Boomer Living | Boomer 55+ Places to Live and Retire

A Story OF Love From The Heart Of A Boomer

Sixty-two years ago I was born as a change of life baby on December 23,1948 to my parents who did not expect me to happen. My mother was in her 40’s and my father in his 50’s. Most of my childhood life was spent with older people. Today I find myself as one of those people sitting here on Christmas eve. thinking about you and thinking about me. Yes, I said you, the Boomer Generation of people.

There is snow on the ground. Outside my door it is very quiet as though for just a few moments the world is still and at peace. Some are with families. Some are sitting with that special husband or wife. Some are playing with their grandchildren. Some are traveling to other places to visit friends. Some are sitting alone. Others are preparing meals to share with their love ones tomorrow. Some may be watching television, reading a book, playing a game on the computer, waiting for a telephone call, wrapping a present, or ending a day of work. There are some like police officers, fireman, health care workers, security people, truck drivers and etc. that may be working tonight and might be working tomorrow.

There are boomers that might be in nursing homes, hospitals, and even some in far away lands helping to keep our country safe. Others might be volunteering their time in homeless shelters and even some boomers might be homeless. Some boomers may have had children others may not. Some may be blessed with riches and fame. Then there are some who have very little and their pockets might me empty. Some may have high educations and others little or no education. Some may be sitting around a warm fireplace while others may be wishing for a warm fire.

In all of this there is somethings that we share in common. We have a story. We have a heart that can be prepared to forgive. We have gained much wisdom. We have experienced a lot. We have made some kind of a mark on the world as it is today. We can believe. Some may be able to sing while others may only be able to smile. Some like me might have a desire to write and share what I am feeling in my heart.

Tonight I think of you. Tonight I think of me. Tonight I want to reach out and give each one of you a hug. Tonight if I was powerful enough, I would give you peace, love, joy, comfort, health, wealth, and a world filled with peace but I am not that powerful. I do have the ability to write. I do have the ability to feel. I do have the ability to show compassion. I do have the ability to care for others. I do have the ability through this writing to let you know how special I believe that each and everyone one of you are. No matter where you are, no matter what you are doing, no matter how you are feeling let it be known that tonight someone has thought of YOU. We are one. We are the people of the world.

Originally posted 2010-12-25 15:04:48.

In Retirement Schedule Can Save Money

See how timing your meals, trips, trips, and activates to your own schedule does pay off in deals and savings and sometimes gives you a better experiences than when you were in the busy time crunched work years.

Since retiring a few years ago, I have found that having a freer more flexible schedule when I do things results in savings. There has always been a relationship between time and money, it just changes in retirement. Here are some specific examples:

1. My wife and I love to do our eating out at lunch, where you can enjoy pretty much the same dishes that you pay higher prices for at dinner. We save money and actually enjoy the meal better since it is less crowded when we go. Yes there are also the early bird specials.

2. I have been visiting our Active Adult Center aka Senior Activities Centers and participate in many activities that cost me no money at all. I am a member of the walking club and the book club both which are free. The center has fresh fruit, great free coffee, newspapers and wired computers. There are small fees for classes in dance, yoga and many other things. Compared to an expensive health club, this is a deal and I like the people better too.

3. Since retiring we like to take trips in the shoulder season especially right after school starts. The shoulder season has less crowds and better travel deals and rates. Sometimes we take short trips at lower rates during mid week, not during the higher priced and crowded weekends.

4. We have learned to enjoy the national and state parks and these offer senior discounts. Museums and other attractions locally are fun to visit and save you a lot of money on travel and accommodations. See my post: Retirement Activities in Your Own City

So timing your meals, trips, trips, and activates to your own schedule does pay off in savings and sometimes gives you a better experiences than when you were in the busy time crunched work years.

More Discounts and Deals for Boomers and Seniors

Originally posted 2011-12-23 14:04:03.

Learning

In my last blog I mentioned the three L’s for living which are Live, Love and Laugh but I would like to add one more L. that L would be Learning. No matter how old we are life is a process of learning experiences. Let us never forget what we have learned and the wisdom that we gain from our experiences! For this we can be Grateful.

According to Wikipedia, Lifelong learning is the continuous building of skills and knowledge throughout the life of an individual. It occurs through experiences encountered in the course of a lifetime. These experiences could be formal (training, counseling, tutoring, mentorship, apprenticeship, higher education, etc.) or informal (experiences, situations, etc.

