Thankful Thursday: June 26, 2025

 

I Am Thankful For:

Cherry season

Sunshine 

Deck construction has started

Thunderstorms

My daughter's family getting home safe

Sleep

Painting done in kitchen

A slow cooker full of gumbo

Deck footings passed inspection

First cucumbers from garden

Learning new things about the library

Air conditioning

A good yearly physical

Compliments

An afternoon nap

Sunday Inspiration: Remember

Thankful Thursday: June 19, 2025

 

I Am Thankful For:

Breakfast with my dad

Sunsets

Friday the 13th (the day, not the movie)

Lunch with my husband

Fireflies

The first tomato from my garden

When my husband suggests getting takeout

Repair work completed

Ceiling is primed

My husband resolved the electrical issue

Simple dinners

A day with nothing scheduled

Gardening

Blood work done

Deck materials delivered

Silly dogs

Hot Girl Summer: Midlife Style

Trust me on this... when you're in perimenopause or menopause, "hot girl summer" takes on a whole new meaning. While hot flashes are common during this phase of life and occur throughout the year - combining the summer heat and humidity can make a summer day feel like you're living in an inferno.

It's not in your head!  According to the Mayo Clinic, fluctuating estrogen levels cause the hypothalamus to become more sensitive to temperature changes. This is what triggers hot flashes. It can also explain why we may find that we are less tolerant of extreme temperatures than we used to be.

Are hot flashes more frequent during the summer?  One small study did show an increase in hot flashes and nightsweats during June and July, but for the most part the jury is still out on this.  There is one thing we can all agree on though. If it's already 90⁰ and humid when a hot flash starts - it is just going to feel that much more intense. 

So, what can we do to keep our cool during hot girl summer season? Here are a few tips that might help:

• Keep your home cool. Run  your air conditioning and use fans to circulate the air. Close the blinds and curtains to reduce heat gain from sunlight. 

• Wear light, breathable fabrics such as linen and cotton.  Avoid tight, restrictive clothing.

• Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and spicy foods. These can trigger or worsen hot flashes.  Drink plenty of water.

• Use cooling products.  From cooling wraps (or towels) and eye masks to bracelets, even cooling gel pads to wear in your bra - there are many products on the market designed to help lower your body heat.

• Talk to your doctor.  Hormone replacement or low-dose antidepressants can help ease or eliminate hot flashes associated with perimenopause/menopause. 

Perimenopause in the summer may feel like nature turned the heat up just for you, but you’re not alone, and you’re definitely not powerless. With a little planning, a lot of water, and maybe a fan in every room, you can stay cool and feel more like yourself. Listen to your body, and don’t be afraid to slow down when you need to. This season of life—and this season of the year—might be intense, but so are we!

What's your best tip for staying cool when summer and perimenopause turn up the heat?

Sunday Inspiration: Father's Day

 

Thankful Thursday: June 12, 2025

 

I Am Thankful For:

A bouquet of hydrangea

Watching the clouds build on the horizon

Chocolate chip cookies

Listening to the rain

When my grandson yells "Oma" and runs to hug me

The old kitchen cabinets are gone

Picking out new light fixtures

Reading my daughter's first book

A good hair day

Pulled pork

The monthly book club meeting

That first cup of tea in the morning

Helping someone find a library book

Tacos

My greenhouse garden is flourishing

Tiny little cucumbers on my plants

What No One Told Me About Menopause: It's A Hairy Situation

 This post is meant to share what I have learned about menopause based on my own experience.  It is in no way intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new healthcare regimen.  Never disregard medical advice or delay seeking help because of something you read on this website.

As women, there's a good chance that we have spent quite a bit of time thinking about and caring for our hair. Curly, straight, thick, thin, and a variety of colors. We are always either caring for what we have or trying to change it. And then along comes perimenopause... 

During perimenopause, estrogen and progesterone levels decline and allow for the androgens to have a greater influence on our body systems.  These fluctuations disrupt our hair growth, and can cause changes to our hair texture. 

Thinning hair is a common experience during perimenopause. The loss of estrogen and progesterone can cause increased shedding as well as a shorter growth stage. While the potential increase in androgens can contribute to follicle shrinkage - especially near the temples. 

Deficiencies in vitamins B and/or D can also contribute to poor hair health. A lack of certain minerals, such as zinc and iron can also contribute.

Perimenopause can also affect your hair's texture.  Decreasing estrogen may lead to brittle, drier hair. Some women experience more frizz or find their hair more difficult to manage. A change in your hair's curl pattern can also happen. 

And these changes may not be limited to the hair on top of our heads. Increased androgen levels can cause unexpected hair growth, especially on the face.  Many of us are struggling with a random chin hair that pops up out of no where. And some of us experience that single wirey black or white hair that sprouts out of some unusual places.  

