Hi guys! There's no justification for this post other than I have thoughts whirling around my head and you are my friends. So you get to hear them.
I squeeze the juice outta life and, lately, I've been squeezing a lot harder. I pondered why and realize it's because I'm happy. I want that happiness to continue so I'm vigorously doing legwork to keep it going. Aging causes you to sense the finite quality of life, the unavoidable reality that your life will end some day. I want to cram as much joy into my life before that inevitable event happens.
I'm loving my new motorcycle. Its high-tech features are so fun. Instead of fumbling for a key, you start the bike by pushing a button. And turn it off the same way. Today I'm riding into Manhattan to have a GPS installed. When touring in unknown territory, GPS beats pulling over to the side of the road and fumbling with paper maps. Oh, did I say fumbling again? Doing tasks outdoors with bulky gloves on your hands while speeding cars whiz by is harder than attempting the same tasks in the sheltered calm of a car. It's why having an EZ-Pass on a motorcycle is a godsend. In the old days before EZ-Pass, I used to fumble with coins while trying not to slip when putting a foot down on greasy roads in tollbooths. Some tech just makes life easier. Touring on a motorcycle is hard enough; small improvements in comfort are deeply appreciated.
When I was young, I had metal braces on my teeth. They hurt like hell. So when my dentist recently recommended I get braces again, I was not receptive to that advice. But my teeth are slowing moving in wrong directions so I acknowledged something needed to be done. I just had Invisalign put in my mouth. They're clear, barely-visible aligners that move your teeth like braces but can be taken out for eating, etc. They cause slight discomfort but the benefit is worth it. Have you heard of them?
What improvements are you making to your life? Do you think about improving things?
Bravo for the new bike and the braces (I had them in my late 20's and am so grateful). Love this swirly dress, and I love your attitude: choose joy. xox
ReplyDelete-Patti
http://notdeadyetstyle.com
Let me start by saying that I adore the twirly dress; the colors are gorgeous. I agree that the older we get the more finite life becomes and the more we appreciate the joy in the simple things.
ReplyDeleteDebbie
www.fashionfairydust.com
Good for you on getting braces! I've heard lots of people using that product with very positive results.
ReplyDeleteThat dress is wonderful!
As far as improvements in my life, does shopping count? No? Okay...I'm going to need to think about it a bit more then : )
bisous
Suzanne
Oh my, that dress looks stunning in you!!! Life changes sound good. I think the gps device sounds great-I don't understand maps when I'm on the way somewhere!! How about 'grappling' as an alternative to 'fumbling' or 'contending with'??!
ReplyDeleteThe braces are a good idea. My blog friend Jen recently used them and the results are super on her WWW.librarianforlifestyle.wordpress.com if you wanted to see!!x
Invisalign has been around for a few years and they advertise them like crazy here. Just keep smiling :)
ReplyDeleteGood advice, Dale!
DeleteI'm going to try and improve my blogging activity.
ReplyDeleteGlad to read you're enjoying your new motorbike Ally. Hope you've had a good Christmas and wish you all the best for the New Year Ally.
Lotte x
Same to you, Lotte. Hope you find your way back into blogging.
DeleteInvisalign and GPS. Both excellent inventions and you get to take advantage of both. How nice. Wishing you a very Happy New Year just full of good stuff.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Connie. Same to you.
DeleteI'm all about cramming as much joy into life as possible!
ReplyDeleteWe're philosophical sisters!
DeleteI have been working away at self-improvement, but only because I have no alternative ... crowns on several teeth (or else they'd have to come out), a bite plane (much like invisalign, but at night only), changing lifestyle to eat healthier and exercise (to try to reverse acid reflux and sleep apnea). I feel like I am falling apart! Hopefully by this time next year I will feel somewhat younger instead of a year older :)
ReplyDeleteIt's great that you're enjoying your bike and you are happy. That is excellent.
It's the bad alternatives that usually push us in this direction. I certainly wouldn't have touched my teeth if they weren't moving like continents...
