I turned 37 today

[Tobin S.]

I remember back when I was 17 and my folks were around 40. They seemed old to me. Now that I'm that age I know that my folks probably didn't feel much older, physically speaking, than I did at the time. Aside from a knee that aches when I over-do it sometimes, I feel great. I'm actually probably in better shape than I was when I was 17. I'm thinner, anyway, and I don't get drunk or high or smoke cigarettes anymore. I like to think I'm smarter now days, too, but I know some of you might question that. :D

One of the biggest changes for me over the last year has been that I've started to think about saving for retirement more seriously. I've been fortunate to have a decent job for the last 3 years, so I opened another retirement account as well as contributed more to my 401k at work. Another big change is that I've lost 102 pounds and I've given up all of my vices. I want to live long and prosper. :)

Last year at this time I was a little sad about growing older. This year I see it as a time to celebrate life and have a good time with my family and friends. A lot can change in a year.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

1. Happy Birthday, Tobin!

Best wishes for a wonderful day :hug: :party: :hi:

[Deja Q]

2. Happy birthday!!

I turned 37 earlier this year.

With a possible dystopic future, it's a struggle for me to exercise and do the right things. We all want to live and prosper, but what conditions do we want to live in?

I'm wary of the retirement system, especially if workers are going to be mandated to put in parts of their paychecks. I still remember the good old days when Enron execs told employees to buy their stock, only for the execs to quietly cash in and leaving them destitute. THAT is why capitalism is hated; when people forget their fellow countrymen for their own personal greed. It's sinister.

[Tobin S.]

4. Thanks Q

The retirement accounts invested in the stock market are my best choice, unfortunately. Unless the country devolves into a decades long depression I should be alright as long as I invest wisely and move things to safer investments as I get older. I wish I had a pension that I could rely on, but they are rare for trucking companies now days. Any possibility of a pension would probably require a union and only a few people that I work with like that idea, so that's a no go. It's strange how many working people think non-representation is better than unions.

[Call Me Wesley]

3. Happy Birthday!

:toast: I hope you're having a wonderful day and countless more to come! :hug:

[Haole Girl]

5. Happy Birthday!

:party:

[auntAgonist]

6. Happy Birthday Tobin.

I hope the coming year is full of joy and good things for you.

:hug: :loveya: :hug:


Best wishes from Gryphon too!!

aA
&
Gryphon.

[Tobin S.]

8. Thanks!

:hug: Back atcha!

I hope you all are doing well and are prepared for the Michigan winter.

[Heidi]

7. Happy birthday, Tobin!

You're one of my favorite DUers and I wish you every happiness. :hug: :hug:

[Tobin S.]

10. Thank you. You are very kind.

:hug:

You need to stop in the lounge more often. Don't get too awfully serious in all of them serious forums and all. :)

[Heidi]

11. Aw, heck. There's some fun in GD once in a while. Case in point:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=6688535&mesg_id=6694166

:rofl:

[NJmaverick]

9. Happy B-day!

:party:

[rurallib]

12. 102 pounds - whoa - good job

But I think I found some of them.
Happy Birthday and many more!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

13. My dear Tobin!

Happy Birthday to one of my favorite posters!

It's funny, isn't it, how your perspective changes as you get older? 40 no longer looks old to me either, lol!

A lot can change in a year, and I like how you're seeing your life...Very constructive!

Here's to many, many more wonderful years, and birthdays too!

I hope your day is full of presents, love and cake...

And I hope your year sees all your impossible dreams come true!


:party: :toast: :toast: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :toast: :toast: :party:

[LeftyFingerPop]

14. Happy Birthday, Tobin!

37 is a good age...enjoy your day! :hi: :bounce: :party:

[Frosty1]

15. Happy Birthday

May you have many more
:party:

[abq e streeter]

16. Hope your having a great, celebratory day ( sounds like you are) and an equally great year

[mix]

17. Happy B-Day, I've always enjoyed your wise and witty posts.

[cwydro]

18. Happy Birthday!

Enjoy!:hi: :woohoo: :bounce: :party: