We’re still in Florida. Haven’t done much – went to some Christmas events with Orlando friends, vacationed in Cabo San Lucas for 3 weeks, spent Christmas Eve with family in Orlando, and New Years was just the two of us outside of Tampa. Christmas Eve with family was fun, and one of those amazing incidences of “paths crossing” that happen every so often. Pete’s one cousin from Maryland and another cousin from West Palm Beach planned an Orlando Christmas vacation with their families. They were in Orlando. We were in Orlando. Like it was meant to be! As always, in this solitary, vagabond life, getting together with family and friends makes everything better!
I don’t really have much to tell you, as I said, we haven’t done much. But, I learned last winter, that if I don’t send out a blog email in a while, Gmail sends me to your spam folder. Can’t have that. So, I’m going to tell you a story.
I recently turned 60. My dad called birthdays “nonevents”. My mom celebrated each and every one. I’m somewhere in the middle. I don’t love the idea of getting older, but I also don’t mind it. 60’s just a number, and as that old cliché goes, getting older is better than the alternative! What I do mind are the unexpected, and usually unwelcome, changes that come with getting older. For me, those big “aging” changes often happen within the first two to three years of each new decade, then it all quiets down until my next decade starts. So I welcome the big six-oh with a bit of trepidation.
You’ll remember, we were just in Cabo – 3 weeks of beaches, pools, sunshine, and all-inclusive resorts. My cousins came down and joined us for a week, which was phenomenal – 12 people’s worth of noise, commotion, hugs and conversation. I got quite tan. 3 weeks of beautiful, sunny weather, with nothing to do but lay in the sun, sipping margaritas, will get you quite tan. When we returned home, and I stared into the mirror, in the cold, harsh light of no more vacation-land, I realized I had a couple little white lines on my face & neck. Little lines that didn’t get tan! Little lines that hide inside wrinkles. WTF!!??!! Wrinkles, suddenly deep enough, and suddenly there all the time, that don’t get tan inside. This is new. And I do not like it. Not at all. No. Unexpected and unwelcome!
I’m sure my older friends are smiling, thinking “Just wait until she sees what happens next.”. My younger friends are thinking “Oh crap, that’s a thing???”. I also know, deep down inside, that you are all also thinking “She can’t possibly be 60. She doesn’t have any wrinkles. Her skin is beautiful. What is she talking about?”. Thanks for that, by the way! But it is true. The first big, unexpected, and definitely unwelcome, change of my new decade. Nobody better write a comment on this blog that says wrinkles show where smiles have been – I am not ready for jokes yet.
On a positive note, my hair bleached beautifully with all that sun, and my grey hair blends in perfectly now!
We’re in Florida until the beginning of March. We head farther South this week. Ft Myers, Miami and the Keys are coming up. We’re hoping for warmer, dryer weather. It’s been rainy and a little chilly here in Orlando and Tampa.
We love you all. Happy New Year! Have a safe, happy & healthy 2024.
60 is the new 45 – you look marvelous!
I’ll take 45 again! 🙂 Hope you are doing great and enjoying the New Year!
Don’t worry about the wrinkles. When the eyesight starts to go, the wrinkles disappear. Problem solved!
Actually, as I get older, every now and then I have to stop and turn around to see what fell off. Then I have to deide if it’s worthwhile to go back and pick it up. More often than not anymore the answer is… no.
So, don’t worry, be happy and enjoy the ride!
Janet and I are well and doing fine. Took the train trip to the Grand Canyon after Chrstmas and really enjoyed it.
All the best to you and Pete!
John
Hi John. I’ve always said the train to the Grand Canyon is the funnest way to get there! Glad you enjoyed it. Hope you are still hiking and living life to the fullest! Hugs to Janet.
Happy New Year!
You always did tan beautifully…..I was ALWAYs jealous…the only way I got that tan was with a spray gun! And I just like that, the perfect tan with zero burning and pain !
I feel certain no one else see those little white lines but you!
I love uour descriptions of your parents idea of celebrating birthdays…..just as I remember them. Your dad always so practical and your Mother, so joyful and not wanting wanting to miss a party!
