Those 70ish Girls

I’m a nice, kind, even tempered person. Usually. However, as I have gotten older, I sometimes lose my patience and calm demeanor. I don’t seem to care about how others perceive me much anymore. Not much.

I’m more grouchy, touchy and grumpy. I’m bolder. I probably get into arguments more with my husband, not with close friends. That’s because we’re together a lot more since we’ve been retired. It is better for our relationship when he’s working part time on an oral history project with a small historical town nearby or when I am away to administer testing at our small school here in town for a few months each year. We aren’t together 24/7 then. I’m more detached. I feel better. Absence makes the heart grow stronger and older.

Lots of excuses are springing forth now. So we 70ish kids can just say our hearing is failing and we didn’t hear what you said. Or another good cop out is to just let your head drop, while seated, and nod off to sleep when someone gets to be too much, too much to handle. Sleepy and grumpy underneath.

Maybe I am grouchier because I’m older, I’m sleeping poorly or my health and body aren’t what they used to be. I can’t quite put an arthritic finger on the reason for being grumpy. I just don’t want to put up with complicated situations and people complaining. I haven’t got the time. In our 70’s we are in the last chapter of the book of life. Heck, we might even be on the last page. Who knows? All I know is I want stuff simple. I want the plot to go slowly and peacefully. Can’t the text in the book of life be simple sentences with lots of one syllable words? If anyone presents me with characters’ problems, I’m taking the easy way out or escaping out the back door. Maybe even down the fire escape. No, that’s too risky.

The toaster doesn’t work? Throw it out and buy a new one. Somebody asks me to do a BIG favor for them? Six weeks later, “Ohh, I forgot you had asked me.” You need money? Do I look like an ATM?

I won’t even get into the way aging can make us look or dealing with toilet issues. You know. Maybe I will touch on it. There’s the gray hair, maybe no hair at all, sagging everywhere not to mention the aches, pains and stiffness. Hey, that could be a clue. My body is stiff in places and therefore, my personality is getting stiffer. That could be it. But don’t give me your opinion. I don’t want it. Save it.

Grouchy, touchy and grumpy me. I’m not apologizing either. I’m not apologizing for my behavior. Nope. They made a movie called “Grouchy Old Men.” Why didn’t they ever make a movie called “Grouchy Old Women”? Forget it. I wouldn’t go see it nor stream it anyway.

I’m going to take a nap. Don’t wake me up because you will be sorry if you do. I might forget my age and deck you or just yell. If I yell, you probably won’t hear me.