A few days ago I was shopping at one of my favorite discount department stores.  Sometimes it’s a big fat miss and I ask myself why I continue to stop by that particular store and then I’ll hit the jackpot and snag some upscale designer duds for a steal.  Here’s my tips on shopping steals and deals. I also find inexpensive props for photos and tablescapes.
This past Tuesday I was standing in line, or what I refer to as the maze, to pay for my stuff and I could hear a conversation between the cashier and an elderly lady. Â The cashier was explaining to the lady that she would get 10% off of her purchases because she was a member of the Tuesday Club. Â She went on to explain that any time she came in on a Tuesday all she had to do was say “Tuesday Club” when she stepped up to the register. Â That sweet little lady was ecstatic.
When I heard the word Next yelled, I stepped up to the counter and with my southern drawl and a great big smile, said “Tuesday Club.”  That cashier looked at me like a cow at a new gate and replied, “No way.”  I then said, “Yes, way!”  She shook her head in disbelief and I offered to show her my license.  She stuttered a little bit as she answered, “That won’t be necessary.”  I was almost carded at the department store!
I’ve just recently tiptoed up to the age where I can receive discounts at certain department stores.  I’m no where near the age to receive for-real senior citizen benefits – who came up with that term anyway?  And at first I had very mixed feelings about it all.  I wrote about entering the nifty 50’s here!
What age qualifies one for senior citizen status?
If you Google the official age to be deemed a senior citizen, you’ll find out that there is not a “legal” age to be classified as a Senior. Â Some people say 50 -whoa now! Â Some say 55, 60 and some say 65. Â I say 105!
When I was in high school I thought anyone over 35 was old as dirt. Â These days, my mom will call to tell me the home town news and often it includes someone who has recently passed away. Â I’m like, “How old were they – 150?” Â I thought they were old when I was young.
I can remember turning 30 and not being bothered at all. Â I kinda felt like 30 something was a coming of age where I would be taken more seriously, etc. Â I now have 2 children in their 30’s and the other 3 Â getting very close. Â Tick tock, tick tock goes that biological clock – just sayin’.
When I turned 49 my mailbox began to overflow with offers from the AARP (American Association of Retired Persons). Â I promptly threw those nasty things away. Â How dare they assume I was anywhere near the age to need their stuff.
What have I learned along the way?
1. Â Enjoy life – It passes by way too fast.
Stop yearning for the weekend! Â You’re wishing your life away. Â Monday’s can be fun, too! Â Here’s my Life is too short post. Â It’s an eye opener!
2. Hang Tough
You won’t go through life without someone hurting your feelings occasionally. Â Be tough. Â Just because someone doesn’t like something that you say, do, like . . . Â doesn’t mean they don’t like you. Â Or it may. Â I no longer care. What used to make me cry in my 20’s is now met with a shrug of my shoulders, a wave of my hand and a laugh.
3. Â Be Yourself
Be an original, not a copycat. Â When I became a pastor’s wife over 30 years ago I thought I had to look and act a certain way. Â No matter how much I tried, I couldn’t fit into that prim and proper pastor’s wife mold in my head so I decided to karate chop that mold, break it to pieces and kick it to the curb. Â Hey, it worked!
4. Â Laugh Often
Laugh at yourself, at others, with others.  Laughter IS the best medicine!  Check out this post that’s all about the benefits of laughter! Don’t be so stressed.  I read that stress is the cause of 60% of all illnesses!
5. Â Love Much
Let your friends and family know how much you love them – in words and actions.
What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned along the way?
35 comments
Alli I would NEVER have picked your age! I know you have grown up children, but you just look a good 20 years younger than you are!
Thanks, Jess! I hope (fingers crossed) that I inherited my mom’s good genes.
I love that you are now using your blog to remind my sisters about their biological clock. That’s hilarious! :)) Whatever works…
Someone has to do it. 🙂
I am not even 35 and I am already getting AARP stuff I am like they must have the wrong person someone else must have my name because this isn’t right lol.
What?? I guess AARP is getting a BIG head start with you. It gives you lots of time to think about it.
I love this post! So funny that you almost got “carded” at the store. That is not at all what I thought I was about to read. You do look amazing! Isn’t it funny that the older you get, 30, 40, and 50 just don’t seem old at all like they did when you were younger.
I know. 50 used to be so ancient with the beehive hairdos, etc. 🙂
Alli,
You look fabulous and you write with much zest and love for life. You are on a journey through time where you have grown and matured. Many of your stopping points on this journey have their perks like Tuesday Club 🙂 Continue to live life well!
