When I started this blog I put it in the mixed bag category then changed it to women’s interest because I’m quite sure men really don’t care what I blog about. Of course there are several other categories that I could list it, but I really don’t think it matters. If they had a senior lifestyle I would probably list it there, because many older couples are deciding to live together without that legal piece of paper because of economical and other reasons. We had planned on getting married 6 years ago, but for various reasons have decided against it for now.

Older people have many worries just like everyone else. We worry if we’ll be able to survive when retirement comes, will there be enough money, will Social Security benefits be there for those of us that worked all our lives, but at menial jobs that have no retirement benefits and had to live from week to week. Health is a big issue for us of course because for those that didn’t practise healthy living we tend to start falling apart and even if we did practise healthy living habits various illnesses still seem to befall us.

I always hate to read the obits because my friends seem to be dying left and right, Bill on the other hand does read it and keeps me informed. Depression seems to run rampant amongst many older seniors that aren’t active or have something to look forward to. I’ve mentioned before that other than Bill’s keen interest in motorcycles and riding I’m not sure how he will fill his leisure time and he worries about not being able to ride, that’s his biggest fear so we’ve been considering a trike. I know I would feel much safer on 3 wheels.

What happens when we get too old to drive and can barely walk, are we forgotten and discarded because we have become a burden? Not all families are loving and helpful to their parents or elders, but some do try to take care of them and it does get very stressful for all concerned. At some point inevitably the nursing home option comes into play, I do not want to go to a nursing home I’d rather be dead. If anything ever happens to Bill I will be totally alone and very lonely, but there will be no other man in my life for companionship or otherwise.

Bill has told his children that if he goes before me he wants me to live here till I die and I’m quite sure that wouldn’t be very long without him. If he doesn’t make that will before something happens I could very well find myself out on the street which is something else that bothers me. When we are young we tend to live for the moment and put old age on the back burner, but it creeps up before you know it. I could probably live on the street, but I’m not sure how long I would survive and still I wouldn’t want to go to a nursing home.

I don’t fight with my wrinkles any more nor do I try to cover my silver and that’s the best part of aging for me and I know Bill will never trade me in for a younger model or at least I hope not. Okay enough of my old age rambling for today I hope I didn’t depress anyone, it’s time to go out and enjoy the sunshine and push those gloomy thoughts away. Since we are living longer I think I’ll do like I did when I was young and start worrying about all that crap when I’m in my 80′s, God willing and the body isn’t worn out by then.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day to everyone, our little city had their annual parade on Saturday and of course everyone had their chairs and blankets all lined up to watch. The people around here love parades, I personally don’t get excited over them and usually find something else to occupy myself with. I think the only parade I care to watch is when we have bike night in York and we ride down town to watch that, but they seem to get shorter every year with less people signing up.

Irish and Cherokee seems to be the major mix in my family, but I don’t really get into genealogy because it’s never really been that important to me. My Son was very curious though and started a project many years ago to trace his ancestors so I had to find out a few things for him, but then he got sidetracked and didn’t follow through and like I said it didn’t matter to me so I didn’t bother any more. It does explain my liking of the cocktail hour though.

I’m more concerned with the diseases that my family is prone to which is heart attacks and strokes on my side. I wish I had known that Eric’s Fathers side was more prone to cancer then we could have been more watchful for any signs. I knew about the diabetes, but not the cancer that runs in their family and since we lost touch it wasn’t something that came up. Since Eric was a truck driver he had to have regular checkups, but nothing unusual ever showed up so when he was diagnosed it was a total shock.

Many people are so proud of their heritage, but for me knowing which nationality is in me is only important as far as the disease I’m likely to attract. Eric was more concerned with IQ because he was obsessed with Ethan being intelligent. Everyone wants their child to be smart, but that never really concerned me so long as he was healthy, but I guess everyone has their own priorities. Eric also didn’t want his Son to have any Indian characteristics.

Enough of my rambling thoughts no wonder Eric was concerned with my mental acumen. I started off with wishing a simple St Paddy’s Day and ended up with diseases, my mind sure does wander these days.

My DIL brought Ethan by to see us today before they head back to Kentucky tomorrow. He’s such a pleasant little dude even when he is sick and I hated to see him leave however she did say she would be back in August for his first birthday and she would send us pictures. I certainly hope she follows through and I really hope she will move back up here eventually.

After they left I was checking e-mail and Entrecard and checked their blog and the forum because of the announcement that was sent. I was surprised especially in the forum at how upset so many people are with the decision that Entrecard made to monetize the widgets with third party ads and to make it possible for people to sell their credits.

I think I read all of the threads so I would know what was going on and both sides made some valid points. I personally will continue to use Entrecard and don’t think the ads will be distasteful, but we shall see. I have no problem with where they want the placement of my widget because it’s always been above the fold. They were going to make that mandatory, but have now changed it somewhat.

I also read some of the comments about leaving Entrecard or being forced out if you post for Today.com because they don’t allow 3rd party ads from other programs. I’m sure the Entrecard team really do not want to lose those bloggers and I know those bloggers don’t want to lose this source of free traffic. I’m sure they will come up with a solution.

Everyone of course has their own opinions and I’m quite sure it will all be voiced tomorrow. Weekends are really not good traffic days because people do really need to spend quality time with family instead of on the computer. I need to get some sleep so I’ll say goodnight.

God, grant me the Senility
To forget the people
I never liked anyway,
The good fortune
To run into the ones I do,
And the eyesight
To tell the difference.

My eyesight keeps getting worse and worse and I see no point in spending 400 dollars every 2 years for new ones. I now buy reading glasses at the drugstore and unless I get glaucoma or something worse I will continue to do so because I simply can’t afford prescription glasses any more. I only wear them when I’m working anyhow.

When Bill and I go out I never wear my glasses, I don’t need them to drive with, but I do on the scooter. I did notice when I ran an errand the other day that I can’t see face details unless they are standing 2 feet in front of me. Some man said hello to me and I said hi and he said, “You don’t know me do you?” So I started squinting, I can usually see a little more when I do that, but it doesn’t help with the wrinkles.

So of course I had to admit I couldn’t see so good anymore without my glasses and walked toward him. When he was 2 feet in front of me I then recognized him as the Steward at a club I had worked and we then had a nice little conversation. Normally when I’m out I like to think if I can’t see someone then they can’t see me so this man kind of intruded on my little pretend game.

I like everything to look fuzzy that way I don’t freak out when I look in the mirror and see all those tiny extra lines that seem to appear over night along with all those deep ones that are starting to look like ruts. When I put my reading glasses on and look in the mirror I almost pass out from fright, it’s a wonder Ethan doesn’t scream when I hold him.

I also can’t see all of the dust when I don’t wear my glasses, that way I don’t feel so guilty when I let the housework slide and if I keep the sunlight out that appears to help trick me into believing everything looks spotless. I should make all visitors leave their glasses and contacts at the door then I wouldn’t feel bad when I get those unexpected visits.