Coming Clean About My Age
My birthday is coming up, y’all.
Yup, this summer girl was born in November.
You know what that means.
My parents got busy around Valentine’s Day.
It means this year I turn 50.
Whaaat?
Well, kind of.
Lucille Ball once said:
“The secret to staying young is to live honestly, eat slowly and lie about your age.”
How much do I Love Lucy?
Here’s the 411.
When I first started teaching, I was 23, just a few years older than some of my 12th grade students!
When I introduced myself, I made a point of tacking on a few extra years. I said I was 25. Seven extra years seemed like the right amount of padding.
When I moved to New Orleans, I continued to add years. I felt I needed the cushion, so parents would nod and smile instead of raise disapproving eyebrows. And so my students would believe I was seasoned and complete my assignments without giving me grief.
I never lied to my employers. The Headmaster and English Department Chair at Metairie Park Country day School knew precisely how green old I was when I was hired.
A few years ago, I realized I’ve been in my 40’s for nearly fifteen years.
And that made me remember my grandmother who told people she was 29.
For decades.
After she stopped wearing wigs and wore her thinning hair in loose ponytails wrapped in twine, she was 29. After her eyes dulled and her skin wrinkled, she was 29. After her toenails yellowed and her remaining teeth fell out of her mouth, she was 29.
It was preposterous.
No-one bought it. It was silly and a little pitiful.
I vowed to go the other way.
So I padded.
This year, I could have told my students that I was 50.
Because if you tack on five extra years…well, I look pretty freaking good for 50, right?
And yet.
I’ve kind of caught up with myself.
These days, I am grateful for this body that continues to get me where it needs to go – even if I sometimes have headaches and get dizzy and fall down. I am grateful for my eyes, which still appreciate all the beauty around me – even if the view is a little blurry. I just have to remember to find put on my glasses. I will never have pretty model’s hands, but I have four fingers that help me to tap out what I want to say. Fingers that help me punch buttons on the phone to speak to old friends and new. Fingers that are attached to hands that reach out to offer assistance, to squeeze shoulders. Hands that are attached to arms which can swallow people up in hugs. And even if my vocal cords are toasted, I realized I have these things called ears that work really well, too.
So the jig is up.
Lucy, we’re back to living honestly.
On Sunday, I’ll be 45.
Right where I’m supposed to be.
A wife.
A mother.
A daughter.
Just kidding.
But a girl can hold onto her dreams, right?
Have you ever lied about your age? How are you doing with the growing older thing?
tweet me @rasjacobson
You look 29. You’re amazing, it seems, at any age, and congratulations–hay-ya! (that’s a karate chop)–on turning 45, you gorgeous, gorgeous gal.
I love your wit and sass and charm in this piece. Keep bringing it, Renee.
Well, I wasn’t searching for compliments, but I won’t refuse them either. From one Renee to another: thank you! 🙂
Damn! It looks so good on you. I’m not far behind you. In fact, I think I’m catching up. Love ya, Renzay!
You’d better catch up! But no changing your avatar. That should be a rule. You should always look to the right and I should always be crooked. Shall we shake on that? Or are you going to get all “emerging authorishy” on me. 😉
The avatar stands.
Though it’d rather be sleeping.
Congrats on being Freshly Pressed. May your ironing always be done.
It’s nice to be squished flat. I’ll take it. 😉
Go nap, you!
You’re gorgeous! And you look pretty awesome for 45! Funny that you upped your age all these years–but no more.
I’m sad that my hands don’t look as young as my 30 yr old daughter’s anymore. But I like the character in these hands now and they still work. In exactly 4 weeks, I’ll be turning 60! Geez, I hate that number! My 50s didn’t bother me but 60 is so…old. It’s better than the alternative, though, so I’ll take it…and I’ll take another 40 years, too.
Wishing you the happiest of birthdays this month and enjoyment of your real age!
Marcia! You are so vivacious! Funny, I had no idea you were even in your 50’s! Obsessing about age is stupid. Why do we get all hung up on it? I didn’t think I would, but I can feel myself getting stuck on it. As long as I can shake my rump-shaker, I’m good.
You are shitting me girlfriend. Seriously. I want to be mad at you because I am jealous but I am trying to be a nicer person so that doesn’t seem to be very zen. Hmmm. Well, you are rocking it for a 45 year old. I would say 35, maybe?
Work it until you can’t work it no mo’.
And you’ve got a lot mo’ (if you know what I’m saying 😉
Kiran
Kiran, you are my new best friend. 😉 My plan is to shake my groove thing until they haul me off and put me in the Jewish home.
Yay!! I’m 45, too. It’s the perfect age, Renee. And, you look beautiful! You look great. Me, I don’t lie about my age, exactly. I usually do this, “I’m IN my forties.” Happy Birthday to you!!
Bumble Bumble! Thank you for buzzing by! You’re 45! Girl, you are smokin’! I’m starting to think 45 really is the right age. 😉
H A P P Y
B I R T H D A Y.
you really look amaaaaaaaaazing. DAMN YOU.
