I Am Thankful For:
New countertops are installed
The start of football season
Planning a family dinner
Fridays
Trips to the home improvement store
Butterflies
Football Sundays
Lasagna soup
The full moon
Good book club discussions
Chilly mornings
Book recommendations
The new deck passed final inspection
Early morning phone calls from my daughter and grandson
Huge new deck umbrella
Dinner outside
Slowly getting things back together
I Am Thankful For:
Frozen cherry Coke
An amazing sunset
Moving items into the new pantry
Dinner outside
Long weekends
Candy corn
A gorgeous day
Meeting the new neighbors
Family
Time with my grandsons
Seeing the first physical copy of my daughter's next book
Deck ready for inspection
Colors selected
Neat and organized shelves
My husband picking up my Rx for me
There’s something undeniably comforting about the arrival of September.
September wraps the world in a gentle kind of coziness that’s hard to resist. The mornings greet us with a crispness that invites sweaters and warm mugs. It’s the season of soft blankets, simmering soups, and the comforting scent of pumpkin spice and apple cider drifting through the air.
The pace slows just enough to let us savor the small pleasures—reading by the window, baking something sweet, or simply watching the leaves begin their quiet transformation.
What's your favorite thing about September?
Was August even real? It feels like we blinked and suddenly landed at Labor Day weekend, wondering where the month went. One minute it was Friday, August 1st, full of summer plans and sunshine, and now we’re staring down September with a pumpkin spice latte in one hand and a fall to-do list in the other. This August might just go down as the quickest month in the history of months—proof that time flies when you're in midlife.
The most read post on the blog this month was Mix, Match, and Imagine where we talked about how the fashion plates toy sparked my childhood creativity. This month we also explored why so many of us find ourselves itching and scratching through perimenopause. And, as usual, I shared bits of my gratitude journal every Thursday and a little quote each Sunday to hopefully inspire you for the week ahead.
One of the reasons August seemed to zoom past was that it was a whirlwind of remodeling, renovations, and rebuilds.
We finished installing the new cabinets in the kitchen. And by "we", I mean my husband with a teeny bit of help from me. He also put up the new over-the-range microwave. The kitchen was measured for the new countertops last week. This week we went to see and approve the slabs of granite, and they are scheduled to be installed next week.
As I write this, our deck is still under construction. And I'm hoping with every fiber of hope I can muster that it will finally - Finally - be done before the end of this week. They told us this would take about 2 weeks. It has been over 2 months now. I'm ready for it to be done so I can use this beautiful new space!
In August I finished reading: "The Sugar Queen" by Sarah Addison Allen. I also read "All the Colors of the Dark" by Chris Whitaker and "Legends and Lattes" by Travis Baldree. I have started reading "A Resistance of Witches" by Morgan Ryan. My husband and I are reading "Equal Rites" by Terry Pratchett. And I am listening to "Lightning Strike" by Kenneth Kent Krueger for September book club.
August had me going for my annual mammogram. My first appointment had to be rescheduled because of a power outage at the hospital. Fortunately, they were able to reschedule quickly and the images showed no changes this year. Yay!
Some of my favorite things from August include the new rocking chair set we ordered for the deck, my new glasses (I went for the progressive lenses this time - what a difference!), and the cooler temperatures we've been enjoying over the past week.
How was your August?
I Am Thankful For:
New rocking chairs for the porch
Blemish patches
My stomach feeling better
Treating myself to a coffee
Planning a creative project
A quiet evening
A morning breeze
Sunshine
Butterflies in the yard
Being loved
My husband picking up breakfast
Cheesecake
New deck furniture
A beautiful fall-like day
A short road trip
Countertop install is scheduled
I Am Thankful For:
Finally falling asleep
Mammogram done
Comfy pants
Perogi
My husband home from his work trip
Getting a lot accomplished
Weekends
A good check-up for one of my little dogs
Bear sightings
Relaxing mornings
Mammogram showed no changes
Replacement cabinets arrived
Libraries
Foggy mornings
Countertop measurements done
The dogwood leaves are beginning to change color
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.
No one warned most of us that perimenopause could make our skin feel like it’s crawling. Just when we thought we had a handle on the hot flashes, mood swings, and sleep struggles, along comes the relentless itch. It’s not just dry skin—it’s that maddening, can’t-sit-still kind of itch that shows up on your arms, legs, scalp, or even in places you’d never expect. If you’ve been scratching your head (literally) wondering what’s going on, you’re definitely not alone.
Estrogen plays an important role in the production of natural oils and collagen. Dropping estrogen during perimenopause causes a reduction in collagen and oils causing thinner and drier skin.
Be gentle with your skin during this season of life. Limit the time you spend in baths or the shower and keep the water as cool as your comfort level allows. Use gentle, fragrance-free soap or cleansers. Moisturize your skin with nourishing lotions or creams with ingredients like niacinamide and ceramides. Stay well hydrated. Avoid excessive alcohol use. If the itching is severe or persistent- talk to your doctor about finding relief.
For some women, it's not just a simple itch. It's a tingling sensation - as if bugs are crawling on your skin. And yes, it is just as creepy feeling as it sounds. This sensation is a common occurrence during perimenopause, but it can be a symptom of other things - from a side effect of some medications to anxiety. So, if you are experiencing this buggy feeling, it's best to discuss it with your medical professional.
The scalp can be particularly sensitive to these changes due to the large number of oil glands in the area which become less active during perimenopause. This can cause not only an itchy scalp, but dry and brittle hair. Using a moisturizer shampoo and conditioner, avoiding sulfates and other irritating ingredients, using leave-in scalp treatments, and staying well hydrated may help to lessen these symptoms.
