Infinate signs that you're getting old

I don't know who "they" are. Nor do I know who "They" think they are. Like POS predictors that modify the gas-prices, I've heard throughout most my life "They say that..."
They?
Hmmm...
They who? and they what?
They say that feeling old is a state of mind.
They say that the older you get, the less sleep you need.
They say, blah-blah-blah.

Well, some of it make sense - like the 'feeling old is a state of mind'. However, your state of mind can also be affected by your age, physical condition, your past (and whatever 'they' say)

A couple of weeks ago, I was sitting up in bed, struggling to wake up so I could face the day and get the kids ready for school. My 5 year old daughter peeks her head around the corner of the door as I sat there, and as soon as she saw that I was upright, she bounded cheerily into the room, and threw herself up onto the bed (my wife was already downstairs, about to leave for work).
"Hi Daddy!" she cheerily exclaimed in the way that only a 5 year old can so early in the morning. As I write this, I recall that I used to be a 'morning person'. I grunted a response.
"Can you come downstairs please?"
I slowly inhaled, as I wanted to be sure that I could speak the words needed with out any undue stress upon my system and cause a blackout. My voice sounded as weak as someone who had been awake for two days.
"Yea..." I sighed out.
"Okay, Daddy," she said in a most satisfied manner. She then slid off the bed and said "I'll just show myself out." and she skipped out the bedroom door.
- Where did she learn *that* phrase??

Along with other folks with serious injuries or arthritis, I can tell what the barometer is doing. That day was a rainy-stormy day, and fatigued and achy is how I felt all day. So I got my hair cut, thinking it would lighten the mood - evidence that she culled the dark hairs, letting the white hairs become more prominent.
What do you call that color? Gray? Charcoal? Black-n-Silver? Ash? Refined Graphite? Depressing? Dye-Time? Salt and pepper (Emphasis on the salt)?

And I also recall having "Senior Moments". We lost the phone last week. My wife eventually located it: She informed me that I placed the phone in the cupboard. (Where we store the dishes).

Like everyone else, I'm discovering that my priorities have changed. In the past, something could have made my jump out of my seat and leap over to the scene with more fluidity and grace than an Olympic gymnast. But now, I swivel my head around, watch for a moment or two, bespeak something along the lines of "Huh." then draw my attention away.

And there is more...much more. Perspective, physical deformations, opinions of beauty and lust, but I'm going to close the blog for the day. I'm tired (most parents are). It's Sunday AM, the day my wife and I try to sleep in. However, our 9yr old son had other plans. Before 7AM my 9yr old son stood in our bedroom, leaning back-and-forth making the floor creak until I woke up.
...and now I hear the 5yr old coming downstairs...

Today we head out to some friends of ours with 3 kids. Younger than I by 6 years or so, they also have a teenager. (I can't wait to talk about the gray in his beard).

And so, with a final adieu for the day, I give you a cartoon displaying age...




...Here Endith The Blog...