This is 83-year-old Fran Woofenden, who still competes in slalom events, and she is featured in V8’s latest campaign.
Bossy is conflicted about aging. She wants to stay youthful of course, but she thinks sometimes that can cross over into the absurd.
Bossy and her mother used to fantasize they were going to age in a comfortable, happy, apron way, like Aunt Bee.
Until Bossy did some math and realized the actress who played Aunt Bee was only in her 50s. Bossy could maybe sum up her complicated relationship with aging this way:
Spry at 80 maybe, but must Bossy show her legs?
Which is what today’s Ten-Word Challenge is all about. In exactly ten words, can you share with Bossy how you feel about the above V8 campaign photo, and your philosophy of aging in general?
And be sure to check back later today for the best aging comments on the web.
Debby says
April 7, 2009 at 9:07 amFighting it every step of the way here. Go Fran!
~Monkey says
April 7, 2009 at 9:11 amWill be rocking older lady with grey ponytail, sassy mouth.
clickmom says
April 7, 2009 at 9:13 amDang! I used to think Aunt Bee was old! Now I’m Aunt Bee!
As far as aging goes, I just want to feel strong. Hence my daily trek to the gym. As far as looks goes, I decided not to shoot any dead virus or synthetic fillers into my face. Also, no face lifts. I’ve seen too much freakish looking face work the last few years. So hopefully I got the good skin genes. Personally I think having obvious face work makes a woman look old and desperate. But I can see some tailoring below the neck happening one day. Hypocrite? Maybe, I can embrace that.
bossy's friend martha says
April 7, 2009 at 9:13 amLove the V-8 ad, down with airbrushing, let’s get REAL!
chocolatechic says
April 7, 2009 at 9:13 amHer legs are photoshopped and mine would be too!
BOSSY says
April 7, 2009 at 9:15 amBossy knows this: she’ll be wearing an apron. Already does.
BOSSY says
April 7, 2009 at 9:17 amBossy hopes her boyfriend Antonio outlives her. Great haircuts forever.
Birdie23 says
April 7, 2009 at 9:19 amWant to be the best & oldest greeter at Walmart
Ms. T. says
April 7, 2009 at 9:22 amV-8 stole their marketing campaign from the ad for Flexcin.
Cheri @ Blog This Mom! says
April 7, 2009 at 9:24 amEighty is in thirty-two years, so pass the wine V8.
carson says
April 7, 2009 at 9:24 amAnybody taller than me is older than me. I’m 5″4″.
Cheri @ Blog This Mom! says
April 7, 2009 at 9:24 amWine was supposed to be crossed out up there. Dang it.
Rick's Cafe says
April 7, 2009 at 9:26 amDon’t know why I would want to date (or be) someone who can waterski at 80+ years old….if it means I can never eat southern fried chicken, biscuts, mashed potatoes w/gravey just the way Aunt Bea made for Andy.
zidia says
April 7, 2009 at 9:26 amThere are no realistic alternatives!
Ms. T. says
April 7, 2009 at 9:29 amI will never look like Aunt Bea. Never, ever ever ever!
Ms. T. says
April 7, 2009 at 9:30 amSorry. Erase one “ever.”
Amelia says
April 7, 2009 at 9:36 amI’m 30 and can’t slalom NOW. Bring on the apron.
g says
April 7, 2009 at 9:39 amNo aprons for this gal! Bring on the glucosamine chondritin!
(supplement to help my arthritis)
jen says
April 7, 2009 at 9:46 amI think Oprah said 80 is the new 30.
Emily says
April 7, 2009 at 9:54 amI think the salt in V8 is what preserves Grandma.
Lizzy says
April 7, 2009 at 9:56 amGod love Fran’s chutzpah, but I will waterski in jeans.
Jill says
April 7, 2009 at 9:56 amI’m tired of people trying not to age. But Fran rocks.
Christina says
April 7, 2009 at 10:11 amGo Fran! Acne and grey hair are not a youthful combination.
Kristine says
April 7, 2009 at 10:14 amAging certainly sucks, but it is better than the alternative.
Bellamomma says
April 7, 2009 at 10:16 amI used to say fight age, now I say go drinking!!
rockle says
April 7, 2009 at 10:19 amForget 80: I wish I looked that good right NOW!
Also: Eff off, I have EARNED every single solitary wrinkle.
the cheap chick says
April 7, 2009 at 10:20 amHate waterskiing, will be a professional shopper instead, until death.
Little Miss Sunshine State says
April 7, 2009 at 10:27 amAlready look like Aunt Bea! Will stay young in attitude.
