Jennie Anderson (Dylan)

 No normal for me anymore!!!!  I love this!

Jennie Anderson (Dylan)

 Amsler grid, what is that?  I'll check it weekly when I find out, that's for sure.  I have no plans of being visually impaired, if I can help it. Thanks for the info Jan.  Education is the best way to handle most of these getting old things we are facing each new day!

Anyone notice how much fun I am having with these little faces??????  I love them!

Stephen Ray Puckett

Jenny wrote: "...mascula something or other."    I have friends with 'macular degeneration' and that is a bad thing so take care of it - prevention is by far the best.  My wife Lil has a 'macular hole' which is not good either but not quite as bad.  The docs have had an eye on it for years and it has been stable since we first found out, not bad enough to do anything about it...yet.   We have friends who have had different kinds of treatments - it seems the best one (if it can be done) involves a gas bubble over a couple of weeks.

We both have recently had episodes of 'vitreous degeneration', which involves sudden onset of light flashes like lightning bolts, floaters, etc.  Scared me good - I thought I was having a stroke or brain tumor so I went to the doctor ASAP.  He smiled and said that it was just part of growing old, etc. but checked me for anything else that might be wrong, liked detached retina.  It wasn't anything bad, thank goodness, but I can now tell folks I have VD of the eyes!  The flashes only lasted a week or so but I still have a couple of floaters.  A couple of years later it happened to some friends who were similarly very alarmed but I filled them in.  A common complaint: "Why is it that nobody tells me about these things beforehand?"  SurPRISE!  My wife also had it later so went to the eye doctor but mistakenly told him that her problem was 'virtual degeneration' which got a big laugh.

When I turned 40, I was working in Saudi Arabia and suddenly started growing hair on my ears so went to the doctor.  I was worried that it was something in the air, water, or food and that I was falling apart.  He smiled and clued me in about 'men turning 40'.  I was not happy about it  but relieved to now know what was going on and to quit worrying a lot about it.

Our class in many ways is one big family, all about the same age, so can help each other out as we travel along Life's path, even if it is only with information.

Jennie Anderson (Dylan)

 You two guys are very funny today!!!  I loved your smiley's too!!!!

I haven't grown hair in my ears yet, and hope that is just a man thing, but I think it would be painful to remove nose hairs!!!  

Yes, we can find a lot about aging from each other!  I'm looking forward to it, for sure!!!!!!!  

Kay Watters (Greene)

i dun wanta get old.....boo, hoo.

But it is neat to be able to converse about it.  I have a Diabetes_Type 1 group, I've talked to for about 10 yrs. on the internet.  We all feel we can ask anything and get good answers, especially since a few of them are RN'S.

I've had the lightning flashes, so bad I couldn't see my computer, so I just rested and pretended that I could see....hee, hee. I've always thought it was a diabetes thing, glad to know now that it is actually an old age thing.....we age faster than normals in some things.  Cataracts hit me at 50 (start).  It's really scarey to look in the mirror and see a qlimpse of your mother looking back at you. 

The hearing is slowly going as well.  The good  thing is that we are nearing or have retired and can start playing now, less stress, more comfortableness and more honestly and gentle resignation.

.....AND I BELIEVE MORE WISDOM.....

Richard Meek

Rob you really need to get that Bagelitis looked at. It's much worse than the last time I saw you! Also those pics in your profile with swollen lipslooks like a pretty serious allergy to something. Yikes!

I guess what it boils down to is that we want to stay as healthy as we can for as long as we can. Then as they say in /Texas "we want to die with our boots on". I'd prefer a nice pair of Luchese boots, some really nice leather, nothing fancy. . .  Sorry I got sidetracked.

Kay, you are right about being wiser, according to an article in last month's AARP magazine. As you get older, barring disease,injury or lack of use, our brain power doesn't diminish. It even increases in area like wisdom. The one thing we give up is quickness because the elctrical impulses just don't move as fast. So it seems mentally and physically it's use it or lose it. In my opinion I also think you need to be a little bit crazy to keep from going insane!

Who loves you Baby?

RM

Talley Hudson

I, too, have the beginnings of a cataract, but I suppose when I do have the surgery my vision will actually be better.  Something to look forward to.  Also, I have to admit that my hearing just isn't the same, but sometimes what I hear is so darned funny.  That helps, too.  My biggest fear is that I will lose my memory (am working on that already--could be the wine!).  I've asked my boys if they'll come see me even if I don't know who they are.  Sad thing is, though, that really does happen. 

I'm missing the warm April days in Texas.  Saw some great wildflowers when I was there early this month--always makes me so nostalgic.  What I don't miss is August in Texas!  In fact, I suspect it will still be quite toasty for our reunion in September.  Hopefully no hurricanes will be blowing through. 

