Over the hill?

[Phil]

They say it's better to be over the hill than under it. That I would have to agree with.

Yes I'm 36 years old. That number seems to have some significance because for some it's the last number before being considered middle aged which June would then place me in middleagedom.

Then again my father was 35 before he even got married, my mother is quite a bit younger than him, and I was born in 1971 by then my father was 38 years old. And I was the 1st kid.

I have mentioned in this forum before that there is 9 years between my brother and me but that's mostly because my mother had 3 miscarriages or there would have been 6 of us instead of 3.

My brother was born in 1980 and in Feb of 1982 my sister was born.

My father was therefore 47 and 48 years old for the younger births. And he had plenty of energy for being a father for the kids.

Sure I being considerably older could help a little. If 1 of the kids missed the school bus when they were in 2nd or 3rd grade I was probably 19 or 20 and I could drive them to school. That took some burden off my parents that might not have been the case when I was pre driving age.

By the time I moved out my brother and sister were in high school and were more self sufficient by then. Yet there is a gap. When I was getting married at age 25 they were in school yet.

This last year I have to say I am more tired than I ever use to be. I once could go on 3 hours a day of sleep. I'd get home like I always do around 730am get a wink or 2 and I'd be fine. Now I have to sleep til at least 1230 or 1pm and I still sometimes catch a hour or 2 rest before I leave the house.


That never was the case before. If I got limited sleep I would just stay up and I might be a little tired towards the end of my workshift but it didn't bother me that much.

About a year ago I stopped playing rollerhockey, kind of because of us having a 3rd child I decided to cut back on activities that will keep me out of the house any more than what is necessary, also because the nagging pain seems to linger. That has gotten better at least.

Well I don't feel old really, but I can see I have less stamina than I have had before, and sleep is for sure more welcome and more needed.

On nights like last night and having to work outside which is about half the time, I really hate the cold more than I ever did before. Yeah, it was only about 9 degrees. But that didnt' use to bother me as much as it does now.

Anyhow I'm just wondering if that 36 marker has me looking over the hill instead of up it now

[Blastgirl]

You're not over the hill.

Ronald Reagan was sixty-nine before he was even elected President, and seventy-three for a second term.

I'm sure you deal with fatigue after the long days and nights you put in. Especially this time of your you do so much of your work outside in the cold and at night.

Thirty-six is far from old and it's nowhere near being over the hill.

[Jersey]

My father turned 46 this year, so I know he feels over the hill once in a while. He's actually three years from happy happy retirement, so I'm hoping the next three aren't too hard on him.

He's a cop, and he's been planning his well coordinated escape for a long time now.

[Beangirl]

" Over the hill? What hill? I don't remember any hill?"... ;D I saw that on a tee shirt once. Hey Phil you are not old. You are a husband and a father of 3 out making a buck. 36 is a baby to this 50 year old. I know how you feel. The body does slow down. The work seems harder and the pains last a little longer.Age is just a number. You are so not middle aged yet. ;D

[Phil]

Thanks for the feedback.

Good point about Reagan Blastgirl, and McCain is actually older than Reagan at his 1st term then.
I didn't realize Reagan was quite that old when he ran the 1st time.

Jersey Life, your father must be tough as nails a New Jersey policeman. That's cool he can retire at a young age.

I could technically retire from my job at age 44 with some pension. I was 19 when I started and 25 years lets you get some pension. I will probably retire at 55 with whatever 55 -19 is for years with company because if you have 30 company years and are at least 55 you get full credit. If I land a higher up job I might not retire at 55 either though.

Beangirl, 36 is a baby? Now I'm really flattered. You're right about the body slowing down and pains lasting longer. I hope it warms up around here though because I froze like a Popsicle last night.

We had to replace a piece of train track and it was below 10 degrees.

[Kimm]

Phil. 36 is hardly old. It's perfect in fact. Youre old enough to be taken seriously for anything and young enough to still be youthful.

Some athletes are still playing their sport at the age 36 and beyond. And our youngest vice-President of the United States was 36 which means he was old enough to be considered a potential President.

For those wondering his name was John C Breckenridge. He served as vice-President under President James Buchanan.

So youre young enough to be a quarterback and old enough to be a President that makes 36 just right for everyone.

[grape]

Umm...Isn't it 45 middle age? Phil, you're not that old. You're still really active and lively right now. Why should you call yourself over the hill.

[Jersey]

phil said:

Jersey Life, your father must be tough as nails a New Jersey policeman. That's cool he can retire at a young age.

I could technically retire from my job at age 44 with some pension. I was 19 when I started and 25 years lets you get some pension. I will probably retire at 55 with whatever 55 -19 is for years with company because if you have 30 company years and are at least 55 you get full credit. If I land a higher up job I might not retire at 55 either though.

Yeah, he, uh, has had to handle a few guys I know that much. He's 6' 7" and a little over 300 pounds now. I'm 6' 6" and about 290 now and I STILL wont mess with him. I'm big now at almost 21, but imagine me at 4. No challenges there. I knew my place.

He's been discussing taking up a new job working security or something to supplement some money along with his pension. I think it's a great idea, since it will give him something to do.

[Blastgirl]

You're a big guy Jersey. And your Dad is more than suitable for that job the way you describe him.

Security is a good way for a retired Policeman to transfer into a job. And a trained Police officer is usually more attentive than a trained guard who often seeks that job because it's a uniform and there's not usually trouble but as a formality some places need to have a guard on duty.

The former Policeman is more suitable to take action if there actually is a disturbance.

[Phil]

So it's official I'm not over the hill.

I feel much better though last night it was fairly warm out and work was no problem at all.

[Phil]

youtube.com/watch?v=VqHkXbE8IaY
Just a way of thanking you for not thinking I'm old.

[Beangirl]

That was sweet Phil. Awe... You are welcome.

[Mahnarch]

If you're over the hill, Phil, can you keep adding dirt so I don't get to that point, as, I'm right behind you?

Gah! You had to replace a rail in 10 degree weather?
Touching any metal at that temp is terrible!
Better you than me, though! lol.

I don't think I'll ever retire from my job. I love it too much and the job itself isn't really like a job at all.

I drive someone elses truck on their fuel, registration and insurance.
I get to stop whenever I want to eat.
I see the same 'friends' every day and hang out for a bit before visiting my next set of 'friends'.
The company I drive for is locally known and highly respected.
And, I get paid to do it!!!

If I died behind the wheel of my rig I'd die a happy man.

.....Of course, everyone around me wouldn't have a very good day.

[Phil]

You're right about touching cold metal Mahnarch.

[Classicblast]

That kind of work especially in bad weather is toll taking at any age it's not a point of over the hill. You look like you can hold your own Phil.

[Mahnarch]

Phil looks like he can hold his own and a bunch of other people's, too.

If I was ever in a fight I'd want Phil in my corner, definately.

[Blastgirl]

Yeah Phil you don't look too past your prime.

[Phil]

I know 1 thing I've had about enough idiots at work.

People who spend more time and effort trying to get out of doing things than it would have taken to just get it done.

If you're going to work do the job you're getting paid to do.

I'm sick of people who are overwhelmed by simple tasks.

Those guys should have started with I did and there were fewer restrictions on what they could make you do. Those idiots never would have made it. Getting feet wet and hands dirty oh my.