<p>mommusic,
In my somewhat provincial locale, many restaurants and stores are required to card all people making a purchase of alcohol. My absolute favorite was a friend getting carded when buying (wait for it, and this is the absolute truth) Ben and Jerry’s Magic Brownie and Karamel Sutra Ice cream. I.kid.you.not.</p>
<p>When some poor young kid has to ask me for my ID at a restaurant, I usually thank him, tell him I love him and ask how old his mother is before presenting my ID. It usually helps them feel less awkward about it.</p>
<p>Has anyone gotten their eyes done or their nasolabial folds (the lines from your nose down to your mouth). I have briefly considered it, but a friend had something done recently and now talks out of the side of her mouth like Marlon Brando. No thanks.</p>
<p>** Forgot to mention- Facebook lets us see many of our old friends and classmates. In general, I think the women have aged better than the men. This was borne out at reunions as well. In general, I believe the women looked better. I might be biased, but thats how it looked to me.</p>
<p>I have lost some of my height-not due to osteoporosis, but due to degenerative disc disease.</p>
<p>Miami, no disrespect intended, but it’s diabetes, not diabetese.</p>
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<p>I noticed the same thing-almost ALL the women there looked fantastic. But I also noticed a lot of women didn’t attend-I wondered if those women didn’t want to go to the last reunion because they had put on weight, or didn’t like how they’d aged. The guys seemed to have a sense of humor about their big guts and bald heads. I don’t think women find that as amusing.</p>
<p>Is this object transferrance? I replaced my vehicle yesterday, so instead of driving a 130K mile dilemma from the school of hard knocks, I’m looking forward to this shiny red sedan with 40K miles. Surely the absence of dings, dents and no major parts falling off is more befitting a mature style of aging gracefully!</p>
<p>I think hairstyle also can add years to your appearance. Really stiff styles look bad around an aging face, imo. I think softer, looser hair works better. Some days I don’t even comb I hair. I just run my fingers thru it and pat it a little bit. The tousled look is good for the aging woman. Also think most 50-something women benefit from a few bangs. :)</p>
<p>Thanks for good intentions, Nrdsb, unfortunately I will not remember 5 min. from now and in addition, my fingers are not controled much by my brain as tightly as they should, they have life of their own.</p>
<p>*** Forgot to mention- Facebook lets us see many of our old friends and classmates. In general, I think the women have aged better than the men. This was borne out at reunions as well. In general, I believe the women looked better. I might be biased, but thats how it looked to me.*</p>
<p>Absolutely. I went to a high school reunion a few years ago ( my first one - it was the 35th).
The women I could mostly recognize, the men had done stuff with their hair ( lost it, grown it out into a ponytail, grown beards). Very few men looked the same, although one has been a reporter for an NBC affiliate and still looks like he did in highschool w great hair;).</p>
<p>I have to admit that even though I didn’t anticipate it, it was an ego boost to see my first high school boyfriend ( who had unceremoniously dumped me) there w his wife. My H & I are a much hotter couple. I talked to his wife, but I pretended I didn’t recognize him. I never act like that - but it was kinda fun. :o it was also funny to see the women who swore they remembered H from school. ( this was in the burbs, he lived in the city)</p>
<p>I am way behind everybody as I think that FB is a waste of time, I do not have it, no intentions at all…Isn’t it better actually do something than read about somebody doing it?</p>
<p>I do know some people who put up pics from grade school, which is kinda cute, cause that is how I remember them!
