The Next Age Bracket
I saw something yesterday that terrified me. No, it wasn’t Ali’s closet floor or Maya’s bathroom sink – it was much, much worse.
So there I was on the Internet, filling out an application, when I encountered this scary sight:
Yes folks, in 8 short months I will be moving up an entire age bracket. I am getting…older.
I suppose the signs of age have been apparent for a while now but I’ve been ignoring them. For instance…
1. Yesterday I caught myself making the following “old” comments:
- To my Mother-in-law – “It doesn’t really matter what I wear to the wedding this weekend, I’m an old married lady and nobody is going to be looking at me.
- To Maya – “Whatever, Mama is way too old and tired to care.”
- To my brother – “The older I get the less patience I have for annoying people.”
2. My previous role as princess (Ali used to call me this years ago) has been brutally snatched away by a certain diva named Maya…
Queen....not such a flattering title...
…which now make me the queen of the Din Household? Now I don’t know about you but when I think of the word “queen” I conjure up images of an ancient, rather unproductive old lady with silver hair leaning on a cane.
Which, aside from the cane (so far anyway), pretty much describes me to a “T.” Wonderful.
3. And since we are on the topic of silver hair, mine is becoming more evident with each day that goes by, so much so that I had to stop going to the salon to color my hair and I now utilize the more affordable and convenient route of Nice ‘n Easy instead. Classy, yes?
Pretend this is a picture of me dying my hair – I won’t scare you with the real thing.
4. My motor skills are even suffering! I am normally a speed reader and can read a book in no time at all but it took me 7 days to read this 451 page book. 7 days!
This is an amazing book...definitely a must read...
I’d blame my slow progress on my poor eyesight and lack of focus but then I’d feel like a chronic complainer, which is another sign of old age. So just pretend I didn’t mention my poor eyesight and lack of focus.
Before you know it I’ll be flaunting my Senior Citizen’s discounts (not unlike my father), I’ll be dropping my dentures in a glass next to my side of the bed, and I’ll be catching the Early Bird Special at Norms.
But until then I have to get to bed. It’s 9:30 pm and way past my bedtime you know.
While I'm not going to win Mother/Wife of the Year Award anytime soon, I haven't killed anyone yet or shot myself in the head. And that, my friends, is how I calculate success these days. 
FANCY THAT FANCY THIS 
You’re not old! And 8 months is still the majority of year, don’t anticipate a new age bracket before you have to. My husband said to our 3 year old the other day, “Your dad is getting old.” and he responded “So I have to get a new dad?” 🙂
Ahahaha. I act more and more like my grandma everyday. Which reminds me, by the end of this month, I’ll have moved up an entire bracket, too. So I’ll be right there with ya when it comes to age-related anxiety…
It’s so funny that you wrote about this, as I was seriously just freaking out about this yesterday (at 28.) I was reading a press release at work from a sexy costume company and it included some verbiage along the lines of, “our costumes are aimed toward the young women of today, ages 18-27…” Huh?
But really, age is just a number. You know the old question of, “If you didn’t know how old you were, how old would you be?” For me, the answer is 112, but hopefully it’s more optimistic for you 😉
I change age brackets next year, too, and am already feeling elderly because of it. 😉
When will you be in DC? Shoot me an email (dctravelexaminer -at- gmail.com) and we’ll have to get together!
lol too funny.. i feel like that all the time, my eyesight is going, my knees are aching.. im like whats next?! my teeth fall out?!
i keep coloring my hair, scared to see if there is gray hair coming back in … ugh!
i just recolored mine last night with nice & easy.. it was pretty easy!!
and yea, i used to be called princess by my fiance, but now im just lumped in with the kids. “my girls”. uh huh.. im waiting to have another baby so i can call him “my boy” lol
I’m with you. Every time I look at teens, roll my eyes, and say something like, “Kids today have no respect,” I feel ancient. But I thought 40 was the new 30!
You are too cute! 🙂 I love that mug!
At least you’re not suffering from old creaky bones. If I had a dollar for every time my mother bemoaned her “old bones” growing up, I wouldn’t have to take out federal loans for graduate school.
