The Just Typikel Blog

Mum Will Be 93

In a few short days Mum will be 93.

And how does she feel about that?

“I’m not getting old, I’m getting a little less young.”

Exactly. Have a gander at this photo I took of her recently.

red Nike shoes https://www.kellylmckenzie.com/mom-will-be-93/

Note the shoes and the dog. Classic Mum. I’ve lost count of how many pairs of running shoes she owns. Let’s just say that she has several. More than you or I own. Collectively.

“If my feet are only comfortable in running shoes, I might as well have options.”

And the dog? Mom and her fellow apartment pals aren’t allowed pets. This is Mum’s solution. Dalmatian Boy is one of two jumbo pup stuffies that reside in her living room. The other one is a black lab.

I will admit that they took some getting used to. Happily they no longer scare the bejesus out of me when I walk into the room.

And how is Mum’s health?

“Bits and pieces keep falling off but on the whole I feel pretty good. Especially in the mornings.”

Yes, she is full of piss and vinegar when she gets up. You’ll want to have downed at least one coffee before you speak with her then. Truly. She tones down to my energy level around 2:00 and by dinner time is happy to watch the news and complete any unfinished crosswords or sudokus.

For the past year, balance issues have caused her to rely on her fancy walker to get around.  However, every now and then she rebels.

gaga walking down ramp 1

Here she is nimbly tootling down the marina boat ramp on the way to check out her namesake – my brother’s new-to-him boat. Note the lack of a wheelie. She refused to use it the entire time we were staying with him. At first I found myself hovering at her elbow anticipating every move but by day three she was gallivanting about on her own. As long as she stands in place for a moment or two after getting up, she seems to be fine.

As you’ve probably gathered life is never dull with her around. She’s always coming up with a new saying. The latest one is rather novel.

“I do like something sweet at the end of a meal.”

huge chocolate chip cookie https://www.kellylmckenzie.com/mum-will-be-93/

Excuse me? I’m sorry but my family would all agree with me that this dear woman loves something sweet at any time of the day. Or night. Here she is about to tuck into one of her faves. A “big cookie.” Despite invariably insisting that she couldn’t possibly finish the whole thing herself, she always does. This one was no exception.

She continues to surprise me. Sharp-eyed readers might have noticed that I’ve changed up the spelling of Mum with this post. The other day she sent me a card and signed her name with a U rather than an O. Mum instead of Mom. When I asked her about it, she insisted it wasn’t something new and gently advised me that perhaps I’d just not noticed before.

Oh.

So, what does the horridly unobservant daughter give her 93 year-old mother as a birthday present?

An announcement.

Mum, I’m going to take the plunge and start on the book. Yes, the one that you’ve been hounding after me to write. The one about the extraordinary situations we enjoyed while working together for those ten years in your antique store.

Folks, you can’t imagine what ten years of working with this decidedly type A gal was like. There are some pretty unbelievably hilarious  incredible stories that need to be told. I’ve dropped the odd soupcon here on the blog – like the time she gave me a rape alarm when I was training for a marathon in Bangkok and the damn thing went off at the most inopportune moment. With mum turning 93 it’s time to dish them all. In one quirky Just TypiKel book.

I’m excited and more than a little bit scared. But what the hell. If my mum can dip her toes into the Beaufort Sea at 89, I can do this. Right?

So, dear readers, I’ll be posting here a little less frequently. But I’m not gone.  Not by a long shot.

Wishing you a wonderful birTday, mUm. Love you.

Enough about me and the fact that soon mum will be 93. I’m curious about you. Do you have a nonagenarian in your life? How are they? How are you? Do you feel ancient or as youthful as ten years ago? Am I off my rocker with this book idea? If you’d care to share, I’d love to hear.

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Kelly Mckenzie

Kelly McKenzie worked at her mother’s Vancouver Asian antique store for over a decade. After struggling to make her first sale, she went on to become her mother's dependable right-hand gal, picking up bookkeeping skills, marathon running and a husband along the way. A cast member of Seattle’s first Listen To Your Mother show, she’s been published in community newspapers across Canada, in the Chicken Soup for the Soul book series and in various blogs and anthologies. Never, Never, Hardly Ever is a result of Frankie’s endless encouragement to “get our antics out into the world.”