Learning in the 60+ age group

Learning in old age (over 60 years old) elderly people can learn a great deal from activities suitable to their age e.g. art, music, sports for the elderly, handicrafts and social work. They are highly respected in Thai society; capable of searching for knowledge and provide intellectual support to local communities. They can also carry out voluntary work in community organizations, clubs and associations. Such work makes their lives meaningful as well as bringing benefits to society.

Lifelong learning opens your mind and creates a curiosity that is natural when you are young, but can fade as you age. It increases your wisdom and helps you adapt to changing situations, which comes in handy as you age. Lifelong learning can help you make new friends, enrich your life, and help make the world a better place.

Originally posted 2019-02-18 15:51:23.

Wanted: Stress Free Boomer Bubble Pad

A boomer bubble pad that is warm and cozy in the winter, cool and light in the summer would be wonderful. Since I have tried meditation, exercise, healthy eating, vacations, life style changes, geographical changes, yoga, finding my purpose, job changes, and many other things this seems to be the only answer. Retirement Communities

This is a great time to write this blog because it is almost 1 a.m. in the morning and I have been unable to get to sleep. Earlier, I wanted to write a blog and for some reason could not get in here to write it. As I lay in bed thinking about it sleep would not come but stress did. I decided to give it another try. Now I am not computer literate so I tried a few things. Here I am now. I got here by going the long way around but it sure does go with my blog title. Lately, I have been reading a lot about how we boomers should alleviate stress from our lives to be healthier and happier. Of course I totally agree with that but I have been thinking maybe I should rent a stress free bubble boomer pad. Remember when we use to call our living place a pad. Yes, definitely that is what I need!

This is the only way that I can figure out how to keep the stress away from me in today’s world. It may sound a little crazy but I am ready to go to any lengths for de-stressing and living that healthy life.

A bubble pad that is warm and cozy in the winter, cool and light in the summer would be wonderful. Since I have tried meditation, exercise, healthy eating, vacations, life style changes, geographical changes, yoga, finding my purpose, job changes, and many other things this seems to be the only answer. Retirement Communities

Just like tonight, I turn on the computer to write and there was no writing place…stress. Then I turned on the news and heard the President was going to hold up social security checks…stress. I lifted my foot up in bed and found it swollen…stress. I turned on face book and read where several of my friends were ill…stress. I reached for a nice piece of fruit from my refrigerator and none was there…stress. Then to top it all off with my chocolate ice cream container was empty…stress. I took the dog out to do her thing and the hot air from dangerous temperatures over took my breathing… stress. My garbage disposal stopped working… stress. I ran a warm bath to relax and found I was out of my favorite bubble bath plus TP…stress. The check book is getting low since I have been out on sick leave…stress.

Then what about all those articles saying that we single boomer women are really going to have it rough as far as trying to retire?….stress.

Therefore if I can find a stress free boomer bubble pad without television, computers, garbage disposals and such, things would be stress free, right? There would be just me, no fruit, no ice cream, no nothing but me in the stress free boomer bubble pad with no job, no friends, no life. Oh my it just dawned on me, NO SWEETIE MY precious DOG FRIEND.

On second thought forget this idea about a stress free boomer bubble pad. My imagination has really gotten the better of me tonight. Boomers we are going to deal with this stress and learn to pace, calm and enjoy what we can in life. After all who wants to really live in a bubble. That would be very lonely, not living. There is the answer! We all are in this thing called life together and we will deal with it. We will enjoy the small things and the adventure. If by chance there is such a thing as a stress free boomer bubble pad we can watch our grandkids play in it. They would have a ball.

Seriously though, I do think there should be a warning sign that comes on prior to the news that says, “WARNING; WATCHING AND LISTENING COULD CAUSE STRESS AND BE DANGEROUS TO YOUR HEALTH.” Actually after that statement it might be best if I just crawled over here to my nice soft clean bed and got rest. This stinking thinking has gone a bit far and yes those thoughts do get us in trouble sometimes. 🙂

55+ Homes for Sale

Originally posted 2011-07-13 06:37:38.

Don’t Let Life Keep You Down

Even in the most difficult times, there are things that we can do to keep life from keeping us down. This is but a few of those things, in addition to writing, that helps me.

Folks, this has been one of those weeks. I am sure that you have had them too. It is after midnight. Sleep will not come. I need to write. As I have said before, writing is healthy. It is time to stand up and continue on. Life is to be lived. It is short. Even in the most difficult times, there are things that we can do to keep life from keeping us down. This is but a few of those things, in addition to writing, that helps me.