DeleteI totally get about the coins and motorcycle gloves. Here in the UK we don't have to pay tolls on motorcycles at most bridges/tunnels, we just ride up to the barrier and it opens for us. But in France you do, and that's such a pain! You can almost hear the sigh when a car driver has to wait because you dropped your glove on the floor so have to get off the bike to retrieve it!
ReplyDeleteYou're definitely right about trying to squeeze all the juice out of life - I feel the same - the more fun I'm having the more I want to have, the busier I make myself. It's hard to get out of that cycle.
Well then let's whip ourselves up into a frenzy!
DeleteSo glad you're happy! I hope we have had a small part to play in that.
ReplyDeleteYour dress certainly expresses happiness.
I am exercising more regularly with cycling, yoga, weights and jogging. Gotta keep that body moving to stop it jiggling! Although jiggling can be fun too.
I know what you mean about age making life feel more precious. And that is a gift! Happy New Year my friend! xo Jazzy Jack
You play a BIG part in my happiness!
DeleteThat feeling - of being pumped up on the sheer bliss of life itself and the good that in it for you right now - is indescribably awesome and it warms my heart to know that you're filled with it, Ally.
ReplyDeleteThank you deeply for another sensational, inspiring, fun filled year of blogging. I can hardly wait to see what you'll share with us all in 2016.
♥ Jessica
Same here, Jessica!
DeleteLove the dress, and the attitude ( and your legs ain't bad either!) Keep milking joy from every moment. I am glad your teeth are not hurting. I am working on my teeth as well. That aging thing, great for perspective not so easy on the body..
ReplyDeleteHappy, merry, and many wishes of joy on that bike of yours!
xx, Elle
http://www.theellediaries.com/blog
Good for you. Squeezing the juice out of life is definitely on the agenda for me in 2016. Getting older is weird, even when you're 25.
ReplyDeleteGlad I don't have to deal with the braces though. Although I bet Invisalign is much kinder than what you had back in the day! - A
This is one of your best outfits ever, so lovely. I love to hear about your recent improvements- great idea to get invisalign, my mum recently got braces and its been a positive idea. For me, I've taken up swimming again as an improvement to my lifestyle.
ReplyDeleteThat's a dress to go twirling in! Yes, we have to find joy in things. I know this is going to be hard for me this year as my elderly parents health declines. It then becomes even more important to cherish the good things - like all the wonderful things that have come from me starting a blog last year and meeting such fascinating folk such as yourself and other bloggers.
ReplyDeletehttp://petitesilvervixen.blogspot.co.uk/
Holy smokes, that's an awesome dress! You look smashing! The neckline/shoulder is really good on you because of your broader shoulders, and that swooshy bottom helps define your waist.
ReplyDeleteI am working on mental improvements: more reading, more art. Well, and I want two new tattoos this year. :-P
Looking forward to seeing your ink!
DeleteI was a stubborn teen - too cool to wear a silly retainer after I got my braces off. 12 years later my teeth have pretty much gone back the way they were before braces. Oh well. I think you'd be cute with a mouth full of metal now.
ReplyDeleteHello there - thought I would post my experience of this, to encourage you. I had my teeth straightened with a course of Invisalign aligners at age 50 (a decade ago now!)and it worked really well. Nobody could see (or hear) them and my work and personal life were not affected at all. The plus side is that, because they have to be removed at meal times, you are not so tempted by casual snacking!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your smile-in-progress - it's worth remembering that you will probably still always have to wear a light, invisible retainer at night after you have finished the Invisalign treatment. That is to stop the teeth moving out of alignment again. I do this, and don't find it any problem.
Thank you, Jane, for your feedback. Everything you say is matching my experience so far. And I heard about teeth moving back after the treatment so don't mind doing the night retainer. I avoided this for years but my teeth were beginning to look noticeably off so this is necessary. Happy New Year!
DeleteWHAT the WHAT. You in this dress = a GODDESS. Damn, girl!!! So beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI do know someone who did Invisalign and was very happy with it!
That's all I got for now; speechless from the picture!