I must tell the truth, I LIE A LOT about my age. I can’t help it. Is that horrible or what?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VUiKWZ9vpM
Kimmmmmm!
Thank you for the GaGa-licious video. I have NO idea how old you are, but I’m guessing younger than me. Maybe. Seriously, I have no idea. WHich just proves how stupid hang ups about age are. I’m just so glad you are here. Alive. Doing your thing.
You do look amazing. But more importantly, you ARE amazing.
OK, so I never had to tack on years, everyone has always thought I was older than I am. That was kind of cool when I was 18.
Don’t grow a greying beard. Just sayin
Remember, 45 is just a number….that represents the speed of a 45rpm record. I’m not sure of the significance of that in this case, but it’s true.
JT: That’s so weird because I was just thinking: “Hmmm, what if I grew a fabulous grey handlebar mustache for Movember.” And yet my body would not comply. I hate when that happens. 😉
Happy Birthday, Renee!
Up until about 10 years ago, I was always thought to be quite a bit younger than my age. I think I now pretty much look my age, unfortunately. 🙂
But I still feel so much younger. And you have nothing to worry about. Very well written, my friend.
You should have seen the lady I saw at the grocery store today. She was wearing a housecoat and doing weird disco moves a la Jane Fonda. She must have been 200 years old. I guess Crazytown knows no age. And I think I am on the fast track to Crazytown. Pretty sure. I hope it is fun there.
Happy Birthday Renee, teacher still looks HOT even at 45…
Congratulations…
Oh there is always one who is HAWT for teacher. 😉 Thanks for making this teacher’s day! 😉
50-60 best years
Carl: Is that when you really started to see a lot of action with the chicks? That’s what I’m banking on. Action with the chicks. 😉
Happy birthday, Renee!
I have never lied about my age. I get pretty defensive about it actually. “yeah, so what? I’m 42. That’s right. Wanna make something of it? Huh? Do ya? Didn’t think so. Nothing to see here, move along!”
I don’t lie about my age, but I tend to be a little mystified. “How old are you?” “I’m 42. No. Wait. That can’t be right… Um… Let’s see, 1970… so that would mean… huh. I’ll be damned.”
haha! It always surprises me, too. (personally, I think people born in 1970 are the coolest people on the planet)
Oh Lord, you are my brother’s age. You’re a little squirt. Suddenly, you are carrying Super Grover and walking around in very dirty bare feet. Awww, I want to pinch your little cheek. 😉
Darla, I can totally imagine you getting into some kind of tussle with someone about your age. Right in Walmart by the Reeses’s Peanut Butter Cups or something. You would just take that guy out. I want to be you when I get a little older. 😉 Hahahahaha!
Happy Birthday! May you be surrounded by good friends and warm family.
You don’t look 50? Have you had Photoshop done?
The great things about turning 50 is that you get to meet a whole new bunch of doctors who get you to say “ahhh” in new and creative ways.
Here were my thoughts on recently turning 47: http://smplefy.wordpress.com/2012/06/06/in-news-today-a-47-year-old-man/
Keep smiling
Uh oh. A skimmer.
See, I’m not 50. I’m turning 45.
It’s just like in school; there’s always a skimmer! 😉
Oh yeah, but you hid it in the fine print at the bottom. You look much better now that you’re only 45. Happy birthday anyway you fine printer.
You can borrow my readers if you need them! 🙂
Happy birthday, Renzzzz! Clearly you do not eat cookies if you look like that, so please give that one to me.
Thank you.
I plan on staying 29 forever. And if people don’t card me [every other day] when I buy vodka, it’s going to get ugly.
Oh, I send hubby along first to instruct people that they will need to card me at the movies. You know, to make sure that I should be let into those R-rated flicks. That will continue to be sure. I may be 45, but I’m not crazy.
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday!! you look amazing for any age! And, yes, after my trip to the obgyn yesterday with the nurse telling me about my dried up eggs, and feeling this new pain in my thumb joint, making me wonder if it’s arthritis, I’m trying to stare aging right in the wrinkly face and love every day!
Alas, I am barren, too. And happy as a peach cobbler. But these wrinkles around my eyes are pissing me off. *raising a glass to you* May it just be a sore thumb and nothing else. Thanks for the b’day wishes, Stacey! 😉
Sweet Mother of Pretty! May you have the happiest birthday and may the Good Lord somehow give me whatever youth juice you’ve been drinking.
Let’s see: I take my daily bath in Botox followed by a Rejuviderm Rinse. Or something. But seriously, my boobies are still pretty perky, so I’ve got that. And if they start to go, well… then it’s probably time to shuffle off to the Jewish Home. 😉
I find age identification very distracting. I have many groups of people with whom I am friends with or friendly with and I never fall right into the age group. Sometimes I’m much younger and sometimes slightly older. I never lie about my age but I do notice that, depending on the group I’m in, it’s sometimes not helpful to mention it.
