Tag Archives: age

If Life was a High School Football Game…

4 Oct

I guess I would be in the second quarter of my years.  Happiness would be winning over anything else I’ve experienced in life and I would have a penalty for that one time I jumped out of a moving car.  Right now though, I’m calling a time out to review some years gone by.

The last time I spent a Friday night at a high school football stadium, I was in high school.  That’s why I was excited to go catch our local teams compete last night.

I loved the atmosphere, the game, the bands, the people watching and the smell of all of that football stadium food.  I really had a blast and the kids loved it too.  It brought back so many memories and feelings, but also added a new feeling – my youth is gone.  I got that feeling when I saw all those teeny-boppers in their cutesy little outfits – their only care being who they’re going to hook up with that night or did they see/talk to so and so.

They are just so young.

What really put it in perspective for me is when I saw a woman, probably in her mid-30’s, surrounded by a bunch of teen girls. The woman was attractive and, I thought, stylish but she seemed to be intimidated and was definitely uncomfortable suddenly face to face with all that youth.  I wondered what she was thinking.  She tried to keep a look of confidence on her face but I could see the thoughts going through her mind.  “Girls, you don’t have anything on me.  Been there, done that – way before you.”  It made me realize how precious our time is.  Before they know it, those girls will soon become us.  After all, many of us were once them.

It’s not that I’m jealous of them or want to go back to that time, it just made me nostalgic and well, basically, feel old.  I know I’m still “young” by many standards but I’m certainly not young enough to:

  • Paint all of the skin visible outside my skimpy shorts and tank top, (That’s another “I’m old” indicator – when I was their age, I would never have considered them “skimpy” shorts.)
  • Act crazy even when I’m just standing in a group of people. (Well, I guess I still do this.)
  • Walk around with my chest out, trying to portray all the confidence in the world. (My posture is getting worse and worse, Osteoporosis?  I drink my milk!)
  • Chill in the Student Section of the stadium. (Man, were we like that?)
  • Not care where I sit, stand, stop, walk.  Being oblivious seems a lot less stressful.

The other feeling I had that made me aware of my age – the fact that I was worried that the players would get hurt.  I’m such a mom!  This one play had five guys tackle one guy and I said, “Oh my!  Did they really need to be that rough?”  Andrew’s response?  “It’s tackle football!”  Man, I hate to see what I’m going to be like if Nate plays!  I’ll be an even older mom then!

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Age-Awakening Experience

13 Jul

One of our nieces is turning 13 in a week and like many youngens these days, she has to have clothes from a store called Hollister.

I had an idea that it was similar to Abercrombie and Fitch but never had the need/desire to check it out for myself.  Now I know why. Man, do I feel old.

I’ve never felt my age before.  I know there are things I’m not supposed to do now that I’m 30 and a mom.

  • I’m not supposed to shop in the junior section at department stores.
  • I’m not supposed to say things like “Miley Cyrus is cool” or “I totally love ‘High School Musical!'”
  • I’m not supposed to want and purchase the hot pink cell phone.
  • I cannot eat 10 piece Chicken McNuggets and the biggest Fry, never workout and still fit into my awesome size 6 GAP jeans.
  • I’m not supposed to push a stroller in any Hollister store.

How the heck was I supposed to know the store barely had enough room for a normal sized girl to walk through let alone try to steer Nia around racks, throw rugs, teens and sofas.  When I finally made it up to the counter, a hip little thing tried to cut in front of me!  I’m so unwanted, I’m invisible!  I totally was all like, “Oh, no you didn’t!” and cut her off at the cash. But then it gets far more stressful for me.  I have to pick out a gift card.

Typically, gift cards are decorated pretty simply.  A solid color, the words, “A Gift for You!” written on it and some cutesy design.

Not at this store.  They were all covered with half-naked hot guys and gals.  Totally fine for anyone who is not the child I’m getting the gift card for.  I even asked the teen behind the counter, “Do you have one that’s ok for a little girl?”  She freakin’ hands me one of a shirtless man and a girl looking all seductive into the camera.  Again, fine for anyone who is not my niece!

My friend Julie was with me and she suggested drawing a shirt on the guy!  Could you even imagine how embarrassed my poor niece would be when she goes to pay with a gift card that her aunt censored?  How uncool is that?!

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Nia’s Concept of Age

13 Sep

Me – “What was your favorite thing to do at the beach?”

Nia – “Going in the big waves with daddy.”

Me – “You were so brave. I was scared because daddy took you out so far but you were very brave.”

Nia – “Yeah, that’s cause I’m 4T.  When you’re 1T or 2T or 3T* you aren’t brave but when you are 4T you are.”

*(In case you don’t know what 1T, 2T, 3T or 4T means – it’s the sizes of children’s clothes.  2 Toddler, 3 Toddler, 4 Toddler.  There’s no such thing as a 1T but Nia thinks there is since that’s the way her clothes have been labeled.)

Catchin' Some Waves

"I'm 4T!"

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