Wednesday afternoon, I made my cheery little trip to the mailbox and innocently opened it, only to be alarmingly confronted with a startling sight.
It was an AARP card!
I stared at the card in distressed and mournful consternation for a moment, wondering what terrible bureaucratic mistake had made at AARP World Headquarters that would cause them to mistakenly believe that there was someone at this address (besides my AARP-aged husband) who was anywhere near old enough to warrant the receipt of their handy-dandy little card.
After searching for this Mystery Person in a few closets, rooms and various hiding places around the house, I finally came to the non consolatory conclusion that a mistake hadn’t made at all. The card was for real. The card was for . . . um . . . me!
I’d been AARP-ed!
ACCKKKKK!
I don’t know if you have been AARP-ed yet, but if you haven’t, let me give you this friendly little warning.
When my card arrived in the mail? My hair instantly went from this color . . .
. . . to this color!
It’s amazing what beeing ARRP-ed can do to a person!
I mean, all this, for just a discount on coffee at McDonalds?
Deeeeeeeeeeep, calming breath.
Okay. Time to think positively.
I still have six days to be in my forties.
I can do this. I am strong. I am vibrant. I am confident. I am serene.
I am . . . ARRP-ed!
ACCK!! Again!
To those of you are in the ARRP-ed age range, I’d be curious to hear from you. Did you decide to sign up with them? If so, have the benefits been worth it? Would you recommend it?
Thanks for your input. We ARRPs have to stick together!
And not that I’m counting it down or anything, but just six more days until I leave my forties for good . . .
Um. Did I already say that?
I did?
Oh no! My memory is going fast . . . and so are my inhibitions!
The reason I say that is when I was thirty, I never would have posted a makeup-less version of my self on the Internet. (Well, mainly because we didn’t have an Internet.. But you get the idea.)
But now that Mr. ARRP and I are BBF’s? Who knows just what the future may hold!
Edited to Add:
Okay, I just couldn’t leave my Maybellineless face staring at you until the next post. I had to add one last picture with make up.
Ahh. That’s better!
didn’t get mine yet (my 50th is next weeek) …but Idid get a friendly reminder from my gastroenterologist that it is time for “that” test!
Michele,
Ha. I also got the “lovely” reminder to have That Test done. What a way to be welcomed to the 50’s, right? I guess I’ll be going soon and who knows? I might make a whole blog post out of it. (Because misery loves company.)
I love your hair! I think I will print off the pix and take it to my hairdresser and tell her to cut mine like that. My hair is kind of in a non-style phase right now–so frustrating. 🙁
Glad it’s not my turn for the AARP card yet. I will gladly step aside and let you blaze that trail!
Love deb
Deb,
Glad you like my hair. That’s a switch because it’s usually me loving YOUR hair and taking your picture to stylists. (Which I have been known to do many times saying, “I want to look like HER!”
You can gaze on my AARP card the next time I see you.
Back when they were looking for Osama Bin Laden, Whoopie Goldberg once said on The View that they should send AARP after him ’cause they will hunt you down and find you whether you want to be found or not.
That is TOO funny, Jan!!
funny…being aarped!
I joined, but have never used my card for anything… guess I didn’t realize I could get discounts, but I figured sending them membership $ each year would help other seniors even if I didn’t benefit.
so, maybe now I should start using mine.
Mrs. Pam,
Pull out that card and start putting it to work for you!
I certainly do admire your attitude in wanting to help other seniors even if you don’t benefit but I hope you start benefiting really soon!
I’m surprised you just got your card. I think mine arrived weeks before I turned 50. The husband/wife membership is the best deal. We use ours for quite a few discounts. As someone else mentioned, the magazine is also good reading. I’ve never thought of AARP as controversial in their advocacy for senior citizens.
No matter which photo is chosen, you are a very youthful looking 50! Enjoy the age.
Liz,
We’ll have to look into the husband/wife deal. Steve has been eligible for several years, but we’ve just never done a lot of investigating. Sounds like it may have some things that would be helpful.
Wish we in Canada had an “AARP” card, we don’t have any kind of discount card here. (unless they are holding out on me and there really is one out there, somewhere).
Nancy,
Well, I’m sure if they had one, they would have hunted all the over-50’ers down by now in order to give it to them!
Nancy,
Well, I’m sure if they had one, they would have hunted all the over-50’ers down by now in order to give it to them!
