Hello. Well I suppose being called 'cute', is better than being called a miserable old bat. I have never thought of myself as being cute, but that is how someone described me in a recent comment on my yooootooob channel. I suppose cute isn't so bad, but it was the context in which she used it which shocked me. She said, 'old people are cute'. WHAT !!! Hey you Miss, who are you calling 'old'. I'm not chuffin old, how very dare you. I can tell you now, that I won't be old until I am at least 85, and that is a long way off.
I can stomach being called cute, or dippy, or scatty, or even bonkers. I like being quirky, offbeat, eccentric, or an oddball, they are fine. But calling me OLD, oh no, I can't agree with that. I AM NOT OLD.
In my head I am 27, the age when I started lorry driving. Now 40 years later, I am still confident enough to get in a truck and do it all over again. Not that I want to mind you, but if I did, then I could. I could still rope and sheet a load down on a 40ft trailer. I could still go in a truck stop and chat the blokes up. I could still be one of the lads and have a pint or two.
Time might have moved on, but I haven't. My body is still in good working order, I can think for myself, make decisions, and have a good helping of common sense. And as long as this continues, I will not call myself old.
So, what words would you use to describe yourself? Come on, share. Are you 'cute', or something else? Don't go looking for the comment on yoootooob, I was so shocked I immediately deleted it. OLD indeed, for goodness sake.
Winding down now, getting ready for the big one. I'll show you who's not old, ha ha. Thanks for popping in, we'll catch up soon.
Toodle pip
Garden Centre fun
6 hours ago
You are not old Ilona; age is just a number. I know 18 year olds who act so seriously and 75 year olds who are spring chickens. I don't know how I would describe myself, I think my best compliment was 'charmingly eccentric'. I liked that. Amanda
ReplyDeletecute also means clever or shrewd....
ReplyDeleteWell I never knew that.
DeleteI agree age is just a number. I was 79 a few months back but do not consider myself old, I have slowed up a bit and get my aches and pains but my outlook is still forward thinking and I have so much I want to do and see. I keep myself active and like bright colours not dull grey, black or brown. I don't moan and keep cheerful when talking to others and am willing to try new things.
ReplyDeleteHazel c uk
Ilona, you look decades younger than your chronological age and your marbles are very obviously intact! I think you're ace!
ReplyDeletePeople describe me as chaotic becuase I am always dropping and breaking things and falling over. They also say I'm mad. Personally, I think I am just more sensitive to gravity the than most and that my ideas are ahead of their time!
PS. I would describe you as a free spirit.xx
ReplyDeleteYou've only got to look at your picture to the right of this column to see that you're not old, there's not a lot of 68 year olds that look like you, so trendy in your shorts, pink trainers, t-shirt and visor. I can only think that the commentor must have been a 5 year old!
ReplyDeleteWhen I read your post I could feel my blood rising, yes Ilona I am totally with you on that one! HOW VERY DARE THEY ! How condescending ! I'm a couple of years younger than you in age, but in mind and life I am still a young, lively, eager, original free spirit. (And I'm told I don't look my age). I've got more get up and go, and more ambition than many younger ones. OLD, No way. Maybe, like you, I might just accept it at 85, but now, don't start me. Grrr ! Now I'll get off my soap box. Lol. Jean.
ReplyDeleteI know I have been described as Bonkers and I don't mind. I always say when I grow up I want to be an eccentric but I haven't get there yet
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't call you old either because at 69 (nearly 70) I don't feel old. I have called you eccentric in my poem 'Ilona' and I also see you as someone who is confident, determined and happy in your own skin. Myself, I have been called generous, patient and deep thinking. It's always interesting to know how other people see us.
ReplyDeleteJoan (Devon)
My 92 year old great aunt wouldn't go to the age concern soup and pudding club because "I don't want to sit with a load of old folk" :)
ReplyDeleteI have been looking after my Aunt,who is 93 soon,and got dementia..but she said the same thing to me!,Its bloody hard work though when caring for them 24 hours a day 7 days a week,Debi,x
DeleteLOL Someone once described me as 'nice'. I was taken aback. Short, yup, chunky, yup. But 'nice'!? Really!? I had to think about that one.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, my dear, none of us are getting any younger and your health has a lot to do with feeling old.