What I hate about fb is when I am tagged in photos I didn’t even know were being taken. A series of group shots has me turned around the other way talking! :o</p>
<p>I don’t think I would have gone out of my way to usefacebook, if it hadn’t been required for some classes I was taking. It is only a waste of time if that’s how you see it. I like being able to touch base with people I only see a few times a year, easier than writing individual letters.</p>
<p>You can set your privacy level on FB so people cannot tag you in photos without your permission. I use Facebook a lot. I use it for networking in my business and I use it as a quick way to catch up on the news every morning. I follow the news outlets that interest so I can quickly scroll through to read the stories that interest me. I never use my picture on my profile, however. I will use pics of my D, my dog, political messages, cartoon characters, etc.</p>
<p>Not 50 yet, but the one aging issue that really bothers me is my undereye shadows/bags. Because of them, I look constantly tired and worn out. I have resorted to wearing my glasses all the time, as they provide a bit of coverage to this area. I would love to be able to wear my contacts again - especially during the summer. Anyone have successful treatment for the under-eye area?</p>
<p>Cartera, I did find that out eventually, but it seemed like for a while I was having to constantly change my privacy preferences w FB.</p>
<p>Some people have found that taking coenzyme q10 & EFA supplements help with the dark circles. ( I think it is supposed to help maintain capillary walls) </p>
<p>Turning 54 next month. I think I look better now than I did in my 30s. Although honestly I have added ~ 15 pounds to my frame since starting menopause 18 months ago. I’ve been working hard at getting rid of it, but dang, it is harder than it has ever been! 4 drop off and 2 weeks later they’re back. Anyone got any tips or hints?</p>
<p>My D (24) is a fashion design student and has asked me to allow her to take me shopping so she can update my wardrobe (she has amazing taste and a great eye for what works on body types). I have agreed but really (really!) want the extra pounds off before investing. Maybe that’s not realistic. </p>
<p>Never had issues with inhibitions, and (so far) no stray hairs (my bf has that issue). </p>
<p>I really just want to remain active and healthy as I age gracefully and not be afraid of the changes I see in the mirror. I feel young and by and large am very healthy! The women in my family have all aged beautifully, especially my grandmother who was 90 when she died, and hardly had a wrinkle and was a bright and charming woman.</p>
<p>I am overweight and matronly-looking. My goal is to look clean and respectable. Fashion has never interested me and I am glad I don’t have to wear make-up at my job. I am a good person, generally liked and respected by people. While I wish I wasn’t fat, I hate to exercise (boring), and love to eat. I’m no doubt one of the people some women would identify as “having let herself go.”</p>
<p>While I do wish I was thinner, I have no desire to change anything about the rest of my (aging) appearance. I do pay to get a good haircut, but I have never colored my graying hair. I don’t do my nails, and it would never occur to me to get botox or plastic surgery. I can’t imagine spending as much time even thinking about my appearance as many others apparently do, much less actually working out, shopping for clothes, getting manicures/pedicures, beauty shop treatments, etc., etc.</p>
<p>I am happy looking grandmotherly. Different strokes for different folks.</p>
<p>Well, folks in our extended family tend to be long-lived. My parents are in their 80s & still going strong. We had a great uncle die recently–he was 107 or so. My dad’s older sister must be at least 90 now. I figure I’m about the middle of my lifespan, or approaching it. Am happy to be in pretty good health and not obsessing over trying to fit any idealized image of beauty. Think my folks look pretty amazing and function extremely well for their respective ages. FWIW, I don’t look grandmotherly, even tho I don’t formally exercise, thanks to portion control and good genes. As you say, different strokes.</p>
<p>I hit that benchmark last fall and the month before competed & finished in my first triathlon! There is no way I could have done that 10 years ago, much less in my 20s. I now run faster than I ever have and am in better shape, although my upper body strength was probably better when I was 18 and my swim times are pathetic compared to when I was 17/18. I weigh 8 pounds more than I did when I graduated HS and only 3 more than where I was before I became pregnant w each kid. IMO, it’s all about how you treat your body and your genetics. My mom just turned 84 and looks great - if you over look the thinning hair, most people think she’s about 70. </p>
<p>I agree that women tend to age better than guys. I’m FB friends w many college friends and the guys have clearly put on 20+# and most of the women look good. I’m actually happy my face has thinned out, as my cheekbones are now visible. We attended a family wedding a few months ago and saw some childhood friends and cousins. Most of the friends hadn’t aged (and still dressed like girls heading to a club!), however my cousin, who is 3 months younger than I am, looked 10+ years older due to her weight and some health issues.</p>
<p>I don’t plan to EVER look grandmotherly! It is not my style. I think aging gracefully is a great goal, but that is not an excuse for lack of regard for one’s health.</p>