Retire In Style Blog Too

Friday, January 14, 2011

What puzzles you? Partially 100% Emissions Free Cars???

2009 Subaru Legacy photographed at the 2009 Mo...

My Car is partially 100% emission free! Please explain that to me...please! Somethings just do not compute! When I noticed this piece of chrome on the back of my Subaru I was reminded of the prefect oxymoron...limited nuclear war...either is it 100% or it isn't. I was puzzled.

Low slung jeans puzzle me. Do women realize their butt is hanging out and think it is attractive? Really, it is not attractive on a plumber and it certainly does not look good on women. Doesn't their backside get cold? I still can't figure out where this style came from and why it has hung around for so long. (No pun intended.)

I am puzzled at how invested we women are in other women's hair color. We will take personal offense at another woman's bad choice in hair color even though we really don't know the other woman. I suppose it is a little like the low slung jeans...we are afraid if we see it often enough we might slip and want purple hair ourselves. We certainly learned how to adjust to hip huggers because our clothes wore out and there was no other choice. Hence the very long blouses!

We have a little house at the entrance to our RV Resort. A man sits inside and opens the gate when we return from the movies at night. The gate opens automatically when we leave. A couple of years ago gate keeper was fired when he did not check the people leaving. That puzzled me...I wondered if we were not free to leave when we wanted. The idea that we may not get back in is worrisome enough.

We have special areas in our resort for people to live that have dogs. You cannot even walk your dog around the park...it is a rule and old people will tell on you. I have had people tell on me for other things so I know. But if you have a bicycle and put your dog in the basket, most people ignore you. A dog being given a ride has always puzzled me. Dogs need to walk...I think! Hospitals are encouraging people to bring animals into wards with old people as a way to wake their minds but we cannot walk a dog in our senior citizen park. It is very puzzling. I think petting other peoples dogs is fun...I don't have to feed or clean up after them but I get to enjoy their company for a few minutes.

Tourist puzzle me...they come to the south with only their shorts and tank tops in the winter. It is cold here because...well it is winter! In the northwestern United States the residents get their shorts out when the temperature rises above 50 degree. Am I the only one that thinks we should cover our skin up when it is cold? That puzzles me...a lot.

I find some things very frightening. Crime, close calls in my car and loud noises in the night cause me to be afraid. Now tell me why anyone would go to a movie and be scared out of their wits ON PURPOSE! I have never figured that one out.

Other things puzzle me...bland food, geezer hats, poor losers, bocce ball, pickle ball, crankiness. But I will spare you the details of those today. What puzzles you?

b

Thursday, January 13, 2011

How to be a friend to your aging parents! Some common sense!

Now let's get this straight...your parents are not your children. Old people are not children. It really is demeaning when you treat an older person like a child. Even a very ill old person deserves to be treated like an adult! Because I am getting older all the time, I think I have a few words of advice for you. You can take it or leave it...that is your choice.

If they weren't my family, they would be my friends!

FOR THE YOUNG PEOPLE
I was eating breakfast at a local restaurant this morning. My husband and I had just been seated when an older woman using a walker came in accompanied by her daughter. Now this senario can go either way. The woman using the walker can walk just fine with her walker and the daughter can walk beside her or even behind her carrying on a normal conversation or the daughter can hover over the mother speaking in condescending and superior tones. I think you know what I mean.

Now the mother begins to talk. She has things on her mind...apartment things, news things, nursing home/assisted living things. She begins to talk about the woman that sits at her table at lunch every day. The woman is not nice she says....what should the daughter do?

Shush the mother telling her that she should just ignore the other woman.
Validate her concerns but not make any suggestions.
Give advice on how to handle the problem.

Now remember, you are not the parent...you are a friend. If you think of your parents as adults, you know that they do not want you to tell them how to behave nor do they want your advice! I have been the daughter in this situation and really I was beating my gums giving advice all over the place. As I look back on this I know I was wrong on so many levels. I realize now that all my mother wanted was for me to understand. I want you to know that your parents want your support for the decisions they make. If they need your help with intervention where they live you need to do that. But ask first. Some things cannot be changed so don't leap into the void. Let her call the shots!

As you are leaving the restaurant your mother remembers that she wants to go shopping for a red sweater at her favorite shop north of town. You had not planned on spending that much time with her today. What do you say?

I just don't have time for that right now.
We will think about that later.
I've been wanting to get some things there...what day can we go?
We will have a field trip later Mom.

You are not the parent...you are a friend! Let her call the shots!