Oh, let’s be clear. I am friends with lots of people in many different age groups. Which, by the way, is why I would KILL in Survivor. But judging from your comment, you are very young. Young people don’t suffer getting older. One day, you look will look at your neck and realize: This is not the neck of a young person. And then you will cry. 😉
HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY!!!
Ok, first off . . . stop reading and responding to these comments RIGHT NOW and email your address to me: mistyslaws@gmail.com. DO IT!! 🙂
I always looked young for my age when I was younger. I was carded incessantly, and when I was in my mid-20’s it got pretty annoying. Now, if I get carded, I wanna throw the poor delusional and blind cashier boy down on the counter and thank him fully with my entire body! It is very rare. After kids and life, I now have also caught up to my age. Oh well. I’ve earned all these wrinkles and all (lots) of the grey hairs.
You look fab, Renzay!! No matter how old you are. Like a fine wine, you just taste better until you get all old and vinegary. You are definitely in your prime, fine tasting years. 😉
I’m pretty sure that if you lick my shoulder, I taste like Canada Dry Ginger Ale. Do you remember their slogan? Well, I’m not too sweet either. 🙂 Thanks for the b’day love.
I sent you my snail mail address. Did I win something? If so, please tell me! It would be nice to know I have a birthday present on the way. Are you sending me that wife I’ve been dreaming of? The one who cooks and cleans and likes to go grocery shopping and give loooong massages? If so, please send ASAP! 🙂
I love that picture of you! You look dammed good for 50 (or 45). 🙂
Can you believe they FP’d this one? Oy! Whatever: I’ll not look a birthday gift horse in the mouth. Thanks for the b’day wishes. 😉
I look younger than I am (well, maybe not lately – with the sleep-deprivation), which is good and well except for the moment when students find out how old I am. I can see their adolescent brains trying to reconcile “I thought he was cool… yet he’s terrifyingly old…”
Students always think you are hot until you give them that first bad grade. Then you just suck. 😉
damn, turn off the stove, it is hot in here!
Yay! I just turned 45 in September! And thankfully I still look like I’m in my 30’s… at least that’s what I’m told. Both my kids have November birthdays too, my son’s is today (15th) and my daughter’s on the 25th. So I guess that means we got busy twice around Valentine’s day. But yes, you look great for 45! And I have to say, all us guys have been trained for so long not to stare at a girls cleavage (or at least not get caught)… but when you put a big smiley face cookie right in front of you like that…. well… ummm… anyway, Happy Birthday! 🙂
Oh and by the way, do you get AXS channel on your TV? Last night, Jackson Browne concert!! Second of three encore songs that he played… For a Dancer, of course!
I do not get AXS, but your very mention of that song…the fact that you remember: well, that was a great b’day present right there. Thanks, Cowboy. *weep*
It was a well-placed cookie. 🙂 Here’s to Valentine’s Day and February snowstorms. Scorpios rule! And you made two of them!
Darling, on my next birthday, I WILL be 50. And I’m prouder of myself than I ever imagined I could be. I’ve stopped coloring my hair, and am ready to be my authentic self. With chic silver hair by this time next year!
You are beautiful. Inside and out. It doesn’t need to be any more complicated than that.
I don’t seem to be ready to live quite THAT honestly –yet. Maybe in five years I’ll be ready to stop highlighting. But you, dahling. You have a whole new thang since gay Paris. So proud of you. Tu es magnifique!
45? Just a baby … enjoy a wonderful birthday. Seize each day and keep rockin’ that hotness!
I feel like a baby and then I feel like I’ve lived two lifetimes. So much changing. And more to come! I’m ready!
Yes! You do look awesome. For 45, 50 or any age!
Thanks, D. But I was hoping the gratitude part would be more apparent. The message seems to have disappeared — along with that cookie!
Absolutely! Hold on to your dreams. Happy Birthday.
Thanks, Mom. And thanks for having me all those years ago. You did the hard work. I just showed up. 😉
Happy Birthday! The best is still ahead of us… From your October-born childhood friend ????
-Andra
Hi Ange! Thanks for showing up! And a happy belated b’day to you. I know you just celebrated yours. Like I told you not too long ago, there are things that you never forget about old friends. Isn’t your birthstone an opal? I think you once told me that when I was complaining about topaz being so ugly. 🙂
You look incredible. Happy, happy birthday. I’m right behind you.
Hi Gigi! Thank you for popping in. The best thing is that I’m feeling incredible. That wasn’t the case so very long ago, so I’m grateful. 🙂 Here’s to your upcoming b’day! 🙂
You look awesome. I lied about my age, when I was a runaway living on the streets, that was a long time ago. I turned 55 this year, it wasn’t so bad. But when I turned 50, I decided to go backwards so really I turned 45. My reasoning is this, by the time I am 75 I will really be 25. When I am 25 I will begin to do silly things (I hope). They will likely be sillier than when I was really 25, I will relive my lost youth. I will also say things I wish I had said then, without being concerned whether I am fired or other such things. If people take offense at the truth? I will blame it all on youthful indiscretion!
I love your take on aging!