It's not about health and feeling old, its about how you think, act, dress and present yourself. You may have aches and pains, but you can still be a lively, happy and crazy person. I read a poster once, it had three laughing ladies who were riding on a scary fairground ride. The caption read, "People keep telling me to act my age, but I don't know how to, I've never been this age before ! " Jean
DeleteI can see where you're going with that Jean. It is about how you act, how you present yourself, your attitude to life is all in the mind. I know some elderly, and disabled people, who are up and about every day, making the most of their lives.
DeleteWell my blog was called 'Foreveryoung'. 'nuff said!' I am only 80 on Christmas Eve after all! Ann x
ReplyDeleteI've just turned 50 X my surprise present was a hot air balloon ride ! Fabulous X I was surprised the amount of people who said they would be too scared to do it X most of them younger than me X a lot of people call me eccentric X not sure why but I'm happy with that description X best wishes from col
ReplyDeleteI think you are eccentric, your post is littered with kisses, X X X
DeleteI expect she was a teenager,as everyone is old when you're that age.I think you are very young.I have been called dizzy,mad,bohemian,odd,a nutter,lovely and nonconformist and a hermit ! how nice take your pick .I don't mind -I used to try to ''be normal''but don't bother now-I like me and people can please themselves.I like being older x
ReplyDeleteFlis, your descriptions made me laugh. What is 'normal' I ask myself. It's about being yourself and not putting a square peg into a round hole. We're all different which makes the world go round. Amanda
DeleteYes-I like it now if I don't do normal but I did get bullied by the neighbour for years for having dogs and not children (was her excuse to the police mediator)I was called a hermit because I only do invigilating and not a full time job.I have hemiplegia so have to pace myself.I'm now 58 and happy and free x
DeleteI have been described as "the mad chicken lady" but I am fine with that!
ReplyDeleteNo, not old! I'm a bit "older" than you and I don't know how to describe myself. But I love being Granny to my 7 year old Granddaughter and oddly that doesn't make me feel old!!!
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't call you old either Ilona, you're definitely not old. I don't think you're that unusual either, I think a lot of 68 year olds are also hale and hearty and enjoying life. But it's probably just a matter of perspective. At 20 we think 40 is old, and at 40 we think 20 is young, Karen
ReplyDeleteIlona, as long as you remain interested and curious about all that life has to offer, you are adventurous, busy, involved, kind, happy and generous, you will forever be young. I learn from your example every time I read your blog. You inspire me, thank-you. Patricia (age 69)
ReplyDeleteI have been told that I am a bit bonkers but I don't mind, I see it as having fun. I'd rather be bonkers than miserable.
ReplyDeleteBriony
x
I'm 58 and I've just travelled 200 odd miles to attend a pirate festival in full costume. A word I'd chose for myself is "independent" - I am very lucky to be free of many of life's responsibilities now and I want to use my remaining active years to do as many fun things as possible. To describe a mature person as "cute" is so insulting!! I think it's really important to keep active and curious about the world. A lot of the youngsters seem to think "pensioners" are living the life of riley with index linked money. What they don't comprehend is that many retirees know how to budget properly and are content with less in order to have their years of freedom.
ReplyDeleteI belong to a sewing group and a past member said, 'When you die be sure to to have your husband call me to buy your fabric'. We are the same age...65! I have lots of wrinkles and graying hair but I always say no one has died from looking old. I can still lift 50lb. bags of grain, walk a couple miles a day, and my husband and I maintain our 2 acres. An 'old' farmer(he was 90 at the time and died at 98....run over by his tractor) told me 'you are the hardest working woman I know'....and at 90 I'm sure he knew a lot. So lift your glass with me and lets celebrate being MATURE! Ilona you will never be old you are feisty, adventuresome, and have a great attitude. I like the saying 'At the end of life I plan to use up everything the Lord gave me and slide into Heaven saying what a ride'! Patty Mc
ReplyDeleteHi Ilona, I am about 15 years younger than you, and have always said to myself, "crikey I hope I can be as young as Ilona when I'm her age" as in fit, healthy, energetic, enthusiastic, positive, fun, sensible and nobody's fool. I would say you are in many ways younger than a lot of people your chronological junior. Indeed your commentator must've been a kid. Some smashing comments on here on the theme of "you're as young/old as you feel" Cheers, Elaine
ReplyDeleteWell whoever made that comment must have been a fetus because you are nowhere near old. I remember an auntie of mine seemed very, very old but when I look back on the photographs she was only in her 50's and was a very with-it looking lady. I remember a comment on another ladies channel who does beauty related things - she is 59 and absolutely gorgeous (username uppiesbeads). The comment was 'eww old ladies doing makeup'. So silly.
