The Signs of Aging!

I recall jumping for joy when I received my Medicare Card in the mail because for me, it meant I would have health insurance.  I was denied health insurance for the previous 8 years due to existing conditions which inferiorities me because illegal immigrants get health insurance and I paid my dues all my life and I was denied!  And I was born and raised in the USA!  This is my Country!

It seemed the minute that card arrived I started to decline in age.  I expected gradual changes but one thing after another blew me away.  I hated constantly living in a doctor’s office.

My doctor told me that your body ages depends in part on your family genetic patterns, but lifestyle choices have a more powerful impact on how well your body ages. 

Well, I knew I could control that so I signed up at the gym for Silver Sneakers classes three days a week.  I also became a Vegan but not for aging reasons at the time.  I had a fatty liver due to eating animal fat.  It was hard but I did feel better.

The following is what I have noticed since I have turned 65 and now 68 years old!  Oh, gosh where did all those years go?

Skin: With age, the skin becomes less elastic and more lined and wrinkled. Fingernail growth also slows. The oil glands gradually produce less oil, making the skin drier than before. I use moisturizer every day and night and protect my skin from the sun and I live in Florida!

Hair: It's normal for hair to gradually thin on the scalp, pubic area, and armpits. As hair pigment cells decline in number, gray hair growth increases.  Seems like I’m losing more hair now, as I see it on the bathroom floor daily…………….Ugh.

Height: I have lost as much as 2 in. (5 cm) in height. This is often related to normal changes in posture and compression of joints, spinal bones, and spinal discs.  I recently had an MRI for severe headaches and grateful it came out normal but the bottom part of the report indicated that my brain shrunk!  My doctor laughed and told me to not panic and that it is normal because I shrunk in height!  Damn!

I’m too old to be wearing Stilettos now.  Oh, how I loved my shoes!

Hearing: Over time, changes in the ear make high-frequency sounds harder to hear and changes in tone and speech less clear. These changes tend to accelerate after age 55.  Fortunately, my hearing is still good.

Vision: It started with reading glasses in my 40’s and just recently with my last appointment with the eye doctor, I am now wearing transitional glasses every day!  I should try contacts because I’m so vain.

Sleep: Changes in sleep occur as you age. You will probably sleep less at night, and you may not sleep as deeply as you did when you were younger. I’ve been dealing with severe insomnia for years now and I need a sleeping aid, as my doctor feels the quality of life is more important than going without sleep for 2-3 days at a time.

Bones: Throughout adulthood, men and women gradually lose some of the mineral content in their bones. The bones get less dense and strong. You can slow natural bone loss and reduce your risk of osteoporosis getting regular, weight-bearing exercise (such as walking), getting enough calcium and vitamin D, avoiding lifestyle choices that weaken bones (such as smoking). 

At my last bone density test, I now have Osteopenia which is the beginning stages of Osteoporosis!  I had a fall in the house two years ago and it is just now starting to heal.  Great, I just keep adding to my list of “Aging”.

Metabolism: Over time, the body typically needs less energy, and your metabolism slows. Hormone changes in the aging body result in a shift to more body fat and less muscle mass. The best approach to managing these changes is to take in fewer calories while keeping up or increasing your physical activity. 

Lonely:  I need to get out more.  I never go out at night anymore.  I think this causes more trips to the fridge!  I think Widowhood changes a woman.  I think being a couple keeps you young at heart.  Being away from my family doesn't help either.

Weight gain: The above topic explains this!

Dupuytren: I developed four nodules under the skin of the palm of my right hand.  It hurts.  The doctor told me that nothing can be done for it until my fingers start to curl.  Great, freaking great.  Daily warm soaks help and less time on the computer as well.

Foot pain: Does the bottom of your feet hurt when getting out of bed in the morning?  Another damn symptom!  What gives?

Yet, my body still feels like dancing!

You Don't Need A Fortune Teller!

I honestly believe that the only way to get to happiness is to be happy already. Many people live their life according to the formula:

Do + Have = Be.

You don't need a fortune teller to tell you that you need to detox!

Life's formula does not mean that the only way you can be happy because first you have to do x, y and z.  In other words, you have to have this and that, have to do more, then have to do even more, you have to have lots of money and lots of friends, etc. But why not just be happy?

Gandhi once said you have to be the change you want. Why?  Because the mirror cannot change without you.  And the world is only a mirror.

