
In 2015, at 92, Harriette Thompson became the oldest woman to complete a marathon! She passed in 2017, but what an inspiration!
So somewhere in the bustle of the holidays, my never ending sniffles, and out of town guests, I missed my 5th anniversary on WP! It happened like on December 30th (give or take a day.)
Happy Anniversary to my little ass, Aging Gracefully!
Holy cow, that was a fast 5 years!
When I started AGMA, I had a lot of time on my hands. Blogging seemed like a good way to fill some of it. I’m a bit ADHD, so I needed something to keep me busy.
Little did I know that the next 5 years would turn out to be crazy eventful. And my days would soon be overflowing with “opportunities” to be busy…
- The most adorable grandchildren in the world (MAGITW) made their appearances in 2014 and 2016. And there is soon to be a 3rd MAGITW! Stay tuned this summer…
- I decided to start “running” marathons, and have 6 notches in my belt so far. I ran my 1st one 2 months after starting AGMA.
- My love of thrifting turned into a little Ebay business. The problem is that AGMA loves thrifting more than listing the items on Ebay. And I’m running out of places to store the
crap…eh…treasures. - I gave up the space I was renting and made the decision to switch my massage practice almost exclusively to corporate chair massage. And business has been good. Very good.
- Because of the series of most unfortunate events on November 8, 2016 and after, arranged by Comrade Putin, I’ve become a Resistor (NOT the electrical kind.). This has taken up quite a bit of AGMA’s time. But it’s time well spent (refer to the 1st bullet point!)
- I’ve been able to indulge my passion for travel both domestically and internationally like never before. With a very flexible work schedule, family & friends flung all over the US, a bit more in the bank account, and the desire to sample local wines in every country in the world (still working on this…), AGMA has racked up beaucoup miles in the air and in the car. Now THAT’s what I’m talkin’ about!
- Some “not aging gracefully” health junk has taken up way too much time. I’m not a fan and ignore whenever possible… But I’m pretty pumped because I had my BIG birthday a few weeks ago. It’s Medicare time now baby!
Whew.
It’s been a rockin’ and rollin’ 5 years.
But I love this little AGMA blog and ADORE my blogging friends. Yinz guys (to say it in my native Pittsburghese!)
And I’m looking forward to another 5, 10, 15, dare I say 20 (?) years of blogging.
By 2038, I predict I will have at least 4 more tattoos, will have run at least 30 marathons, have an Ebay business that Jeff Bezos will envy, will have finished my wine quest (hic), will have a great grandchild, and will have visited the Big Orange Cheeto and his posse in prison at least once since being sentenced in 2019.
Nah – maybe not that last one…
But you can read all about it here on AGMA so stick around!
P.S. I am forever grateful to the now “retired” blogger, Dobster, who gave me wonderful encouragement in those early months of AGMA. I still miss him – he quit blogging cold turkey one day in 2015. It was jarring and I felt like I’d lost a friend. If he hasn’t already, I hope he returns to the blog-o-sphere one day. His posts made me laugh.
Congratulations on 5 years!!!
and you never know about the last one, but more likely it will be 2020 – the wheels of justice move slowly.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Clearly I’m an optimist…
LikeLiked by 1 person
And thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s hard to believe that five years ago, you had so much time on your hands. AGMA is sooooo busy now! Looking forward to finding out if any of your predictions come true. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
And I just keep adding “stuff” to my list! Clearly I’m a glutton for punishment! Ha! And they will ALL come true… 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yep, you certainly are a glutton for punishment! 😁
LikeLike
Congrats! I really enjoy reading your blogs, even though I’m not online as regularly as I used to, yours is still one of the posts I look forward to!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Alba! What lovely compliment! I have been hit or miss myself for the past 6 months. I just get swept up in things and then I realize I haven’t been on WP for a couple of weeks. I hate that!
LikeLike
Congratulations on your anniversary and best wishes for the future. I get a kick out of your posts and look forward to many more.
Ω (←That’s resistance, the electrical kind)
LikeLiked by 1 person
I though that was an Omega? But I LIKE it! What a great T-shirt that would make – the MAGA folks would never figure it out! And thanks for the congrats and for looking forward to AGMA posts! Flattery will get you EVERYWHERE!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The use of the Ω started in WWII with the French Resistance (underground). They identified sympathetic communities and neighborhoods by scrawling it on walls and fenceposts. I started using it both as a tribute to my French teacher (ex-OSS officer) who told us about it one day, and because of my profession as an electrician. It took on even more meaning on November 9, 2016.
You are welcome to use it. On a Mac, command + Z will do the job.
Ω
LikeLiked by 1 person
how did you know I had a Mac?? Fascinating Allan…I did not know any of that! Thanks for the history lesson!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome. I didn’t know you had a Mac—that’s how I do it on mine. I think that a Windows machine uses the alt-z keyboard combo for the symbol.
