JUST JILL

Say it ain’t so … the dreaded high school reunion!! Have any of you gone to your high school reunions? I want to hear all about it … the good, the bad and the ugly!!

Should I go or should I not go?

I’ve always prided myself on being hip, being with it and being able to keep up with the latest and greatest. Not anymore … can someone please explain ChatGPT to me!! 

I’m 52 and have been working for the same company for almost twenty years. I am bored and unfulfilled. Am I crazy to leave a secure job to follow a passion?? I need to think of my future and retirement. Would I be putting that in jeopardy?

I think I have been dropped by my friend group! Is this normal at 55? I met this group of women when our kids were young. Lately though I have been feeling left out. Why do I care so much? Do I confront them or do I just let it go?

I am in my mid 50s, divorced and new to the dating world. I signed myself up for a speed dating event. My question is what would you ask to determine a potential partner’s character, morals and values when you only have seven minutes. 

I am ready to retire. I have worked hard all my life and I want to slow down. I want to start to enjoy before it is too late. My work gives me a sense of purpose, of accomplishment and social interaction. How did you know you were ready? How do you keep busy?

What is happening to me? Everything aches. Waking up I can barely get out of bed because my body aches so much. Bending down is a workout in itself. I feel one hundred years old yet I’m only fifty-five!

The other day I was out for lunch and OMG I had a hot flash. It was my first hot flash in a professional setting. How do you deal with a public hot flash? Do you make it a topic of conversation or do you silently suffer and will it to go away as fast possible?

Full disclosure, I smoke pot and I like to drink socially. My husband does not drink but enjoys smoking pot socially. We have an ongoing argument. Now that pot is legal he thinks it is ok for him to smoke in front of our adult children. I fully disagree with him. 

I’m 60 and thinking of getting braces! My teeth are no longer aligned which is causing inflammation. I am told this can cause bone loss, especially at my age. Braces or invisalign? 

Sex toys… did I say that out loud? I am currently a million shades of red not fifty shades of grey!! What are women into these days? Vibrators, dildos? Is there newer stuff that I am unaware of? Is this something one does on their own or with a partner? So many questions!

I have always had peach fuzz on my face. Up until now it has never really bothered me. I could hide it with my hair if I had a particularly self-conscious day. My biggest fear was if I did do something it would grow back dark and thick.

Full disclosure I am a relatively healthy fifty-five year old and have not been to a doctor in over 10 years! I finally found a doctor and have an upcoming in-person appointment. I am ready to be proactive about my health.

My beautiful mane is falling out and thinning rapidly. I also have these wiry pieces that have gone rogue on the top of my head. This is not something I am ready for or will ever want to embrace. 

After twenty-one years of taking care of my children, I am now an empty nester. Should I go back to school? Should I go back to work? Who would hire me? Am I marketable? What can I offer anyone? Should I volunteer? What if I get a job when will I ramble?

Fiona's husband is aging faster than she is. Walking is one of the activities they love to do together, especially when they travel, and he can't walk like he used to. She's having trouble adjusting to her new normal.

My Dad is in a nursing home. He is 89 years old and has suffered with dementia for many years. My mom is devastated and misses him terribly. Through all this sadness my mom has managed to meet someone. I have not seen her this happy in years. I am happy for her. I am also sad. I am torn.

Droopy lids, dark circles, puffy bags … anyone else experience this? I am talking about my eyes … my tired, worn out looking eyes!!  Some days I look in the mirror and I barely recognize myself. How did this happen and so fast?

My MIL moved in with us for six months. She is driving me crazy. Having her live with us is turning out to be a nightmare. She comments on everything I do, from what I wear to what I cook to how I spend my days and money. How am I going to survive?