Good things still happen, and I am doing OK.
I mind being old but I am grateful for being able to grow older. There are many times when I can't believe that I am the age that defines me, but there are also times when the crappiness that comes with that age slaps me in the face. I try to go with the flow as best I can, but frustration often over-comes me.
Last week, though, I had a moment that blew some of those years away. While at my volunteer job, I was enjoying a conversation with a female client when one of the staff came by and complimented me on my outfit, especially my new boots. Being noticed is definitely a plus, but being complimented, lifted my spirits tremendously. The woman who I was speaking to previously said that she also liked how I dressed and that I was "fly". "Fly", my gosh, I am fly! How wonderful is that. Of course, I did not know exactly what this term meant, but as I said, I go with the flow, and figured that it was this generation's word for cool. I could not wait to tell The Retired Man when I got home, but he was clueless as to whether it was a compliment or not. I then told my children who all laughed but told me my boots were, indeed, very nice. Today, I told my granddaughter, Ruby. She smiled, and said, "You sure are, Mamama." Ruby's place in my will just moved up.
I might not be able to flit around like I did before, but I sure do like being fly - even if my wings are arthritic.
I mind being old but I am grateful for being able to grow older. There are many times when I can't believe that I am the age that defines me, but there are also times when the crappiness that comes with that age slaps me in the face. I try to go with the flow as best I can, but frustration often over-comes me.
Last week, though, I had a moment that blew some of those years away. While at my volunteer job, I was enjoying a conversation with a female client when one of the staff came by and complimented me on my outfit, especially my new boots. Being noticed is definitely a plus, but being complimented, lifted my spirits tremendously. The woman who I was speaking to previously said that she also liked how I dressed and that I was "fly". "Fly", my gosh, I am fly! How wonderful is that. Of course, I did not know exactly what this term meant, but as I said, I go with the flow, and figured that it was this generation's word for cool. I could not wait to tell The Retired Man when I got home, but he was clueless as to whether it was a compliment or not. I then told my children who all laughed but told me my boots were, indeed, very nice. Today, I told my granddaughter, Ruby. She smiled, and said, "You sure are, Mamama." Ruby's place in my will just moved up.
I might not be able to flit around like I did before, but I sure do like being fly - even if my wings are arthritic.
LOL- Yep - we will take compliments any way we can get them, won't we? Glad you are FLY! lol
ReplyDeleteHope you have a great day...and thank you, too, for always popping by my blog and leaving comments. You come through as a No Reply when you leave a comment so I can't contact you directly to say thanks...so doing it here instead! xo Diana
I am wondering though, where does one go after attaining FLY status. Is this as far as I can go?. What will I have to do to become a grasshopper?
DeleteI always enjoy your blog also and your post today was a good reminder to us all to make that appointment.
Arleen, I found your post while looking for something else! I love your blog! The term "fly" is African-American slang for sharp, good looking, well dressed and put-together! Sounds like those words are good descriptors of you! ;-)
DeleteLOL ! Great post, Arleen. You write some very funny articles...so I would agree....you definitely are "fly"! Keep your wings in motion....you certainly do inspire us.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Linda. A nice pair of boots can do marvelous things to one's ego.
DeleteNice! Congratulations on being fly.
ReplyDeleteWhen my granddaughter told me that, I knew it must be true -at least in her eyes. Thank you , Colette (I always loved that name).
Delete"Fly" is the new cool. My thirteen year old granddaughter would tell you the same; she loves boots.
ReplyDeletePS--love the new header.
Deletei bought my boots at a BOGO sale with my daughter. She bought them, and I got mine for very little. That was really fly.
DeleteThe a Retired Man took that picture a few weeks ago with the super duper camera he got when he left his company. He used a zoom lens and other than cropping, he did not improve upon it with any of Picassa's tools. I think it looks like a painting and plan on enlarging and framing it. I love this picture and thank you for your very nice comment.
What a morale booster. I bet you felt good all day. A testament to the power of compliments.
