Author Archives: Old as Dirt & Proud of It!

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About Old as Dirt & Proud of It!

Welcome to Older Than Dirt, and Proud of It by Karen Samenow. I named my blog Older Than Dirt because that's where I am in life. You may find art or music, or inspiration included because, I'm an artist, a spiritual medium, and I'm always learning more and exploring. I hope you find us interesting. My focus for this blog is to bring a little levity to well seasoned women. Sometimes it actually may help!
Sep6

Accepting Ones Self!

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This isn’t an easy subject!!! I sure have struggled with it, and I’m sure all of you have struggled with it at times also.

It truly hurts to realize we are never going to be what we use to be. On the bright side I tell myself “I’m not what I use to be, I’m better!” That’s how I handle that subject.

Do I believe it? Sometimes yes, and sometimes NO! But I can’t do anything about it, so the only thing I have control over is telling myself, “I wanted to grow old gracefully, so do it!”

Most of us don’t dress like we did, or even like we would like to in our minds. I’m super casual these days, and I don’t see anything wrong with that. I can also kick it up a notch if I need to. (I just can’t remember when the last time I needed to kick it up a notch, and we went somewhere we needed to get dressed up for.)

So my version of dressing up is putting on a pair of my best earrings, and using my most seductive perfume. I even hot iron my hair. Does it work? Well, it makes me feel better, and my husband always compliments me on my clothes, my hair, and anything else that he knows helps me to feel appreciated, and beautiful.

Incase you haven’t figured it out, I have a perfect husband!

What do you do to feel pretty, and desirable? Don’t tell me you have no-one to get dressed up for. Because I think we do this for ourselves as much as for others. If I feel good, I hold myself better, greet others better, and my entire day does better.

Yes, sometimes it’s difficult to greet others with a happy, energetic face, but when we do, it really does make us feel better.

So next time you drag yourself out of bed in the morning, get that cup of coffee, and tell yourself. “I can do this!” Put your best foot forward, with a nice shower, some nice perfume, and something comfy. Maybe kick it up with brushing your hair, and a little lipstick. You can keep going if you feel good enough, but this is a start.

Remember, we are in this together, and we have to stand together!

Thank you for stopping to read my blog, I’ll be back soon. Karen

Aug2

Afraid to Age?

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Why are we afraid to age? Is it the perceived lack of mobility, or having our drivers license taken away, the fear of being sent off to “Shady Pines,” or fear of the unknown?

For me, I’m not afraid of the unknown, but I don’t want to be sent off to Shady Pines either. My license, well I’m sure I won’t like not being independent any more than anyone else, but I certainly don’t want to run my car into the side of a building like you hear on the news that some geezer did either. So, I’ve told all my kids (all means 3) that if they see me do anything that is dangerous, please tell me. They all watch me like a hawk!

But I think the worst thing is that we can worry so much about getting old, and how much time we might or might not have left, that we miss the sweet moments we need to pay attention to. Yes there are moments, but we need to look for them, and appreciate the small little things that are all around us. Sure it’s easy to focus on the negative, but what about the positive? That’s what we need to pay attention to.

Life isn’t always kind, and many of us have had very real disappointments, and losses, that won’t ever change. Life can be cruel, but we don’t have to let the cruelty take over our lives. Loss is real, and heartbreaking, but we are still here and alive. Not one of the loved ones we have lost would want us to grieve, and suffer forever.

I have learned not to look back, unless the tales of the past will help someone. Do not worry about the future, because inevitably it will change, and you will have given all your energy to something that won’t ever happen. Live life in the moment, enjoy what you have and not what you have not!

Life will be so much sweeter that way. That doesn’t mean you forget the past, you have just chosen to not let it define you. That doesn’t mean you aren’t aware of the future either, it just means you are aware that all things can change, and it isn’t worth wasting time and energy on things that change, and you don’t have control of.

You are all part of my tribe, and I wish for all of you a healthy, happy, and fulfilled life. Thank you for taking time to read my blog. Remember we need to stick together for the love we share, and the support we can give one another. Until next time, Karen

Jul19

Healthy Aging

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One thing I seem to be dealing with is stiffness. Yes, I’m stiff almost all the time. If I sit for more than five minutes, drive for more than five minutes, I’m stiff! When I get up in the morning, I’m really stiff! I officially feel like the Tin Man!

I would bet you’re the same way. As we get older we seem to be chronically stiff! It isn’t so funny when it’s happening to you. Is it arthritis, or is it something else? I’m not sure. If you know, I’d like to know. Would it really make a difference to know?

There are all kinds of information on You Tube helping us stay upright, and healthy. Here are just a few.

It isn’t just stiffness, it’s a whole bunch of things we have to deal with. Balance is a huge issue, and we all deal with balance sooner or later.

Eating well is another way to stay healthy. I believe sometimes healthy foods are way too expensive, and cooking is another subject all together.

Are any of you tired of cooking like I am? After putting together meals for a family for more than sixty years, I’m most definitely over it. Standing at the stove for longer than five or ten minutes is a killer for me. How about you?

