Helllloooooooooooooo?

It was! Thanks, E

I'm delighted that you had such a great day, but I must take exception to something in the "older" couple remark. It's not bad to be 60, or in my case somewhat older, and still look like thirty from behind. I just happen to be one of those people who get shocked looks when I turn around and others realize that I'm not a kid any more. Of course that's because I weigh under 100 lbs. and I'm a little over 5' tall, and most of all because I refuse to dress like an "old" lady. No face lift, or tight leopard print stretch tops, but I do love to dress in denims and t-shirts and/or casual clothes and refuse to wear pastel polyester.

Lucille

Happy Birthday! I had DH at home yesterday, too. But only because we've both got the cold from H#&&! It's really bad when he doesn't go to work. In 22 years of marriage, I think I've seen him stay home twice.

I'm sure your day was way more pleasant than mine was!

Donna in Virginia

Remind me to tell you the tale of the Texans at the fancy restaurant - sorry folks - it just looses something in print.

Lucill,e - please don't take exception - I'm sure you look lovely. It'f great to look younger than your age. But, I'd really be surprised if you looked like this woman - who was so over the top and inappropriate. Between the tight leopard top (and I don't know any "young" people - except kids that would wear this), the shiny spandex pants tucked into the boots, and the overbleached yellow-straw like platinum with the roots showing through, and the way too tight eye stretch - I'm not sure how else to set the picture.

Given the situation - the couples in their 60s were "older" - the couple in the 30s - are younger. That's just adjectives. I didn't say they were decrepit, ancient, belonged in a home, shouldn't be out in public, or use any derogatory terms.

My DM never wore polyester outfits, my parents dies when they were in their early 60s, and we think of them as having been young when they dies. My DM wore nice jeans, a lot of slacks, and really cute dresses/ or outfits - casual - but cute. There is however a certain easy to see sort of look, mostly remarkable when it's a woman - that has that harsh, trying to hard not just to look younger, or youthful and show their energy, but absurdly younger - as in someone who's clearly in their 40s trying to dress like a teen, expecially at work (and I've had that with some at work) or someone who's pretty clearly much older - as in this woman's case - the hair, the look from behind was like someone hanging out a lot at the local bar - and in good shape - spandex from top to bottom - in which case you say - okay - some bad taste in clothes - and she's drunk/loud. When she turned - it was clear that she was much older than the "rear" view - and her hands were definitely older - complete with talons, and lots, lots. Lots of bracelets. Then you just think - well, it's a more desperate kind of look as opposed to aging well and looking great.

One of my best friedns is tiny - a size 4, no body fat, very fit & athletic

- and only about 5'4" - when we were in our 30s - she could get away with dressing like a tennager - at times. Even in the 40s - when you see her from behind - she's a stunner. From up front - and this is a beautiful woman - but who has spent way too much time in the tanning booth - her age is now showing. I'd trade for the shape, but even DH says it's getting a little kind of odd - when we're out - she'll get a lot of attention - especially from guys passing at hockey games - but then you can see the surprise when we're talking up close - that they realize she's not 22.

I had an older colleague whose wife was born in Ukraine. No doubt a gorgeous woman in her youth, and they had twin daughters. When we were all at some conference together and it was very interesting. The wife - who is nice, and reminded us of a Gabor sister (very kind of ditzy, but sweet) dressed very glamorously, kind of over the top in a mix of old and young, and lots of make-up all the time. The girls, then seniors in high school - were pretty - however - they all wore a lot of the same clothes. It was weird - these 2 17 year old girls were wearing clothes that were best described as 17 yearolds looking like 50 year olds trying to look 25. Way too overdone, and just old, and lots of heavy make-up. End effect - wasn't a teen trying to look 21 - just weird. My other female colleagues - well we actually all noticed this. It was just strange. Mom was in her mid-50's, and the whole picture of these lovely woman/girls was kind of askew. IT was interesting. When some people met the girls first - one of the guys asked the dad later if those were his "older girls" as he was surprised that Dr. X had kids in their 30s. Ouch - Dr. x. was a close friend of mine, and I felt bad, but what do you say - ummm, well, they are a bit overdressed???

Sorry if you were offended - not meant to be. ellice

I'm so sorry. Sometimes they're such babies. Thanks for the happy wish.

We'll have to plan an outing...

ellice

Oh, I'm sorry Please don't be upset. I was just pulling your chain and I wasn't at all angry or offended. Rather I was just pointing out that some of us are little, thin, reasonably well built people and at the same time are "older." I'm one of those lucky ones. I would, however, like to say that tacky is tacky no matter the age and the person you described would be tacky whether she was 15 or 50.

Don't laugh but one of my biggest problems is finding clothes that are appropriate for a 70 year old when you wear a size 2 or 3. Just picture a silver haired lady dressed as a teeny bopper and you'll see what I mean. I know, a lot of you are thinking "I should be lucky enough to have that problem," but it is sometimes a challenge to find conservative clothes in my size. Casual isn't too big a deal because I live mostly in jeans and t-shirts, but dressy can be a pain.

That's why it's such fun to shop. It's like a treasure hunt.

Lucille

I know exactly what you mean. My college roommate was a gymnast. She bought her casual clothes in the kids' department, but when the time came for job interviews, she couldn't find a suit to fit her, because pre-teens don't wear suits.

Thank goodness, her sister was an apprentice tailor and they could help each other, with Sis custom-making Roomie's suits as part of her apprentice training.

You yanked good. In my "youth" I was well known for being not necessarily rude, but a bit more forthright . It took me a few years of working - outside of academia - to develop a little more diplomacy in my phrasing, and to slow down. So, I didn't want you to take it the wrong way. Remember - I grew up in South Florida.....

My frined who owns the LNS - her helper is a lovely, little tiny woman (and one of the best finishers I know). When she moved away - that's how I started working in the shop - when she moved back - well, she really needs to be in the shop. Anyhow - you're probably even bigger than her - she's about 4'10", and also a size 2 - like a little bird. And she definitely dresses a lot in jeans - but it's cute. At least down in S Fla there should be a lot of shops that carry the tiny petite sizes.

I bet. And I'm jealous. I'd be happy to be a 10 again. Thrilled. I'm hoping by next spring - though with this last week of definitely not Weight Watchers keeping track, and not hitting the gym either, well....

ellice

That's me, a little bird. Of course some people think that bird will grow up to be an eagle. lol

And she definitely

Cute! Like a little kid, or a puppy ???

At least down in S Fla there should

Port Saint Lucie isn't really South Florida. It's St. Lucie County and South Florida only goes up to Palm Beach County. A very large portion of the population in this area is Hispanic and few of the women are petite and the stores mostly know that. I found a much better selection of clothing when I lived in New York because lots of the stores catered to Oriental women, and they are often petite.

Good luck with the diet. My husband was on a diet for all of his life and I had to do much of the cooking, so I know how difficult it can be.

I was just lucky and when it came time to pick my genes, I chose my father's small boned family instead of my mother's mostly chubby family. Wasn't that smart of me!!!! LOL

Lucille

ps--Just in case, I do know that genes aren't something you can choose.