Yesterday was FringeMan’s forty-second birthday, poor fellow.
Because he was in a plumbing battle this week and the pipes almost won, I think he’s feeling every day his age. He makes an excellent plumber, however, he says that he’s not ready for another career change. He’s going to stick to saving houses from electrical fires and souls from hell’s fires.
I embarrassed him for his 40th and threw him a little surprise party, complete with those dorky glasses. Who could resist? By the time my 40th rolls around, I’m counting on the fact that he’ll have memory loss.
Happy Birthday my love. You’ll always be young and spry in my eyes.
Let’s hope my eyes don’t age as quickly as my skin!
I went to the dermatologist yesterday. It was a quick trip to check on two spots that have formed over the last year. Now you may be wondering how I would notice two new spots when I look like I’m holding the spots for all 101 Dalmatians; however, I know my freckles, moles, and other assorted brown blotches.
I have them counted, 5,823.
Of course I don’t count them. That would be like counting stretch marks and I might be institutionalized for that.
Anyway, I have a mark on my face that is larger than my freckles and is accompanied by a rough patch of skin. I can feel it even if I can’t see it. The other mark is on my arm. It’s red and brown and about the size of an eraser head. I’ve been sporting it for about a year. Now I never thought twice about my spots until I was pregnant with FringeKid. I had a mole on my belly that grew and distorted throughout my pregnancy. To me it made perfect sense and if you’d seen the size of my belly, you’d agree. My OBGYN was not impressed with the transformation of my belly or mole. She thought both were too big.
She made me have it removed. I say made, but threats and minor acts of violence are all it took. Turns out it did have a few less than stellar cells, so now I’m paranoid over my spots. Period. It doesn’t help that, while snuggling next to me on the couch, FringeBoy pointed out the Milky Way on my arm. My spots are not for constellation gazing.
This story is turning into a melodrama and all I want to say is that after gazing into my face with a little light gadget, the Doctor looks at me and names my spot. A name I cannot repeat. Obviously my face belied my ignorance because he then said with a smirk, it’s a wisdom spot.
“An AGE spot!” I vehemently yelled aghast. Each word stung my lips as it passed.
With defensiveness and mock shock, he assured me that in my case it not age spot, but a sun spot. He was laughing at me because I think he was actually younger than me. A fact that disturbs me as much as spending a $50 copay to find out I’m getting old. My gray hair does that for free!
The other spot had another name and was most definitely not an age or sun spot, but benign just the same. Thank God. I couldn’t handle any more bad news.
FringeMan may be the one who is 42, but I’m the one that’s over the hill.
Do share your anti-aging secrets. Please.
Tags: age spots, aging, anti-aging, Birthdays, dermatologist, over the hill, sun damage
Happy Birthday FringeMan!!!
I have no words of wisdom for you. At my last Dr appt. she mentioned that I have “significant” sun damage, and asked if I wear sunscreen. I’m guessing there were a LOT of sun spots going on there!
I thought it was just a little healthy looking color!
Well I have noticed a lot of changes since turning 30. Of course I have the crow’s feet, my face has gotten oilier. My PMS is harder to deal with, I want more and more sleep, and after a long day out and about I’m ready to get home and get in my PJ’s.
Happy Birthday FringeMan!!!!
Happy Happy Birthday FringeMan!!! Glad you are not going for the career change…
Oh i have age spots too…it is one of those things I try and ignore LOL…
Happy Birthday, even if late!
You can age with grace and beauty, FG. It’s my goal, too.
I have some pretty huge age spotting going on. I use skin lightening pads with 4% hydroquinone (they’re medical grade, so I think you have to get them from an aesthetician or somebody like that) and they have REALLY helped. That and stay out of the sun it just makes them worse. And once I started getting them, I got more. Fast.
oh boy, your spots sound like mine only I haven´t had my belly one removed. it has spread into about quarter size. but well, I am happy with it so there it stays.
You can make constellations out of mine too but I´d rather call them my herd of turtles.
The nerve of the Dr. to just say it was an age spot! grrrr! You can´t be much older than me. I will remember not to go to the dr. for these spots. LOL
I have been using MK ani age cleansers and creams for a little while though and the main thing I notice is it has a lot of protection from the sun. I like the eye cream they have a lot. it seems to take the greyness away.
So Fringe man turned 42? Or 40? I´m confused.
Those glasses are hilarious!
have a good day!
I have NO anti aging secrets that would help. I hope my daughters take better care of themselves than I did.
I’m spotty too – moles and freckles aplenty.
Happy birthday fringeman… I have to say, I have noticed that aging sucks!
How do I deal with aging? I look in the mirror less and I make sure my gray hair stays colored at all times.
Happy Birthday Fringeman!
I take vitamin c/collagen supplements, buy enough eye cream to prop up the entire cosmetics industry, and wear hats to protect my face from the sun. Sunscreen (or scum-screen, as my peeps say) is also important.
I bought a sign yesterday that says, “The more you run over a possum, the flatter it gets.” I think that might make a good birthday card. On the inside, it could say, “May your tread marks be few.” Happy birthday, Fringeman!
I’m way ahead of ya. Wait til your hairdresser tries to remove “hair dye” from your face and has to be told, “Darling, please quit scrubbing my temple. That is an AGE SPOT, not dye drippage!”
Secret to aging? Break your mirrors, take naps when you can, eat lots of chocolate.
Happy Birthday, FringeMan! OK – as a wise old woman turning 46 tomorrow, I will share my anti aging wisdom:
Always wear sunblock – even on cloudy days, or days you’ll be indoors. Don’t forget the hands and neck! (Very important.)
Work your triceps with weights, so they don’t get old lady saggy.
That’s pretty much it, except for “keep a sense of humor”, and you’ve got that down pat. And for the record – I think you’re adorable, and not at all old and spotty.
I need the secrets! My girls constantly point out my age spots and say “boo-boo.”
“Baby, boo-boos go away but these aren’t going anywhere”, I tell them.
“That would be like counting stretch marks and I might be institutionalized for that.”
Best line of the post. You are hilarious!
Happy birthday to Fringeman!!!
Praise the Lord for sun spots and age spots! I lost my father to melanoma last year and just reading your first sentence made me all queasy in my stomach.
I like to call mine oversize Angel Kisses.
Glad the word “benign” is part of the diagnosis.
happy birthday to fringeman.
i spent too much time in the sun as a young adult and my skin now shows the evidence of that. as i was reading your post, i again looked at two spots that i’ve been wondering about. i’ll probably wait until my next doctor’s appt unless they start changing in some way. it’s nice to have your fears relieved.
I can relate to the mole-freckle issues. My daughter asked me last week, “Mommy, is that a mole, a freckle, or a tick on your shoulder?” I’ve never felt so pretty.
Our hubbies are the same age … older than us. (I’m assuming you’re younger. I’m just sure of it. Right?)
I loved this part.
Tricia, thank you … I haven’t laughted this much in a very long time. I love you darling.