Just as the hormonal changes can cause a thinning of the hair on our scalp, some women experience a decrease of body hair. You may notice that you don't have to shave your legs or armpits as often, or notice that you seem to have less public hair. Personally - I don't have to shave my legs anywhere near as often, but my armpit hair seems to flourish. Go figure.

There are some steps you can take to keep your hair as healthy and beautiful as possible throughout perimenopause and beyond.

• Practice good hair care. Choose gentle cleansers and conditioners free of harsh sulfates, parabens, alcohol, and silicones. Limit or avoid styling with high heat.
• Eat a diet rich in protein and nutrients that support hair health.
• Reduce your stress. 
• Consult with your doctor to rule out any underlying problems that may be affecting your hair health and to discuss treatment options.

Have you experienced any hair changes in perimenopause? 

 

Sunday Inspiration: Decision Making

Thankful Thursday: June 5, 2025

 

I Am Thankful For:

My creativity

Cabinets are ordered

An abundance of blossoms on my cucumber plants

My little chiweenie is feeling better

Lunch with my dad

Deep purple hydrangea

Plums

My son's birthday

My fall wasn't worse

Oreo dessert

Saturday nights

Waffles

Clean laundry

Paint samples

Starting the work

Ice cream with chocolate syrup

Warm sunny days

My daughter's first book

Sunday Inspiration: Look Fear in the Face

Wrapping Up This Midlife May

As May draws to a close, I find myself looking back on a month filled with blooming flowers, longer days, and making plans for the summer months ahead. I reflect on the days I've enjoyed and the lessons May has taught me. It's a perfect moment to look back on the memories we've created in May and look forward to the coming season.

The most popular post on the blog in May (by a huge margin) was when I shared my April Empties.  I also told you about the Five Things I Would Tell My Younger Self.  And we talked about the real meaning of Memorial Day. 

In May we celebrated Mother's Day.  My family outdid themselves this year. I was showered with some lovely gifts and a great breakfast. My daughter planned a day trip for the two of us with coffee, pastries, crystals, and books.  It was a wonderful weekend. 

Of course, we had the long Memorial Day weekend.  Ours involved working on our home renovation project, some yard work, and delicious ribs cooked on the grill by my amazing husband.  

May has been ending on a celebratory note for 27 years now. Ever since the birth of our son. I couldn't think of a nicer way to say goodbye to the month. 

During May, I read "Weyward" by Emilia Hart, "The Light In Hidden Places" by Sharon Cameron, and "Two Old Women" by Velma Wallis.  Our read for book club was "The Marsh King's Daughter " by Karen Dionne. My husband and I have been reading Stephen King's  "The Institute" to each other just before we go to bed each night. And I am currently reading "Garden Spells" by Sarah Addison Allen.  I have also been listening to another Sarah Addison Allen book - "The Girl Who Chased the Moon."

Some of my favorites and finds for May include:

Laura Geller Jelly Balm Hydrating Lip Color: The wear is incredibly comfortable. It lasts surprisingly well for a balm. My favorite shade is "In The Buff," a lovely neutral pink. 

Peonies:  I was so fortunate to have inherited a patch of pink peonies when we bought our house. All these years later they are still thriving and put on a beautiful show every spring. 

HIXX Smart Bird Feeder with Camera: This was a Mother’s Day gift from my husband.  I am not exaggerating when I say that I am obsessed!  I should probably be a little embarrassed by how much of my day I spend on my phone watching the birds at my feeder.

How are you celebrating the closing chapter of this beautiful month and preparing for the summer days to come?

Thankful Thursday: May 29, 2025

 

I Am Thankful For:

Ice cream

Sunshine

Finalizing the new kitchen design

My sweet little dogs

Feeling better

Not getting hit by that car

My husband coming home early from work

Pizza

Waking up from a nice dream

Funny dog videos

Homemade lasagna

My dad dropping by

A rainy afternoon

My husband

Enjoying a cup of tea in the predawn quiet

Listening to the birds wake up

New library books

Memorial Day

Wishing each of you a restful and reflective Memorial Day.

Many think of Memorial Day as a day off and/or the unofficial start of Summer.  But it's much more than cookouts and pool openings. 

Today, I hope you remember the people who gave their lives in order to free us from a tyrannical king.

Remember those who fought, even against family and former friends, to preserve our country.

Think of those who gave all to protect our world from a fascist dictator. 

And the countless others who sacrificed in service to our country.

In their honor, observe the "National Moment of Remembrance". At 3pm local time, pause and think about the meaning of this day. 

Then get back to enjoying whatever fun summer-type activity you have planned for today!