Jennie Anderson (Dylan)

If all of you weren't so funny, especially enunciating with Smiley's,  I could be scared of getting old, with all the different maladies we have to look forward to possibly having some day.  The new forum is awesomely fun!!!!!!  I'm off for my middle of the week Margarita at Red Onion.  $3.00, cold, and refreshing.  It's how I make it til Friday.

Anyone heard from Peggy?

Bernard Brady

Love the Forum!!

I'm going to make a comment that I learned from one of my senior insurance clients.

She said that if you are a year or two from retirement, take a year and live on what

your retirement income would be. Can't touch your savings. Practice being frugal or

money shock could be rough. She thinks that this current Administration could shower

us with VAT (value added taxes of 17-20% on all purchases). She has friends who have seen

their property taxes go from $2K per year to $6,000 per year. She believes that all States

will have an income tax. She believes that runaway inflation could devour our savings.

She believes that we will see sales taxes on our food and prescriptions. Our State and Fed

Govn't could take our 401K's and sell them and replace them with Treasury Bills that will

pay interest of 3 percent. Our Govn't is going to become unable to sell any more debt to

China or Japan and will be desperate for income. Illegal aliens will be given amnesty and

health coverage under ObamaCare. Your current health coverage will become unrecognisable.

She is not a lunatic. She is a retired teacher who says that this country is in for a rude

awakening. I, for one, am listening to her wisdom.

Jan Barnes (Nimtz)

Jennie,

An Amsler grid is a test for Macular Degeneration and other eye diseases.  Google "Amsler grid" and you can download and print one for your own weekly use.???  Enjoy the Indian blanket before it fades forever.  And enjoy your $3. margarita!  In fact, have another one for me!   (where's the icon of the margarita glass)???

Ingrid Sears (Spiteri)

Geez Bernard, I'm really bummed after reading your message.  That was really a downer, albeit the truth.  We are really hurting here in California thanks in large part to the Govenator.  We have had state income tax forever and it still hasn't done any good.  Unfortunately, your friend is probably correct about all her predicitions.  Let's vote those S.O.B.'s out of office.  All I can say is when you decide to retire it is time to enjoy life and enjoy every precious day you have left on this earth.  We need to leave this earth kicking and screaming that it was a hell of a ride.

Jennie Anderson (Dylan)

 Pictures on the forum, how much fun!!!!!!!  I loved those BEAUtiful flowers!  Thank you Jan!

Don't these  smiley's give more meaning to what is being said?  I'm in love with their little faces and personalities, especially this one!  

Kay Watters (Greene)

Bernard, where do you suggest we move to?

Bernard Brady

Hello Ingrid-

My message was not meant as a downer. I mean, I love bluebonnets as much as the next guy,

but I thought that I would toss in a tad of reality to the Forum. I personally see our Forum

members as some of the brightest, most informed, and most active members of our graduating

class.  I know many members of our class that have not submitted a profile because life has

not been so kind to them. Linda Webster will tell you that she has phoned them personally

and they are hesitant to join in. These folks need more than ever to feel welcomed into our

Waltrip family - and a unique family it is. Many of these lost classmates went from Kindergarten

through High School graduation with us. We may be the only family that they have left.

I truly care, or I would not have spoken up. It is up to our generation to clean up Govn't

greed at the ballot box this year for our children and grandchildren. Fair enough.  I'll give it

a rest.  Love to you all- Bernard

Bernard Brady

Kay, dear-

You do not have to move anywhere.  You live in the greatest Republic in the world-

The Republic of Texas. There is no geographical cure to the financial situation. Just

make sure that you are as close to being out of debt as possible, and take a little

time to re-evaluate your personal financial situation. At Waltrip we got a world class

education. I look at my nieces and nephews and the current High School studies and

just shake my head.  My nephew Philip graduates in four weeks and has not even written

a term paper. He plans on moving right into his college freshman year. Let's just get involved

with our Waltrip family and our personal family as a place to start. I am as guilty as the next.

My daughter and hubby are 38 and really struggling in Katy, TX.  I'm trying to help them

financially and emotionally but raising two little girls is wearing them out. They are exasperated

with their 7 yr old and public school. These are not lovely times for many of our children or

our parents (mine are 89 and 88). I sometimes feel sandwiched in the middle. But I refuse to

just give up. I am hopeful. It's our turn at bat. I'm in for the duration of the game!! Bernard 

Kay Watters (Greene)

EGADS, BERNARD,

I can run? but I can't hide? 

