Karen Foley
Lynn Raye Harris
Ellen Hartman
Diana Holquist
Samantha Hunter
Shirley Jump
Dee Tenorio
Jeannie Watt
Young At Heart
I am the youngest in my family, though my mother had me 10 years after my next oldest sister, and when my mother was 40. So, I grew up generally being around people older than I was, and I think that shaped who I was in a lot of ways. Maybe grew up faster, was always responsible, I always acted older than most kids my age. So now, I just turned 46, and the reverse seems to be true. I don't feel -- and most people say I don't look, and often don't act -- my age. That's fine by me -- I'm not sure exactly what it means to act your age anyway -- is there a way we're supposed to act at 46? 35? 78?
I look at my sisters and friends who are a little older than me, and other older people around me, my 89 year old Dad who still takes care of himself everyday, and my 70-something MIL, who travels in her RV all over the country, and I know that just like we can be whoever we want to be when we are kids, we can also be whoever we want to be as we get older, too.
Case in point: my husband bought me a Wii for my birthday yesterday, which is maybe something most people buy for their kids. ;) He also bought me a warm sweater and beautiful necklace, so he really hit all the bases, LOL, and I am reminded of my age because I am soooo sore today, LOL, from playing every game on there for hours. I love it.
We lived like college students all day long, eating a steady stream of junk food and playing the Wii. It was a great b'day, though hardly "adult" and that's fine with me. I think what I love the most is when I am out for a walk and see an 80 year old jog by in psychedelic shorts, and when I was at a craft fair with my MIL and we picked her out a bright blue felted hat with a bird feather in it.
Being young at heart, being whimsical, having fun, remembering how to play and laugh and stop being an adult for a few minutes. . .these are all the things that keep us young, I think, in the ways that matter. Sometimes we're all too caught up with daily business and being serious and responsible and worrying about the bills, the kids, whatever. . .but we need playtime, too. A day off now and then to act like teenagers.
As romance readers and authors, I think we have a leg up on that, if we remember not to take it all too seriously, because let's face it -- what we do is fun. Making up stories and reading them is fun -- it's why I did it as a kid, to share the stories with my family and friends. I think remembering that my writing is supposed to be fun will keep my writing, my books, and my characters young at heart, too.
There's a story on the Today Show this morning about how two twins aged differently, and they have teased the segment by saying "what is it you can do after 40 to stay young?" I'm guessing the answer is to have fun, in whatever shape it comes to you in life, whether it's playing a board game, a Wii, or whatever is fun for you.
So what do you do to have fun and stay young at heart? Share, and I'll pick a winner by the end of the week to receive something fun in the mail from me. :)
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Today Show follow up
I just saw the segment, and they did say it was lifestyle, of course, smokers will age faster, etc people who spend too much time in the sun, exercise is good for you, your circulation, stature, etc BUT, the big issue they talked about was weight -- being a little heavier reduces wrinkles and all of the twins in their study who were heavier had a younger appearance. They didn't advocate gaining weight to look younger, but a few extra pounds makes your skin look better and fills out the spots which would normally get wrinkly.
So, I guess I was okay eating all that caramel corn yesterday, LOL. But seriously, I still think fun is the biggest factor, because everyone looks younger when they are having fun.
Sam
Happy Birthday Samantha!
It sounds like you had a great day. Having fun has to help you stay young at heart and sometimes I do forget to do some fun stuff. I think reminding yourself about all the blessings you have in life and keeping an optimistic outlook also helps.
I think this is true
Choosing to be positive and happy is a much more youthful mindset - the worrying sets in later. ;)
Sam
Happy Birthday, Sam!!! To
Happy Birthday, Sam!!! To stay young, I spend nine months a year around 8th graders. It really does the trick, lol. No wait...maybe that's what ages me.
Jeannie
LOL
Yeah, well, I know they say kids keep you young, but parenting gave me most of my gray hairs! LOL
Sam
Happy Birthday, Sam!!
I'm right behind you, kiddo! Sounds like you had a fabulous birthday and I hope I get a chance to check out your latest necklace!
This sounds crazy, but I love playing laser tag with the kids...we go to a laser tag center, and even though we have to wait to get in, we'll easily play 3 or 4 games, giving ourselves crazy names like "Black-Hearted Hussie" or "Quick-Draw Cait." We come out laughing and sweaty, and it's loads of fun. We just need to do it more often!
Happy Birthday Sam! One day late
I think age is attitude and up until my 60th birthday last year I was okay with my age. Why did suddenly getting a senior's discount effect me? I don't know but it did. I'm much happier about it now. I love to get down on the floor and play with my great nieces and nephews. About the only thing I can't keep up with is the skate boarding and electronic games they play. My husband does play electronic games though. I even started to ride the amusement park rides which I never used to do. I figure I can last for a minute or so and not die or embarrass myself. To my amazement I even enjoy some of them. This is from a person who once had to ask to get off a merry-go- round. I'd love to get a wii for my birthday. I think that's what I'll ask for this year.
Oh man...