So let me get this straight. By that logic, if I just so happen to wander into some man’s room at the Jewish Home when I’m 99 years old (and widowed), and the attendant tells me: “Mrs. Jacobson! You shouldn’t be in here! This is Mr. Goldfarb’s room! Now put your clothes back on!” I can blame all of this on “youthful indiscretion” rather than dementia?!
I like it! That’s hot. 😉
Exactly. That is what I am counting on.
I’m as old as I need to be for any given situation.
You are one smart lady, B. 😉
Not only do you look good for 45, you look good for 35, and 25, and all the 5s I pray are yet to come. Sounds like you already have all the good gifts a woman can want, so I’ll just add Happy, Happy Birthday, Renee!
Pego! Can you believe this one got FP’d? I’m not one to look a birthday gift horse in the mouth, but seriously — this one? LOL! 😉
Great post. It reminded me a bit of my own post on aging, especially the part about your grandmother. If you’re interested in another take on the topic you can read my post here… http://windupmyskirt.com/2012/04/29/a-certain-age/
I’ll be 48 on my next birthday. Congrats on the big 45 and on being Freshly Pressed.
Loved your post so much! Thank you for sharing!
Thank YOU for taking the time to visit my page and read the post.
That is a great piece! Thank you for directing me to it! 😉
Wow, Renee. Freshly Pressed!!! Congrats! What a great way to celebrate your birthday!!
You’re beautiful! Great post. Honesty is always the best policy IMHO
I really enjoyed this post. Happy Birthday! I’m 42, never lied about my age. My mother stopped having birthdays at a certain age and refused to tell people how old she was after that. It was this whole big horrible self-hatred thing. I wanted to love myself instead. And I love eating birthday cake and getting presents. 🙂
Absolutely! Eat cake and skip around the room! Yes! Nice to meet you, Heather!
Happy Birthday Renee and congrats on being FP!
You still don’t look a day over 23. Or was that 25?
Please eat an extra piece of cake for me. Extra frosting, please. 🙂
Did you not see the cookie between my boobies? I ate a lot of those! I’m all about being my best self. And cookies. Would you like one? *passes o e to you* That one had extra EXTRA frosting. Yummmmmy! 😉 Thanks for stopping by!
Delish! I’ll have to send you some special NY cheesecake from my neck of the woods. Coming your way soon. 🙂
I’ve been standing by the door all day. What’s the deal? 😉
The best quote I ever heard about aging said that getting older doesn’t mean you have to grow up. Or something to that effect. No matter what your age is, why not enjoy life? That’s my philosophy.
Congrats on being Freshly Pressed. *applauds heartily*
I’ve never lied about my age, mainly because I ocean raced for years up until recently and anyone can work out how old I am! Not that I care. Age is a state of mind. And 50 is the new 30 :).
If 50 is the new 30, can someone notify my eyes? I’d like to be able to see again without glasses. That would be kinda awesome. 😉
I’ve always had a young face. It pure genetics cos I have done everything in my power to get ‘aged’ – stayed out late, had a wild old time, burnt the candle at both ends etc. people still think I’m a good 10 years younger than my actual age. I’ve always had friends who are younger too – I think they keep me young in many ways. BUT as I’ve gotten older I have wanted more acknowledgement for the years I’ve spent on earth. I’ve never lied about my age and never will. I lived every single one of these 53 years. Happy birthday!!
I’m glad there’s room for one more…! Reblogged you onto my new blog, BEAUTIFUL LADY! Your hubbie and kids are lucky people—BLESSED! I’m older than you and definitely haven’t traveled as well (worn as well?).
People have always told me they thought I was an old man… even though they didn’t really think I was (except for that one kid who believed in vampires…). I am waiting to catch up… I’m glad you have. Please continue being awesome. Cheers.
Congrats Renee on being FP’d! What a Happy Birthday treat!
I am right there with yah. Go 45 and stay forever 45… You look 35 anyway!
Hi Susie! Thanks for stopping by! So odd the pieces the WP decides to FP, right? Still, I’ll not look a birthday gift horse in the mouth. LOL! 😉
It is a wonderful birthday surprise!
what they said (everyone prior). i was regularly ‘carded’ ’til age 26 or so. but when i had KIDS, i think THAT is what made me, inexorably slowly at first, start to look MY AGE. now, i really do.
but sumtimes (as i know you do) — you gotta do something to throw it all off. at age 57 i decided to start a new, “senior citizen,” hobby. it was either shuffleboard or ice-hockey goalie.
since that decision, i look forward to (and DREAD) the one night a week of sheer terror, which, somehow, helps put things into what i think is “perspective.”
keep it up with whatever yer doin’! (i plan to check back in from time to time)
My hands give me away. I do not have the hands of a young Woman, but they are good for hugging. Also my neck. My neck gives me away. You just can’t tell in the picture because I’m leaning over and your eyes go straight o my…uh…cookie. 😉 Thanks for stopping by. Nice to meet you, Betunada!
I had a great aunt who, in her eighties, would tell everyone she was ninety because then they would tell her she looked really good for ninety.