Thanks, Kim! Wisdom does, indeed, come with age. 🙂
What a fun post to read, Allie! It’s kind of great when things like that happen. I remember when I turned 40, I thought how the heck did this happen. I didn’t enjoy that milestone very much. But an interesting thing happened on my way to 50. Instead of worrying about getting older, I decided to embrace it. Every day truly is a gift and now that all those days of my life add up to 55 years, I’m happy to just smile and nod when someone says, “I didn’t think you were that old.” That. Old. Ha! Most important message? Don’t procrastinate-live in the moment.
We’re the same age! 40 didn’t really bother me. 50 kinda did at first until my husband reminded me that there was an alternative – death. After that realization, 50 started looking better and better! What I really love is when I’m out and about with the grands and people think I’m their mom. Or when someone asks me if my daughter and I are sisters. My daughter doesn’t really like it, but I do. 🙂
Dang it. I spell your name wrong every time. My granddaughter’s name is Allie with the E, so I always type the e and try to remember to change it. Oops!
I don’t care how you spell my name as long as you drop by and talk to me. 🙂
So funny, Alli. I am right there with you. My bff and I love to laugh about the joys of senior citizen discounts at such a young age!
I laugh, I cry . . . just kidding. I don’t cry, but sometimes I feel like pinching myself and seeing if I’m really entering the Senior Citizen zone. Scary. 🙂
That its okay not to be in control. A lot of things in my life are out of my control and I think I’m finally coming to terms with the fact that its okay. Nothing bad will happen if I let go and focus on my relationship with God. It has been a very hard lesson to learn.
Really love the watches you showcased on your blog. Lovely!
Love this! I would have carded you too, you look amazing!
You’re too sweet, Amanda. I smile all the time so no one will notice the parenthesis around my mouth. 🙂
The best lesson I have learned is that God is in control of everything…and He does a much better job of everything then I do!! If it won’t make a difference in 5 years, then I’m not going to sweat it. Oh, yes, and worrying over anything is telling God He doesn’t know what He’s doing! Life is much easier when I’m not in charge of everything!!! I loved getting carded when I got to “that age”!!!
Yes! I used to be such a perfectionist and when anything would go wrong, I would almost go wrong with it. Then I realized that everything in life is not going to be perfect and most of the stuff I was stressing over was not a big deal and would not matter in 5 years or even 1 year. God does, indeed, do a much better job than I ever will.
It’s funny when little things like that remind you of age and how fast we grow older. Even at 23, I’m already starting to notice them in my life. Great post. Especially love your little tips and lessons at the end. 🙂
I remember 23. It was just yesterday. I promise. 🙂
50 to be classified as a senior? That is outrageous! Number 2 is so true! 99 percent of the time it’s not personal, and more of a reflection of where the other person is in life
Exactly, Erica! I’m glad I don’t wear my feelings on my sleeve any more.
Those are great tips (especially #4 + #5), and you look great! I never would’ve guessed your age accurately either!!
Thanks, Farrah! Laughter IS the best medicine. 🙂
I must say that you look absolutely AMAZING! I am sure that you’re the envy of a few in your graduating class. This is awesome. There are so many perks when it comes to getting older. It’s the worlds way of thanking you for not destroying it I guess. LOL!
Well, thanks, Cia! Age is just a number, right? 🙂
I would have carded you. You look like you are in your early 40’s lady! What ever your doing to take care of yourself keep it up. You are lovely.
On a side note, I got my first AARP card at 31 years old! LOL. My husband became eligible for his so he applied for one. Little did we know they send one to your spouse too. We laughed so hard. I posted pictures of me with it on Facebook and everyone got a big kick out of it.
I need to learn to live life and get out and stop stressing about money, that’s what I need to do.
I love this post, and agree whole-heartedly with each of your 5 points! I try my best each day to live them. Being 51, I’m now in the nifty 50s myself, but it’s just a number, and in no way is it a life’s-over-now sentence. Thanks for sharing at the #HomeMattersParty 🙂
~Lorelai
Life With Lorelai
Age IS just a number! 🙂
I just turned 36 last month and I can relate. It seems the older I get the more I can hear my mother say, “everytime you wish for another birthday, your’re wishing your life away!” The truth in that is now resoundingly clear. Thanks for the inspiration and you LOOK FABULOUS, I would’ve never guessed! Fifty years young looks good on you! xx