That sounds like fun, and I like the nicknames... ;) I don't like the shooter games, the ones that are so popular, but I think I would like laser tag, too, and our wii does have this little target shooting thing where you shoot balloons and flying saucers, etc and it's a lot of fun. ;)
Sam, so glad I am not alone on this later 40s thing! LOL
Happy Birthday Sam. I think
Happy Birthday Sam.
I think mindset has a lot to do with how old you feel. If getting older bothers you, you will feel older.....but if you just overlook getting older and continue the things you have always done and have fun you will feel younger. Does that make any sense. I love to travel and will continue to do so as long as I possibly can.
Happy Birthday
Happy Birthday, Sam. I try to keep young but exercising my body and mind. I do crossword puzzles daily so that I stay sharp. I also try to talk a walk everyday, but it's harder in the winter.
Winter is hard
I am convinced that if I lived in a warmer climate, I would be healthier all year long. I really don't get anywhere near as much exercise in winter, but maybe now I will with the Wii. ;)
Sam
Belated Happy Birthday!
Glad you had a great birthday, Sam! Having just had one myself that made me feel very old, I probably don't have any good suggestions for being young at heart. Give me a few weeks to get over the new number and then we can talk, lol!
My parents had me when my siblings were nearly grown and Mom swears having a young child through her 40s kept she and Dad very young. They were doing all the parenting things over again and enjoying them much more than when they were teenagers/young 20s with two small children.
I believe keeping your mind active, learning new skills and being involved with your children's activities (or nieces/nephews, etc.) is a great way to keep feeling young even when the number goes higher and higher. Also working out and doing something you enjoy, in my case it is photography and scrapbooking.
You know...
The numbers actually don't bother me... I don't know why. I don't attach too much reality to the numbers, I guess, but what does bother me is stuff like having to go get a new pair of glasses, or I can notice my arthritis acts up more, etc. But those are exactly the reasons to live younger, stay active, and so forth, right?
The only b'day that ever bothered me was 43 -- no reason, it just did. Weird.
Sam
Well, some might argue that
I AM young, but my Mom would tell you I'm potentially older than her. I play video games, watch football and read romances, lol. I don't know if that keeps me young, but it makes me happy.
You are young!
But we don't want to talk about that. *G*
I think happy will always = younger/youth. Nothing makes you older faster than stress and unhappiness. We can't avoid some of that, but focusing on it is not the ticket.
Sam
What a great post, Sam!
That's so nice your husband bought you a wii and you had so much fun with it! Mine is pretty neglected right now - which is bad.
Hm - as for age... I'm pretty young now. This is evident in the fact that... when answering the phone, (strangers) on the other line ask to talk to my "mommy or daddy." Last year someone asked me if I was lost - and if I was trying to find a parent. This made work interesting, and vaguely awkward. My parents both look a lot younger than they are - and my sister as well. It makes me sad people think I'm the older sibling. Of course... she gets carded for R movies. A manger once refused to sell her alcohol when she had her passport. That cracks me up.
And yay for you for staying young at heart! :) There's no point in limiting yourself - and its always fun to indulge yourself. Especially on your birthday! :D
hmmmm
Our local store cards everyone -- seriously -- even my MIL, LOL. It's their "policy" (you know, because the 70 year old might really be a 14 year old in disguise...).
Frustrating on the other end, too, though, to always be seen as too young -- I know that was a problem when I was a grad student. I had a slight edge, as I went back to school later, so when I had to do my grad teaching, the students saw me clearly as a little older (I was only 28 at the time, but still...) but it was very hard for a 24 year old assistant, especially if she was pretty, etc to get a classroom to take her seriously...sometimes they were even harassed by male students.
Interesting stuff...
Sam
LOL
That's wonderful - and an ego stroke often to people who are carded. But it's often taken too far for my sister. Not only is she carded, she's refused service. I mean, who fakes a US passport? A bouncer once wouldn't let her into a bar - and she was the last of all her friends... just issues like that. Luckily I haven't run into those problems.
People thought my mom was 20+ years younger than she was a few years ago. :) So I'm looking forward to that, at least. :D
Happy Birthday!
DH and I forget how old we are. We're both lucky that we look younger so when we act like dorks, it doesn't look too weird.
When I was 19, my friend took me to a bar. He told me, if I acted like I belonged, no one would think I was underage. I am happy to say, I still have trouble doing that. Why am I happy? The day before my 30th birthday, I got carded. Yup, I'm still having trouble projecting that mature attitude. Think child-like not child-ish.
I don't lie about my age because it is more fun to hear people say "You're 37? Really?"!
I love that, too
I get that sometimes, at the quilt shop the girls asked me how many kids I had home, and I said, none, my only one is 25 this year, and they were shocked. That is fun. :)
Sam
Hooray!
Happy birthday, Sam! I think when I let myself really just play with my kids, that's something that keeps me feeling young. On the other hand, trying to behave like the parent definitely gives me gray hairs... Hmm... ;p
Good distinction!
You're right -- kids can be fun. *G* It's the parenting that can sprout the greys...
Sam
Well happy birhtday
Well happy birhtday Sam!