It has been my turn at bat my whole life, it seems!  But this is what makes up a family, the young members helping the old and the old helping the young, how else would our "praire (Little House on the praire) families have survived the strife, this is just another form of strife! (and I believe, God testing our hearts)

Richard Meek

Well Bernard, you sure know how to thump a hornet's nest! Great dialog from everyone. I'm glad i have a different outlook than your former client. If I had that dark a view of things I might throw myself off a cliff. Which would be a neat trick in Houston. So I'd have to travel somewhere with mountains and by then I'd probably be in a better mood. Her predictions seem a little dire to me. Her name wouldn't be Chicken Little or Henny Penny would it? I think your advice and some of hers is prudent. There is an world wide organization called Slow Food. go to their website, www.slowfood.com . It is really about more than food. It's about slowing your life down and enjoying life with friends and family more. Taking time to prepare meals instead of taking something out of a box, throwing in the microwave, eating it at the sink and then rushing off to do a bunch of things that for the most part don't amount to hill of beans. I don't look at the world through rose colored glasses. We're going through some tough times. We've been through them before and we'll get through this. Sometimes you just have to follow Tom Hanks character's advice from the movie Castaway, "keep breathing and see what the tide brings in". We're still way better off than most of the people in the world. I would say we should all get down on knees every morning and give thanks that we live in this country but I know for some folks that would require additional prayers to get back up.  So use your own discretion.

Ingrid, I think you'll see a lot of the S.O.B.s thrown out of office come November!Folks in this country are riled up and that usually doesn't bode well for politicians. My Congresswoman, Sheila Jackson Lee, was one of only 15 Representatives that voted to accept their scheduled pay raise. I hope the other residents in my district were paying attention. Having Ms. Lee represent you is like having no representation. Anyway keep your wine properly cool (not chilled). I like the red Buick, it's pretty cool. But why such a young car?

Jennie, how was the Margarita yesterday? Not too many I hope. We want you to keep doing that great art work. I really like the food at Red Onion. I think I liked the atmosphere better at Rafael's first little place across the freeway where he has his seafood place now. the food at both is still excellent.

Kay,you're right. We Babyboomers have led the way on changing things our whole lives. We'll be doing it in this phase of our lives. Let's enjoy it. We've got a lot of years of wisdom we're bringing to this deal!

I read a little mantra from a Vietnamese monk, "Smile, Breath, Go Slow" Hope to see you all soon or Sept. 10th & 11th for sure!

Rich

Bernard Brady

Thank you Richard-

I like your comments!!

I feel like some latter day kook. However,  Steve Puckett and most of you have known me since I

was about 5. I've been reading Our Forum for over a year and truly enjoy it. I usually just keep

my opinions to myself, but lately I'm starting to see my own community unravel. I live in

Ardmore, TN and unemployment is rising with no job prospects in sight.

We can chat about wines, womens, and songs, and chocolate, but I think that we all know

that our retirement years may be far from golden. We can keep our chatter "lite and easy",

or we can realise that our responsibilities to our friends does not end on retirement day

(and yes, mine was 7/1/2009). And yes, Susan and I have a garden. And yes, I drive a

Prius....

Look at all of the incredible talent in the '65 class!! Did you ever see so many retired and

still working teachers. And talented professionals.  I am truly proud of all of you. Ain't no

duds in this bunch. I'm staying away from hornets nests, but I won't leave the Forum. You guys

are just too much fun.  And I sincerely mean that.  Bernard

Richard Meek

Bernard you just keep on thumping. It's good to have dialog about different topics. But I do like women, wine and chocolate!

Bernard Brady

Richard-

Thanks my dear old friend.

I was so pleased to see that you still have some of your red hair left.

The Fudd's photos are wonderful !!

Bernard

Stephen Ray Puckett

Gosh, all this talk about wine and maragaritas makes me thirsty!    I just don't want to overdo things, though.   

Yep, these smileys and pix are fun! 

Richard Meek

BJ, I'm pretty happy about that myself. don't know how long it will last but we shall see. To quote Bill Cosby, "You know you're getting old when your hair forgets where to grow. When it starts growing out of your ears and nose instead of the top of your head, you're getting old". But let's steer away from the old word. Let's say we're no longer young and we're long time friends.

Stephen your additions to the standard pix & smiley faces are great. How do you do that?

Rich

Kay Watters (Greene)

ooooohhhh, aaaaahhhh,they can't take that away from us....Margaritaville!

I've been laughing my head off at you guys and gals comments! Great comments!

Jennie Anderson (Dylan)

Stephen, I have to be able to have smiley's like that.  I'm with Richard, teach us how and we can all have even more fun.  Those were hilarious!

I think we should remind ourselves to always look at a glass as half full, rather than half empty.  (If I had one of those cute little "glass" smiley's I would put it here) I think like this in politics, with the economy, in crime, in almost everything and it reduces stress.  Just an idea to live by.

Stephen Ray Puckett

How'd I do those animated smileys?  I first saved them as I ran across them on the Web (I also make them, but not smileys).  To use saved picture files when creating a response, click on the Image Button at the top, browse for your picture file, upload...and Bob's your Uncle! 

They can be pretty groovy:   

Questions? Send me a message.