Unfortunately I already do complain about my old bones creaking away…poor Maya is going to have to listen to this for the rest of her life!
omg I was definitely just filling out a survey like that and heaved a sigh of relief that I’m only turning 23 next week and I can still stay in the 18-24 bracket. haha i guess that doesn’t make you feel better. sorry. i vote we all click the “prefer not to answer” option.
re being queen – wasn’t King Tut crowned at like eight years old? Age is just a number, baby you are QUEEN.
You are sooooooo not old!! 🙂
So, when someone asked me how I old I was on my last b-day, I accidentally took 10 years off my age. Seriously. And then, I burst into laughter and said, “Oh, I can’t believe I said that!!”.
As much as I don’t like the idea of getting older, I don’t want to repeat my younger years, especially my 20s, and I’m kind of looking forward to settling into my 40s.
I don’t, however, like that I’ve started to invest in anti-wrinkle facial creams. I’m not a vain person, but I’d like to think that I’m fighting the good fight at times.
As to you… Try to transform your mental image of being “Queen”!
you are TOTALLY NOT OLD. you look as young as me! i know, at my gym, i’m working around 20 year olds, 19 year olds. they make me feel like ive lived SO MUCH LONGER and seen so much! LOL!
and you’re still a princess. =D
as they say , you’re only as old as you feel! And honey, you dont look old one little bit.
This is hilarious! I think you look beautiful! And really, annoying people are just annoying, pure and simple, regardless of how old I am 🙂 So, my mom calls me a few days ago, ecstatic because she got the senior discount at a lunch buffet. Now there’s a woman that has aged gracefully (particularly where lunch a discount is concerned) 🙂
I love how you pictured “queen”…humorous! Silver hair..eh..I’ve been having it in my 20s and guess it gets more.
To make you feel better at the prime age of 19–almost 20 my eyesight is most definitely going to. I have to recognize people down the hall by the way they walk and their approximate shape. It’s really awkward when they call out to me, and I have to respond with “hey… you” 😉
Um, 7 days to read a book is not a long time! If I read a book a week, that’s really fast for me!
I know what you mean though about “the next age bracket.” It was weird for me to leave the twenties. Depending on the survey or whatever, I’ve gone up an age bracket. For some reason, turning 31 feels weirder to me than 30. Life goes so fast! Ok, wait, it’s too early in the morning for me to wax poetic about this. Anyway, I have discovered gray hairs popping up, and I love being in bed by 9:30. You’re not old; you’re just…maturing.
OMG you are too funny. Please do not say you are getting old. I just turned 30 and I by no means feel old and so I hope that in a few years when I go up and age bracket I am still not that old. We should look for better adjectives to describe it than old!
This is great. I’m only 23 but I’ve been feeling “old” too! Something about being married, perhaps? I am now a “matron of honor” at my friends’ weddings, which is so depressing for some reason!
haha 9:30 is my ideal bedtime!!
I just moved up an entire age bracket too – I wont lie, it sucked. I also complained that my boyfriend wants to go out tonight when he’s not off work until 7. That means we’re not leaving until 8 and well, thats too late to go out.
Your sense of humor is always so amusing. I think you are an excellent queen…no cane evident. 😉
I agree that The Help is a must read book. Very good!
I totally relate to this. It is scary to realize I am getting older. I cant believe i’m not young anymore. I kind of hate it to be honest. I’m not one of those people who is going to grow old gracefully, thats for sure.
I totally laughed out loud at that cup. It’s better to be Queen status-you’re the ruler :).
Dear Ameena – Ha ha…you sound just like me. I already feel quite tarnished as it were and feel that a good rub of brasso is in order, especially when I preach to my kids about ‘the younger generation’
That being said you are so right and QUEEN by the way conjures up Priscilla Queen of the Desert images for me no less which perhaps is case and pint – after all I am reminiscing about ABBA songs!
Love the humor you bring every day 🙂
Ciao, Devaki @ weavethousandflavors
Ameena, I’m telling you, it’s all about being ageless and weightless. Less quantifiables makes for less stress!
hahah you are not old. but i agree that moving up an age bracket is scary!
I am on the belief that age is just a number. I really honestly believe its in your head. Wear something sexy to the wedding..because they will stare at you!!
I might just be a complainer too…ha..but really, you are not even close to old lady! I love your humor so much…it makes my day!
Haha, you are the only person I know who can make being a queen sound like a bad thing…unless we were talking about the derogatory “queen” but you know what I mean!
