47...are you kidding?!?!??!

Sometime on Friday afternoon, around 3:30 I think, Frank will officially turn 47. One might think, "ok, no big deal." And, truthfully speaking, it probably would not be considered one of the "biggies." The "biggies" being 16, when one is old enough to drive, 21, when one is legal to consume alcoholic beverages, 30, 40 or 50...those milestones that those Frank's age look at with a certain degree of chagrin.

This whole age thing has crept back into Frank's consciousness lately due to some changes and events in Frank's life. Frank has started noticing he can't sleep as well as he did not so many years ago. To compound this, he has noticed the ol' bladder just can't make it through the night like it used to. And finally, 10:00 at night, well, it just seems way too late to stay up and watch the news. He can find all that information in the morning on the 'net.

Frank was trimming around his beard this morning, and noticed that the majority of the hair in his beard is grey, instead of brown. We're not even going to talk about the bald spot on the crown of his head about the size of a cup saucer, let alone the receding hair line. And finally, the 17 inch collar seems way too small, not to mention the lovely Tammy has commented about his needing to schedule maternity leave in the Spring, as he looks like he's about 4 1/2 months pregnant. Thanks dear.

But the biggest issue that has brought the age thing to the forefront is the recent decision that the Luppe's made to join a local fitness center. Allison's golf coach wants her to strengthen her upper body muscles, Frank wants to lose the "spare tire" and Tammy has expressed an interest in a fitness routine.

Frank turned in the application Monday evening and immediately wanted to start working out...he wants to get his money's worth. So, after dinner, he and Allison returned to the center and Allison began working with the trainer, Pam.

Frank, in the meantime decided to work on his own. Probably not the smartest decision he made Monday, but a decision nonetheless. The only point of reference he had was the routine he did at the Y about 5 years ago. So, he used the numbers to set the treadmill, the weights on the Nautilus (R) machines, and the overall degree of difficulty of the workout. The only problem, he used the numbers he used when he stopped working out those five years ago, not the numbers he used when he started working out about six and a half years ago. Again, not the smartest decision he made this week. And, definitely proving there are some things that shouldn't be done without adult supervision, regardless of your own maturity...or lack thereof.

The results...well, let's put it this way...Today is Thursday, and even though he worked out again last night (using more realistic numbers this time), he has a great degree of difficulty lifting his arms above his head. His greatest joy...standing in the hot shower for 30 minutes at a time. Furthermore, he is beginning to regret having a 2 story house with a garage in the basement. Between getting from the vehicle in the evening to putting Kendall to bed at night...just getting around the house is proving to be a challenge. Those of you who have been in the Luppe home may ask why the jacuzzi isn't being used. Response...you have to be able to get into the jacuzzi before you can use it!

But, he has a good attitude about it...laughing at his own stupidity and realizing he's not thirty-something anymore. He knows the soreness will pass in a week or so, and life will resume and he can start enjoying the benefits of his efforts, such as added energy levels, as well as a sense of accomplishment.

So, as Frank closes the chapter on the past year and looks forward, the future is bright. He has a wonderful and loving family. The network of extended family and friends is broad, diverse and supportive. The business and its staff are growing and there are some interesting opportunities on the horizon. He compares that to the memories of his thirty-somethings, and he just doesn't remember it being quite so good.

Maybe turning another year older isn't so bad after all.