If you receive a message by text or face book that is upsetting, try to accept the fact that texting is the way things are done in this modern day and time. It is a way to communicate. If it upsets you then let that person know. If you don’t need email or text then you might want to consider taking it off your telephone and computer. Learn from written messages. We must remember that there are real people using computers and telephones. We do not know how their life is going. They may be suffering from an illness, or going through a difficult time. Be appropriate when communicating.
Do not expect others to think like you do. Do not expect others to deal with death or any grief situation like you do. Everyone has their own way of working through things in their own time.
Try not to take your anxiety out on someone that is close to you, as you go through your grief process. They are grieving too, but they are NOT YOU. Share your feelings but respect the feelings of others too.
When you get to the anger part of grief, do not give up. Feel it! If it is necessary to drop a tear or two, then do it. Try to keep your mind focused on the moment. Stay centered. Be real! Share with people that understand and care. Do what you need to do. Just don’t allow anger to become YOU.
Use slogans such as, “Easy Does It, First Things First, and Keep It Simple, This Too Shall Pass. Try to get in touch with the spiritual part of yourself.
Take time to breathe. Do not go back to unhealthy habits or behaviors. Remember, this only sabotages getting through the grief. It hurts you and sometimes those closest to you.
Kick something. Smack a pillow. Tear up a telephone book. Get rid of that negative energy. There is enough hurt right at the moment. Be gentle with yourself.
Cry if you must. Those are your tears. You can let them drop. If you are a man and feel it will hurt your image, then go some where alone. Let them flow. Crying is natural. Let those tears wash away the pain, then wipe your face off, get up, and face the world. You can do it! After all you are a boomer, remember!
Show compassion. Be real. Do not deny your feelings. Console others. Listen. Rest. Do what you need to do to deal. It is your life. You have that right. Exercise your rights as a boomer with wisdom in a constructive,understanding and loving way.
Grief is a natural part of life that must be done in order to carry on. Be who you are. Put your best foot forward. You are experiencing life. You will probably remember happy times, sad times and laughter. That is what LOVE is all about and this is life. Live it! Share your feelings and thoughts because much later in your life, you may find yourself at an age, or in a situation where you are unable to communicate.

I just wrote some of my thoughts and feelings down. I have shared them with you. It helps to write. I want to thank those that have encouraged me to write again as I put on my big girl pants and continue on in this thing called life. By sharing, I hope that you always know that there is someone out there that cares. You are not alone. Put on your big girl or guy pants and take a boomer walk with me. Peace, love and light!

Senior Centers offer lots of support – see SeniorCenterDirectory.com

Originally posted 2012-02-10 15:26:36.

Is It A Stigmata For Men To Dye Their Hair?

I was just getting a haircut in my unisex salon and struck up a conversation with Shasta my stylist about my blogging. I told her I was thinking of doing a post about gray hair and men.

Shasta is a good conservationist (aren’t all stylist?) and was a wealth of knowledge on the subject. When does hair normally turn gray, around the early forties I asked. No not necessarily, some get gray hair even in their twenties but after age 30 the chances of getting gray hair increase every year. By age fifty half your hair is likely to become gray. Also stress or worry does turn your hair gray.

On the other hand some men keep their hair color much longer. My dad had black hair in his seventies. I think that was because he used Vatalis Hair Tonic to keep his hair looking wet and dark. Others used Brylcreem. That’s old school.

So why do most women dye their hair and have for a long time (remember those Clairol commercials) but much fewer men do?

Shasta says it is for several reasons that men don’t color as much.

Men are told they look distinguished when they turn gray; as opposed to women who look old. Where is the sex equality in that?

When women color their hair it will last longer than when a man does it because of the man’s more frequent hair cuts. That could get expensive. Shasta charges $50 for a man’s cut and color (I just had to ask, lol) and that would last about three weeks.

But also it is part stigma. Men traditionally have not colored their hair. Men don’t want to be kidded about dyeing their hair. Men may think it is weak or feminine to color their hair. All kinds of viewpoints trying to hold the status quo in place on this issue.

On a recent cruise I was sitting toward the back of the Princess Theater before a show and noticed all the old men sitting with the younger women. As I started noticing each couple turning their heads I could see they were the same age but hair color made the difference.

Shasta says you should dye your hair to make you feel good, not for other people or to make it seem like you are younger. However I did hear of a few friends who did not normally dye their hair, did so while looking for employment.

More baby boomer men probably dye their hair than you think. Many who don’t notice think it will be jet black but men and women’s hair dye coloring today has a most natural look. For men it may leave a little gray and not be obvious. See Paul McCarty, Russell Crowe, Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise and you will see what is possible.

What about you, do you think it is still a stigma for men to dye their hair. And if so, why?

Originally posted 2014-03-04 16:56:19.