Comments

71 Responses

  1. I can’t wait to read your book! I’ll miss your posts here, but I wish you all the best with your new adventure. Your mom sounds like a real character.

    1. Thank you so much, A.J. Your writing is an inspiration to me and I’ll be sure to check in with you now and then if that’s ok. And yes, they broke the mould when they made Mum. Truly.

  2. A book idea is splendid, Kelly.
    Head down, bum up; carry on up the publisher trail!!
    Nonie downuda, mate?

    1. Great advice, Nonie! Thank you. I’ll refer to it should things get a bit sloggy and I need a pick me up.

  3. Congratulations Kelly! It is a fantastic decision and the best gift for Frankie for her 93rd birTday! Cannot wait to post some of the stories on our website if you let me;)

    1. Thank you so much, Iva. I appreciate your enthusiasm. More than you know. I’ll fire you some links for potential posts on your Get Lucky travel website. Great, great name, by the way.

  4. Firstly, let’s wish your dear Mum a very HAPPY 93 BIRTHDAY! ???????? all the very best to her on her very special day!!

    As for the book – simply cannot wait!! You have tempted us with your humor, kindness, heart tugging moments and out right laughter. So batten down the hatches, and get to tippity tapping on your keyboard, your audience awaits.

    1. Oh Janice, that is just so very kind. Thank you. I’ll refer back to this lovely comment on the days that I need a pick me up. Hope all well with you and yours. Love the emoji icons – Mum will too!

  5. You have pushed me into book mode with this challenge – and one chapter of my book will be on Mum. The first one of THOUGHTFUL RETIREMENT! There – we’ve done it. Duelling MacBooks… Your Bro

    1. Game on, Mike. Bring it! So fun that Mum’s the first chapter in your book. Of course she is. Write on. Grinning over the duelling MacBooks comment.

  6. Aw, Happy 93rd Birthday to your mum, Kelly and I seriously adore her from all you have shared here about her since I have been following your blog. And as for the book, please add me to the list of those who would love to read and happy review for you, if you would give me that honor 😉

    1. Thank you so much for your lovely birthday wishes to Mum. I’ll pass them on to her. She’ll be tickled pink. And THANK YOU for your lovely offer to read and review the upcoming book. I would be honored if you’d take it on. Thank you.

  7. Kel, congratulations on taking this huge step forward to document your working years with”Mum”.
    You are courageous, brave and oh so smart to announce it here. Bravo and yah fa tah! Happy writing! ?

    1. Thanks so much, Wend. Your positive encouragement is so heartwarming. And it spurs me on. As ALWAYS. Thank you, thank you. I’ll be calling on you for assistance and advice – you can count on it.

  8. Kelly – what fun for you – and your mUm! Can’t wait to read what you write.
    If you want any help with the BOOK along the way, let me know. No sense having you revisit some lessons I learned the hard way. I might even be able to give you some tips that came from serendipitous discovery (and save you the tens years or so it took me to get it right). Put a smile on your mUms face and yours and do this now. Please do consider me a willing and able resource cheering you on to make this happen.

    1. Oh Nanette, how very kind. I am so excited to learn that you’re willing to help. I would be beyond delighted to consult with you and have you share any tidbits you can. Bless ya and thank you. I’ll be in touch.

  9. First of all, LOVE the shoes, and so happy that she is now Mum, as that is always what my Mum was ( being English) ! Please wish your amazing Mum a very happy birthday from me, and hope we can have a visit soon. I love her “piss and vinegar” and can’t wait to read the book ! By the way, I am hoping for a copy signed both by the author and your Mum !!

    1. Consider it done, Jane. It’ll be signed by us both. Thank you for being one of my biggest supporter right from day one. I shall pass on your lovely birthday wishes to mUm. She’ll be thrilled.Looking forward to seeing you sooner than soon.

