On Turning 52...(SOB!!!)

I find myself laughing as I write this, simply by virtue of the fact that I sound like my mother and my grandmother..."I don't feel a day over 25".  I used to think they were crazy!  How can you be saying that when you are obviously so OLD???  You wear polyester, have grey hair and say things like "I don't feel a day over 25". 

In retrospect, they weren't crazy...they were old.  Whaaaaaaaaaa....sad but true. 
And now I can relate.    

Let's consider the facts:

1.  I'm 52
2.  90% of the people I work with are young enough to be my children
3.  I'm so set in my ways, the only one that can stand living with is my cat
4.  I never sleep past 8am
5.  I rarely stay up past 10 on a "school night"
6.  I say "school night"
7.  I drink gin and tonics with a twist of lime...instead of beer
8.  I go shopping and wonder if what I've picked out is appropriate for my age
9.  I approaching my 35 year high school reunion
10.  The men 10 years older than me are teetering on the verge of retirement
11.  I'm older than my one of my best friends parents
12.  I wear bi-focal contacts
13.  My eyebrows are turning grey faster than my hair
14.  I make lists about all the things that are aging me

See what I'm saying? 

She's a Betty!!!

I am a California "girl".  Born and raised.  I moved to the Mid-West 11 years ago for the "wide open spaces" (yes, Dixie Chicks) and the friendly people.  But that doesn't mean that I'm not above using passe California surfer terms when they fit.   A "Betty" is an archaic term used on the beach when a surfer saw a woman they thought was attractive.  I've always wanted to name a dog or horse of mine Betty.  But the timing never seem right. 
Now I know why...

Meet my Betty!!!

 

 

She was built in 1941.  She's 72!!!  And I am her official owner!  And I can not remember a day when I was happier to be committed to a 30 year relationship!  I'm a crazy in love new homeowner. 

 

I am smitten with Betty!

 



     

She's My Girl!!!

My little Missy! 

 

 

 

I scooped her up out of a litter of seven the day I moved off the farm in Red Oak Iowa, six long years ago.  I was leaving a bad situation, and she was one of the good reasons I had to help me start over, again.  At the time, I needed the focus of another being to make my move more valuable...because God knows, at that juncture in my life, I felt no value in myself.  She was my saving grace.  In the days that followed, when I had no desire to move forward for myself, she still needed me.

 

I named her Ella Fitzgerald, because the first time I ran a bath in my little run down duplex in downtown Red Oak, she hopped up on the edge of the tub and "sang" to me.  She loved the water, and the ritual of my bath time.  The fact that she had my undivided attention for a half an hour as I soaked in the tub, seemed to make her day...and was enough for her.  And at the same time it made me feel valuable and needed, for the first time in a long time.  We bonded during those baths, and she learned too, how to "talk" to me.  She found that being close to me was a good thing, and she got her unending hand fulls of fresh hot water.

 

Ellie Smelly has been the only constant in my life for the last six years.  She's been with me through the loss of a relationships, the loss of jobs and our move to Des Moines.  She sat with me and loved me through my diagnosis and treatment for breast cancer.  She didn't care if I was bitchy and had no hair.  She loved me all the more because eventually my schedule for sleeping all day coincided with her schedule of doing the same.  We've shared the same bed...she's had her half and I've had mine.  She's never judged me my insecurities, she tested my patience on a daily basis, and gave me a reason to get out of bed on days when I saw no point.

 

She's never held against me my moods, bad decisions, or lack of money. All she has ever wanted from me, was a few hours outside to chase birds and bunnies, a good meal at the end of any day, and a safe place to fall at the end of the night.  She has loved me unconditionally, been a true companion, and someone I could count on...each and everyday.  She's taught me to be a better person and has never held my weaknesses against me. 

 

True love walks on four furry little white feet!

 

Just sayin!!!