Beyond Barbie’s 50th Birthday – Are There Any Surprises?
Posted on Sunday, April 24th, 2011
I forgot Barbie’s birthday. Well, she’s old. The big 5-oh is long gone. So, now what? Any surprises?
You know, the big 5-oh. It’s all hoopla. It’s all “Don’t you look wonderful!” “Let’s celebrate!”
You’ve still got it, almost. There are still glimmers of hope. With enough firming serum and soft candlelight, you can still be babe-alicious-ish. Right?
Then, a few years later…
It’s all “What are you doing for exercise today?” “If I eat nothing but celery soup and quinoa for a week, will I be able to have wine tonight?” “Is there a full-body Spanx yet?”
Now, you find it hard to imagine Andy Rooney would include you in his tribute to Women Over 50. Ouch.
Is this the way it is? Are there any surprises?
We know a few things to be true about aging – especially women aging during the approach to menopause, and beyond. I gave my opinion of what I thought Barbie would find as she celebrated, and I use the term loosely, her 50th birthday. You can read my dire predictions in my blog post Menopause Barbie. Click on and enjoy the read, then come on back…
Okay, you’re back. So, here’s what I want to know. Like I said earlier, is this the way it is? Are there any surprises?
As the years tick on (good Lord willin’), what are the REAL challenges women face as we age?
Turning 50, which, as a person who turned 50 many years ago knows, is a breeze, comparatively speaking. At least, in my opinion. Turning 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60 – what’s in store for us? What are your greatest challenges beyond 50?
I’m going to put the question to a couple of my friends who have explored the wonderful world of aging along with me. Here we go:
- Let’s start with Gail Maria Forrest over at GonePausal.com who’s tagline is “You haven’t gone crazy… you’ve gonepausal!” Hilarious! Gail Maria wrote a Happy Birthday to Barbie post on her blog when she turned 50, so be sure to scroll over there and check it out, then come on back. Just click on here: Barbie is an AARP Member!
- Then we have Peggy Campbell at AllAboutBoomers.com who’s website is not normal… and I say that in a nice way. Peggy has an interesting and very humorous look at all things Boomer, including fitness. Recently, Peggy has been lamenting that the fitness gurus might have mentioned that “round” was not the shape they mean when they say we need to get into shape. Check out the post by clicking on here: Getting In Shape
So, here’s the question:
Ladies, I ask you, what is the most surprising challenge you have found since you’ve passed the 50 year mark?
Physically, mentally, socially… it doesn’t matter.
Just talk about the thing that left you thinking, “Wow, I didn’t see THAT one coming!”
What I would like is for you ladies to ponder this on your own blogs, comment here if you like, then be sure and link back here, and I’ll do the same. And, if you can think of other women over 50 who would like to join in this conversation, please be sure to give them a shout out.
Oh, what’s my answer? I am surprised by the sadness I feel about not having more time. I know, I know… they say live each day to its fullest, but dang, I feel cheated. I wish young people would understand how fast it all goes by. The other thing I’m surprised about is how much effort it takes to feel good and look good. That metabolism thing is a real bite.
Thanks for having a little fun with me, at Barbie’s expense, of course! We all know that plastic blankity-blank-blank-blank is due her comeuppance. Although, living with Ken all those years was probably more than enough. tee hee! Thanks again, Ladies!
p.s. Also, thanks to NotJustAGranny.com for sharing the Andy Rooney thing on her fun blog. Be sure to go visit and take a look around.
p.p.s. And, of course, thanks to my ladies, Maria Gail Forrest and Peggy Campbell for chatting up this subject with me. Be sure to visit them both over at their blogs and scroll around. You’ll find lots of topics and good stuff to read. And be sure to leave comments wherever you go! They’re like your little footprints in the sand.
p.p.p.s. Peggy Campbell of AllAboutBoomers.com wrote a reply to my question! Yippee! Check out her cheerful, and touching, tribute to moving beyond the 50’s and into the 60’s. Click on here: 60 Surprises!
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thanks so much for the ping-back. i really enjoyed this post. Thankfully I have not yet had any menopausal symptoms 🙂 but I have like you suddently realised the shortness of time. I am beginning to feel a real sadness about not having more time!
looking forward to reading more of your blog.
regards
Cindy
@notjustagranny
Thank YOU Cindy Eve! I am so tickled to have found your blog and loved being able to share it with my readers. I’ll be sure to stop back and take a look. And, I encourage my readers to do the same. 😉
Well, hey Patti….you put me on the spot here….guess I’ll have to “think” awhile on this one…and you know that doesn’t happen as often as it used to! HA! I’ll give you a hint of my approach…I have really been surprised about the “liberating” aspect of turning 6-OMG! Intrigued? (Confused? Bored? Doubtful?…any reaction will do!) Love ya, friend………Peg
Come on over and visit me at AllAboutBoomers.com for a laugh, or several perhaps!