ReplyDeleteI think one of the problems is that the media often promotes such a negative view of our mature years. It's all cancer, dementia, loneliness, visiting hospitals, doom and gloom etc., when the reality is that for every person coping with these awful things, there are many more who are still fit and active and out and about having fun. I have two neighbours, one is 80 and the other 90 and both are glamorous ladies who have busy lives - the 90 year old is hoping to emigrate to Los Angeles to live with her son!! I do worry a lot about becoming ill or not being able to look after myself - that's why I love your blog Ilona, because you have such a great attitude to life and you're out and about doing loads of interesting things.
ReplyDeleteI got the nickname of 'fidget' when I was at school and my husband still thinks it fits me to a 'T' - and I am fast approaching 70. At least we don't let the grass grow under our feet do we.
ReplyDeleteYesterday I cleared our guest bedroom ready for us to decorate. A job which should have taken an hour took all day as I kept finding other things to do along the way. I guess 'fidget' is still going strong.
Love your blog.
That rings a bell, 'kept finding other things to do'. I suffer from the same condition, I think it's called distraction. I start something, move about, pick something up, put it down over there. It's never ending.
DeleteYes, right... i love you... very funny...
ReplyDeleteI agree with whoever said your commenter may have been very young. I work with teenagers and they think over 25 is old. Old is a relative in some ways. If it all works then it works!
ReplyDeleteSo ... I will refer to myself as "old," but am quite miffed if someone else refers to me as old! Go figure. What I have is experience, yet I'm always learning. I don't want to be young again in the sense of not having the benefit of experience, but I do wish sometimes I didn't see my mother staring back at me in the mirror. I'm surprised and often wonder how it is I got "old." I feel so young. Chris M
ReplyDeleteWhat on earth goes ' Go figure'mean. Is this Amercian slang.
DeleteI think Jill, it may mean sweet fanny adams x
DeleteI think Jill,that Chris may be saying go away to the person who offended her and that it was sweet fanny adams x
DeleteSuch an insulting and patronising comment which I wish you'd left up so others could have responded. I never think of myself as old and am still as fit and slim as I was in my 20s whereas most people at work of my age are grossly overweight and unfit. I see myself as independent and quirky. Kristel
ReplyDeleteNo one has ever called me old, at least not to my face. I have been called eccentric, that I march to my own drummer, silly, bohemian, free spirit. But, don't call me "honey,' "sweetie," or "sugar." I tell women we don't know each other that well. I am not a little old lady who is complimented by these words. Mostly, don't call me "Miss Linda." It is insulting and patronizing! I will by 71 on Sept 11, but I don't feel old in spite of a 100% disability.
ReplyDeleteLove your blog and thank you for all the amusement and ideas you have given me. A long time ago I was told I should have been a blonde "cos you sure are dizzy". My favorite comment on the age thing was "how old are you anyway" I replied "80" "Thats all right then I am 85"and off she went leaving me wondering what was all right?
ReplyDeleteOld? No way! Your comment about the roping & sheeting made me smile. It was TWENTY EIGHT years ago when you kindly took me out in your truck for my work experience, and you taught me roping & sheeting...something I've not done since! Lol. However, I've done plenty of curtainside & double deck work. I just wanted to thank you for the work experience and all the good advice, which I took and it all worked out great for me, so you are responsible for that :) I'm now friends with one of your old trucking friends, Lesley. She's Lovely. I'm now 44 (how did that happen?!) and I don't feel or look 'old'. You're as old as you feel. Keep on trucking (or walking/hiking!). Caroline xxx
ReplyDelete