There were times, not too long ago, when we could drive to a museum across town; stop for lunch downtown; drive to another attraction; and get ourselves to the beach before rush hour traffic to enjoy the sunset on the Pacific. We could get a good six hours or so of activity and another two-three hours of driving time in a single day.
Not now!
A year later, just a small cross-town jaunt to get groceries or plants will wear us out. We make appointments with our doctors for late in the morning, or for early afternoon, for instance. We give ourselves plenty of time to get up and get ready before hitting the road, and make sure to carry snacks should we be stuck on the road for any reason.
We always stop for a meal when we are out of town. A meal out is our reward for the trial and tribulations of getting in and out of a doctor's office. Just this week, because I had an eye exam, and a long wait in a busy waiting room where the receptionist had misplaced my appointment, though I showed her the appointment card, and was making a big fuss about how I should have called them the day before to confirm, when I never had to do that with any other doctor, I declared myself stressed and hungry just a couple of hours after our lunch meal.
Hubby understood! He tried to stir me to a healthy snack we always carry. NO! I wanted a burger and fries and a milkshake!
We do get rattled about little and big things that are just erroneous, or at people who make mistakes and do not take responsibility for such. When processes are messed up, we become cranky and vociferous. Yes, we get tired; and we lose any patience we might have stored ahead of this event.
Now, navigating in a new town adds its own brand of crankiness, I might add.
At the end of the day, that stress causes us to collapse before our bedtime.
Yes. Cranky and Tired are our new status.
We can't even imagine how we could get up at five, drive an hour in heavy traffic, work for eight-ten hours, more traffic, stop for supplies or food, and be home in time to check children' s homework or supervise an activity such as soccer practice, and retire with a book after ten.
31 comments:
Well we did it, did we not? So let's bask in the glory and not exert ourselves more than absolutely needed.
Well we did it, did we not? So let's bask in the glory and not exert ourselves more than absolutely needed.
It is a good time in life not to be in a hurry-
Velva
First off, the doctors office is supposed to call YOU the day before to remind you!
Second, we get cranky about delays because lets face it we don't have as much time to waste as we used to.
Your Granddaughter is beautiful.
Cranky Old Man
We have the wisdom of ages and can no longer tolerate the errors, omissions and problems caused by mistakes made by other people. But we will survive and a meal of favorite foods is a great way to do it!
It is interesting when we first notice how we slow down. I was always running, running, running. Now I notice how I take time to do things that before I would have rushed through. Even getting dressed is slower now. But it is OK. I kind of like it. Everything becomes more Zen.
I can relate to this post, having retired in 2009. Our days are so busy now, how in the world did we find 8 hours for a job?
You were right to treat yourself with a meal.
I know the feeling well. Thing I could do a couple of years back easily I now feel are almost beyond me. I have not given up as yet, but things are certainly not as easy as they used to be. Problem is I feel like everything should be easy but the body argues with me!! have a great weekend Diane
Join the club! I'm tired and sometimes cranky, too1
it's the same for me
ciao
We live in a small town, and our doctors are here. So, trips are easy. That means we're rarely cranky about trips. BUT, we are easily worn out, far more easily than just a year ago. We don't get a lot done. We eat too much, too -- that seems to be easy recreation :-)
It is another phase of life. Enjoy not having to rush around and I hope that the doctors can sort you out.
hey i think a burger and fries is a great stress reliever...and i hear you on the little things starting to creep in on you as well...and we make adjustments...
Do we tend to get crankier as we get older? Not necessarily. B hasn't (but I think I have.)
How did I ever manage to raise children? Or go to work?
I make a shorter list of things to do these days, so I feel successful.
staying active is always a challenge as we get older. My dad is 80 now and still wants to go with us to art festivals. Once he is there he can only go a few feet and has to sit down. At least he is not giving in and that is important at any age. I think getting cranky happens at any age.
Yep, we did all that running back then. But I believe the word "youth" or "younger" were involved in the process! I can't believer the docs office gave you a hard time. Since when does a patient have to call to confirm an appointment the day ahead? The office should call you to confirm. I have had my hubby's pts. show up without an appointment, or they forgot the day or whatever..and I just smile, say that's OK and we'll get you in as soon as possible...smile big again...whatever happened to customer service? I always tell people...the Doctor is your employee..you hire him, you pay for his knowledge, you picked him, he didn't come and pick you. You can fire him just as quickly! It's OK to rest, you've earned it!