The Domestic Goddess says
April 7, 2009 at 10:34 amI’ll be waterskiing, sans V8 because it’s nasty garbage. YUCK!
hollygee says
April 7, 2009 at 10:37 amI’m 61. Her legs are better. My skin is better.
Dexter says
April 7, 2009 at 10:48 ammy mom is 89 and she also entered a shalom event
Manic Mommy says
April 7, 2009 at 10:51 amAnne Bancroft was only 38 when she played Mrs Robinson.
David says
April 7, 2009 at 10:52 amThere is aging gracefully, and aging like it’s a cage-match.
Me says
April 7, 2009 at 11:00 amI want to age like Ellen Degeneres: happier each year.
Carol M says
April 7, 2009 at 11:00 amV8 with vodka — I’ll at least think I look good.
Melizzard says
April 7, 2009 at 11:03 am62 when youngest grads college, 80 will be new 55
Kathy in B.C. Canada says
April 7, 2009 at 11:06 amV-8 has too much salt for my high blood pressure!
jacquie says
April 7, 2009 at 11:08 amthe caption should read: Osteoperosis, my eighty year old ass!
TanyaK says
April 7, 2009 at 11:14 amHoping for more naps, lunches out and no terrible diseases.
krg says
April 7, 2009 at 11:24 amyou know she is actually standing on a flat surface.
Blackbeards Wyfe says
April 7, 2009 at 11:25 amGo Granny Go!!! I bet skiing isn’t her only wild act!!!
Lance says
April 7, 2009 at 11:37 amLife is short. Enjoy it. Stay healthy.
Reeb says
April 7, 2009 at 11:39 amEven my earlobes are wrinkling. Leg skin: great. Averages out.
Reeb says
April 7, 2009 at 11:40 amI was 23, niece/nephew called me Aunt B. Loved it.
Daisy says
April 7, 2009 at 11:45 amKeep up with new technology and wear good support lingerie.
summertime says
April 7, 2009 at 12:13 pm26 feels old already, with house, kid, etc. I’m screwed.
Dharmamama says
April 7, 2009 at 12:33 pmThought aging was all mind, now I know: Body, too.
Liz says
April 7, 2009 at 12:34 pmUnwilling to exchange right to delicious food for graceful aging.
Liz says
April 7, 2009 at 12:35 pmDream is to move in with girlfriends like the Golden Girls.
emmie says
April 7, 2009 at 12:39 pmAging gracefully is finally getting to the point where you don’t give a crap what you look like in a bathing suit. Go Fran! She’s just doin’ what she loves to do!
rebekah says
April 7, 2009 at 12:41 pmFran rocks it. I will too. Knee-length boobs and all!
Wendy says
April 7, 2009 at 12:43 pmFact : no one ever feels as old as they are.
Jen says
April 7, 2009 at 12:52 pmTurquoise bikini, gimlet in hand, freshly lasered skin; unapologetic, happy.
foolery says
April 7, 2009 at 12:54 pmFran’s legs are better than mine. I have Aunt Bea arms.
Kimi says
April 7, 2009 at 12:57 pmUnfortunately, old ladies in the gyno’s office freak me out.
Elsewhere says
April 7, 2009 at 1:00 pmI will choose the rocking chair, whatever age or legs.
karen l says
April 7, 2009 at 1:04 pmI’m choosing life – living it loud – I ski in capris!
Trenches of Mommyhood says
April 7, 2009 at 1:08 pmHands are already starting to look wrinkly like my Mom’s.
Avitable says
April 7, 2009 at 1:10 pmWhatever it takes to keep my nuts from swinging low.
Kirsten says
April 7, 2009 at 1:11 pmIn theory, grateful for aging; in practice, shocked at eyelids!
janny226 says
April 7, 2009 at 1:15 pmMust everything be a competition, even who ages the best?
hippo brigade says
April 7, 2009 at 1:18 pmV8 makes you a youthful waterskier? Sign me up, please!
Tasha says
April 7, 2009 at 1:37 pmThat damned American culture, warping my ways of thinking again.
Cactus Petunia says
April 7, 2009 at 1:37 pmI don’t feel old…until I look in the mirror!
Well Read Hostess says
April 7, 2009 at 2:03 pmdoes anybody have the name of a good therapist?
(that’s how I feel about aging)
Lisa says
April 7, 2009 at 2:17 pmNo choice;Doing it right;48 yet, somehow feel 28.
TamiW says
April 7, 2009 at 2:23 pmI want to grow old but not to grow up.
