Attention Signs you're getting old.

[me203]

You remember using a fountain pen when in school. (I didn't--I was born well into the ballpoint pen era--athough I did have one that I kept at home. Sometimes it was used for homework.)

 

[me203]

You remember computers that used cassette tape to hold data (e.g., Commodore C64, Radio Shack Color Computer). You remember floppy disk as a big upgrade.

 

[fredroy]

You showered with your classmates after PE.

Never did. The chance was there but Mr. Trouser Snake got excited just thinking taking my clothes off.... so no, not going to walk around like that. For a bonus, the showers were on a timer. The teacher set it for ten minutes and there you are, covered with soap when "click".

 

[me203]

You remember computers that used cassette tape to hold data (e.g., Commodore C64, Radio Shack Color Computer). You remember floppy disk as a big upgrade.

Or you remember floppy disks at all.

 

[fredroy]

I have a few boxes of floppies. The little ones. I still have my Sony Mavica camera, too. When the Mavica's batteries go south, it and the floppies and the USB floppy drive all go away. I'll try an eBay listing.

 

[me203]

Never did. The chance was there but Mr. Trouser Snake got excited just thinking taking my clothes off.... so no, not going to walk around like that. For a bonus, the showers were on a timer. The teacher set it for ten minutes and there you are, covered with soap when "click".

I made a point of avoiding the showers, too. I think an unwanted boner was a worry. I have to now wonder if that unwanted boner would have happened or not.

 

[me203]

I have a few boxes of floppies. The little ones. I still have my Sony Mavica camera, too. When the Mavica's batteries go south, it and the floppies and the USB floppy drive all go away. I'll try an eBay listing.

Probably would find a buyer. There still are plenty of people who have legacy devices, play with old computers, etc.

 

[HornyHippy420]

Womens boobs get bigger when they gain weight. Still waiting for my dick to get bigger!!

 

[rareboy]

You read a sign saying 'Children under II ride free' and you think it means children under 2 years of age.

 

[gsdx]

I have been informed. I wasn't trying to be rude or offensive.

I catch myself using my arms to stand up instead of just standing up. So that's where the squats idea came from. But it's more like half knee bends while holding onto the kitchen counter to keep my balance while the Keurig makes a cup of coffee.

I know, and I apologise for being so harsh. I knew you're new here, but I was having a rough day. I know you didn't mean anything by it. You were only trying to help, but in 2014, I had my left hip replaced after falling on ice. In 2026, I fell on my right side and broke my hip, wrist, and shoulder. I have mended, but I've never recovered.

There are other issues that I won't go into right now, but each on their own are debilitating and make everyday things a challenge. Everything.

This is not the way for anyone to grow old, but I have no choice and must deal with it. And for someone who hasn't been able to tie his shoes or put on a pair of socks in over 20 years, being told to do squats at my kitchen counter seed like a smack across the head with a frying pan.

So let's just consider this a handshake and carry on, shall we?

 

[rareboy]

I'll send you flowers but would prefer not to have to!

Today though, I thought that the day will come soon when I need to add a rail in the shower so that I don't lose my balance.

Old age and death come with a fall.

Gabriel Garcia Marquez - Love in the Time of Cholera

 

[metta]

This thread is a good reminder of why I need to downsize to a smaller home that is only one story. I'm on my own so, I need to be prepared as I get older. Small homes are so expensive right now in the area I want to go to. I'm hoping they drop a little.

 

[rareboy]

We just plan on eventually living on the main floor of our farmhouse...it has happened before here.

 

[fredroy]

For what little it is worth I had a wreck. Old, and I mean old and 83 years old, lady in a full size Olds 98 peering over the steering wheel cut a left turn in front of me and I did a very poor impression of the Flying Nun. It was that or head on into a Ford pickup truck. Easy choice.

Landed in the gutter. Cracked my helmet, too. It was fast. Tried to steer around and well, "relax on impact" was said to be the way to go. So I had that one second of time to think.
Bruised my right knee some how. It didn't hurt much. It swelled up enough that I had still stretch marks a couple of years later.

Broke my left leg where it tapers to go into the hip socket. They put it all back together with four pins. I have a 10 inch scar on my leg. I spent almost a year on crutches after a month in the hospital.

They said 50/50 for saving my leg. I don't have a limp. It sorta aches most of the time. Some times it really hurts.... not quite to puking and weather seems to have no effect. I do favor my left leg. It's never been as strong since the wreck. The nerves and all. I use to be able to run. Nope. Leg doesn't work that way anymore.

That was all back in '79. The cracked helmet? Saved my skull but I was addled for a few years. So fck college. I tried for another year and I just could not concentrate. Going to class and back to the dorm and then to the cafeteria for meals maxed me out. I think I'm still not quite right.... and I've had folks tell me I'm the smartest person they have ever met. Yeah, let's toss a box of Morton salt over our shoulders.

I'm not whining about my shit. I do see where you are coming from.

I favor my left leg. It aches all the time. The squat idea is what I do to try to make my leg work.

 

[NotHardUp1]

We just plan on eventually living on the main floor of our farmhouse...it has happened before here.

If I live to see retirement and escape from Alabama before that, I am shopping for a house big enough to entertain in, as long as a great bedroom is on the main floor,

No split levels.

No laundry in the basement, garage, or upstairs.

Nice shade trees and space for perennial beds.

Great kitchen and storage.

 

[metta]

I want to live close enough to stores and the gym that I can easily walk or bike to it. I need that to force me to get more steps in each day. They recommend 10k steps a day and I know I don't get anywhere near that. My current home has so much storage space (walk-in pantry, walk-in closets, multiple linen closets, etc.). I'm really going to miss that. Those small old homes don't have those things. The new homes usually have mello roos taxes and hoa's so I'm trying to avoid doing that again.

 

[gsdx]

I'll send you flowers but would prefer not to have to!

Today though, I thought that the day will come soon when I need to add a rail in the shower so that I don't lose my balance.

I've had 2 bars in my tub/shower since I moved in here 20 years ago: one under the shower head for getting in and out and another on the back wall to hold onto. I also have a wooden stool to sit on. I have no feeling in my feet at all so my balance is almost non-existent, especially in dim light and totally non-existent in the dark or when I close my eyes. Falling down is my biggest fear because I know I won't be able to get back up again by myself. I'm saving up to get a 'fall alert' device and a mobility scooter and and automatic glucose reader. I suppose if I stop eating...

 

[me203]

You've used a typewriter. (My high school typewriter was Jessica Fletcher-like Royal, although it was a yard sale find. Possibly the neatest find that summer. Too bad it had to be used for--gag!--school work. )

You remember Dittos in school.

 

[Vannie]

Men wore colors. Straight men.

You owned striped pants.

You still have a "leisure jacket" in the end of your closet. Moths won't touch it.

I had a blue and a beige leisure suit as we called them that I wore to church and thought I was so cool.


And I guess in the early 70s I had two pairs of striped pants. One was red white and blue.

I think they called them "flared" pants. Not bell bottoms but still had that flared ankle area. Something like that.

 

[Vannie]

Thank you Guys for all the great replies.