Have Reached 3/4 of a Century of Living, not just existing !! The day was well commemorated and celebrated!

[lorann]

I wrote this on Facebook on Friday, Aug. 23, 2013

I don't often post, just add comments to all you here. But today I must.

THIS IS IT!

TODAY I HAVE SUCCESSFULLY REACHED THE 3/4 CENTURY MARK!!

YES, I WILL ADMIT, I AM NOW 75 YEARS OLD.!!!

I don't think, or feel any bit different than I did at 65, or 50, or even 40. Pretty much all the same views, opinions, attitudes, joys, delights in Nature, and most especially, people. My family is who I am! I am celebrating having spent 75 years with all these things!

I'll only admit that because there were plenty of times that goal was in question. But I am living proof, you don't die from having Arthritis, you gotta keep on living with it. This is Psoriatic Arthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis, and yes, we can de velope complications that can affect the heart and lungs, kidneys and vascular system.

Public education about these auto-immune diseases is so important. Had I known 45 years ago that the pains I had needed attention, I might be in better shape, physically.

Now I am making that my goal, by posting all the info I caqn here, for others to read and hopefully understand and recognize the difficulties that many face every day, even if they don't look like there is anything going on.

So today, I am celebrating and marking this occasion with my family, began yesterday with lunch with a dear friend and dinner with Doug and Cindy and sons, Jared and Kevin and also with Tim and Heather. Today I will spend the day with Tim and Heather. I think I will be well celbrated at the end of this one!

Indeed I was. I spent the entire day with my oldest son, Tim and his wife Heather (the newly weds of 18 months ago) and her mother, Freda.

First helped Freda by unloading her china cabinet so they could move it to the adjoining dining room. Finished that job, went to lunch, then to Home Depot so Freda could get a gallon of paint, I found knobs for my closet doors so I could get rid of the boring white ones, then we went to the Marina, had the boat removed from it's 3rd story rack--neat to watch how they do that so easily!

Now, here's where my part gets a little tricky...as I navigate with a 4-wheeled walker, it's a bit of a challange to get to the boat, down there in the water, while I'm up there on the edge of the parking lot. Heather went ahead and held the front of the walker to keep it, and me, from going a bit too fast down a rather steep, rubber matted ramp. Got down to the dock, which is not much wider than my walker, therefore I must stay on the straight and narrow, literally.

Then we step into the boat, tied to the posts, and Tim holding it steady while I find the most secure place to put a foot. Got that, then reach over to the back of the captain's seat and swing the other foot in, and by golly, I land in a seat, on the boat! ( I have done this before Got everybody else in and slowly left the dock, then the channel and out into the Bay of Lake Erie.

Toured all around the bay, went under the bridge of US Rt. 6, got to see the epitome of wealth in so many villas and other awesome homes on the Chausee, on the Lake side of the Bay.

Spent about 5 hours or so on the boat, some of it in dock for awhile while we waited for some little girls to arive for a ride.

But, alas, it was nearly sunset, about 8pm, and Freda had to drive me back home to Bellevue, about 20 miles away. So, we did all that boat-boarding backwards, to leave. There was one of those really long, skinny boats, I think called a cigarette boat, just in front, who was backing into the dock, and one of the guys riding on the back of it waved at me and I said, "Nice boat", then we proceeded up the rubber-clad ramp. Cigarette boat guy appears beside me, puts his arm around me and says, "well did you have a happy birthday?"..I was surprised, never met the man before, but said, "oh yes, sure did"..and then...he kissed me! I then assured him he had definetly topped it all off! He was loaded..smelled like Kentucky Bourbon!!

LOL. Wow!

So, that's the end of my 75th year of life. Today I am working on the beginnings of the 76th .

Loret <3

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[sylvi]

So glad you had a lovely day Lovely Loretta. Love from another birthday girl.xxx

[nellysgran]

Congratulations, glad you had a lovely day.

Wendy xx

[Hidden]

Well done Loret. Do it in style! That's what I say.

Many congrats on you landmark birthday. I too have just had a birthday and so has Sylvia by the sounds of things.

All the best and many more of them

Love

Carolyn x

[lorann in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Carolyn! I think I must have missed yours, but birthday wishes are good for the whole year!

So, Happy year !

[Hidden in reply to lorann]

Thank you my love. xxx

[summer32]

well done you congrats.. I THOUGHT 60??? LOL X

[summer32]

well done you congrats.. I THOUGHT 60??? LOL X

[lorann in reply to summer32]

Oh Wow, Summer...actually, I think 60 too

[helixhelix]

75 and being kissed by a complete stranger? Not doing badly are you! Hope you're aiming for the full century.... Polly

[lorann in reply to helixhelix]

Haha Polly...that really was a surprise! Not bad either, considering he was maybe 50 ish! I am indeed aiming for the 4th quarter

xx

[Hidden]

Oh Loret - I've been busy all day and only just came on but many, many, many congratulations and felicitations on your 75th birthday!

Tilda xxx

[lorann in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Tilda! I'm just hoping your lack of MTX doesn't start kicking you around!

[Hidden in reply to lorann]

Well it hasn't yet Loret - maybe it's done that rare thing and just skipped off back to the bowels of the earth where it belongs?! I still have numb legs and slight prickle but I do think it's lessening a bit at last. So don't you go fretting about me dear Loret - just enjoy the rest of your very special day. Tilda xx

[Hidden]

Congratulations on reaching your land mark birthday! Very belated birthday wishes to you. The one and only time that I have been on Lake Eerie, was when I was 18, I had a pen pal who lived in Worcester, Mass, the family took me there when I spent three weeks with them, they crammed a lot of your country in those weeks. When I got married the first time I lapsed on our friendship which was a great pity, I often wonder how her life turned out, especially after we had been writing to each other since the the of 10.

You enjoy the rest today after your hectic birthday rounds, and look forward to readig about the next quarter. xxx

[trianon]

Happy 75th Birthday. I wholeheartedly agree with you, you don't give in to it - you live with it. I'm 57 and have had RA since I was 2 and oh boy have I got up some things (and still do) - probably far more than 'normal' people. Keep on keeping on!

[lorann in reply to trianon]

Thanks for the nice words, Trianon. I can't imagine NOT keepingon keeping on.. That would be boring, though I sure do understand and relate with those who just can't right now. There were times when i had to lay low, after spine surgeries, but last one was 7 yrs ago, and I figurre, I am as good as I'm going to get...

[Sharon56]

Really enjoyed reading your "blog" congratulations on your 75th. I am 59 soon and like you said we dont feel any different from 30 40 50 till i look in the mirror lol. Keep on enjoying life you are brill. Take care Sharon

[lorann in reply to Sharon56]

Thank you Sharon, and I'll wish you a very happy birthday when it arrives, in case I miss it!\

Looking in the mirror, I see my Mom. Used to scare me, but she lived to be 96, so if I look like her maybe I will last that long too!