Thanks, Peg! ooooooooooooowwwwwwwwwwww… Yes, I’m intrigued. I’m approaching that milestone soon, so would love to hear your take. Thanks again, Peg, for your comment, and looking forward to reading what you have to say.
Well darlin’ Patti, I would trade my Prada sling backs to be turning 50 again. I said good-bye to that decade and had to welcome in a new one – oy! Of course I lie so for all practical purposes I’m now 59 forever. And if you reveal my secret I’ll hunt you down.
How do I feel about these bigger digits? Being very bad at math I’m not exactly sure I can count to my age. I would have to say that with the exception of my head I look really great. My neck and jawline stand in the way of passing for 49.
Ahhhh my hot, horny forties sure were fun. Now I’m sweaty but not horny. Where did my libido disappear and if I offer a reward would someone bring it back to me hopefully in the form of a 45 year old male. Lord if you had to consider the men in my dating demographic you’d be as happy as I am that your sex drive was missing.
I think our birthday girl Barbie has it a lot tougher than I do as I’m sure her giant perky breasts now get in the way when she puts on a belt which thankfully mine don’t. Take that Missie! She also however might be getting a good pension from the government for being an astronaut which I’m not. Curses! She got me there.
Now I spend my nights slathering on lotions and potions in hopes of my skin revitalizing but in the morning I look pretty much the same. I’m putting up the good fight however and don’t think I’m the type to stop. Smelling the roses isn’t on my schedule yet. Maybe stand-up comedy but not roses. What is on my schedule is a nice glass of Sauvignon Blanc.
Gotta go look in the mirror now and ask if if I’m “still the fairest of them all.” Thankfully it can’t talk.
Thanks for the fun. Come by and visit me at gonepausal.com and share a laugh or two with me!
Thanks for your input (insight!) into this whole thing, Gail Maria. It’s always fun to hear other ladies’ opinions and experiences regarding their trip through the 50s, 60s, and beyond.
I wish my Mom was still here to ask what her ‘trip’ was like. It would be interesting to hear another generation speak. But, since my Mom’s generation didn’t talk too much about these things, you know, menopause and all that stuff, we probably wouldn’t get too far. That’s why it’s so great to share our experiences. I’m so glad you stopped by to answer my question. Thanks again!
Hi Patti…I came across this post and thought it fit nicely within this article…
http://www.letlifein.com/articles/50-want-younger-body-back/
Take care and all the best.
Lyle
Hey there Lyle! I just went over and read the post. Perfect! Sounds so dang familiar! Thanks for sharing the link here.
I didn’t expect to feel invisible, lacking anything in common with anyone in my life anymore. What has happened to me, I feel I have to be on all of the medications just to get through the day. I don’t feel like working for anyone anymore and can’t seem to break out with anything to distinguish me on my own. I want to have a business that I love and can make decent money, but I just can’t seem to sell myself or push myself. I don’t even feel I have as much in common with my husband anymore, even though I absolutely adore him and love him, we are complacent and I can’t seem to find the energy or enthusiasm to work out like I did 20 years ago when I met him. In my 30’s I was untouchable and now I am untouchable in a whole different way. We both are tired had a few economical and health bad years and we just want to have fun and live life, but like everyone else we are going to jobs we sort of like and we are tired of it and want more. And now all of these changes in our body’s and the med’s because we just don’t do anything anymore. I am glad I found this site to at least vent. Thank you.
I’m glad you found us, too, Darlene. This is a good place to vent.
I have gone through many of the same feelings you express, and I know many women our age who can relate. It all feels so hopeless… so helpless. You sound like you’re overwhelmed. When I have felt overwhelmed (and trust me, I’ve been there with the meds and all), I find if I CHANGE JUST ONE THING I can start to move forward. It’s a small step, but it’s a step. And I’m talking SMALL! I have had episodes where I could hardly get out of bed, let alone put on a happy face, or enjoy anything. How did I get through it? By going through each day and finding one thing to do that would get me moving forward, instead of sliding back into bed. Yes, I understand the complacency of a marriage, a job, a life. I FIGHT immobility and depression – I am not immune. I have a wonderful family, rewarding work, and this great blog I love. And yet, I struggle the same way you do. I’m glad you found this place to vent. You are NOT alone by any means.
I have two blog posts I would really like you to read. I hope you will. Here they are:
Despair Through The Decades – A Personal Story
I’m So Happy I Just Want To Go To Bed
Please be sure to take at least one short walk outside everyday. Seeing the sky and getting some fresh air can be that one small step I mentioned. Big changes don’t happen until little changes do.
Thank you for sharing your concerns and struggles here. Please be sure to read the two blog posts I linked to. I mainly want you to know that no matter how happy, cheerful, lighthearted, or together someone may sound, they still may struggle with the same problems. I certainly do! Thank you again, and take care of yourself.
I will be touching 50 in 3 years from now and I have started reviewing my lifestyle and priorities in life. Health lies on my topmost priority followed by my career, which could do better through more efforts. I have started sleeping earlier and waking up earlier and it feels great.