    1. Thank you for your kind birthday wishes, Deborah. I’ll pass them on to Mum. And thank you for fun wishes – I’ll need ’em!

  11. Happy Birthday mUm! And congratulations on taking the leap! Can’t wait to read. I just finished the first edit of my very first novel so we’ll see how it goes in just a few months!

    1. I am so, so excited to see that we are in this together, Rena. Truly. Ok if I come to you with any questions that pop up?So looking forward to reading your novel.

  12. Happy birthday to your mum! Thank goodness we only have 1 spelling of Mom in the US. I love her shoes and want to buy them. I also loves sweets and want to eat them all day long. And your book? Woo hoo! You go girl. I hope you’ll be crafting your chapters in the hallowed halls of White Spot. If you do a blogging tour, make sure you include me. I’m happy to toot the horn of any Just TypiKel book!!

    1. Smiling here over the White Spot reference, Katy. Too funny. “Why yes, I’d love yet another Triple O and more fries, thank you.” Must remember to make time for exercise as I work my way through this writing process.
      Thank you for your never ending support. Means the world to me. And yes, you’ll be a key stop on the blogging tour.

  13. I want to be your Mum when I’m 93, especially if it includes something sweet at the end of a meal. And the book! I join everyone else in saying, I can hardly wait. Have at it!

    1. I’ll tell Mum, Kimberly! She’ll be thrilled and delighted to share a little something sweet with you if you’re ever up in this part of the world, I’m sure. Love the Have at it comment. Thank you. I’ll do my best.

  14. Good luck Kelly – I know it will be great. I am looking forward to you” handing them out like potato chips!”
    Bonnie

    1. Bonnie! Hi. Thank you so much for popping by and leaving a comment. Grinning here over the “handing them out like potato chips …” Pops would love to get together for a dog walk soon, if you two are up for it. Happily the craziness of summer is done and we’re on to a more predictable fall schedule.

    1. Thank you so much, Suzanne. I’ll pass on your kind words to Mum. Bless you for your good wishes – I suspect I’ll need ’em.

  16. I am so excited about your book! I am looking forward to reading the stories, because the ones you have shared have been so wonderful – and usually pretty funny – actually – hysterical. Love her shoes – love the dog! May she have a great great great 93rd birthday!!!! and I hope you pop in now and again while your toiling away on the book – I bet – I just bet – it will come easier than you anticipate

    1. Thank you for your encouraging words, Vickie! I do appreciate them so much. I’ll pass on your birthday wishes to the birthday girl. She’ll be tickled pink. Aren’t those shoes great? She wore the most amazing sparkly pair just today. I’ll post a pic. And yes, I be sure to pop in every now and then. Absolutely!

  17. Happy birthday to Mum or Mom or whatever alias she chooses next week. I think I told you that my Dad is 97 and quite the character. He booked a cruise for March – that’s what I call an optimist. I am so excited about you writing a book! I can’t wait to read it!! I love your humor and you are a great writer. Have a wonderful week, Kelly, and send my best to your Mom or Mum.

    1. Oh I adore the fact that your dad is 97 and booked a March cruise. I simply have to tell Mum. She’ll love that. And htank you for your kind words. I’m excited. Hope your week is going well too! I’m off to catch up on your adventures.

  18. So….it took you awhile to notice the u in mum. Hmmm… well, you have observed enough other stuff to fill up a book. I am SO EXCITED to hear a book is in the works! YAY!!! For sure, you gotta keep us in the loop for that. I’ll be first in line for an autographed laughing copy.

    1. Oh thank you so very much, Elda. I’ve been going through the store diaries and all sorts of memories are popping up. Some funny and some very sad. I’ll be sure to alert you when the puppy is done. Thank you so much for your support.

  19. Hi Kelly! Happy Birthday, Mum! My parents informed me they were moving from our home state of California to Louisiana two years ago – they were both 76 years old. When I said, “But, I was going to take care of you,” they gleefully informed me, “Now, you don’t have to.” Well, this orphan thinks that’s a rude way of abandoning a dutiful, eldest child…but I have to admire their spunk. I like your Mum already! I’d love to read more stories about your adventures with her…so get crackin, Kelly!!!

