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When They Grow Up (Aging Baby Boomers are in denial about getting old)
National Review ^ | 02/11/2011 | Mona Charen

Posted on 02/11/2011 7:09:36 AM PST by SeekAndFind

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To: SeekAndFind
We have been trained to think demographically.

People are individuals. There are "young" 65 year olds and there are "old" 22 year olds. Why do we all need to behave a certain way because of our age?

Sure, one should mature as one ages and gains experience. But is acting "old" a necessity?

21 posted on 02/11/2011 7:31:00 AM PST by Siena Dreaming
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To: SeekAndFind
Aging Baby Boomers are in denial about getting old

Oh, I have no problem admitting it. I'm better than I've ever been, wrinkles, aches and all. But lots of wisdom, much more laid back. And I've never been happier. - the best position financially of my life, and loving the whole empty nest thing.

Yep, this boomer likes getting old.

22 posted on 02/11/2011 7:33:06 AM PST by MEGoody (Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.)
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To: SeekAndFind
One says he wants to work with children, another that he wants to fix up old houses. She wants to run a marathon. He’s going to start a band. AARP believes “you’re never done growing.” Actually, yes you are.

Is there something wrong with working with children, fixing up houses, running marathons, starting bands? Is it better to sit and stare out the window (which is also fine if that is what one chooses).

23 posted on 02/11/2011 7:34:39 AM PST by Siena Dreaming
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To: thethirddegree

fantastic...

I am 58.. The worst part about heading into my 60s, is that I can’t do the pedal-to-the-metal type of exercise that I could do even as little as 4 years ago. I’ve had to slow down just a bit. Add into that the stomach issues, etc...

I agree with everyone above.. keep reading, keep involved in art and music, get some hobbies, learn new things, walk and exercise, if at all possible. And work on your love life. get a wife or husband, which I did last year, or work on keeping your wife or husband. that is priority number 1.


24 posted on 02/11/2011 7:34:59 AM PST by Chuzzlewit
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To: SeekAndFind
One says he wants to work with children, another that he wants to fix up old houses. She wants to run a marathon. He’s going to start a band. AARP believes “you’re never done growing.” Actually, yes you are.

Is there something wrong with working with children, fixing up houses, running marathons, starting bands? Is it better to sit and stare out the window (which is also fine if that is what one chooses).

25 posted on 02/11/2011 7:35:16 AM PST by Siena Dreaming
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To: Chuzzlewit
And work on your love life. get a wife or husband, which I did last year, or work on keeping your wife or husband. that is priority number 1.

Good on you! I am retired but my wonderful wife still works. Every morning I write her a love note that she reads when she gets into work. You just can't love a wife too much.

26 posted on 02/11/2011 7:37:45 AM PST by thethirddegree (Islam is a vile, barbaric, perverted, depraved,seditious cult invented by a murdering pedophile)
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To: SMARTY
It's because the young are in control of products. It isn't consumer driven. It's what they "think" people want.

I don't buy magazines, have TV or go to the movies. Things don't change because they aren't listening.

27 posted on 02/11/2011 7:42:02 AM PST by DJ MacWoW (America! The wolves are at your door! How will you answer the knock?)
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To: SeekAndFind

The reason the boomer generation is kicking and screaming into the golden age is because the mass mistreatment of the elderly and the disrespect began with the boomer generation. Now...they’re at the age of the folks they themselves disrespected and mistreated and the writing is on the wall. I’m at the tail end of the baby boom generation and despise those that came of age during the 60’s as they are responsible for the cultural decline. Almost every major ill/problem can be traced back to these self indulgent bastards.
The past 2 years have been a nightmare and it’s because the baby boomer malcontents have taken hold and are even more rooted than realized.
I was in the liquor store the other day and a guy, probably in his early to mid 60’s was in there in tennis shoes, jeans and the obligatory earring in his ear. Nauseating.
Yes...there are plenty of boomers that have ‘grown up’ but overall, the entire generation is obsessed with ‘not growing up’.
/rant off


28 posted on 02/11/2011 7:42:43 AM PST by Outlaw Woman
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To: proxy_user
On the other hand, I can’t read Latin and Greek as easily as I could then.