ReplyDeleteA kind remark always lifts our spirits.
DeleteOoooh. Arthritic wings or not, a compliment like that is guaranteed to keep us soaring.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations - you obviously still have it (by the truckload).
Thank you so much, EC, . I have always believed that it is the little kindnesses that can do the most. A word, a phrase, a hand on your hand can change so much for so many on any given day.
DeleteWould have loved to see those boots! I've never hear the term "fly" used that way before! I love your masthead picture.
ReplyDeleteThey are short, tan, swuade boots with a clunky heal. They give me height without the threat of falling down. It is very important at my age to remain vertical.
DeleteThe Retired Man took the picture and I think it is beautiful.
I love the blue pottery too! Thanks for visiting the garden center with me!
ReplyDeleteYour welcome. That color pottery that you showed in your post is so pretty and adds so much to a garden.
DeleteI've never heard that expression either but if it's a compliment take it and fly!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, Karen.
DeleteI always figured you to be a cool woman who dresses very well. I get differet impressions of my blogger friends, I may be right or I may be wrong, but that's the one I have had of you since I first met you. So keep it up and enjoy your age. That's what I do and I'm also grateful to have reached this age, I feel it has given me a chance to get my act together so to speak and find peace.
ReplyDeleteDespite the troubles that surround us, Inger, every day is a blessing. We must make the most we have with the days that are given us.
DeleteWe all need a little compliment once in a while....
ReplyDeleteLittle things mean a lot.
DeleteHow lovely to receive a complement to lift your day, I'm sure it was well deserved!
ReplyDeleteNot sure of that, but my boots are cool.
DeleteMadam, I hope you'll not take it amiss if I opine that if you were any more fly you'd have to live at an airport and be anchored down in strong winds.
ReplyDeleteI love that, sweet Geo. There will be no living with me now. My ego just jumped 10 points.
DeleteOh how I love it! I just ask my daughter the meaning of "fly", she replied....awesome. So there you go! We already knew that!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Bonnie. That is very kind of you to say.
DeleteNo doubt you are fly, and that is a boost. I'm currently helping my Dad for a week - he's had a bit of bad health. But no matter what he picks out the right color cap to go with his coat, as we head to a doctor appt.
ReplyDeleteAnd you get bonus points for volunteering. Enjoy!
So sorry about your dad. A man with a cap is always so nice to see. My dad never (except summer) never went without his cap.
DeleteIsnt it nice the way that a compliment can perk you up? She sounds like a really nice lady.
ReplyDeleteDespite her troubles, she took the time to compliment an older woman. Yes, she was very kind and thoughtful.
DeleteMost definitely a compliment, I would say, just like Bonnie says.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Molly.
DeleteAll too often, people don't say nice things when there's a chance -- I try to remember that, because it does feel good to hear, and I've a feeling that your boots are no doubt "the bomb!"
ReplyDeleteThe bomb = Really cool! :-)!!
So true, Kim. Everybody should take the time to make someone feel good every day.
DeleteMy wings have become arthritic as well. Instead of flying and swooping.........I kind of creak and groan and pop around......ha ha LOL Thanks for the great post.....loved it
ReplyDeleteCreak, groan and pop is the music that follows me everywhere.
DeleteOne thing I enjoy about retirement is not having to dress up. I'm in soft knits and cozy sweaters most of the time...definitely not fly!
ReplyDeleteBlack pull up pants and a tee are my usual attair, but I still love to dress up when I go out. I still have clothes from my many years of working that I like to wear.
DeleteBt what does ‘fly’ mean? It’s a word I’ve never heard describe anyone before.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, congratulations. I too enjoy making an effort sometimes; normally it’s jeans and jumpers, but when going out I very carefully select my outfit.
Fly is our cool. Most of us from our generation are still cool.
