Really random stuff

[susandennis]

This morning, for the first time since last Fall, the butter was soft enough to spread easily. This is the counter point, season wise, snuggling under a fluffy comforter. I do appreciate that I get half a year of each.

The past couple of weeks have been filled with reminders of my age. Turning 70 is on my mind, certainly, but there are also physical signs reminding me that I am old and while each one is shocking, the intensity of that shock is wearing down. I'm cataloging if this, then that's. If I can no longer get on a ladder to get to the stuff in the storage cabinets, I'll hire someone via Thumbnail or Task Rabbit to get it all down for me and I'll store it some place else or give it away. If I can no longer... then I'll...

I don't really worry about it. I'm still very hopeful that I'll drop dead before I have to make too many compromises but it's interesting to me how many times a day now, the whole situation crosses my mind.

The sun is now streaming in the windows I washed yesterday and damn, I did a pretty good job! Not perfect but, way better than it was. Go, me!

Today I want to get some more homework done for the University data study. I have a minimum of four pieces to complete. I've done one and I'd love to knock out another one today.

And, then my walk and maybe some bears and the rest of the usual... another nice day ahead!

Comments

[jwg.livejournal.com]

Ah yes, the thoughts of the consequences of aging.

We are thinking about moving to a retirement community - continuing care type that has assisted living and nursing home facilities as well. Robert's parents lived in a great one and for a period of time his mother was in the nursing facility and it was easy for his father and friends to visit. And in the last few months of his life he slept in the nursing facility but could drive his motorized wheelchair back to his apartment to use his computer and other things. They were very involved in the community and some of the activities there. For example, here was a library - people who moved there donated books - and they both became librarians.

We visited one that is a likely candidate - we know someone who has been there for about 10 years and really likes it. We are about to put a small refundable deposit down to get on the pre-waiting list list so that if we really want to do it we will get more priority. There is a 2-3 year waitng period.

One thought is to keep the Gloucester house for a while when we move there.

Of course I hate the thought of not living in Cambridge in the house that I moved into in 1966. With so much in walking distance: gym, grocery store, hardware store, busses and subway (which is the easy way to get to the airport)...

And all the stuff ti get rid of.

[susandennis]

My parents moved into a place like that and lived out their years there. It was wonderful for them and they were so glad they did it.

Finding the place is the rub for me. I need a friend who has been there for 10 years... If I had that, I'd do exactly what you did... put a deposit down right now.

(The one my parents lived in even had a pool big enough for lap swimming! The down side was that it is in Charleston, SC and no way am I moving there.)

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

I'm putting my home on the market soon ... proactively looking for a condo in a 55+ community where there are other people around, where I can live on one level (though no mobility issues yet). I need to clear up credit card debt so to make my retirement income last longer and go further ... My current post is all about affordability.

Most of my older friends are still living independently.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

I'm thinking exactly the same way, but at 5 years younger than you.

[twicet.livejournal.com]

Understand your thinking. I was given two years, three years ago, but here I am still here. My husband is also ill, but we manage and take each day as it comes.

[idahoswede.livejournal.com]

I turn 70 July 2020. The ageing process so far has been fairly kind to me, although I still HATE the barbed wire hairs that grow under and on my chin and my once lovely, lovely complexion has taken to producing the odd pimple or rash now. We will not even think about discussing what happened to my waist. If I even try to squat, my knees are popping like the 4th of July and my joints are causing a few problems, mostly when I try to relax at night to sleep.

Dying doesn't really worry me, although if it is going to be something like inoperable cancer or chemo, I won't let nature take its course, but take myself out of the picture at my own time instead.

[susandennis]

Yeah, I'm with you on the my body, my life, my choice situation. 100%

[msconduct.livejournal.com]

I've had my thoughts about aging turned on their heads in the last few weeks. My knitting-fiend friend that I mentioned has out of the blue received a diagnosis of terminal aggressive cancer with most likely only months to live. She's only just turned fifty-six. She is my friend of longest standing: we met on the first day of high school forty-three years ago, and have been through so much together. Needless to say I am devastated, but also my thoughts about getting older have had a radical shift: any worries about creeping loss of abilities are utterly out the window. I know this kind of wakeup call is a massive cliché, but I guess it's a cliché for a reason.

[susandennis]

wow. that's really a sad and painful way to come to the cliche. I'm so sorry.

[msconduct.livejournal.com]

Thanks, I appreciate it. We considered cancelling our trip, but I know my friend would hate that, and to be honest it's a very welcome distraction at a time when few things can distract (which is why I'm awake at 3 a.m).

[rsc.livejournal.com]

I hear you. In the last year or so, my body has really started reminding me, in various subtle ways, that I really am in my 70s. I assume that these reminders will increase, rather than decrease, over the coming years.

Still beats the alternative, so far.

[zoefruitcake.livejournal.com]

I worry about getting older and not being able to do stuff like that but we don't really have people you can hire like that here yet