That was my plan, I suppose. Something like that. But the game has gotten old. I’d like to just be me again. When I’m 80, I’d like to be able bodied. I’d like to still be able to do cartwheels. That would be awesome. 😉 May you have a long, happy life, too, Duffy! 😉
I clicked on you from WordPress on a whim and so glad I did – loved your age confession and Happy Birthday!!! I’m 54, have always been honest about my age – don’t have a problem with it at all. The cure to eye wrinkles is to carry a bit extra weight – the fat fills out the wrinkles and they disappear!!! People always say I look 46/47ish!!! I work with someone who’s 6 months older than me and she hates it when anything comes up about age and I say how old I am…..
I need to follow you now – you’re a funny read! Hope you had a great birthday – life for the 50+ is great – you should look forward to it!
Hahaha! I think you just gave me permission to eat 7.4 extra pieces of cake. Thanks for that. And thanks for stopping by. I intend to make every day count. Everyone says their 5os are the best years. Hard to imagine, but I’ve enjoyed each decade, so I’ll take it on good faith that you are telling the truth. You wouldn’t fool a li’l thing like me, would you? Why…I’m just a spring chicken. Or something. 😉
When I was 11, I had my first birthday party with my friends instead MOTHER’s friends. I was so excited and embarrassed about the whole spotlight thing, that when I had to sing the birthday reply song to “How Old Are You?” I sang that I was 7. Oh, God, how embarrassing.
I’ve never had any problems with birthday years…till this year. I’m a good deal beyond your lovely age. I’ve gotta say, I think the 50’s have been fabulous. Look forward to them. You still have your health, you are powerful, mostly past worrying about things like periods and pregnancy, and people open doors for you. (That still puzzles me.)
And, congratulations on being Freshly Pressed. I rarely have time to check these out.
Oh, Happy Birthday, Renee. You look – I was going to say beautiful, but I decided full of beauty sounds more right. Enjoy. I don’t lie about my age – but I don’t volunteer unless asked.
You can pop over to my blog to read my last post – all about Middle Age (right where I’m at).
Hi K8edid! Coming over to check you out right now! 😉 Thanks for your nice words.
Happy birthday!
Look at you showing up! I thought you’d disappeared! Thanks for stopping by! I hope you are doing well. 😉
You look fantastic. I’ve never lied about my age, which is getting harder to do – the next birthday is 40. But I always promised myself that I wouldn’t lie about how many years I’ve been around. Nice post. Congrats on the FP!
When I started teaching, it felt like self preservation. But then I realized my vanity was wrapped up in the looking really good for my age stuff. I’m not going to lie. I care what I look like, so hopefully I’ve inherited my mother’s skin. She is over 70 and almost wrinkle-free. More importantly, I hope my body stays strong. That would be a great blessing.
You look really good! And Happy Birthday! Just to share I have a really small voice so when the telemarketers call they always asks me to give the phone to an adult. I end up lying to them and saying oh I am 12 and they all left me all alone. Ha ha ha ha but in reality I am 35. They bought it though so I guess my voice sounds really young then.
Omigosh! I love that so much! I’m going to do that. Right now I often claim to be the babysitter, but if I accidentally get a telemarketer, my voice is going up 17 decibels. This is happening! Love it! May you (and your voice) stay forever young. 😉
45 is great – and you look like you’re going to do that age a great service. Love it – padding your age. Love more that you’re no longer doing that. ; )
Nice post! Well deserving of FP! I just turned 51 recently myself Just embrace it! However, your mention of occasional dizziness/headaches actually concerns me a bit – might seriously want to get a thorough checkup (reminder to myself that too!!) though!
I never have to lie about my age — when I tell people (who have no reason to flatter me, like the 26 yr old woman who did my PT after my {yes} Feb. hip replacement), they refuse to believe I’m 55. Most guess me 10 to 15 years younger, which is fine with me; when I’m 98 (I hope), like the woman at the end of my apartment hallway, I’ll look 85! My Dad is rocking it at 83, healthy and fit, leaving for a month in Hong Kong and Hanoi this week…
Coming to check out your hotness now! 😉
From one old, fabulous, sexy, gorgeous woman to another – happy, happy birthday! How is it possible you look like you’re in your 20s? I love that you’ve added age all these years! Here’s to a year of dreams coming true – Survivor here you come!!
Hi Mare! I LOVED your mash-up this week! Great stuff from Kiran. OMG! Don’t think I didn’t notice that you took a break, but I think it’s great that you did: your writing seemed really fresh! Good for you! 😉 Thanks for bopping over to wish me a happy b’day!
It’s a game that we all play. I was twenty one for years until my children finally caught on. Forty five? You’re a spring chicken still.
I always lie about my age, but I add years….so that people say I look younger. I also say I have 10 kids…they say I look good for that, too.
Happy BIrthday and enjoy your age….whatever number you want it to be!