Do you love cooking? I use to, but not any longer. Are we even suppose to cook when we get older? Shouldn’t someone else be doing the cooking? Maybe the imaginary chef! Wouldn’t that be nice?

I hope you were able to get something out of today’s blog, we could go on talking about our aches, and pains for hours, but I don’t want to focus on the negative. We must push the negative aside, and find the positive pieces of aging. It is freeing, and I really do not care about what anyone thinks. Your comments, and thoughts are always welcome.

One last thing; I’m learning that people that live longer, and feel better are existing with a positive attitude, and do activities they love. That is the key to being happy in the “Golden Years!”

Thank you for stopping to read my blog. I’ll be back soon. Remember we need to stick together for support both mentally and physically. Together we stand! Karen

Jul5

Spring Has Sprung…

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As we speed through June, it suddenly occurred to me that we are more than half way through June, and are half way through the year. I have to say my life is flashing before my eyes. You might feel the same way.

I love the cool mornings that are soon to leave, and the cool afternoons. The days will get hotter and shorter at the same time. That doesn’t feel right to me. And yet I live in the perfect place, Southern California. Everywhere else is either too hot, or too cold, and I’m a Goldie Locks Girl. I get heat stroke in summer, and well I have to bundle up so I don’t stiffen up in winter.

But let’s get back to Spring! It is definitely time to plant flowers, and figure out just what color you want to splash in your garden. I love having those little faces blooming all over my yard. I even splash some yard art around for variety, and fun.

Because of our climate, and quality of soil I have grown to love succulents. It really seems like a waste of water to try and keep tropical plants thriving in our Mediterranean Climate. So we now have a healthy mix of plants that need less water, and attract butterflies, hummingbirds, and other garden creatures. It makes me happy to know that I’m contributing food for their little tables, and picnics. Yes, birds must have picnics, after all they have families too!

Plants, and their sometimes unusual colors give me joy, and happiness. My next trip will have to be to Home Depot, Lowe’s, or one of our many nurseries for a mix of six packs of little plants to stuff in-between rocks, and other larger plants.

Tell me, do you enjoy potting or gardening as well? Even one little planted pot can bring life, energy, and joy into your home.

I hope you will try a little planting soon. It always helps give me an uplift.

Thank you for taking time to read my thoughts and ideas. I’ll be back soon. Karen

Jun21

Example of Style

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I was impressed with the relaxed style Ali McGraw has at 85 years old. Maybe you would like to see her style as well.

What did you think? I thought she had many good ways of keeping up the look, and still being relaxed, and comfortable.

We are all at the point where we want to look our best, and still be comfortable. I have said for several years that I want an outfit that feels like I’m wearing PJ’s, but I’m not. Something comfortable, but stylish. After that, I am what I am. I’m doing my best, and that should be good enough for all of us!

Thank you for watching, and hopefully commenting. Until next time, be comfortable, happy, and peaceful. Karen

Jun13

Just what is OLD?

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I ran across this short video on You Tube, and thought it was interesting. It brings up so many thoughts. So I thought I’d ask all of you a few questions related to perception, reality, thoughts, and ideas.

When I was much younger, I never thought I’d reach old age, not even middle age. I didn’t think I’d leave this planet, I guess I just never thought! Now I can’t imagine not realizing old age was imminent!

What’s worse is that I didn’t even think older people had anything to share. How immature I was! I wondered how old people could even think they had anything to share. It saddens me to think how naive I was, and how much young people miss by thinking that way.

We can be fun too! Just look at us toddling around the neighborhood doing all our old people things at old people speed. Is it any wonder everyone gets upset with us for driving our cars at 15-20 miles per hour to save on gas. After all bread was .25 a loaf when we were growing up, and gas was about .50 when we started driving. No wonder we think this way.

Did we raise our kids to be part of the throw away generation? Because that’s how they turned out! Who taught them that anyway?

I love reusing things, going thrifting, and sometimes nosing around garage sales. Many years ago, and I mean many, on trash night people would put out treasures for others to find, and find we did. It was not illegal in those days, and our homes were eclectic, and fun. My kids would never do this, they are the ones throwing away stuff. Sometimes we would find really good furniture, and turn it from trash to treasure making a little money on the side.

All the affluent neighborhoods would have the best pickings, and we picked, and picked ’till our hearts desire. The thought still excites me, but laws have changed around here, and people aren’t throwing away treasures like before.

There are times when I feel like old furniture, all embellished with nicks, scars, and pale skin. Waiting to see what’s next is the interesting part. We never know, and many times aren’t ready for it. I’m never ready for it!

One thing is for sure, we can only do our best. We are all in the same boat, dealing with the same problems, but we aren’t alone, we are never alone.

And the young people, well they too will have their day. One day they will be old, and wrinkled, they’ll waddle around wondering what happened to the last 50 years.

I guess the Botton line is, you are only as old as you feel. Some days I feel 100, some days I feel 50 again. Keep moving my friends, because we don’t want to walk around like the tin man all stiff and squeaky

Thank you for taking time to stop and read my blog. I hope you have a great day without squeaks, and waddles.

Remember united we stand. Karen