Even if your parent is suffering from dementia or has reached that time in their life where they have transcended the everyday wants and prefer to reflect on the past, please treat them with the respect they deserve. Sometimes all you need to be is a good listener and conversationalist. Who knows, you may learn more than you ever expected.

A real friend enjoys my company. A real friend treats me like an equal. A real friend goes places with me unexpectedly. A real friend loves me in spite of my faults and failings. A real friend makes me feel important and needed! A real friend lets me be in charge...they let me call the shots!

Older people do not want to be called sweetey or honey nor do they want to be called "youngsters on a date" like it is a joke. Really, when someone says that to us we want to laugh...they have no idea how much we enjoy each others company and no joke, we do go on dates. I know...it sounds nuts but older people are not old inside. Please treat us like an equal and show a little respect for our age...we do like to be treated as though we are wise. And we like to call the shots! Try that.

FOR THE PARENTS!

My husband and I are a little outrageous sometimes...we say things we shouldn't just to see if we can get a rise out of our children. We get in trouble...but we are not intimidated by their scolding. Remember if we are to be treated as though we are wise and strong, we really do need to act the part. We are still teaching our children how to behave even as we grow older!

Finally, be sure that, when you ask for advice or help, it is for the right reason. Older people will act helpless when they are hungry for attention. Going to the well for help can actually invite a perception that you are helpless and even childish. You are a grown up senior citizen. I am sure that you can find a better way to get time with your children. In the end we must have a life of our own...our children are not our children anymore...that is why we need to foster our friendship with them. After all we love them more that heaven can tell.

Have a wonderful day!

b

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Why go to YouTube? Boomer Fun!

Image via Wikipedia

You Tube has everything! Really, if your are a senior citizen like me and want instruction or inspiration, go to YouTube. I was over at Fab Over Fifty this morning and this video caught my eye. Yoga at 92??? Here is motivation for you!!!

Need a new toy to keep your mind and hands busy? Here is one I would love to have!

Want to assemble your own computer? Here is a man that claims he can show you how.

If you are nuts enough to need some more football today, here you go!!

Monday, January 10, 2011

Fashion on the Football Field...University or Oregon Uniforms

Oregon's jerseys went through a major remake i...

Image via Wikipedia
Okay here's the deal...I am from Oregon!! I have know quarterbacks for the Oregon football team, stood on the field after a games and shook hands with Rich Brooks, former football coach for Oregon. I love my state so it only stands to reason that I do worry about what "outfit" our team will wear for the National Championship tonight. :) They had better look good no matter what!

The Oregon athletic department and Phil Knight of Nike fame are joined at the hip. He has built training facilities and supported the track program almost to an obscene level. He loves his Alma mater. Guess who is turning out all those beautiful uniforms that the Ducks wear...why Nike of course? It has gotten to be quite the big fashion statement buzz for the sports casters and people that care about that sort of thing. Oregon has more uniforms than I have shoes...and I have a lot of shoes.

I am a girl that loves fashion and let me tell you sport team colors can have a big affect on how people dress in a state where the team has a loyal following or is in the hunt for a national title. I can imagine what a run there has been on the beautiful green and yellow the Ducks sport at every game. Oregon will be decked out in their beautiful colors today...fashionistas get out of the way!

So, if Oregon wins tonight, I will not care about their uniforms. If the unthinkable should happen, they had better look good filing off the field.

b

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Computer Electronics Show and the Senior Citizen

Could it be that our laptops and personal computers are a thing of the past? I have been using an Apple personal computer since the first model appeared all those many years ago. I thought the laptop was a giant leap forward but did not see it as a replacement for my personal computer. Now the Wall Street Journal and all those people that know about trends are saying Bye, Bye Laptops and PCs. Everything I use will be replaced with something entirely different according to them. This is what they had to say:

As inflection points go, the Consumer Electronics Show that kicked off yesterday couldn't be sending a clearer signal: The era of the personal computer is drawing to a close. For an industry gathering that once showcased each new generation of desktop and laptop, this year's show is buzzing with every imaginable flavor of tablet, smart phone and mobile appliance. Welcome to the age of mobile computing. Wall Street Journal

When I see something like this, I am always wondering how this will affect me and what I buy in the future. The implications of the WSJ statement caused me to pause.

I am a senior citizen (69) that lives half of the year in Oregon and the other half in Arizona. My technology needs are driven by my age, location, avocation (writing) and cost. I have not jumped on board with the ipad....yet. When the device came out initially last spring, I could not see how it would work for me. I had enough problems with my iphone keypad that I was a little leery. I was not aware of the keypad dock at the time. Now I know a new shift in the way we use technology is at hand.