I always say that age is just a number…most days I feel like an octogenarian. I have bad knees, I don’t go to clubs, and I often hear myself saying “Kids these days…”. Also, when people tell me that they wish they could go back to their 20s, I say “No, you don’t!” Then you would have to do it all over again, and it isn’t always pretty. As you get older, you gain wisdom and strength and you learn about what is important and what simply doesn’t matter. Sometimes I wish I could go back to being a 5 year old so that I didn’t have to deal with adult responsibilities and I wouldn’t yet know how messed up the world can be…but then I would have to relive all the bad parts too.
Besides, you are beautiful and you don’t look a day over 25.
I hope you enjoy the wedding and have a great holiday weekend!
no uve gotta embrace it! as i said before, U LOOK SO YOUNG! i think its fun to tell people ur age.. just to see the look on their face “NO WAY, she’s SUCH a LIAR!” lol
❤
When I first came across you blog, I though Maya was a dog (and I mean the at in that best possible way honestly!), I couldn’t imagine you were old enough to have children! You are young! My dad turned 60 this year and the problem is, he THINKS hes 30. Which is good, but ya know, it can get embarrassing, sometime I just want him to act a LITTLE older. Numbers are stupid, ages, numbers on scales, calories, carbs, all those numbers are just plain stupid.
People who read this are going to judge me SO harshly, and I probably deserve it, but having kids is a lot like having a dog!! Except dogs are easier because they don’t come back with smart ass comments when you tell them to “sit.”
HAHAHA! so true, I love it that we get each others humor! This might sound bad too, but I had a nightmare that I had kids and I was like “whoa! I dont know what to do! why are you talking back to me!!!” I know it was just a dream but I gave them to Angelina Jolie to adopt in the end of the dream. My head is so twisted!
Damn, I guess I just became another age bracket!
You know what’s scary? When you’re filling out a form and you go to select your age.. and suddenly instead of it being right there, you have to scroll down.
Anywho, you still (and will always) look amazing so don’t stress too much! Besides, stressing just contributes to more gray hairs. 😉
Ameena! Your blog fell off the face of my google reader
(what the eff google??)
But you are definitely not old! And even when you are old, you’ll probably be one of those “cool old people” 🙂
You are not old! You’re going to be the most beautiful, confident and accomplished 35 year old that I know. You look like you are in your 20s! Personally, I cannot wait until I am in my 40s. Best age. You are assured, comfortable in your own skin, you know who you are, you aren’t naive and there is this beautiful wisdom that comes with self acceptance (that comes with age and acceptance). You aren’t distracted by the petty worries and distractions of youth. You are young and confident. I cannot wait until I in my 40s! I think it’s when we stop searching for value or approval/validation outside of ourselves and realize that your sense of self is all you need- and that you define yourself.
I can honestly say that you look better than many of the people I know who are in their early 20s. Gorgeous!
Thank you Barbara for making my Saturday morning with your very generous comment.
I do think that being in my 40s will be really great. I already feel better now that I am in my 30s and I think that I will be less likely to look for approval and validation in another few years. Hopefully!!
From one parent to another, no matter how old you get, you’ll always be your mother’s little baby and Daddy’s little princess, just like how you and Ali feel for Maya. Funny how the circle of life works huh? And for the record, (if you must insist on being old) you’re one of the prettiest, wittiest, and fashionable old ladies I’ve seen 🙂 Now would you associate those words with
any old lady you know? Have a great long weekend Ameena 😀
(sorry, accidentally pushed publish before I was done.)
Such a funny post. Which I feel entirely entitled to life at since you don’t actually look a day older than 25. Are you sure you’re Maya’s mother and not her sister?
This is so funny! The scary part is that I can relate and in just a few short years I’ll be moving up myself! Let’s find a way to stop time, Ameena! 🙂
Faith – I think that is the best idea I’ve heard in a long time!!
Your post is great and funny and timely. My latest age is 39 and 3 qtrs. Who counts after 35? Your sense of humor will be with you no matter the age. I want to see my daughter graduate from College, become a successful princess / designer and have a nice family with a few babies. Gosh I am going to load up on
vitamins and supplements and do gentle yoga if I can still bend and touch my toes.
ahhaha i like that costco idea. it was CCCRAAZZZYYY yesterday! way too many people fighting for samples of:
carne asada
red velvet cake (my mom and sister loved this)
kettle chips
mediterranean pizza
sabra hummus and pita chips
whipped cream and strawberries.
it was crazy. too many people underfoot.