I love that you say you have ten children! That’ll make people stop in their pants! That’s practically an “Ooops I crapped my pants” moment! Glad it works for you. As for me, I’m feeling grateful that my body is working and that I have a husband and a son who love me. That’s enough for me — at any age. 😉
Happy Birthday! I’ve never lied about my age. Well maybe I have, but young men typically don’t need to. I have never stated my age on my review blog, though. I think it has to do with what you said, you don’t want readers, or in your case students, thinking you’re too young to be doing what you’re doing. I’m not sure what qualifies as too young, so I’ve decided not to make it a factor in my reviews.
Great post, by the way. 🙂
Yeah, guys don’t usually have to lie about their age. Except when they are young and trying to get into bars. Maybe. 😉
Nice to meet you! Coming over to check you out now!
Wait, a sec,-WHOAHH! 45??! Are you out of your mind,! you look 30! Holy shit, what’s your secret?
I bath in Botox. Just kidding. But I drink a boatload of water. So I pee all the time, but I’m convinced its good for my skin.
I’m already older than I am. Bad cartilage is kind of a familly thing and I started having serious joint pain at 14. I will need major knee surgery long before I reach your age. I’m massively tall and have been seen as “in college” since I was 12 because I think deeply and was a mighty 5’8″ (I’m even taller now). Now I live in a house with my beau that we own while most of the people I know are still in college. And some of my friends I made back when I was 12 are officially twice my age.
I could see myself padding my age because that’s generally how I feel most of the time… Way older than I am. 😛
Dude. What a great post. I love it. When I first started substitute teaching at a high school I added on the years. I was constantly asked for my hall pass. So padding definitely helped. But ever since I left the substitute gig my real age is not a problem 🙂 Great post. Congrats on being FP. 🙂 And you definitely look fantabulous in that pic. An awesome 45…:)
Like you I (p)added a few years of years to my age so that students felt that I was too seasoned to be easily provoked. Of course this went on for awhile and I started to lose track of how old I actually was. LOL Eventually I did not have to act ‘older’ in the classroom because the wrinkles were authentic. Great post!
I remember watching I love Lucy with mummy. You don’t look 50
Yes, I have lied about my age. Often without saying a word; they decided. However, on dating sites, I discovered if I didn’t shave it off, I was inundated with men who looked like Father Christmas, and I just couldn’t picture myself snuggling up to someone who should only bring me presents. I am soon 55, my pictures are all current, as in none of me older than two yrs — unless obviously so in baby pics. No false nails or anything else artificial, don’t even dye my hair… yet… but it’s funny how it works because one of my sisters started graying in her 20’s! Have to say YOU look STUNNING! And I would hazard a guess that you could employ your grandmother’s strategy and actually get away with it anytime you wanted to! Had me laughing and thinking about how silly we all get around some matters. Glad to be here, be well and read this… l feels great no matter my year 🙂
I just turned 50 last month and received an invitation from AARP to become a member. Ya know what i did with that application? I effin tore it up and threw it into file 13. The point is that one’s age is a “state of mind” rather than a number. And, this dude was not about to let an AARP (no offense to that great organization) membership make me “feel old”. So, happy birthday to you! Keep that young spirit in you going because “how you feel is how you look”! And, you my friend – are an aesthetic gift from the universe! Okay, that sounds too weird. All I am trying to say it that you look effin great! BTW, that was pretty clever of you to strategically place the cookie where you did. 🙂
A crossed out fifty, lying about your age, then I find that you are six days older than me! So that means I must look better than you? Think I’d better have a shave!
So happy birthday for Sunday. Ah, then again time difference means I get to tomorrow earlier than you, so does that mean I age quicker too?
For tomorrow: happy birdy 2 ewes, happy birdy 2 ewes, happy birdee, dear reneeeeeeeeeeeeee-with-the-exceptionally-long-name, happy birdy 2 ewes! 🙂 You’re lookin’ good, girl!
And no, I’ve never lied about my age. Well, apart from saying I was older than 14 to get into a nightclub that I shouldn’t have been in, rather a long time ago!
Hahaha! Ingests I used to pad there, too. But it didn’t usually work. I was a bad liar. 😉
Happy Birthday… Great post:) cheers
You’re a hoot, girl! And yes, you look great and your attitude is inspiring!
Happy Birthday Renee! You are doing great. I wont tell you my age, but I will tell you you are 1 year younger than I am… 😉 Nice blog. Congratulations!
Happy Birthday! I just turned 50 last week also, so I totally enjoyed and can relate to your blog!!! 🙂 You look great!
I wrote one a while back also:
https://culturalmuse.wordpress.com/2012/09/09/sliding-into-50/
I love this, and I am just read it. Thank you for sharing your link at my place! I hope you’ll come back and say hi sometime! (Hint: Try “Tingo Tuesday!” You might like it!)
so you are the same age as i am
You look fantastic. I never lie about my 44 years, although the thought has occurred that it might be a good idea to put my age on pause for the next decade or so:)
Becca
Totally enjoyed. Totally related!
Great post!
