When I'm really old I'm going to be..

[hamburgers]

.. the crazy dog lady who has a menagerie of dogs, probably 3 mini dachshunds and a couple of scraggly rescues.

I'll live in a rural village surrounded by woodland, hopefully still with my DH, and I hope I didn't turn out like my own mother and my DC still talk to me and visit for Sunday lunch on occasion.

Anyone else think about this stuff? 😬

Lying behind a rock waiting for the seal clubbers to disembark, at which point...oops no, I will of course be writing a best-selling novel and giving a loving home to old rescue dogs.

When I am old I will still dye my hair, I might even still dye it purple. I will still wear trendy clothes (not sure I can ever face giving New Look up), I will live on my own in a very orderly, tidy house without chaos and I will get to watch what I want on the telly. I'm no sure about pets, I love my dog to bits and he is a real friend but not sure I will want to be tied down by animals when I am old. I will go up to London regularly, go to the theatre and exhibitions, shopping and to different pubs. Obviously, I will have lots of money. I might enjoy a bit of volunteering I definitely dont want to live in the country, a stylish city apartment would be my dream.

Be like Grandpa Gustafson in Grumpier Old Men...

To paraphrase... " Every morning, ... I eat five strips of bacon and for lunch, I eat a bacon sandwich. And for a midday snack? Bacon! A whole damn plate! And I usually drink my dinner. "

Last Xmas I was at my grandmother-in-law’s house. She was 101, at the head of the table with 4 generations sat around her, talking, eating, drinking. I want that (but maybe not past 80 or so)

At 74 I am there and it has its ups and downs. I am surrounded by cats (3) have a paid for shoebox bungalow and see my youngest grandchildren often. Dh is still around and compos mantis at 82 and we are still in love.
The problem is our minds are still 30 but our bodies let us down and we can’t be as active as we would like. He has diabetes and has had a heart attack and a hip replacement. I have had breast cancer and I have asthma and a hiatus hernia.
Enjoy now folks and do what you can. The worst thing about getting old is knowing that the best of it can’t last long and you do wonder a lot about when the permanent “Lights Out” will come.

The Grey Lady

Mid 60's here. Retired after working since 17 years old. Cottage garden, just adopted a pair of ginger kitties, volunteer, pilates and zumba classes, see friends for coffee and lunch, read loads, drink gin (four nights a week), wish I could see my daughter more but lovely relationship, just bought my first ever Dolce and Gabbana shoes!!! Life is good with my lovely husband. We're not madly well off, but have decent pensions and savings, so no money worries. I never wear purple!!! (But love the poem)!!! I'm so not smug though, have had many challenges and sad things to overcome over the years, and know life can change for the worse in a moment. Carpe diem!!!!

Lots of the stuff you mention I'm doing and enjoying now in my 40s. You don't have to wait until retirement for most of it. In fact, you never know whether you might reach retirement age or not be in good enough health to enjoy these things when you get there. Do it now, as much as you can. Life is short.

Always covered in bits of thread or else streaks of mud - as I finally get time to knit, sew and garden in peace. And bake.

Still no pets. (DD and DH are trying to wear me down about a dog - they keep suggesting various hypoallergenic breeds, but I don't want the work associated either).

And getting to more concerts and art exhibitions and theatre plays than I manage now - I get to 1 play a year (and didn't even manage that this year), and maybe 2 carol concerts and 1 other mid-summer concert on my lunchbreaks.

Dogs cats chickens goats pigs and donkeys. Open door policy so people feel welcome to come and go. Free from clocks watching and counting the days until pay day.

Dead hopefully. My Dad died at 57 and I want to go young like him, not hanging on with loads of age related health problems.

Dead hopefully. My Dad died at 57 and I want to go young like him

How old are you now?

Well am 68, is that really old ? 😑

I'll be dead

I would like a DH or even a DP 🤗!

Hoping to live in a commune with like-minded women who like reading, films, theatre, walking, sharing meals (& the chores) and a few sherbets. Needs to be on the edge of a city with museums, galleries etc & in or near lovely countryside. Looking forward to it!

I turn 60 rather soon, so it is interesting to reflect on my 'old dreams and look to my actual reality.

Had planned to retire at 60. Instead, will work another couple of years.

Hoped for no mortgage and small flat in town, walkable to everywhere but also great public transport at hand. Just bought (downsized to a slightly bigger house - I know, fail!) in suburbs with not so great transport but doable. No shops within walking distance. No mortgage though.
Dream was to return 'home' half the year, to spend time with my parents (what was I thinking?) Now go home 6 weeks a year to spend with mum. Shall hopefully up that soon but unlikely to be half the year.

Now that this old age is almost a reality, and I can actually predict: I see that money will not be a huge issue (if we don't live beyond late 80's) but will have to curb some spending. I will miss my DGS's if I do all that travel. DH has little interest in living in my hometown for any length of time. We are not going to buy that 2nd house anywhere.

My true dream was to buy little tiny places with lots of our friends, a kind of commune (but without the negative aspects) where we could cook together if we wanted, hang out in one comfy place, always have a travel / play companion. but still have our own front door to close. A little village, probably in Italy. That would be a dream way to end up. Doubt it shall happen now, since the one person who most actively shared the dream is no longer with us.

I do plan to volunteer to sit with the dying. I hate the idea of anyone dying alone, and feel that I would be able to offer some comfort. Just a hand to hold, an ear to listen. I'd want that. I think.

there's an older couple (70s) who sit in our local cafe most mornings and have breakfast together with the papers. They read the ENTIRE newspaper and discuss everything they read. It always looks so companionable and cosy. I hope DH is alive and we are both in good health and can do this type of thing. Then lots of nice walks, museums, theatre trips, dinners and wine with good friends and reading and constant open house for our friends, DC, and (hopefully many) DGC.

Live by the sea with my love, have an annoying but sweet dog (my husbands) and a stroppy cat.
Children and grandchildren will visit all summer.
We will read, cook and travel.
It will be heaven, I hope that we get there.

I'm going to be living on a farm in West Wales with DH and many animals including baby goats and chickens, and lots of rescue dogs. I will still swear a lot, drive a ridiculous old (probably American) car, and drink a lot of red wine.

I’m going to be out on a weekend drinking cocktails 😉

Alone. DH has limited life expectancy so I'm not expecting him to be around. Part of me is terrified but another part is so thrilled at the idea of freedom!

Whenever I can no longer manage to climb aboard my big horse I will spend the afternoons watching Channel 4 racing and having a little flutter through my online gambling account.
And drink tea and coffee from fine china mugs.

Travelled - I thought channel 4 list the racing to another channel?

at carpet in the bathroom. That would be something to look forward to. When the boys visit they will be only invited to use the downstairs loo!