I'll have my 41st next week on the 10th. I love to write, which is fun as long as the carachters behave, and its fun when they dont too!
i love do anything creative, paint, draw, photgraphy. walking outside with my husband and four year old.
Hey keeping up with the four year will make you feel young, oh never mind that's what wears me out! hah
My husbands always makes me laugh, every day no matter what. and that always helps.
We like to do silly things together.
i remember one warm spring day we were going to the grocery store and he stopped in the middle of the parking lot because our song was playing on the loudpseaker outside, and we started to dance. everyone was staring at us like we were crazy, mostly because it was raining. but we didnt care, it felt right and we laughed all through the store later.
Just keeping an youthful happy attitude towards life in general i think helps to keep you young.
Hope you have many more wonderful birthdays Sam. and i am jealous of the Wii. my sister bought one for her kids, but she and her husband play it more. lol
jody
Cute!
Love the dancing! yes, romance and being silly can keep you young... I know Mike and I are like that, too, maybe not often enough, but we are especially silly together, even just on a daily basis, when we will get lots of laughs about silly stuff.
You have to get a wii... I am less sore today, so will do some more... ;)
Sam
Fun
I like to take walks every day but the weather has been really bad this winter and I have missed my walks. I also piece quilts and its a big enjoyment for me.
Love quilting...
I really like quilting, though my sewing has broadened out now to a lot of home decor stuff, and making bags and purses, and also I might take a garment sewing class... in some ways, I have this image in my head of the older women my mother knew and they all sewed, LOL, but nowadays, sewing has had a resurgence and is very trendy and many young people are sewing and knitting, so I think we're on safe ground. ;)
Sam
read , eat fruits and
read , eat fruits and vegatables. sometimes wii game lol
Food makes a difference!
Good food and being healthy definitely keeps us young, and so does the occasional bad food binge, I think -- eat like a kid and it can really help with the fun factor!
Sam
Young at heart
Sensuality is more about what is not said than what is...
I think it's all about being happy. If you're happy with yourself, truely happy, then the rest of the daily grind stuff just rolls off your back. Trust me, I work in a semi hostle work inviroment, my boss couldn't speak in a normal voice or tone if he had to, and sometimes he's a little...we'll say meanish when he's upset about something, or he doesn't understand something. (he's the set in his ways kinda man and in his mid 70's he makes no attempts to change...at all) and sometimes I get upset about what was said or how it was said, but really later I just have to laugh.
I read and write for fun, play with my kiddies, and just do what makes me happy. My favorite thing to do is go for a long drive in the country. For some reason, it's very relaxing and it makes me think of when hubby and I were young...we used to just get in the car and drive when there was nothing else to do..of course that's when to buck in the glove box would fill the tank!
I agree
One of my little secrets for trying to keep perspective on life's irritations is looking at it as if I were 89, like my Dad. Nothing much bothers him, the man has seen wars, deaths, illnesses, economic depressions, raised a family, had and lost jobs, etc... and he's usually calm about all of it. So sometimes I say to myself, "how would this problem look to me if I were 89?" and it's amazing how it puts things in their place. ;)
And being happy is all, ultimately, that counts, which often links to making others happy, too. :)
Sam
Happy Birthday Sam!
Hail to the Redskins!
Happy Birthday, I'll be 47 next month. I still see myself as 25, and people think I'm in my mid-30's. I've been told I'm not old enough to have a teen! lol. I'm enjoying my 40's and having the money to do what I want, when I want. (within reason of course). And being healthy enough to enjoy life. As a hospice nurse, I'm taking the time to focus on and do what's important and not worry about what others think. Its taken a while for me to realize that also.
I once learned in a nursing class that age is generational. We'll be in the nursing homes, etc listening to our '80's music on our walkmans, while the young people taking care of us will think its "oldies and old people stuff". I've had home heath aides complain of the elderly in their homes who don't have microwaves and still make their meals from scratch. I say good for them! if they can still do that. Its a generational thing. My dd complained that her ipod "only held 12 cd's" and wanted one with the ability to hold more cd's. My dh and I wanted to know what the problem was--we were used to changing cassette tapes in the car at her age. We have a 5 cd changer in our stereo system. I don't have an ipod. There are nurses who chose to retire at the agency vs learn how to use a computer. I take care of elderly nurses who shake their head at my computer. I tell them that while I can read the doctors orders on the computer, I still spend just as much time charting as I did when I wrote nurses notes by hand.
My point is, age is a state of mind, and what we're doing isn't old by our standards, but will be one day. I'm a lady of the 80's, my dd is a millenial baby, and we both enjoy our generations and life. I can appreciate the old things, but I love the new technology that had made our lives easier.
WINNER!
I reached into my grab bag for a second time today, and the winner for my fun stuff giveaway is Teresa! -- Teresa, I just went shopping and picked up some really fun stuff (I'm not telling it can be a surprise -- and you can come back and share when you get it!), and I'll include any book from my backlist (except for Virtually Perfect or About Last Night, since I don't have copies of those) so just email me at samhunter@samanthahunter.com with your book choice and mailing info.
Congrats!
Sam
Yay!
Congratulations Teresa!!!