The WSJ article talked about why we won't be buying laptop and will be going to the ipad type device instead. According to the author we will be docking our ipads to a keyboard (ipad Keyboard Dock) and using external or Internet storage for data. By doing that sort of thing, we have ended the fear of a crashed computer, gotten rid of the big tower or even a hard drive in our laptop and taken a load out of our brief cases or backpacks. For the senior citizen the ipad concept will be a real winner. The kindle application, for example, allows the senior citizen to read with enlarged font The touch screen is not only easy to use but can reduce the keyboarding necessary to arrive at the online destination. Even my iphone does this for me!

The new data from Pews Research group says that 59% of the populations now uses their phones for online use. That is up from 25% only one year ago. It is hard for me to think of a time when I did not have access to the internet 24/7. It has become such a way of life for me. In fact in this day and age where seniors want to keep in close contact with family, the smart phones can be a link to busy children. I don't worry about carrying a camera with me anymore. My iphone camera takes such high quality photos I really don't find it necessary. I had not thought of my use as particularly trendy but it seems it is.

Apple TV has been around for quite a while now. I had never really paid much attention to it. Then our son and his family gave us one for Christmas. We could not wait to get it set up and begin using it. This device allows us to connect online with my flickr account as well as use Netflix and rent movies. It replaces payper view TV totally (at least for me) and I think will reduce our cable costs eventually.

In the past in order to use Netflix you would sign up and have the movies sent to your house. My daughter's family began using Netflix online through their children's Xbox setup. I don't have an Xbox and don't even want one. It is nice to have the Apple TV that includes the Netflix application as well as an interface between my computer that will allow me to stream photo slide shows and music through our amp. At home in Oregon this will give us the full benefit of a surround sound system. Really, for this senior citizen, it was a perfect gift.

So what are the new and not so new technologies that I love? Here we go:

The Amazon Kindle reader is old and yet so new to me. I love the world that it has opened for me. My age makes is a must have.
Apple TV...great for the senior citizen that wants to have the advantages of a computer that connects to their TV. Reducing cost is a good thing!
The ipad and some of the peripheral tools that can be added...I don't own this one yet but it is definitely on the list of good stuff! Location will not be important anymore! I think I will probably be using it for writing too.
My iphone, its camera's, map/search/gps function, online possibilities, etc.

Technology has become a necessity on our lives. Seniors are going to find it more and more useful as time goes on. The trick is to find the right things that will keep them ahead of the trends. It is worth doing the research now to avoid the mistakes later. Welcome to the age of mobile computing!

Saturday, January 8, 2011

Grumpy Guys - MORE Magazine

"I keep finding these great articles for you to read. Check this one out!"

Irritable Male Syndrome: What is it and is it real?

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Friday, January 7, 2011

AARP and Me...I was afraid to admit my age!

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AARP Home Page

I am almost embarrassed to say that I have avoided AARP like the plague...that was not smart folks, not at all. Psychologically I don't think that I wanted to admit that I was old enough to belong to the group. Those 4 capital letter have brought people to their knees. Even though I am 69, I really don't think about my age until I look in the mirror. So, when we begin receiving letters from the AARP organization in our late 40's, we are all reminded that we are not going to be young forever. An AARP letter can feel like another nail in a our coffin!

Image from AARP

I write a blog about retirement and how we can live a full, rich, beautiful life and simply not think about our age. I want people to realize that, as AARP says, their old age is not their parents old age. I have come to the conclusion that AARP, with the help of the boomer generation, can help us come to that place.

My apologies to all the wonderful people over at AARP...they do wonderful things for the generation of people that are living the second half of their lives. It is as simple as that. For example:

Games...I played golf with a woman that is fighting for her mind. She told me that online games keep her thinking. They help her feel better about herself. AARP has several games that you can play and keep score online. It would be fun for anyone that enjoys a game of chess or solitaire. (See Learning is Not Just for the Young!)

Jobs....If you are interested in working after retirement or travel with a retired spouse and still want/need to work yourself, they have several job suggestions. I don't believe I have ever seen this kind of information and assistance anywhere else. Tell me if I am wrong!

This is only two of the items in a list of several dozen. Everything from help with insurance costs to the words of the Dali Lama can be found on their pages. I am of the opinion NOW that everyone should pay attention to what they have to say...even our children. After all they are the people that speak for us in the halls of our government and the public's eye!

AARP LIST OF PAGES