Tuesday, October 21, 2014

That Gray Area

I've noticed that I've been called "ma'am" a lot lately....in stores, at work, at church.  We even have a new, younger girl at work and she consistently answers me with a "yes, ma'am".  It's funny how I kind of see her as being sort of my age, but she must kind of see me as........well, sort of not her age.  I must be entering that gray area where the younger set doesn't know exactly where I fall.  Maybe, on one hand, they see a youthful spark in me, but, on the other hand, something about me reminds them of their mother.   

If that wasn't depressing enough, I got a robo call today.....and with all of the care and concern that a female, automated voice can exude, she says, "Hello.  This is Suzanne.  I am calling with exciting news for women suffering from menopause....."

Listen, Suzanne....I don't know where you get your information, but why don't you mind your own business? 
  
We've also got these sweet, young, fashion forward neighbors across the street, who are a constant reminder that we may have crossed over to the other side.  They're ultra cool and very cutting edge.  Even when they play out in the yard with their children, they all look like a Gap commercial in their little sweater vests, hats, and all manner of fashionable layers.  On any given Saturday, you may find them outside looking like this...
All while Davis is out in his high-waisted shorts and free blood donor tees and me in my perpetual yoga pants/oversized, stained t-shirt combinations. 
 
Never underestimate the challenges of living across from younger, cool people.  Every time he goes out to the car, he's dressed in a fedora and sweater or something of equal trendiness.  And even when she's playing with the kids, it looks like one of those shots you see in People magazine of celebrity moms on family outings. 

That's a lot of pressure for us over here on this side of the road.  You kind of feel like you might need to freshen up to go down to the mailbox......you know, just in case they're outside.

They'll drive off all decked out.....probably going out dancing or something like that and we're just over here like....."Hey, well.... tonight is the night we give the dog her heartworm pill and then flush yeast down the toilet to maintain a healthy ratio of good bacteria/bad bacteria in our septic system."  So..... never let it be said that we don't still know how to have a good time. 
            
I have to really watch Davis because I don't think he even realizes that they are way cooler than us.  It's like he's oblivious to things like that.   I'll even look out the window and he'll be mowing the grass in his tennis shoes and dark socks.  "No, Davis.....not in front of the cool neighbors!!!"  Ugh.  Sometimes, I have the urge to say things like........"You're not going to wash the car looking like that, are you??" 

We're not yet to that age when the neighborhood kids think you smell like a delicate mixture of mothballs and Mentholatum......and maybe we're not to the point when they start expecting you to drop a couple of boxes of raisins and an old butterscotch from your purse into their Halloween bucket.......and we don't yet turn out all the lights right after Wheel of Fortune
     
We're not quite there yet, but we've definitely been promoted from the young couple category on up to the middle-aged sector for quite a while.  We're ma'ams and sirs now.  We're over here on this side of the street.  We're in that gray area.  And we're on Suzanne's call list.

Y'all have a Happy Wednesday! 

 

       



 















      

12 comments:

  1. Oh my yes! So true!

    I have a theory that we are all 25 in our minds even when we are old! My grandma told me years ago that when she looked out of her eyes what she could see of her face was young. When she would walk by a mirror it would scare her "who is that old lady?" Isn't that amazing? I am 51 now and I still feel 25, at least on the inside!

    Deanna

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    1. You're exactly right, Deanna! I feel like I'm a few years out of college......even though it's been 24 years! We all feel young inside, I suppose. :)

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  2. I love you for describing it just like it is. You are way cool just the way you are. Love, Mrs. Mom Jeans

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    1. Oh, you're so precious, Mrs. Mom Jeans! :)

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  3. I am so happily embracing my midlife - being young was HARD! I'm still quite amazed that I don't have to bathe, dress and brush the teeth of my children! That is progress. Sometimes I look with sympathy at the very young (early twenties) who are unsoiled by disappointment. They do not know what is about to hit them!

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    1. oooh - in rereading, that sounds so depressing! I guess I'm just grateful to be so much more secure and have so much more history in knowing the Lord has me covered. I'm so much more at peace in my 40's than in previous decades.

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    2. I couldn't agree more, Missy June! I wouldn't go back to my 20's or early 30's. The 40's have been very good to me.....I think I'm just so much more relaxed about things. You just start to see things differently and, like you said, you know by now that God will see you through whatever comes.

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  4. I had to laugh out loud at the "mind your own business" part! Hahaha! I am just into my thirties but I'm already getting Ma'amed by teenagers at the dollar store. I guess that is good that they have manners but it still stings already. That is too funny about your neighbors! That would drive me crazy if I had neighbors that dressed like that even when they are playing in the yard.

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    1. I agree, April! I love good manners......they're so endearing. It's just when the people, who are calling you ma'am, are getting older and older, it can cause some internal conflict. ;)

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  5. This is so funny! I am SO HAPPY Suzanne has not called me yet--although I have a few questions for her if she does. Is flushing yeast down a toilet a thing?! Am I the only one who doesn’t know that is a thing? And seriously, what is UP with toddlers and fedoras? (Ooh! I think I just named a new show. YOU’RE WELCOME, Bravo!).

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    1. I hung up on Suzanne. I don't think her little automated self will be calling me again, Karmen. And yes, flushing yeast down the toilet is a thing. hahaha .....that is, if you live out in the country and are not on the city sewage system. Perfect name! If Toddlers and Fedoras gets off the ground, their first episode MUST be filmed across the street!

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  6. I am cracking up at this. This is ME! This our family! So glad we aren't the only ones.

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