DeleteFirst off, your header picture is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteA nice compliment can be like the proverbial wind beneath our wings,and can make us feel like we CAN fly. But to be told you ARE fly? Now, that's something really special. Can't say that anyone has ever said that to me, but I can tell you if I ever hear anyone call me fat, I'm gonna assume they're spelling it p-h-a-t.
Someone paid me a nice compliment today, too. I spent the week on jury duty, and put in some looooong days at the courthouse, so I was still feeling a little too-pooped-to-pop when I was running around today trying to play catch up. I stopped to get a haircut, and told the gal who was cutting my hair that I usually get that done on a Wednesday. When she asked me why, I told her because that's "old lady discount" day. She had the acting skills to look completely taken aback. She said, "You can't be a senior!" When she asked how old I am, she was sweet enough to look incredulous again, and said, "I thought you were about forty!" Sweet gal. A very sweet gal who knows how to get a good tip!
More than that Susan. You have a young heart and a young spirit that shows through even in your writings. You will never be old. You are Forever 21. I think of you and smile because of your positivity and humor.
DeleteThank you! What a sweet thing to say.
DeleteCompliments are treasures - perhaps we don't do it enough and it takes so little effort and always lifts the spirits. I rather enjoy my increasing invisibility now - time to let other take centre stage and enjoy the spectacle, but I still like to dress well and take trouble with my appearance, always will I think. Go for it!
ReplyDeleteWe all need a little lift up every now and then, especially us invisible people.
DeleteI love this story, Arleen! You are most certainly fly, my dear! And seeing you are...continue to soar! :)
ReplyDeleteIn my mind I want to soar, in my body, I want to nap.
DeleteDear Arleen, or perhaps I should say, "Fly-Girl"--how wonderful. I do so understand how getting a compliment lifts your spirits. I know I glow inside when someone notices something good about me because age seems to bring with it sometimes invisibility. In my head I'm 42, but my body keeps sending me a different message.
ReplyDeleteStill, like you, I'm just glad to be fortunate enough to have lived this long and to have enjoyed the wonder of friendship. Peace.
What a coincidence, Dee. I am 42 also.
DeleteFly and Mamama--new words to mean "cool" in our day..
ReplyDeleteUnderstand the age thing. I hate the pain and ache part, but at least I can remember and enjoy.
Sounds like your boots "were all that". (I've heard of that one.)
The best thing was to be told by my 12 yr old granddaughter that I matter. That was definitely fly.
DeleteHi Arleen,
ReplyDelete"Fly", as in cool in style and that goes beyond what you wear and you wear it well.
Very nice story.
Gary
Thank you, Gary.
Deletecan relate and thanks for making me smile!
ReplyDeleteIt is so nice to see you on Blogger again, Linda.
DeleteYes, being "fly" is definitely a compliment! And one that I've never received. But then I have no real fashion sense either, lol.
ReplyDeleteIt was just about the boots, Sprinkles. In a month or so, with snow and mud on them, they won't be fly anymore.
DeleteHow funny! Fly and mamama--works for me. My gr-daughter is almost 11, and I will have to ask her about those.
ReplyDeleteJust realized that I had written a comment previously. Now you know that I double enjoy your posts!
DeleteI may be the only Mamama in the world and I doubt that the word will catch on. I like that though.
DeleteThank you for coming back, dear Susan
DeleteYour not the only Mamama. Last year when we took the kids to the city we heard another girl, around Sophie's age, call out to her Mamama :) Funny thing, she was also from Pennsylvania.
DeleteCongrats Fly Gramma! I know what you mean and so this Post make me Smile... it is always a tremendous Compliment when any of my Adult Children and Older Grandchildren and their Friends particularly give me a sincere Compliment on how I am at this Season of Life. I think that they rather Enjoy having an Old Bohemian Spirit in the Family since so many complain about their Parents and Grandparents Generation... it makes me Sad tho' to know that so many of the aging Generations don't Connect to the Wonderful Young People in a more Meaningful and Sincere way to close those Generation Gaps that can and often do occur. I've always been Blessed to have had close Friends of different Generations even when I was Younger... and Cherish them all the more now that I am Older. I Hope to be as Fly at my Mother's Age {83} as she is, she's been an Inspiration because of that Youthful Spirit all of my Life! Blessings from the Arizona Desert... Dawn... The Bohemian
ReplyDeleteWe are all our own person and it is nice to be appreciated. May you and your mom shine on and be an inspiration for a long, long time.