Well, most of the time I don’t lie about my age, I just don’t tell. I am not very good at getting old, I feel I have so much to do still, and I don’t want to resign to the fact that chances are thinning. I think I haven’t grown up completely yet 🙂
Then add the fact that I like silly clothes and the picture is complete! But my (much younger) friends like me as I am, so that’s fine, I guess.
Happy birthday!
Congrats on FP status and Happy Birthday you youngster!
Well, I liked your 50’s post more than my 60’s post. I’m sure that’s why you have been Freshly Pressed.
http://irvent.wordpress.com/2012/10/18/60-and-do-i-want-to-keep-counting/
Something told me this piece was going to be Freshly Pressed… Congrats!! Now if we can just get you on Survivor, your life will be extra-hot!! Enjoy your last 5 years of this decade; 50 brings on an even much better feeling. I can’t describe it, but it’s AWESOME… I guess I would have to say it’s liberating in new way! Happy Birthday to you, congrats on being laundered, once again, and “Hey Survivor… choose Renee…. pleeeeaaassseeeee!”
Hi Carol! Really? You thought this post was going all the way? Compared to some of my other stuff? Oy. I wrote this one so quickly. So what is the lesson for me? To just write things in 20 minutes? Just slap my shizz up there and stop spending an hour on my posts? 😉
That said, I’m glad to hear you are digging 50. I rather like the idea of being 50. I’m not afraid of growing older and wiser. I truly believe that is what happens.
WHat’s messed up is that our culture just doesn’t seem to value all the experience that older people have. And thanks for your vote on Survivor. My fingers are still crossed. That would be the best b’day present. Ever! 😉
Awesome post, you spring chicken, you! (says this 49-yr-old). I recently did a check-up on whether I was an old geezer yet: http://anexactinglife.wordpress.com/2012/10/10/signs-of-ageing-bonus-old-geezer-test/
You most assuredly are not!
The last time I lied about my age I was 17 and said I was 18 so I could get a summer job. They weren’t very particular about checking ID back then, so I was hired. Now, I’m 58 and never lie about my age, although I do like to tell people that my husband, who is 5.5 years old than me, is MANY years older than me. That makes me younger by default right? But if I looked like you, I’d probably be saying I was 30. Congratulations for being Freshly Pressed.
There are times when I’m forced to conclude that I’m not actually female, which often takes place when I realize that I totally fail to care about being 46 and think that it’s sort of cool to turn grey because I’ve never done it before.
Since there is always room for one more comment, I would like to say I have been so so fortunate as at 53 years old, people honestly think I am 43. I guess I am one of the lucky ones. What do you think?
You look fantastic! I would have guessed that you were 30, 35 at a bloody push. 45, 50? Do people really believe you? I thought you were going to say “45 on sunday… no, actually, I’ll be 40… or 35.” hahah :’) have a great birthday! & congratulations on being freshly pressed, definately deserved 🙂
Honey, you look good for whatever age you want to claim. 29 sounds good… your writing about your grandmother was heartfelt and precious. Very nice.
Jeff P would be crazy not to choose you for the island. I will be more than willing to help you pick out your ‘swimsuit’.
I hear ya about being blind and having compromised vocal cords! I ditto above–whatever products you use, count me in! You look fantastic! Back in the 1960’s, my aunts in their 50’s and 60’s had blue hair and man shoes!
Love it. I’m currently counting down… 6 days to 40–Making this a significant journey. Coming clean about your 50th…45th…29th…its all a part of the process… Own it…sounds like you are doing just that! Go, Do that!
Looking through my eyes you are a “Hottie.” Happy Birthday, I just returned from My son’s fiftieth BD party.
I love this post!! I am guilty of giving myself a few extra years every now and then. I am at the ripe old age of 25 now and I work in college administration. Most of our students range from being in their mid 30’s to late 60’s!! When I handle their grades, put them on academic probation, and scold them for dress code violations, I feel a LITTLE ridiculous. Being “29” somehow makes it feel better? haha!
By the way, you are gorgeous and not just for being 45. It’s very clear you take care of yourself and could actually pull off the “I’m 29” thing. Congrats on being FP!
Happy (early) Birthday, my gorgeous, brilliant friend!
Lie? Never. Especially as I will be turning 29 at month’s end. Again.
What? It’s my memory, you see. It gets worse with age, it seems…
Happy b’day Liz. I know you had your birthday, but I am just getting to you know. I know you have been home with two sick Reds, but I hope that you were able to celebrate a little bit! You deserve a great day. ANd some Bailey’s. 😉
I love being older. I was very happy to turn 40 because 40 is much better than being in ones 30s! There is nothing cool about the 30 years. But by 40 people expect one to look well, ummm, blah! People expect parts to be sagging and the hair unkempt and the pounds overflowing so it is great to be 4o and not be that! 🙂 You look fantastic at 45 and I have no doubt that you will look even better at 50!
You look great! Congrats on being Freshly Pressed!
Age is immaterial. What counts is attitude to life! Happy birthday – and congrats on being Freshly Pressed.
Happy Birthday! I think you look much better than I, and I turned 45 last Sunday!