An engineer client of mine mentioneed a while back (he's hitting retirement age) "I think I'm gonna hve to break down and buy a scope, lining up the iron sights on that 600 yard plate is gettin' a little iffy..."
29 posted on 02/11/2011 7:43:19 AM PST by Axenolith (Government blows, and that which governs least, blows least...)
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To: proxy_user

Me, too.

The alternative isn’t so hot.


30 posted on 02/11/2011 7:44:38 AM PST by Peter W. Kessler (Dirt is for racing... asphalt is for getting there.)
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To: DJ MacWoW

“the “grab bar” — a shower fixture... designed it to blend unobtrusively into the tile wall.”

As far as I am concerned, this is long overdue. One does not need to be elderly to need something to grab on to while bending over in the shower to scrub your feet. Why does a safety device have to look ugly. I am glad they are blending in grab bars and will begin immediately to find such equipment which blends in with the decor.


31 posted on 02/11/2011 7:51:50 AM PST by texteacher
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To: Le Chien Rouge

****10) Men who haven’ t hit the gym in a decade attempting to bench their weigh and blow out a pec muscle instead****

Twenty two years ago I did this, and blew out a mitral valve! Haven’t lifted weights since.


32 posted on 02/11/2011 7:53:11 AM PST by Ruy Dias de Bivar (I visited GEN TOMMY FRANKS Military Museum in HOBART, OKLAHOMA! Well worth it!)
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To: Siena Dreaming

“Is there something wrong with working with children, fixing up houses, running marathons, starting bands? Is it better to sit and stare out the window (which is also fine if that is what one chooses).”

Nothing is wrong with any of the activities mentioned. However, I would hate to think that the message is gov’t propaganda filtering through the AARP. Will I have to justify my Medicare health care spending with how “productive” I am in my youthful older age?


33 posted on 02/11/2011 7:56:32 AM PST by texteacher
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To: texteacher

It’s very useful but that has to be the “boomers” fault!


34 posted on 02/11/2011 8:03:22 AM PST by DJ MacWoW (America! The wolves are at your door! How will you answer the knock?)
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To: Ruy Dias de Bivar

yep... I work out at the gym, but I do very low weight and high reps... mostly there for the cardio workouts.

I do note that there are quite a few 50 to 60 year olds, with the dyed hair and the muscle T-shirts, trying with every fiber of their being, to hold that gut in. Meanwhile the 20 to 30 year olds strut around like roosters. These guys that are my age, need to take a good long look in the mirror, and mirrors are everywhere in that place. It’s dumb..

Know your age, and by all means still exercise... but know that you aren’t 20.. Indeed, you are invisible to the young women at the gym.


35 posted on 02/11/2011 8:03:44 AM PST by Chuzzlewit
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To: thethirddegree

“Good on you! I am retired but my wonderful wife still works. Every morning I write her a love note that she reads when she gets into work. You just can’t love a wife too much.”

Oh, you wonderful softy. Can I borrow you for Valentine’s Day? Everyone needs at least one like you in their life.


36 posted on 02/11/2011 8:04:55 AM PST by flaglady47 (When the gov't fears the people, liberty; When the people fear the gov't, tyranny.)
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To: SeekAndFind

I´m coaching high school baseball and having the time of my life. Talk of being a kid again....


37 posted on 02/11/2011 8:05:41 AM PST by onedoug
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To: FrankR
Maybe I'll trade my cellphone in for a "Jitterbug"

Answer Post Yes/No? Yes
Agree With Poster Yes/No? Yes

38 posted on 02/11/2011 8:05:49 AM PST by palmer (Cooperating with Obama = helping him extend the depression and implement socialism.)
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To: Chuzzlewit

***...trying with every fiber of their being, to hold that gut in.***

I started holding my gut in 45 years ago in the military. I still hold it in with no problems even though there is now a spare tire around it.


39 posted on 02/11/2011 8:08:26 AM PST by Ruy Dias de Bivar (I visited GEN TOMMY FRANKS Military Museum in HOBART, OKLAHOMA! Well worth it!)
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To: SeekAndFind

I remember 9th grade and Fran Gabrie* telling me to “grow up” Last year I turned 60, won two world softball tournaments, and got my black belt in tae kwan do. Eat your heart out Fran, I’m Peter Pan!


40 posted on 02/11/2011 8:09:05 AM PST by usual suspect
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