Years 50-60 compared to 40-50?

itsanne

mumps wrote: »

Doing it for two isn't always easy. My husband has been disabled for over 20 years, probably closer to 25 now, how time flies. My two youngest were babies at the time so I have had to do the fighting, earning and caring. Sometimes I just feel tired but the good thing is I haven't had time to turn into a grumpy old woman but I am planning on being outrageous when I retire, there is a book called something like when I am old I'll wear purple and that is going to be me.

Warning

When I am an old woman I shall wear purple
With a red hat which doesn't go, and doesn't suit me.
And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves
And satin sandals, and say we've no money for butter.
I shall sit down on the pavement when I'm tired
And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells
And run my stick along the public railings
And make up for the sobriety of my youth.
I shall go out in my slippers in the rain
And pick flowers in other people's gardens
And learn to spit.

You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat
And eat three pounds of sausages at a go
Or only bread and pickle for a week
And hoard pens and pencils and beermats and things in boxes.

But now we must have clothes that keep us dry
And pay our rent and not swear in the street
And set a good example for the children.
We must have friends to dinner and read the papers.

But maybe I ought to practice a little now?
So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised
When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple.
Jenny Joseph

I'm practising

lessonlearned

Thanks for that - I love that poem.

It reminds me of a story about my Belgian grandmother.

When she was 90 she fell and broke her hip.

She was lying in her hospital bed reading a racy novel. A rather pompous young male doctor remonstrated with her about her choice of reading material.

He took the book off her and held it at arms length as if it would somehow contaminate his higher moral superiority and said sniffily

"Madame, I really don't think you should be reading a book like this at your age"

My grandmother took the book off him and in her most haughty and imperious tones said

"Young man, at my age I can do exactly as I please"

That put him in his place…..

moneyistooshorttomention

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:................:T

mumps

itsanne wrote: »

Warning

When I am an old woman I shall wear purple
With a red hat which doesn't go, and doesn't suit me.
And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves
And satin sandals, and say we've no money for butter.
I shall sit down on the pavement when I'm tired
And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells
And run my stick along the public railings
And make up for the sobriety of my youth.
I shall go out in my slippers in the rain
And pick flowers in other people's gardens
And learn to spit.

You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat
And eat three pounds of sausages at a go
Or only bread and pickle for a week
And hoard pens and pencils and beermats and things in boxes.

But now we must have clothes that keep us dry
And pay our rent and not swear in the street
And set a good example for the children.
We must have friends to dinner and read the papers.

But maybe I ought to practice a little now?
So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised
When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple.
Jenny Joseph

I'm practising

Brilliant, thanks for that. I am 60, do you think it is OK to start now.

Bennifred

My MIL and her friends have started a "Red Hat Club" - and when they meet up - coffe shop, restaurant, wherever - they wear red hats!

mumps

Bennifred wrote: »

My MIL and her friends have started a "Red Hat Club" - and when they meet up - coffe shop, restaurant, wherever - they wear red hats!

There used to be a saying (haven't heard it for years) "Red hat no knickers." :rotfl: Hope they are having a good time.

Bennifred

mumps wrote: »

There used to be a saying (haven't heard it for years) "Red hat no knickers." :rotfl: Hope they are having a good time.

I thought it was "fur coat, no knickers"? I must tell them your version, I think they'll love it!

mumps

Bennifred wrote: »

I thought it was "fur coat, no knickers"? I must tell them your version, I think they'll love it!

I've heard that one as well but I do like Red hat no knickers, it always makes me laugh. I bet they will like it.

Savvy_Sue

I've also heard 'Red shoes, no knickers'. particularly after I'd just bought myself some red shoes.

Parsimonia

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

I've also heard 'Red shoes, no knickers'. particularly after I'd just bought myself some red shoes.

Yeah, that's the one I'm familiar with! You're not a Brummie are you? It was the one I always heard growing up...