    1. Oh, Michelle, I grinned when I read your parents’ comments. Who says that? They sound lovely. And yes, full of spunk. I suspect they’d get on very well with Mum.I’ll pass on your kind birthday wishes to the birthday girl. Thank you. And thank you for your encouragement. It’s so positive and left me energized. Off to get crackin’ …!

  20. Happy birthday mum! A wonderful lady – I can’t wait to read more – it’ll be a hoot I’m sure! I’m sad when my mum refers to herself as an old woman – it’s like she’s giving up on herself at 72.

    1. Helen! Hi! I’m with you – it is sad to hear that your mum refers to herself as an old woman at 72. She’s just a youngin! My brother will be 65 next year and I remember when he turned 16. Life zooms by, doesn’t it? I’ll pass on your kind birthday wishes to Mum. I know she’ll be tickled pink.

    1. Thank you so much Anne-Marie. You put the bug in my ear. And if the pressure gets too much I might call on you for a drink or six … Thanks so much for popping in and leaving a comment. Means the world to me.

  22. It sounds like it’s time for congratulations all around–to your Mum on her birthday and to you on your decision.

    My husband had a great aunt that sounds very much like your mum. She lived to be 102, and stayed in her own house for 101 1/2 of those years.

    1. Thank you so much, Kathy. I’ll alert Mum to your kind wishes. And thank you for telling me about your husband’s great aunt. Wow. She must have been a corker. I’ll tell Mum about her. She’ll be delighted, I know.

  23. I’m so excited that you’re starting a book. I know it will be excellent and I’ll be first in line to read when it’s done! I’m telling you, we need to get my 97 year old grandfather and your mUm together. He participated in a golf tournament last weekend, and was mad because the next youngest person was only 65. Not fair, he said! Happy Birthday to her!

    1. Thanks for your kind words, Lana. And yes, Man Alive. We have to get them together. That’s so cool that he’s still golfing. What a guy. Love his comment about the next youngest person being only 65. I’ll pass your birthday wishes on to the young gal. She’d golf too (adores the game) but she tore her rotator cuffs when she was dangling on a rope ladder on a Russian ice-breaker at 89. Surgery required to fix them but it’s too tricky at her age.

  24. This may be my favorite post of yours EVER, Kelly (although it is possible I have said that after reading each previous one!)
    A very, very happy BirTday or Birday or Birthday or every day (!) to your wonderful MUM. She is showing us all how life should be lived, and it is clear that you have many of her creative traits. I am so excited for your book – and cannot wait to read it! Good for you for taking the plunge!!
    I was totally fooled – couldn’t believe it when you said the Dalmatian isn’t real – – and I love your mother’s checkered pants!

    1. Thank you so much for your kind words, Susan. And I’ll certainly pass on your kind birTday wishes to mUm. Smiled when I read that you thought the Dalmatian was real. You should see the lab. He’s perfect although he does have spooky eyes. And yes, aren’t those checkered pants smashing. She went out for a birTday lunch today and you should have seen her sparkly shoes. I’ll post a pic on Instagram soon.

  25. Stories of a Mum/daughter team owning an antique shop!!! I’m all in and cannot wait to read it. My Mom and I go treasure hunting all over New England seeking that perfect piece just about every week. And oh the giggles we have had together! My Mom still hops in and out of my truck quite easily and for sure is filled with piss and vinegar now…I can only imagine how she’ll be in 20 years.

    1. Hi Michelle. Thanks for popping in and leaving such a lovely comment. Your mom sounds like a trooper. And I love that you and she travel throughout New England looking for treasures. I bet you’ve got some great stories. May you have years and years of treasure hunting together!

  26. What a perfect birthday gift (and legacy) for your mum! Two special nonagenarians in my life are my grandma’s sister and my grandmother-in-law. Both have a lot of spunk and determination, and both offer great models for living life to its fullest!

