Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Aah, Life

The blizzard of the century never came here, and I am doing OK.

There are different phases of life that we all pass through.  There is childhood,  followed by the joys and angst of coming of age, which leads us to an awakening with great expectations. Slowly, though, we creep into a sometimes begrudging acceptance, but this is replaced by a new awakening, and then back  to (a comfy) acceptance of most of the things that have annoyed us in the past. I have gone through them all with laughter and tears and have now arrived at a new stage of life.  Yes, I have entered my grunting years.

Recent examples:
Getting up from a sitting position. = 2 grunts.
Getting off the floor = 5 grunts (7 if the temperature is over 80 degrees F)
Sitting down after some activity  = 1 aah and 2 grunts
Sitting down in a deep chair = 3 grunts followed by a loud aah
Answering a question I answered 5 minutes ago  = one loud sigh and 2 grunts
Answering that question again  = 3 very loud grunts followed by feeling guilty
Opening a bottle or jar that now seems to be sealed with crazy glue = 6 grunts and some nasty words

The lowly grunt has its place and I have accepted it as part of my life.  It is good to still be heard.


53 comments:

  1. I chuckle because I also share those grunts and aaaah. I would add a groan now and then.

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  2. Hello Arleen,

    This is such fun.......and would be highly amusing were it not so incredibly accurate! Oh dear.....

    We now have a mental picture of you, clad in lilac, on your sofa issuing orders and grunts to anyone within earshot. If you follow our example you will also have an indecently large glass of red wine to hand from which copious amounts are being drunk before dinner. Grunting lessens after this.......and aaahhhhs increase!

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    1. No issuing orders from me, Jane and Lance. No matter how many grunts that come from me, I'd rather do it myself than ask another. However, I would certainly have that glass of fine wine. It does help to take the pain away and makes life more enjoyable.

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  3. Oooofs and Oooohs over here as well.

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    1. You have a lot of o's in your expressions, Delores. I save those for when my husband is around in order to get more sympathy.

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  4. Your description of the condition is spot on and very funny. I love how our grandchildren look at us with some puzzlement as we sink very slowly into a chair and wonder at the accompanying noises.

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  5. I haven't tried the floor in some time--thankfully.

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  6. Arleen thank you for this lovely blog - you made me laugh, mainly because I can identify with every grunt. So glad the predicted snow didn't happen in your little part of the world. It looked pretty horrendous on our news.

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    1. Dear Molly,
      The storm didn't happen in many places they predicted it would. The news people just like to sensationalize everything. When I listen to them, I grunt 10 times.

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  7. Admirable and comprehensive frequency analysis of grunts. For forty tears, I actually was a grunt and worked very hard at being a good one, then retired and found I could make more money as a geezer than as a grunt. Now I just count my money and geeze.

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    1. That is so funny, Geo.

      I like geezers. They are usually very wise.

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  8. Oh my gosh I am a grump-er too! Er I mean grunt-er!

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  9. Grunters of the world unite.
    Getting up from the floor or the garden is a grunt-fest for me. Fuelled by rather a lot of language.

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    1. I got a wonderful gardening kneeler-bench to get me off the ground when planting. It is a wonderful tool and I only grunt once or twice when using it.

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  10. I am pleased that your house is not under a blanket of snow. I am not sure about “grunts” but I do a lot of French “rrrah” type – it’s a sound you make with your mouth when you expel air when you are exasperated – these I make often! Although, with my arthritic knees, after sitting by the computer for a while and then standing up – the sound is more like a “ouch!”

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  11. My almost-every-move is accompanied by the word OUCH. Not that I'm in pain; it's just become a habit.

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    1. That is very true, Cro. The thought of lifting myself is worse than the deed.

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  12. Love "The Grunting Years!" May I audition for Mrs. Grunt? I'm also impressed that you can get up off the floor! What's your position on toilet seats?! This was hilarious, Arleen!

    Julie

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  13. I agree with you on all of the grunts. Oh yeah, my worst one is getting up from a crouching position. Such as bending at the knees, in a squat, to look for something in a lower cabinet. Oh, dear God. I have to have something to grab onto to pull myself up. Tragically, this is not age...it's being totally out of shape. If I could be really athletic and lean, it would be just for this one act.

    Thank you for the laughs..the last post, too. And your visit...so nice.

    Jane xxx

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    1. Before I get down, I always try to make sure there is something to grab onto to get me up. I also never buy anything in the grocery store that is on the bottom shelf.

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  14. Laughing. I'm trying to keep those grunts in, but no matter how I try, they sneak out anyway. I live where the "Storm of the Century" did hit. I decided though, if there were no TV/new/weather casters to get us all quivering, we'd say, "Well, yes, that was a bad storm" and get on with things.

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    1. From what I have seen on the news, New England really got hammered with the snow and winds. I hope this next storm will be kinder to you.

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  15. Lol! Is it bad that I'm doing this grunting in my 40s??! :-) Always love visiting your blog and getting a laugh. Wonderful picture up top! Happy 2015!

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    1. I know your 2015 will be happy indeed. Much happiness to you and T, Tracy Jo.

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  16. Maybe, that woman on the sofa IS NOT YOU!

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  17. You're not alone in your grunting, Arleen. You're keeping good company! lol I'm a grumpy, cranky, growling grunter! And, yes...sometimes all at the same time!

    Take care. :)

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  18. Sorry, got side-tracked by your fish.

    I can't say as a grunt as much as moan when I have to get up quickly. I need a moment to stretch out the body, lol! Especially in the winter. :-)

    I enjoyed your article and made me laugh.

    Sia McKye Over Coffee

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    1. I am wondering what fish you saw.

      Moaning takes longer and is more effort than a grunt.

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  19. The odd assortment of grunts, groans and grumbles isn't nearly as disconcerting as the involuntary sounds my joints make. I snap, crackle, pop and click more than a bowl of rice crispies covered in champagne. Um. not that I've ever tried that combo. (Not nearly enough fiber!)

    Funny post, because it's all too true, dammit.

    Happy weekend!

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  20. Between the snap, crackle, and pop and the other assorted noises we emit, our bodies have become a one man band.

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  21. What utter fun.
    I know all about grunting, in fact, I have become a champion grunter without any effort at all.

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  22. Hello! I wanted to thank you for your latest visit and your really nice comment...I can't find an email address!! Let me know if I've gone blind! lol!

    Jane xxx

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  23. You're so funny! Yes, I admit to some grunts. Mostly it's cracks though. My knees crack when I get off the couch. Sometimes my knees and ankles crack all the way to the kitchen. Glad I'm not a cat-burglar! :)

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  24. That is a funny post - made me laugh. I guess there is a whole language of grunts! :D

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    1. Nobody wants to speak the language of grunt, but it happens to us all eventually.

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  25. Soooo funny !! Good to remember, though...LOL !

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  26. So true, particularly those jars.

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  27. Could not count the grunts getting off the floor. Or maybe no grunts as the rescue squad would be pulling me up. I'm in GruntLand, too.

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    1. When I am on the floor, I always make sue ther is a chair or something around to help me get up. It's not easy.

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