Um, a burger and fires and a milkshake sounds like just what the doctor ordered :). I would have chosen Parmesan fries and a glass of red wine, but to each his own!
OOPs! FRIES, fire is not so good :).
Reading all your comments makes me realize that we share similar experiences as we pass through life's phases. We too have adjusted the pace of our lives...and it feels good. One of the gifts of retirement is owning your time. We can decide if we just want to sit and watch life go by from our porch. We can still be active and do interesting thing but we are not rushing to a fire!
You have just relaxed and let a more normal rythym take over. The frenetic activity of the American adult is not natural.
G'day Rosaria. I've not long hit 60 and I'm stressed and cranky more than I ever used to be. It doesn't take much to set me off these days. I do like the sound of the burger and fries. I must try that. Take care. Liz...
I also love 'owning my own time' since retirement. But you do have to set your pace. Everyone (even kids) get cranky when tired. Getting enough sleep is important. And naps are great!
I find myself getting crankier as well, but I don't mind that. I think that at this age I have earned the right to be cranky when I want to!
We are but human... we will get tired and cranky. The good thing is that on most occasions, we know how to get over that :-)
I have the key to doctors offices and ensuring crap like that never happens. Use either great anger or wit & humor (I shoot for the latter but am NEVER above the former) to make your name or person unforgettable. I don't expect special attention but when my appointment is for 0930 they all know they have until0945 to get me in the exam room or I walk and refuse to pay for services not rendered. That whole if not cancelled thing may be their policy but it isn't mine and if they have a you pay for a missed appointment then it should b a two way street Rosaria, they should pay you for your time.
I learned to give no quarter when i needed a surgeon to repair my two fractures in my neck, he triple booked every appointment and then made me come back multiple times for tests i already had done, unfortunately he was the only one who could (they say) work that close to the jugular.
Long story short he made me wait long enough for the bones to begin to fuse misaligned, the last words he said to me were "You're just like a cancer patient, you'll just have to learn to live with it"
I won't repeat the last words I said to him I am sure you can figure it out. that was in '02.
Now the stink test for ANY doctor is I use their first name, which is not Doctor, and bust through their ego and gauge their reaction, I have been known to walk out on that reaction and then file a complaint with the insurance to make sure at best they only get a partial payment.
MY PCP now has put up with my foolish ass self for 12 years, I love her to pieces, now her staff by name and they mine and use it with out the mister and sometimes with an mild explicative.
I ain't that dang old but I do get tired easily but I have learned to not let it make me angry anymore, I just sit. But BS nope, I never sit in BS.
In a perfect world! I worked in the medical field all my life. I am human. I do make mistakes. I have owned up to those mistakes. I'm so sorry you had such a rough time. Offices do not take the time to teach patient care though these people should have learned the golden rule...do unto others as you would have them do unto you. I get perturbed at waitresses who will serve across me, grab a glass by the top instead of the bottom....etc., etc. No on seems to take the time to instruct the proper way to act. I hope you are feeling better by now. Hugs.
With reference to the Medical Profession, I have a deep respect for those who work in it.
BUT we have doctors whose offices are run efficiently (meaning you may 'only occasionally' wait past your appointment time), and we have doctors where you can 'almost always' expect to wait a hour or so after your time has passed.
And although very patient people, we admit that we have less respect for the latter because they seem to have no respect for our time.
I have enjoyed all your blogs, but none like this one. For some strange reason I could connect the dots. Not because I am aging but because my mother and all those who are my elders have aged. Sad. I just wished we could arrive to a number in life and stay that way for the rest of life. Being honest, I want to live but I hate the process of getting older.
For some reason I can envision your being cranky only with also seeing a little smile on your face. And why not being cranky, if the reward will be a hamburger and fries - that would light my fire anytime again! Definitely, feeling worn out comes easily nowadays for me: a walk around the block and I'm pooped (and it's supposed to be energizing), wash the dishes and I could use a nap, sit in front of the TV and the eyes fall shut. Whatta life!
I can relate so well, Rosaria! I look back on my last 20 years of working when I was working three jobs and commuting and having a life and wonder how I did it (and sometimes why). I am noticing a definite slow-down, too. But I think, as one reader said, it is more zen. I do enjoy life more now.
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