Age Challenged rQQzy: Friendly Friday

Nice to see you!

Three major events occurred for me last year (2010), all in the space of about 2 weeks. I turned 50. The following day I got married. Two weeks later, my oldest daughter became pregnant with her first child and my first grandchild.

Most middle-aged people will tell you that in their minds, they still feel 20 something. It's the same for me.

Wasn't it only yesterday that I was planning a night out with guys from the surf club? That gorgeous new perm. Flaired, cuffed denims and the red t-shirt with the off-the-shoulder frill. Corked platform wedgies. **sigh**

Suddenly I'm looking in the mirror and wondering how 30 years can flash by so damned quickly!

So here I am in cyberspace, sharing my genuine shock and horror with anyone who'll listen and maybe I'll even meet some other over 50s who find themselves in the same predicament!

Welcome to my dilemna!!

Friday, July 11, 2025

Friendly Friday

Hard truths your parents should have taught you:

1. The world is not fair, and no one is coming to save you. Your success or failure is your responsibility alone.

2. Nobody is thinking about you. They are too busy thinking about themselves. Stop making life decisions based on their imaginary opinions.

3. The world rewards results, not effort. "Trying your best" is a participation trophy; real life only respects what you deliver.

4. Love is not enough to hold a relationship together. Respect, loyalty, and shared values are the foundation. Love is the decoration.

5.Your feelings are not facts. Learn to question them, or they will rule your life and lead you to ruin.

6. Your comfort zone is not a safe place. It is a gilded cage where your potential goes to die. All growth happens in the storm.

These truths aren't meant to make you cynical.

They are meant to make you strong.

I fell asleep early on Thursday night and woke to use the bathroom 4 hours later, immediately fell back asleep for another 6 hours! Needless to say, I woke feeling refreshed!

After Harley play, BGWLBH asked if we needed to go to town, so we made the decision to do it.

She needed a new battery in the car key - last time, she took it to the car dealer and it cost over $40. This time she took it to Allstrong Locksmiths and Security on Taylor Street and they replaced it for $9. Car dealers are a rip off.

While she was doing that and then purchasing a coffee from from OBC Original Bike Cafe, I walked around the corner to the paint shop to select a colour to paint the window frame on the outdoor pool kitchen.

I was surprised that a small tin cost $45. I don’t know why I was expecting about $15!

Adoring Husband painted the frame years ago with a horrible baby poo brown colour. I selected a blue, close to the pool colour in a photo on my phone - so hopefully, it’s close.

Then there was the supermarket, butcher, juice, seafood, newsagent, Farmgate, bakery and Heaps Discount.

Home to unpack the groceries, play with Harley, shell 3 sand crabs, watch some golf, watch Sharks defeat Dolphins (only AH and I selected them in the tipping comp) watch Collingwood get done by Gold Coast in AFL (much to AH’s dismay) and now watching Alcaraz play Fritz in the first men’s semi final at Wimbledon. Next up will be Djokovic vs Sinner.

There is a dog somewhere across the road howling through the night, so I’ve started logging the time and the number of howls. It really is getting out of control and we’ve heard neighbours yelling through the night, so no doubt the council will soon be called.

In the last hour, it has howled 13 times.

It’s quite chilly again tonight. Good for snuggling under the blankets to watch tennis.

Tomorrow will be a relaxing day and I might do some more of my art.