DeleteI have never been told I am 'fly', but I have been told I'm 'doing alright' for my age - I'll take that as a compliment.
ReplyDeleteI think it's so cool that you got some compliments because sometimes the way we dress shows that we are still young at heart. My daughter teaches high school English (and she's only 24, a baby herself!), and she tells me some of the words these kids use that even she hasn't ever heard of!!
ReplyDeleteI love what you wrote about arthritic wings! Some things are inevitable but to keep moving is so much better than doing nothing.
Thanks for your nice comment today!
Jane x
That is a new term for me – fly, but I can dig it :) When I was a teenager we said (in French) that someone was “dans le vent” translates as “in the wind” so in a way it’s the same idea – flying is to be in the wind. It’s great to be stylish and have someone notice, because usually when one hits 45 or so, no one notices anymore. So you must be super fly in your outfit and boots!
ReplyDeleteDear Arleen, I'm just stopping by your blog this week to say a special thank-you for your support this past year. You have visited my blog and left messages when I simply wasn't posting or following anyone. You reminded me that life was going on all around me and I could re-enter at any time. I am so grateful for that and for your friendship. Peace.
ReplyDeleteHi Arleen how was your thanksgiving? Im not sure about this growing old thing......so much of it is hard and hurts ( health issues) but i try to be thankful that i am here to experience it and it helps to get inspiration like your blog! And when i am able i try to inspire others. If we all help each other.....we will be okay right?
ReplyDeleteIggy and Ziggy want you to know it was your name that was drawn out of the ''hat". They are very excited to be coming to live with you. Email me at ournest@live.ca and give me your mailing address please. Delores...Under The Porch Light.
ReplyDeleteI'm a month late to this and I'm so sorry! I can picture you in those boots (That sounds creepy, lol. Didn't mean it that way!) and how fly you were, still ARE. You got it!
ReplyDeleteArleen - You certainly are a cool and in-style "Fly Mamama!" That woman has good taste, and your granddaughter sounds absolutely adorable! I'm so sorry that I didn't see this sooner. Thanks for teaching me a new word, and I love your line about the "arthritic wings," though I'm sorry you're in pain. I'm also impressed with your hubby's photography skills! What an amazing photo!
ReplyDeleteJulie
I'm baffled by much of the lingo floating about these days. I overheard some young coworkers laughing to great excess about planning to "netflix and chill" that night. Not until I looked this up on an online urban dictionary did I realize how inappropriate this was for a work discussion.
ReplyDeleteI'm baffled by much of the lingo floating about these days. I overheard some young coworkers laughing to great excess about planning to "netflix and chill" that night. Not until I looked this up on an online urban dictionary did I realize how inappropriate this was for a work discussion.
ReplyDeleteoh I like that term fly,, well you are a beauty inside and out so I think you are " fly " too!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure I've never been described as fly, but happily there's still hope. Wishing you a great day! Always enjoy seeing you stop by Buttercupland.
ReplyDeleteMay I add that you sound pretty fly, too! Your blog is a joy.
ReplyDeleteDear Arleen,
ReplyDeleteI cannot tell you how grateful I am for all of the concern and support you have left in comments on my blog during the past year. The latest health news is that on 12/17 I had a very serious glaucoma eye surgery on my right eye. On 1/7 I will have it on my left eye. It's an hour long operation to keep me from going blind. I ask for your prayers, Arleen. I am unable to read at this point and that will continue for several weeks so a friend is typing this for me. Please know that you and yours are in my prayers and I hope that 2016 brings you great happiness.
Peace,
Dee