Stacey Ball says
April 7, 2009 at 2:24 pmHopeful that when I’m 80 I won’t need a Hoveround!
kay says
April 7, 2009 at 2:30 pmI want to hear this: Coo Coo Cachoo, Mrs. Robinson.
meg says
April 7, 2009 at 2:38 pmIf you wake up above ground, it’s a good day.
Almudena says
April 7, 2009 at 2:39 pmSitting and watching TV is the new slalom, isn’t it?
Dr. Liz says
April 7, 2009 at 2:42 pmOrthopedic surgery keeps getting better so I will keep going.
Heide says
April 7, 2009 at 3:00 pmLeaning way back from the monitor for a better look.
heyjoe says
April 7, 2009 at 3:01 pmGross – I love/respect the elderly – just not their bodies.
Suburban Kamikaze says
April 7, 2009 at 3:05 pmI like the Fran plan. Count me as a fan.
JK says
April 7, 2009 at 3:27 pmJK is quite thankful Fran is NOT wearing a bikini.
Scottsdale Girl says
April 7, 2009 at 3:27 pmLots of fun, no regrets, oodles of Bacardi.
Kait says
April 7, 2009 at 3:35 pmEh, gonna happen whether I like it or not *shrug*
Formerly Unemployed Susan says
April 7, 2009 at 3:52 pmI’ll take every year I can get, without water sports.
Maria says
April 7, 2009 at 4:27 pmI want to age like an Eileen Fisher ad. But it will probably look more like Joan Rivers.
Bossy's Friend Martha's Sister says
April 7, 2009 at 4:51 pmBeing energetic and happy…and not high maintenance!
boots586 says
April 7, 2009 at 4:53 pm#34, Ellen Degeneres is only 47. She is not aging yet.
boots586 says
April 7, 2009 at 4:54 pm70 is not old. It is the new 50. Right?
~~Silk says
April 7, 2009 at 5:39 pmAt 80 I plan long skirts and much younger men.
jandondi says
April 7, 2009 at 5:42 pmThinking outside the box.
For mileage….sex change and beard.
Baby Favorite says
April 7, 2009 at 5:47 pmWould prefer happy medium–somewhere between apron-wearing and waterskiing.
Auds at Barking Mad says
April 7, 2009 at 6:10 pmAging sucks, much the same way V8 does! Blech!
Kathy from NJ says
April 7, 2009 at 6:18 pmGetting older
Looking older
Sure beats the alternative
anne marie in philly says
April 7, 2009 at 6:32 pmfran kicks ass! and so do I at 55! w00t!
Sven says
April 7, 2009 at 7:31 pmTurning 29 again this year. And probably next year, too.
Mother Chaos says
April 7, 2009 at 7:34 pmPlease, miss, what is this ‘aging’ of which you speak?
(Denial: Not just a great Egyptian vacation spot anymore…)
tj says
April 7, 2009 at 8:03 pm…I doubt Aunt Bee has been Photoshop’d – Fran? Hmm, likely… :o)
…Blessin’s Aunt Bossy…
sugarpie says
April 7, 2009 at 8:23 pmCaring less about youthful looks, more about attitude and health.
sugarpie says
April 7, 2009 at 8:25 pmI mean except for workouts and expensive fancy eye creams.
islaygirl says
April 7, 2009 at 8:51 pmfran may be aging well, but certainly not gracefully
Karen in DE says
April 7, 2009 at 9:08 pmPassing the mirror – that IS me and not my mom!
Chesapeake Bay Woman says
April 7, 2009 at 9:39 pmI’m happy, where happy equals I want to kill her.
Chantel says
April 7, 2009 at 9:47 pmI miss my chin, considering exercise for face and butt.
carma says
April 7, 2009 at 10:27 pmNot going down without a fight. Aging not for sissies!
CupcakeMurphy says
April 7, 2009 at 10:38 pmMe: shallow, bad. She: thrilled with turkey neck, curdled thighs.
Heidi says
April 7, 2009 at 10:41 pmV-8 goes back in time and exercises for you? Awesome.
Beth says
April 7, 2009 at 10:55 pmHave friends dead in 30s and 40s. I’ll take age.
qt says
April 7, 2009 at 11:10 pmMore concerned about the short gray poodle perm scourge -yuk!
Shelley says
April 8, 2009 at 1:27 am40 BLOWS. That’s all I have to say about that.
Not June Cleaver says
April 8, 2009 at 10:03 amI’m going to look like Fran when I grow up.
thatgirlblogs says
April 9, 2009 at 11:32 pmAll I know? V8 tastes worse than being old feels.