40 Days of Gratefulness - Day 25

When did we start getting old? At 30, 40, 50? It blows my mind when I'm off acting like if I don't get in the bed by 11:00 something bad is going to happen. 'Girl, I gotta lay down.' REALLY. I got back from happy hour yesterday and it was only 7:00 - the first drink was too strong so I had to send it back. The second one was fruity but then I was worried about getting up in the morning so I didn't even bother drinking it. Why do I do it to myself?

I don't know what happened - I used to be cool, hip and could stay up all night, right? Now, an evening out better start before 7 because anytime after 10:30, I'm pretty much shutting it down. And if I stay up late, I'm guaranteed to be tired for 2 more days. Last time a friend had a birthday party at 11 on a Friday night, I complained 'Good grief, that's late.' Yeah, right ...  'it's late' is code for I can't see good at night when I drive. Or my favorite one, 'it's too windy' - like it's Kansas and I'm going to blow into a ditch. And when did I need naps? When I tell you I need a nap, I mean it. It usually occurs on the week-end when I don't even have to work. And, I'm talking about laying down, putting the phone on silent and getting it in. There was a time when I needed complete quiet and darkness - not anymore - sometimes that TV stays on for days and I seem to sleep just fine.

'Scenes from my pantry'

And something about getting old makes you want to be on time - for everything. My girlfriends' husband had a friend coming over to help him move something. The gentleman said he would be there after 7. And you know what, he was - he rang the bell at 7:03. In fact, the older I get the earlier I need to be at the airport. I like to be at the airport at least 1 hour and 45 minutes before the flight and that's not including security. Sometimes I'm at sitting at the airport longer than the flight.

Whew. And you can't eat anything. I had a Filet-O-Fish from McDonald's about a month ago and I'm pretty sure it's still sitting in my stomach somewhere. Pizza, tacos and spaghetti used to be my friend, but now they give me heartburn. No more Pepsi, Coke and orange crush in my pantry, it's only reserved for ginger ale.

Things I like to do for fun are different as well. Planks, I really do love 'em. And I'm excited about going hiking next week, maybe I'll wear my favorite Nike boots (Day 12). Even vacations are different. Gone are the days of running around like crazy trying to see and do everything. Last time I went on vacation, I didn't even leave the resort. I ate, read books and laid at the pool. Fun now is staying in and making chocolate-covered strawberries. Cupcakes make the day a winner. And you know what's better than a night out on the town? A night in with family and friends. You know why? Because it's safe. That's right safe and comfortable are now conditions to me having fun. I even hug people good night and say things like 'Be careful.' What am I? A nana.

It gets even better, right now I'm wearing an arm brace for tennis elbow. Do you know I haven't played tennis in 25 years but nonetheless my elbow doesn't know that because it hurts all the time. If you look in my pantry, you'll see gigantic-sized bottles of vitamins, ibuprofen and cough drops right next to the salt-free herb seasoning.  An ache, pain, sprain or cough could occur at any moment for absolutely no reason and I need to be prepared.

And with all my aches, pains, naps, new found fun and injuries I wouldn't have it any other way. It sure is a blessing to be alive.

So on this Day 25 of 40 days of gratefulness, I'm grateful for getting old. #beblessed #40daysofgratefulness