  27. Those are some lovely shoes….I love the color!! Glad your mum had a fabulous day and so excited to know that you’re writing a book!! I’m sure it will be awesome and I’m looking forward to reading it soon!

  28. Happy Day to my favorite 93-year model of purple pants, artist extraordinaire and the woman who I want to be when I grow less young. I cannot wait for the book, so make sure you put me on your list of reviewers.

    1. Thank you so much, Kerri. You do know her! And thank you for your kind offer to be a reviewer. I will certainly take you up on that. Bless you.

  29. Oh Kel! I’m crazy excited! A book in the offing: it doesn’t get better than that! I’m in line for my copy already.

    I hear you, though, on needing to post less frequently while working on a big project. I’m neck-deep in a very big illustration project now, and my blog posts have dwindled accordingly. I keep trying to get to the blog, but all those dog illustrations keep hounding me!

    1. Oh how exciting, Harmony. I am looking forward to learning more about your big illustration project. So fun. And am smiling here over the ” … hounding me.” It really is great to see how we are all making changes!

  30. Writing that book is a great idea, Kelly. Each night I like to read a little something that puts me in a happy mood before drifting off to sleep. It’s my antidote to TV crime shows and the news. Your book would be perfect. And, also – Mum rather than Mom. My Canadian in-laws always said Mum. So to make things easier for myself, I continued (of course) to call MY mom “Mom” but called Doug’s mom “Mum.” My mother didn’t feel slighted in the least while Doug’s mother was happy to be called “Mum.”

    1. Now that was a brilliant suggestion on the Mom/Mum front, Linda. And thank you for your kind words. I’m slowly working my way through the store diaries. Got ten years worth to go through, however the memories are spilling back.

  32. Aw Kelly!! Happy happy birthday to your spunky amazing mum (or mom, whatever right). I hope she wears her purple pants and has an amazing day and year! Also LOL to the photo because I didn’t realize that the dog was fake/stuffed until you said so! I was focused on her pants and shoes. Awesome. Also yes – write your book. It will be amazing.

    1. Thanks, Kristi. I’ll still be doing the FTSF posts as often as possible. Got a great one for tomorrow …

  33. Oh my goodness, Kelly!! I am so excited for you!! Sorry I’m a little behind in getting this news (what with moving my own mum up north to live by me) but I hope that you are feeling the virtual hugs and high 5s I’m sending your way!!! You can still make time for Salt Lake City in February though, right?!?!
    Happy, happy birthday to your amazing mum! I hope that I get to meet that amazing gal in person one day!

    1. YES YES YES to SLC in February. Signed, sealed and delivered. Will NOT miss that, Mo. And you sound like you’ve been busy. Golly that’s a big step – for both you and your mum.
      And thank you for the virtual hugs and high 5’s! I’m feelin’ ’em!

  34. Happy birthday, Kelly’s mum! And your son, too. So excited for you as you take the plunge with your book – I’ll keep an eye out here and on Facebook for updates.

  35. OH how I just adore this post and every incredible moment you share about your mUm!!!

    I wish I could meet her. I may in fact, match her count in gym shoes. (That’s all I ever could wear with my feet- for my entire adult life!) That first picture reminds me of ME and I can only DARE to dream of living a life like her!

    Write that damn BOOK!!!! I WANNA READ IT!!!

    You got this. We got you. Mum’s happy. We’re all good. 🙂

    1. Oh you two simply must get together and compare shoes. She would love that. And thank you for your beyond encouraging words on writing that damn book. I’m on it. Thank you, Chris. You’re a gem.

    1. I haven’t written about the red shoes find. Thanks for trying to hunt for it. She saw them at a shoe sale at a Seniors Home she was visiting. However they only had black in the style she liked so she asked about the other colours they came in. The sales girl dropped off the red pair at Mum’s apartment later that day and she instantly adored them. They are so her!

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Kelly L Mckenzie

Kelly McKenzie worked at her mother’s Vancouver Asian antique store for over a decade. After struggling to make her first sale, she went on to become her mother’s dependable right-hand gal, picking up bookkeeping skills, marathon running and a husband along the way.

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