Hi my friend. Happy New Year! I hope this year brings you so much joy and satisfaction, good health and happiness! Admittedly, you do have to look really close to see those white lines, but I’m going back to trying not to get tan! Don’t need more white lines showing up! One less thing to concern myself with! 🙂
love your post and the pics! Happy New Year!
Happy New Year Miss Linda!
LOVE, HUGS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Love and hugs right back to you, my friend! Happy New Year!
Looks like you did a Gaylord ICE … we’ve done a few of them and enjoy them.
My first comment when doing reading this blog is … I LOVE YOU MARY!! Thanks for sharing your adventures … you just make me smile. THANK YOU!
You always make me smile – thanks Beth! I love you too! Yes, that was a Gaylord ICE event. It was absolutely freezing in there. I brought a hat and gloves and I still was freezing. Next time, a full winter face mask. It was amazing. Hope this New Year is beautiful for you.
I will be in St. Petersburg Feb 8-12. Will you be headed back to Tampa? P.S. I am just around the corner from the mid 60s! Pete and you look healthy and happy!
Hi Kim. Are you back in the states for good, or just a quick visit? We’ll be in Bradenton, arriving on Feb 10. The 11th is the Super Bowl, and the day before you leave, but maybe we can get a quick visit in. Let’s stay in touch and see what we can work out!
Mary and Pete here’s to joy and happiness in 2024! You both look amazing! Looking forward to seeing you next your in AZ . We want to plan a Mardi Gras party for the neighborhood and it won’t be the same without you here partying up with us! Let us know when you’ ll be here! Enjoy the 60’s it’s the best and 70’s even better … more moisturizer and sunscreen helps those lifelines that have so many fantastic stories!
Everyone always told my mom that she had beautiful skin, so I’m just crossing my fingers and hoping I inherited that from her! 🙂 I will always miss the old neighborhood. Have some King Cake for me. We’re both looking forward to April, being back in Oro Valley and Tucson area. Happy New Year to you and Ron.
Love your very descriptive adventures. Happy New Year.
Hi Kim. Happy New Year to you too! Hope you are doing well.
A 3 week vacation in Cabo for your birthday sounds like you did 60 the way you do life—with fun!!!
I continue to pray for safety and good health for you both.
You guys are loved and missed ❣️❣️❣️
Susan
Hi Susan! Hugs to you and Hugh. Hope you are both doing and feeling well. Yes, realizing I have wrinkles that don’t tan inside is a small price to pay for 3 beautiful weeks in Cabo with family! THanks for all the prayers, I know they are keeping us safe on this amazing journey.
Love your pictures! Hope to see you in April when you come this way. And, you both look like youngsters!
Hi Anne. We are looking forward to being back in Tucson soon. We will definitely need to get together!
I don’t see no wrinkles! Just a beautiful smile!
I stopped looking, so I don’t see wrinkles any more either! If I ignore them, maybe they will go away! 🙂 Happy New Year to you and David.
60 seems like a LONG time and another lifetime ago! But the years since have been good – wouldn’t want to go back in time. It was a couple years after I turned 60 I retired (at 63) and I decided the key to living well for the next years was to eat well and make exercise a priority! And so Frank DiCosola and I are lobbying to have Shift Happens return to doing the real El Tour next year… back to our roots! Then Diane and I can try to be 1-2 in the 70+ category 😂. And I just put down a deposit to go on a photo trek in the Peruvian Andes in 2025 for my 75th birthday 😎
The Shift Happens “roots” were amazing. What a wonderful group of people! I remember when you won second place in our first ever triathlon – you were my idol. If you & Diane come in first and second for an El Tour, I will need to ask for your autograph. I always said that on El Tour day, all I needed to do was beat an old man and a little child and I’d be happy with my time. But, two beautiful old ladies – no way I could beat you two! The Andes sounds like a wonderful birthday gift. I know you will enjoy it and I know I will enjoy seeing your photographs. Thanks for always staying in touch Barbara. I miss you. Hope we can see each other in August when I return. (I think our schedule overlaps with your Taste of OV, which makes me very happy!)