this bird's tale: FLASHBACK 2005

"may you build a ladder to the stars and climb on every rung...and may you stay...forever young"

my grandma lillie and i share the same birth month, horoscope, and birthstone (i'm not fond of yellow topaz, but you don't get to pick your birth month, do you?). so who better to pass down the birthstone jewelry to than me, right? right. so i inherited a gold ring with a HUGE yellow topaz. it's got an extremely wide band. it screams 1975. turns out my grandpa had given that ring to her on her 50th birthday. as grandma lillie would say, "wale she~it", i gotta wear it NOW. it was a 50th birthday gift...that's kind of a big deal...given to her from the grandfather i lost when i was nearly 17...and THAT is a bigger deal.....

FLASH FORWARD september 13, 2012

my mama calls. grandma is cleaning out her closet and says she has clothes for me. grandma isn't even 5' tall...i am 5'4". i'm kind of a hippy...grandma is trendy for an 86 year old woman. i'm still young (well...46 is the new 26, right? right?!!!) and...remember how i said grandma is 86?!!! i love you grandma, but i really don't think i need, nay, WANT your hand me downs (don't worry folks...i'm a good granddaughter...i will smile...say thank you...and drop them off at a local charity).

FLASH FORWARD today

grandma is upset with mama. seems her bathroom, in the nursing home, is cold and she wants a space heater. in a bathroom that is basically a humongous walk~in shower. i get it, grandma. the tile in that bathroom HAS to be cold. but i gotta stand behind mama and say no. no you can not put an electric heater in the floor of your incredibly large walk~in shower. why not, you ask? because, hasn't anyone ever told you, water and electricity do not mix?

september is healthy aging month. i realize it's almost october, but there's still time for you to get yourself on the right path toward healthy aging. my tips for you?

#1~start eating right. oh stop pouting. you can still enjoy your larosa's pizza or whatever. just do it in moderation. try adding a salad (low fat dressing please) with every meal to get those veggies in. and eat some fresh fruit once~in~awhile, would ya? trust me on this...3 weeks of eating out because of this move and i feel like poo...eat at home, as often as possible, and get the right amount of protein, fruits, and veggies.

#2~WATER!! drink lots of water. limit sodas and other sugary drinks (that includes DIET people~what you give up in sugar you gain in sodium) to 1 a day. hydrate hydrate hydrate. your body and skin will thank you for it.

#3~exercise. oh hush! i'm not saying you have to run a marathon. just get your tail up off the couch for at least 30 minutes a day. can't stand the outdoors? get on a treadmill. or take a class somewhere. or buy a wii fit..and USE it.

if you follow these 3 simple tips, you will grow to be an 86 year old woman thinking your granddaughter wants your hand me downs and complaining that no one will let you put an electric heater in YOUR humongous walk~in shower...

which reminds me!!

#4~do not...i repeat...DO NOT put an electric heater in your humongous walk~in shower.

so 4. follow these 4 tips to healthy aging.

live long and prosper :)