Ω
LikeLike
Congrats on your anniversary from one lover of grandkids to another. I’m so glad I found your blog. I look forward to reading more. Rock on, girl!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Kat!! My problem is that I don’t have enough grandkids… But unless I find out Hubs has a son or daughter from a teenage relationship, three will be it. But there are a few folks I know who, I think, will let me be pseudo nanny! Thanks for looking forward to reading AGMA!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy Five Years!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much Wendi! It went FAST!
LikeLiked by 1 person
yes……….life goes by way too fast.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are my inspiration for today! And congratulations for the 5th Anniversary of AGMA. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are so sweet…thanks!
LikeLike
So good to hear from you and know how things are going! like to hear from yinz every once in a while 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sorry for the delay in answering Jodi… I had to go dahntahn to buy gum bands cuz I didn’t find any when I rid up my house!
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL! Love it! And you almost got it – but I can surely tell you’ve been away a bit….. you “red” up the house! 🙂 ❤
LikeLike
Congratulations and Happy Birthday. Journey on – I am happy to be following you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much Maggie!! And I wish I was a Maggie…my name is similar but not nearly as cool! I mean, Rod Stewart had a song about you…
LikeLike
Wow. 🙂 I’m impressed. And currently agonizing over getting my first tattoo… 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Do you know what you want? That was my dilemma for a couple years – I just couldn’t figure it out. Then I had an epiphany and I got it within a month! Just do it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes. I posted it on my blog today. I’m a Libra, my life is completely unbalanced atm, so I think a nice balance would be perfect. Strategically situated in the middle somewhere… 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love it! And you should have the artist put something on each side of the scale that has been important in your life and put them in perfect balance!
LikeLike
Congrats on 5 years! Love that you have found your voice and continue on. 20 years and 4 more tattoos made me chuckle! I recall your indecision on #1. Oh dear, did I miss #2 already? I’ve not thought out 5 years, much less 20. I had 5 years envisioned out 4 years ago when I retired…but have not refreshed that vision. Maybe it’s time for that…but no tattoo. And no grandkids (no kids), but wine in more countries… there’s a goal!
LikeLike
No #2…yet! I will probably augment #1 in the fall to put a new flower in the bunch for grand baby #3! I’m still pondering a grapevine on my ankle. That could be really pretty. And I may have 20 years planned out but don’t ask me about next year. I’m pretty much a “by the seat of my pants” type! Viva la vino!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congrats, AGMA! You were one of the first blogs I recall following after I started my own (I think it was when you were staying in a house in Ireland? Or was it Scotland? I was one of those “lands” is all I remember), and I thought to myself, “This woman is nuts.” I meant that appreciatively, of course. Keep making us smile, please! – Marty
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good memory – it was Ireland and that was a particularly funny post (if I do say so myself!). Good first one to read! And I take your thinking I was (am) nuts as a YUGE compliment so THANK YOU Marty! I’ve always wondered…what does Snakes in the Grass mean? Or does it just mean that you have a lot of snakes where you live? Enquiring minds… (or is that inquiring minds?)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah, my blog name. I started it out of frustration with my ex-wife over alimony, plus my former employers was taking forever to get my pension started. Those were my “snakes in the grass,” so to speak (among others at the time). Very quickly I moved on from that and started poking fun and finding my inner self-deprecating charm; or so I’d like to hope. Thankfully I deleted most of those early and angry posts. I’ve thought about calling it “Snacks in the Grass” but am loathe to go through all layers of WordPress changes that would entail. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Splendor in the Grass? Oh…wait…I think that’s been taken. Thanks for the ‘splaination – I get it now!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy, happy half decade anniversary. I want you to know, I drank a half a bottle of very fine red wine in your honor.
Keep on bloggin’ baby! And keep making us smile.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Only a half…??? Thanks for all the kudos my traveling friend! Where to next?
LikeLike
Hey, good for you, AGMA! And welcome to the Medicare club. It was a godsend when my husband was ill and had to have radiation treatments. Would have cost $89,000 (without insurance) and we ended up paying $0. God bless Lyndon Johnson!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks!! And I echo the LBJ blessing. AND I’m with AOC – 70% marginal tax rate in the rich so we can have Medicare for all! Nobody should have to go bankrupt because of medical bills. Or die because they can’t afford treatment or medications. But that’s another post for another day…
LikeLike
Your posts and comments make me laugh AGMA, keep up the good work and don’t you dare quit for at least another 25 years!
Best wishes, Dookes.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I won’t quit if you won’t… You have wayyyy too many roads to ride with Harls before you quit and I have more marathons to run (or maybe half-marathons…). And keep on laughing Dookes!
LikeLike