The Fountain of Youth

Parent Cafe
1

<p>Okay, a lot of the kids in Sinners Alley are having birthdays involving facing down the big 5-0. Heck, there’s even some old geezer in there who’s closer to the next big number higher than that :eek:!</p>

<p>No problema. We’ve been sharing a couple of secrets to staying young, or at least seeming that way.</p>

<p>But, I decided we shouldn’t keep it all to ourselves. Some people are <em>afraid</em> of Sinners Alley. Some other people need a thread to occupy their (our?) time having sworn off that Thread That Almost Ate CC Alive.</p>

<p>So, herewith, a couple of the ideas already on the chalkboard. Can we add to the list?</p>

<li> No hush puppies.</li>
<li> No black sox with bermuda shorts and athletic shoes.</li>
<li> Never ever become one of those older people who think the world is going to hell in a handbasket. You know, <em>uses screechy voice</em> “What has happened to kids/music/sex/employment/education these days!?!”. </li>
<li> Keep an open mind: maybe there IS some reason to have my telephone be a device to enter text with my thumbs.</li>
<li> Take out your high school yearbook photo. If you are still sporting the same hairstyle… Change it!</li>
</ol>

2

<p>But jmmom…after my kids finally persuaded me that I could safely learn to text message from my cell phone, most of the time I have to get my reading glasses out so that I can see the letters :(… Guess I’d better memorize 'em like I have the computer keyboard!</p>

3

<p>Lasik, astromom, Lasik.</p>

4

<p>I just turned 50 a couple of weeks ago and sent in my AARP dues.</p>

<p>No one better lay a finger on my SS, dagnabit!</p>

5

<p>I am a brand new card carrying member of AARP too! I even got my first old people’s mag!</p>

6

<p>

Let’s add “no white athletic socks with dress shoes and bermuda shorts.” It’s not a good look, guys, no matter what you think. ;)</p>

7

<p>No tanning, deliberate or incidental.</p>

<p>I’m already benefiting from obeying this rule as a young(er) person.</p>

8

<p>I apparently am still an associate member of aarp since my birthday isn’t until October.
Theyve been sending me stuff for months though</p>

<p>No whale tails
No sox with sandals
Less makeup than I wore at 14 ;)</p>

9

<p>Socks with sandals is a very “Colorado” thing. I refuse to give it up (even here in Tennessee) :)</p>

<p>No jeans with elastic at the waist.</p>

<p>No bright green eye shadow.</p>

<p>Men- no speedos unless you are Mark Spitz or otherwise engaged in competitive swimming</p>

10

<p>MOWC - It’s also very German.</p>

<p>No elastic waist? What? Next you’re going to tell me no polyester! (j/k I really do know better.)</p>

11

<p>About no. 5 Take out your high school yearbook photo. If you are still sporting the same hairstyle… Change it.</p>

<p>I assume that refers to women. 'Cos I know some men who would love to be sporting the same hairstyle – any hairstyle – just as long as they had hair. </p>

<p>BTW, in my home, we call it ‘hairs.’ Cos otherwise it sounds like there’s only 1 left.</p>

12

<p>MOWC
you’re dating yourself just by knowing who Mark Spitz is
LOL in college I dated someone just b/c he resembled Spitz.How shallow was that?
No white belts on those slacks,guys
Be open to and excited about new technology.
No AARP card for me, though 55 is my next number…</p>

13

<p>Now I know what they mean about “mom” jeans…you know, the ones which button above your bellybutton.</p>

<p>I think those should be outlawed, particularly if they have taped legs. Talk about unflattering on our middleaged selves!</p>

14

<p>No more haircuts - they’ve been lying all these years. The once every six weeks thing is a scam, I’ve discovered. Stop letting hair stylists mess with hair, and you get long, beautiful, healthy tresses, providing you take care of your hair. Olive oil 15 minutes before shampoo works wonders. </p>

<p>Every day at the gym, 30 minutes minimum, or, 40 minute run every morning. No need for heavy makeup - bloodflow to the face is awesome natural makeup.</p>

<p>Update warddrobe once a year, twice if possible. No “mommy” jeans. Also, never wear pants in public - always dresses and skirts (unless you’re a guy). And wear ONE thing that’s risky - a piece of jewelry, or a braid. Or dye a small strand of hair purple. </p>

<p>Always manicure nails before bed - saves time waiting for nails to dry. No eating after 7:00 p.m., or, if you have to, only fruits, salads. And drink TONS of water.</p>

<p>Keep makeup in the refrigerator - it goes on better. Apply it outside, in sunlight, so you don’t accidently look like a clown. And use as little as possible - there’s something icky about caked makeup over skin that may be starting to wrinkle. </p>

<p>Wear HOT underwear. I’m completely serious, and hope the moderators don’t delete - but - what you wear underneath does something to the attitude you project. I highly recommend lacy thongs. People who wear baggy, saggy tidy whities, well, it seems like you can just sort of tell by how they project themselves. </p>

<p>Laugh as often as possible, go to comedy clubs if you have to. Stress kills silently, from the inside, so, look for ways to mitigate it with humor. On that note, end relationships with negative people and situations. Hang out with happy, humorous, interesting people who are successful or at least satisfied with their lives, and enthusiastic about their opportunities. That does NOT mean avoiding, say, the terminally ill, or abandoning friends who are going through serious problems and in need of support. It does mean to eliminate chronic unproductive, negative situations. </p>

<p>Last, when goofing around on the internet, click something new every day. Don’t just keep going back to the same old sites day after day. Explore new blogs, online newspapers in foreign countries, etc., and set a policy that you aren’t allowed to visit your favorite sites until you click one new thing, somewhere you haven’t been.</p>

15

<p>I wouldn’t know about any of this, I’m only 48 ;). But I’ve been a card-carrying member of AARP for quite some time now…I guess you’d consider me the trophy wife!</p>

<p>I just wished SpringfieldGirl a broken leg… CATS starts tonight; it’s her very last show as a high school student.</p>

16

<p>oooh, those tears will flow, SpringfieldMom – probably yours and your daughter’s</p>

17

<p>I remember Mark Spitz- but Greg Louganis is way hotter- teh fact that he bats for the other team doesnt make a difference ;)</p>

<p>I would also add- go listen to live music
Yes the Symphony counts- but try a club too, & not just when Oscar Peterson comes to town. :slight_smile: * but be sure to go and see Oscar & enjoy the fact that he is way older than you!*
Feel virtuous when you limit yourself to one or two drinks and have water inbetween :D</p>

<p>( and enjoy the fact that many clubs are now smoke free!)</p>

18

<p>Can’t stress the “open mind” recommedation enough.</p>

<p>Try to keep abreast of the general developments in technology. There might be something in there that will actually make your life easier.</p>

<p>There a lot of things people our age don’t know, so go learn.</p>

<p>My wife (who is nearly 50) started back to school to get a math degree. Part-time now, but will go full-time after our HS sophomore goes on to college. She placed into Algebra II and is pulling aces so far. A long way to go, but I know she can do it.</p>

<p>Would have been easier when she was 20, but the time machine is broken so have to do this in real-time.</p>

19

<p>Dadguy, it maybe would have been easier when she was 20 - but I bet it’s much more MEANINGFUL now.</p>

20

<p>Yes, when she was 20, her parents were going through a divorce and she lost interest in school and then just sort of drifted out, more than just dropped out.</p>

<p>She regrets not having gone back, but there was always something holding her back.</p>