YOU ARE NOT OLD!!! And you don’t look a day over 25! I’m turning 29 this summer…and that stresses me out though…God – I think 25 or 26 is the perfect # to stay at , no?
🙂
With regards to that job I talked about before – to pay off my debt…they want a 2 year commitment…think it’s worth it?? or is 2 years just too much to ask for at this point??…what if I hate it – which is certain…a year is fast..but 2 years…but still I’d pay off the debt…and could take a vacation to escape I guess…help!
Thanks for your comment on my blog, your blog looks fab. My boyfriend calls me a princess now. Maybe the reason I want to have boys as kids is because they will never take my princess status away from me!!! 35 is NOT old at all btw!
No worries, it means your wiser and more sophisticated. You certainly don’t look “older.” Thanks for stopping by my blog. How did you find me?
I live in the Bay Area so I’m sure you could have a garden in LA where the weather is sizzling hot. You could grow tomatoes, basil, peas, corn and so much more! Really, you could.
How do you find time to blog and work and be a parent?!
Oh Ameena. I know this isn’t much comfort, but I also suffered majorly when I turned 20, and still can’t get over it some days. But then I realized, although much to my dismay, that I can’t stop time (sorry, Faith!) and that life must be lived…to the fullest! Sorry, I’m starting to sound so corny here, but I think sometimes you just gotta make lemonade with lemons. Take on life by the horns, ya know?
By the way, I seriously thought you were panicking because you’re turning 25 and was extremely confused. And then I did the math. 😛 You look nothing like your age!
xo Aletheia
You are CRAZY. Since when is 35 old? No way – its the new 21 I promise.
Oh please. You are NOT old…mid-30s are the peak of lifehood. No, seriously. IT’s the time when you still have the vigor and life of a youth, but added with some life experiences to make you much wiser and calmer. And hey, it’s the cycle of life, and it’s just another stage you are moving up towards. Embrace it. You’re not even half-way there!
Hahaha, your not old! I also go to bed at 9:30…girl needs her rest.
Haha. You are too funny. I know what you mean though. I see that you must have had this in the back of your mind when you made the comment on my post about how old I look. 😉 Your comment actually made me think of some age fears which I quickly rushed to write down for a post in the near future.
Age seems different now than it used to be. Being in our 30s, is different than it was in the past. Maybe that’s wishful thinking on my part, but I believe it. You are definitely not old and you most definitely don’t look it!
For some of us, I think age actually brings out the best. Our inner beauty shines through more, we become more confident and some (like you) become more beautiful with time. Enjoy the journey!
haha I know what you mean! I have felt that age pang for a few years now…I seriously remember 19 like it was yesterday
Check out my blog for my giveaway! 🙂
Okay, so I was literally just catching up on your blogs when I opened a new tab and checked my email and your comment popped up. We must have, like, some weird dual ESP thing, lol.
You are SO not old. Thirty-five is nice and young and sprightly! My mom didn’t even give birth to me until she was thirty seven! Don’t worry! If you worry you’ll age faster. 🙂
Oh, poo…. Age schmage!!!! See you don’t look like you’re moving up the age bracket. I figured you’d be at the beginning of it like me. I’m being serious here. You’ve got that going for you, use it to your ability. 🙂 Forget all the impending stuff that’s to come. Enjoy it!!!! Remember what’s her name in princess diaries??? She became queen. So it ain’t so bad to be queen of the household. 🙂
Girl puhlease. You are stunningly beautiful. Don’t give me any of this “getting old” nonsense 😉
Hey Love! Hahaha! I hear ya…..I honestly thought you were younger, so you look fab!
I will be the big 30 in Feb and I think I will cry all day. I can’t handle it and I want to go back in time 🙂
How is that book? I have been so hooked on this tween twilight saga that I will need a good one to fill my void after! EEKK
xxxoo
No way are you old and you are gorgeous. I remember how weird it felt to bump up in an age bracke though.
Oh my gosh, I really couldn’t stop laughing after this post!! You are hilarious! And honestly, I don’t think you should call yourself old, you are perfect! With that sense of humor I don’t think you will ever age 🙂