Remember, you see only your thoughts. When you shift, shift happens. If you don’t, you simply experience more of the same.

In order to be happy, you have to do a friendship detox first.  You all have come across this type of person before;  the drama queen, the attention addict, the relentless pessimist, the exploiter.

We all have difficulty getting rid of the friend that betrays you.  So, when poison pals infect your life, sometimes you just need to say goodbye and good riddance!

Some friends, are just not good for us no matter how hard we try to make things work.  No one needs a control freak, or a manipulating individual taking advantage of your good, kind, generous heart and your wallet!

It all starts with small infractions and then they add up and drag you down.  In the process of ridding yourself of everything that threatens your well being and causing stressful days belongs in the same category with the trans fats that are bad for your health.  You have to read your friends the same way you read food labels.

These type of friends don’t change, so stop giving them second chances month after month.  The truth never fails to show itself, so get rid of that liar of a friend.

You know in your heart when you have a good friend.  You also know in your heart when you have a bloodsucking friend that is using you. 

Keep the friends that love you, as you have many!

Life is beautiful, you just have to make some changes along the way.

I didn't say it would be easy, but it will be worth it for your well being.  

It’s called “Friendship Detox”.  Next, we will start on detoxing your closet!

Confidently Forward!

I’ve had a few difficult days lately and I allowed them to get me down.  My hairdresser really messed up on the color of my hair and a followup appointment for a correction color was even worse!  

I’m a redhead and I walked out of the beauty shop with black hair in the front and flame red in the back.  I expressed my displeasure just seeing the front.  I didn't realize that the back of my head was "screaming" red until I got home and looked in my mirror to view the back.  

Mr. Jerkoff refused to take my son's advice to correct the mess!  So, the correction color several days later, I walked out with "Screaming" flame red in the front and black hair in the back.  Futta, Futta!  

I realized I have other choices.  I can choose to focus on the good places I intend to go to, instead of on the painful places I’ve had to go through.  I choose not to go back to the painful places and endure bad hairdos and write out a check and tip to look bad!

I should jump on a plane and have my son do my hair!  I just can’t afford the plane fare on a monthly basis.

I’m very meticulous about my hair as all women should be.  Everyone should care about their appearance even men!

My son is a hairstylist and the best but he lives in Boston and I’m here in Florida.  I’ve gone thru 32 hairdressers since he moved back to Boston in 1995.  I find it very hard to believe that there is not another hairdresser here in Florida that can be put in the same bracket as my son?  I know he is my son, and people will think I’m just bragging but he truly has magic in his hands and so amazingly talented.

I didn’t accomplish anything to complain about, or to dwell on, but I was hoping that the hairdresser could fix it.  He also begged for my forgiveness and even admitted to “sloppy work”.  But his correction did not warrant giving him forgiveness.  I do believe everyone should have second chances but this has been a constant complaint with me for a long time now.  I came home and picked up the phone and told my hairdresser “I can’t go through this anymore”!

And, months ago, I even sent this Jerkoff new customers!  Well, I personally invited these friends of mine that I gave referrals to my house for lunch to view my hair for themselves.  Needless to say, I didn’t have to discourage them for making another appointment with Mr. Jerkoff.  They all pulled out their cell phones and cancelled their upcoming appointments!  

Mission Accomplished!  Don’t make a woman look bad because of sloppy work as he personally said so himself.  Duh!

Just picture Kelly Osborne years ago with the red bangs and black hair!  Yikes!

Two days later, the check I wrote out to Mr.Jerkoff was sent back to me via snail mail.  No note inside, just my check that fortunately, he did not cash or deposit yet.  I did not ask for my money back but I guess he new better to do so.

I did manage to find a “Colorist” that will go to next month. But I will also need a hairstylist to cut my hair.  I should be looking out of my zip code so the cost will be lower!

My son spoiled me doing my hair weekly for years and I didn’t realize how much money he was saving me as well.  Most importantly, I felt beautiful and even look younger when my son does my hair.

JIMMY, YOU ARE THE BEST!  You truly are!

Listen up all “Hairdressers”, you must go to continuing education to keep up with the new and improved coloring and haircutting techniques!  You just can’t get you license some 30 plus years ago and have no clue what has changed in your profession!

Continuing education applies to all forms of professions.