vowed to grow old disgracefully, but somehow I feel I have yet to reach my full potential.

Yes, ok, I did have to leave my knickers on a train once, and have traumatised a postman. Oh, and I did once go to the wrong funeral, but as I realised in time and did therefore not go to the sherry and sandwiches bit I don't think it really counts.

Just remembered, I also came out of the village shop, got into a complete strangers car and squeezed his knee, but that could happen to anyone.

I do agree with you Nfk I used to smile at other drivers in the way that made them assume I was pulling out and they would let me in. I will say what needs to be said in any given situation because I don't think anyone will hit a 'little old lady'. You'd be surprised what I have got away with when DH has tried to hold me back .

When we go to London to see DS and family I try to do as many random acts of kindness as I can as it is such fun to see people's faces when you stop at a crossing, give way at the top of the escalator, smile and wish them good morning etc. In London most people are head down and no eye contact so it really surprised them when you speak to them. One time I followed a woman up the escalator and told her what a lovely coat she was wearing. She looked most put out but then was please.

Smile a lot. You can get away with the most outrageous statements if you grin while you say it. Especially to offensive people. Smiling at strangers on the tube is fun too. It unsettles many but sometimes the smile gets passed on and around. Brightens the day.

I don't find getting older a problem or think about it. But my body does. It keeps pulling me up short and reminding me.

As they say,laughter is the best medicine.I love to and find myself laughing at The Three Stooges,Abbott and Costello,Pink Panther movies and even shows like The Simpsons,Family Guy and shows my mother would never of watched! I mean really Aqua Teen Hunger Force? Hey,it makes me Laugh! And I don't think about age!

My gran would never have even thought of some of these things!

Thank you for this fond I have kept it as I have never really had a Gran to tell me these things so this is the next best thing.

Well put Flickety. We are who we are, though I think through the passage of time AND events I am a little more tolerant ( I was a right prissy so and so as a youngster).
As to the whole 'wearing purple' thing, yes it sounds a bit of a hoot but I was completely put of the idea when I was in the U.S. a couple of years ago. On a vist to the ladies I was suddenly surrounded by 20 odd 'Red Hatters' 'Gee are you one of us they yelled?' Somewhat overcome, being a rather typical Brit I suddenly realised my M&S t shirt was exactly the4 same shade of purple they wore!
It was a salutary warning to me that organised behaving badly is not for me, I just restict myself to the odd little private things like the aforementioned perfume extravagance and watching episodes of 'The Big Bang Theory'. Sheldon spanking Amy had me in stiches and totally overid my deeply held beliefs about any references to male domination.

Well said FB!

I do think we obsess far too much about growing old, it happens to everybody at the same rate, including those not yet born.

I am the person I always have been. I have never had any sense of myself being any given age at any point in my life. I will continue to lead my life the way I have always led it doing the things I have always enjoyed and exploring new things if they interest me. If anyone considers anything I do inappropriate for any reason, they are free to do so.

As they get older some people become disabled but there are many people under retirement age who are also disabled. I would like to see us separating people in to two groups those who are old and those who are disabled and accept there will besome overlap between the two groups.

As for growing old disgracefully, please spare me. Dressing in silly clothes and larking around may amuse some but it leaves me cold.

Jing the last thing you need is sympathy!
You're far too feisty for that!

"22. The most important sex organ is the brain."

Definitely agree with that.

Join Gransnet, not with a view to seeing how many people are worse of than onesel,f but to see that age IS just a number and people of a 'certain' age are a wonderfully diverse lot - full of fun, mischief, wisdom and kindness - much like the rest of society!

"13. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it"

Agree with that. I am quite open about my relationship with Colin Morgan

I don't agree with number 11. Don't thinks it's fair.

I agree with the getting rid of junk bit. (in Fonda's list) Can be very uplifting.