What's it Like to Get a Grand-Dog Close to Sixty?

I have to tell you. For years and years I've been a "cat " person. I currently own three cats and I love them dearly. However, having a dog in the family has been an experience I would never want to miss. My son and son-in-law, Chris and Tom, decided to become dog owners about four years ago. I wasn't sure what they would come home with but they called and said they had an "American Bulldog" named Chai. I didn't know what an American Bulldog was, but I was anxious to meet Chai. I understand her Aunt Kelly named her Chai because the ring around her eye is the color of chai tea. It is a unique name and she has grown into it. Everyone in Baltimore knows Chai.

Maybe it is because she is the store mascot sitting in the front window of Pretentious Pooch on Cathedral Street, maybe because she is chief stick player at the Baltimore parks, or chief squirrel hunter at the therapy pool. Or maybe it is just because she is a big, lovable puppy-baby.

Chai attends Good Doggie Daycare a couple times of week and I'll bet she is a real hit there. I can watch her on-line from work on what I call the "Grammie Cam" and it seems like she is an alpha dog ... always requiring attention. Surprise! Surprise!

Yes, I still love my cats and will write about them later. I'm sure you will see lots of references to Chai in the coming Blogs. But look at that baby picture in her little seat belt. Isn't she just the dearest little thing you've ever seen.

CHAI ALL GROWN UP CHASING STICKS IN THE PARK

KNEE SURGERY BEFORE SIXTY

The year I turned 57 I had two knee replacement surgeries. Now, some people say you can't get them that "young". Does that make sense? Why in the "H" would you want to be in constant pain and be crippled while you are young, waiting to get older so you can be pain free and enjoy running around while the rest of your body is old? Doesn't make any sense to me.

Anyway, regardless of the age, my pain was so bad that I didn't think twice about having the surgery. The first one was March 2004 and the second one December 2004. I had an excellent surgeon and my recovery was pretty simple.

If you are considering this operation -- don't wait!! It will put you in the best frame of mind. (Remember, pain causes depression causes pain causes depressing, et al.) Go for it so you will be able to "speed at sixty".

I go to the gym several times a week, can walk pain-free, and will never be sorry. But one thing you must remember. the recovery and quality of life afterwards depends on how hard you are willing to work after surgery.

What's a birthday without a little tree (and germs?)

This past December I turned sixty-one. It was the week of Christmas and we had rented a cabin in the hills of West Virginia for an old fashioned Christmas. Well, the week before I came down with a bad cold. I made up my mind this vacation cost too much money and I had looked forward to it for too long ... so germs and all, along I came. Of course I shared those germs. Not that those individuals had not shared many germs with me over the years of motherhood; but you see when the shoe is on the other foot, it definitely fits a little different!

In the beginning of the week when I was feeling pretty lousy, we went out for a Christmas tree. There were millions of trees on that lot but we just had to go to the very top of a cold, windy hill (I think it was about minus 20 that day) LOL - and get the best tree. It was beautiful and we had a great time decorating it, but I think that day was the icing on the cake for my cold.

Regardless, by end the of the week when my birthday came, everyone was disgruntled with me --except the dog. I had shared the one homemade gift no one had counted on. I did enjoy a wonderful spa day on my birthday and I'm sure the treatment was an ice breaker for my congestion. However, by the evening everyone was in a foul mood, either from the germs or from the fact that a week together was getting on everyone's nerves. We did end up having a very nice dinner, even though it took some teeth-pulling to get there.

I finally had made 61 around 7:10 that evening and knew it had been a good day and a good year. It was the best vacation ever for me but I don't think the rest agreed. When you are sixty-one, spending time with your family can be the best time of all. Even with the germs!!!

Getting Close to Sixty Can Be Scary

I was getting close to sixty. It was scary. Things in my life weren't as they should be. Damn. Only a few years until retirement. No money saved. Been supporting myself on a little-more-than minium wage salary for sixteen years and seemed like I was getting no where.

It was time to make a decision. Do I slow down and try to recoup all the things I should have been doing? Or do I speed up and take things as they come...

After much consideration (and a strong dose of Prozac), I decided that the only thing I could do is speed up. Slowing down would probably get me no where and I wanted to take risks.

I had always been the "good" girl. Taking care of parents, when needed. Raising my children properly (in the church). Having friends and trying to be honest and reliable. "Being there" when needed.

Well, in my late 40's and my 50's I finally sowed some wild oats and had all the fun I had missed being married young (as was fashionable in my age-group). I drank, danced, swore, stayed out late and suffered hang overs on a regular basis. I had a huge group of friends all at least 20 years younger than me and we partied, partied, partied. Do I regret that? NEVER

I think I finally outgrew that part of my life when I reached sixty. Now I am starting a blog to tell folks how I feel about turning sixty and what it means. It will be a silly blog with some daily and not so daily retributions of what has been given to me and what I have given back at this age.

This is just the introduction to Speeding at Sixty. Hang on ... because there's lots more!!!!