Becky, you might want to check some of the causes AARP supports to make the best decision about whether or not you should join. You might also want to check out organizations like AMAC.
Angela,
Interesting! I’ll check out AMAC, too. (Never heard of them before.)
I registered my husband for AARP when the card came in the mail…as for myself, well…I just couldnt do it!
Ha!
Beverly,
I feel your pain.
Becky, enjoy the discounts and yes, Jim and I are both members. I think I get it because of being a spouse but have long reached the age necessary. I think we pay just one fee and not two. I always tell motels, hotels, etc. we have an AARP membership and ask about discounts. Some give them and some don’t but I think it is worth the small fee.
Ann,
Hotel discounts are a mighty nice thing to be able to get! Glad you’re getting some use out of your card.
I sent in to join AARP just before my 50th birthday. I think the most benefits I receive are in hotels and they are well worth it. I embraced turning 50 and had a Mickey Mouse birthday party with my kindergarten students. It is, after all, just another number. I also went to New York for a weekend with a friend who also was turning 50. We have a return trip planned for our 60th.
Patti,
Good for you, doin’ Micky Mouse on your 50th! I’m sure it was a day you AND your students will always remember. And how fun to go to NYC with the same friend for both Big-O birthdays. Sounds like you know how to grow older with style.
At a church I used to attend, we had a McDonald’s birthday party for one of the ladies in our visitation group when she turned 50, complete with hats, McDonald cake and games. It was great and we all had a ball!!!!
I have also heard of ChuckECheese birthdays for the zero birthdays. I thought about a Build a Bear party-but used that for my flower girls and “best boys” six months later when I got married.
I guess all those kid-based parties would help us to feel a little younger? 🙂
Definately-helps that I always taught 4-6 year olds and never really grew up! I think the Build a Bear people were a little embaressed when they found out I was the bride and not one of the “younger” ones that were along with the kids. We had 6 kids 3-8 in our wedding party and had a blast at Build a Bear. I would highly recommmed that. If it was an older party-the bears could be donated to some organization for distrubution to kids.
yes. I signed up with aarp….i like the magazine they send. they help get you up to date on legislature that will affect us as we keep having “those birthdays” and yes, when i order at fast foods i always say “this is a senior order” i figured afters working for 30+ yeaars i could use a little discounts along the way!!
Judy,
I hear ya. Let’s cash in on the 50 (or more) years of living we’ve done!
Becky,
My 50’s have been SOME of the best days of my life. I enjoyed raising my kids and such, but now I am responsible for ME! and sort of my husband!! of course. I thoroughly enjoy my grandchildren (as I know you will, too) but do not have the responsiblity for them. I am free to do things I enjoy! Like reading blogs! The best thing you can do is look forward to it! It really is a great time in your life!
Vicky,
It’s good to hear from someone who is where I’m going and is enjoying the journey. Thanks for the good pep talk!
You know Becky, when I first got AARP’d my husband thought it was a hoot. He being 3 years older than me, had already been there and done that (and I think he even bought the t-shirt :-)) However thinking of it now, there is a plus to being older. There are SOME places that will give you free coffee, most of the little people in the fast food line call you mam’, you get discounts on most everything (and for a thrift store shopper like yourself, that should make you do a happy dance). Best of all you can you can get your self a T-shirt that says GIVE ME MY DISCOUNT I AM AN AARPer. There now, don’t you feel better. Seriously, I heard someone say once, that any day that you wake up on this side of the dirt is a good day!!! Have a wonderful day my friend, you are not getting older, you are getting BETTER. Thanks for being there for all of us, you make my day much better
‘This side of the dirt…” Gail, that made my morning!
Glad I could help, hope you have a good day and are not in the path of these storms
Becky, hubby & I are both enjoying AARP membership. Love the discounts esp. at motels when we vacation in the mountains. Here’s a suggestion for you – have Steve add you to his membership as a spouse. Don’t pay for a second membership. 2 for 1 membership, now isn’t that a bargain. Your card will still come in your name.
Gail,
Yes, “this side of the dirt” was a smile-producer, for sure!
And Anon, that’s a great idea to look into a “two fer” deal, whichever association we end up with. I’m all about bargains!
Becky,
I never turned mine in, but don’t worry about that. They keep sending me new ones in the hope I will finally send it back I guess.
Cindy
Well, Cindy, maybe it’s time to join us “folks of a certain age” and turn yours in! Just think of all the travel bargains you might be able to get.