Jeez it’s lucky I broke my WP ban today (finals end this week). I almost missed that you’d been freshly pressed AGAIN! Congrats Renee!
Great post! am enjoying where I’m meant to be at the moment too.
You know when I read the bit about survivor, for a second I thought you were serious and thought “oh yeah! That’s why she looks familiar!” Oops. But I thought you should know, I pictured you in the original season with Colby (survivor Aus), which in my opinion, was the greatest season ever back when Jeff had game and integrity etc.
There’s still time. Is all I’m saying.
And Happy Birthday! !!
The secret to staying young is to live is that stay young from inside. Our outside is reflation of inside. 🙂
I turned 50 last year and was more than happy to do so. When I was in my teens, I had a baby face which meant I always looked younger than my years. I considered it a curse (couldn’t get into bars, was treated like a 14 year old for what seemed like a decade), but now it’s paying off like gangbusters! Turning 40 was fantastic, turning 50 was even better. I never lie about my age, I’m proud of the years behind me and look forward to the ones ahead!
Wendy
now that I’m 57 I wish I had lied about my age many years ago. People used to do it all the time and now decades later nobody is really sure when they were born ;).
Age is only a number – when you start to act your age, worry. Happy Birthday!
I really like your blog and would love you to feature on mine, http://www.5thingstodotoday.com. All you have to do is write five suggestions along with a link back to your site. Please check out the blog and see the sort of things people have written about.
I think we all have the capacity to be 20-something inside. The trick is revel in our lives. Happy Birthday, Renee. You ARE amazing!!
What you wrote caught my eye as I too will be turning 50 in a couple of years. You looked fantastic.
Congratulations! On everything.
xo
You know how you inspire me to be better. Well, you do. So they FP this thing. I’m grateful for the opportunity to connect with a lot of cool people. I’m trying to get to everyone. It is a great opportunity to meet new bloggers.
Happy Birthday! 🙂
I love the way you described your body — clearly you are a super attractive woman, probably would be described by a teenage boy as a “MILF,” and yet you say you’re grateful that your body has carried you, that your eyes can see, etc.
That was so inspiring 🙂
Hi Renee, you know I’m a little slow on the uptake so I thought I had lots of time to wish you a great birthday–hey! I just got up and checked the calendar–it’s today! Sounds like it has been spectacular so far, and I’m guessing today there was lots of celebrating–Happy Birthday to You!
And what a nice bonus to be FP’d–well-deserved, you do a great job of offering an entertaining, enlightening place–Congrats!!
First, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
Second, You know the feeling when you’re in on a trend before everyone else, and then it makes it to the big time and you are now left feeling super awesome and “with it”, I’m feeling that now, ergo: congrats on being freshly pressed.
And third, I also sorta lie about my age too – by omission. I started teaching high school when I was 19 (Hence the TooYoungToTeach moniker, I started my blog then too), I always looked older though, so I just skated by the age question. Approaching 25 (in a month!!!) I finally starting to look my age, and now I’m ready to own it. Gimme a few years, and I’ll start lying again.
That is exactly it! I remember being so young and thinking: “They will totally not think I’m credible. No one will trust me.” So I padded. Because my high school students asked a lot. (And so did their parents.) Twenty zillion years later, I think I’m done with that. This semester marks the end of my teaching career. I think it’s safe to come clean. Ya think? 😉
Hope you had a good birthday, Renée, and glad to see you were Freshly Pressed. The post was a good twist on old ruse. Although I can’t say I ever took my teacher’s age as a factor in deciding whether to walk into class prepared or not. Old teacher, young teacher, big teacher, small teacher – homework was always a chore to be put off until the last possible moment.
Happy Birthday! I turned 40 two weeks ago and I felt like I had been working up to it for years! Actually, now I’m there, I kind of like it – bit of angst in the month before (prompted me to start blogging!). No point harking after those younger years any more, just enjoy all we have got (lots) and try to ignore the less appealing signs of ageing!
Nice to know a fellow Scorpio. Off to check out your place! 😉
Have a happy birthday, and I love your blog, totally inspiring. ^^
I’m with you..sista
I never lied about my age. I want people to know I was around for punk rock.
Please. That’s why I added 5 years! I made myself born in 1962. You know, so I was able to go to Woodstock as a kid. LOL!
You look young and stunning! Cheers for your 50th birthday!
Happy birthday! Was there a party that I missed, too? I am proud to be 65 in January but, truth be told, I saw only the cookie. Had to go back to your photo to notice the cleavage.
Love it!
As always, this aging thing is a blessing and a curse. There’s fun to be had though, and blogging is definitely part of it!
Hope you had a great birthday…and with that attitude, even at 80, you’ll be stunning and as radiant!!!
Thanks for finding me! This year is shaping up to be one of the best, so far. So while I’m not wild about the wrinkles creeping across my forehead, I am so grateful for continued good health, a wonderful marriage, a son who is on the right path, and friends who continue to shower me with love. What more could a girl ask for? 😉