For many women, one of the most surprising symptoms that occurs during perimenopause is itchy ears. Declining estrogen affects the moisture levels in mucus membranes and can lead to itching in both the inner and outer ear. The skin of the ear canal is especially sensitive and all these changes can make it more prone to dryness and itching. You can try a gentle moisturizer on the outer ear area, but take care not to get it inside the ear canal. If the itching is intense or painful, talk with your doctor about lubricating ear drops, topical treatments, or other options for relief.
The persistent itchiness of perimenopause and menopause, while frustrating, is a common and manageable symptom. Listening to your body and seeking guidance when needed is key.
Have you experienced itching during perimenopause or menopause?
I Am Thankful For:
The scent of fresh basil
Quickly finishing my errands
Everyday is a step closer to completing projects
Texts from my grandson
Little lizards in the driveway
My husband bringing home dinner
The full moon
My daughter stopping by with my grandsons
My little dog sitting in the sun
A relaxing morning
My dad celebrating another birthday
Making a decision
A cute outfit
Library days
Talking to my grandson on the phone
Countertops are ordered
Picked out the new faucet
If you grew up in the '70s and '80s, like me, you know the joy of toys that didn’t need Wi-Fi or a touchscreen to be fun. The ones that kept us entertained for hours, sparked our creativity and inspired childhood adventures - even if they were only in our mind.
I Am Thankful For:
Getting compliments
Taking a chance
The smell of fresh rosemary
End of the month
The cabinets are going up
Laughing
Foggy mornings
August beginning
The deck railing is installed
A new microwave
A burger topped with lettuce and tomato from my garden
Cooler temperatures
A rainy Sunday
Family
Pie
My new glasses are ready
Rest
Receiving a book I have been wanting to read
Lunch with my husband
Sushi
A break from the rain
I Am Thankful For:
Being able to order new glasses
New contact lenses
When the dilation finally wears off
Lunch at the ramen restaurant
A delicious coffee treat
The new moon
Productive days
The new kitchen lights are up
Saturdays
Pancakes
New nails
Quiet
A midday walking session
Feeling beautiful
Evening thunderstorms
New possibilities
Well, here we are. Tomorrow is the end of July. Over half the year is behind us. I hope it's been a good one for you so far.
Our daughter celebrated her birthday this month. We watched the grandkids so she and our son-in-law could have a grown-up date. Then we all gathered at our house for pizza and cake. I am constantly in awe of the amazing woman she became. I kind of want to be her when I grow up.
One night during the first full week of the month, I suddenly started seeing flashes of light in my peripheral vision on the left. As you can imagine, I panicked a little bit. A phone conversation with the on-call doctor quickly determined that I most likely was not having a stroke. I was told to take some Tylenol in case it was an ocular migraine, what to look for to determine if I needed to go to the ER, and to see my doctor if it wasn't gone by morning. It was not. So, after a few more phone calls I was off to the eye doctor. He was able to rule out a tear or detachment of the retina. Whew! Apparently it is something called Posterior Vitreous Detachment, and it's not unusual - especially in near sighted people over 50.
An upside of all this is that I finally scheduled a routine eye exam. I got new contacts and I have new glasses on the way. This was just the nudge I needed to get that done.
Our kitchen remodel is moving right along. The Man of the House and I (ok... Like, 98.5% him) finished installing the new tile the weekend before the cabinets were delivered. And I am obsessed. The flooring is every bit as beautiful as I hoped it would be.
Sadly, three of the cabinets are damaged and we are now waiting for the replacements to arrive. In the meantime, he has started installation on them. He'll just have to unscrew the damaged ones and switch them out when the replacements arrive.
He also put up the new ceiling lights. And they are also gorgeous. It took me forever to decide what I wanted. But I'm glad I took my time and didn't just go with the first thing I liked.
We are still waiting on our new deck to be completed. Last week we were told that they expected to have it completed by Monday. But then no one showed up to work on it Friday or Monday. Which is frustrating. On Tuesday they did get started on the floor part of the decking. So hopefully by next Monday. Fingers crossed.
In July I read "The Spite House" by Johnny Compton, "The Jackal's Mistress" by Chris Bohjalian, and "The Obituary Writer" by Ann Hood. The book I read for book club was "Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow" by Gabrielle Zevin. I'm currently reading "The Sugar Queen" by Sarah Addison Allen. And I'm Beta reading one of my daughter's upcoming novels. I didn't listen to an audio book this month.
Some of my favorite things from July included fresh cucumbers from my little greenhouse garden and spending a day with my grandsons.
I'm looking forward to August. I've potentially some new and exciting things brewing, so we'll see how rhay goes. Hopefully I'll have some fun things to report at the end of next month.
How was your July?
I Am Thankful For:
My dog's little stretches
Sunsets
Lavender
A little treat for myself
Hearing the neighbors rooster when I'm walking the dog
Fading hydrangea
My daughter
Work started on the last part of the deck
Sunny days
First cup of morning tea
Being an Oma
Pizza with the family
Running errands with my husband
Shark Week
The new kitchen floor is just as beautiful as I hoped it would be
My husband buying tickets to see Stevie Nicks this fall
Sleep
The sound of the kettle heating up
The breeze before the storm arrives
I felt the solid ground beneath my feet. The grass tickled between my toes.
I watched a cardinal fly from bush to bush along the property line.
A large bird drifted in lazy circles against a backdrop of building thunderhead clouds in the distance.
I closed my eyes and enjoyed the feeling of the sunshine on my face.
A breeze gently whispered past my cheek and caused my skirt to flutter around my legs.
I listened to the birds singing and the buzz of the katydids. A squirrel chattered away somewhere in the tree tops. I heard the roll of thunder from a storm on the other side of the mountain.
I felt time slow for that brief moment.
I thought about how it is possible to feel so completely connected and totally disconnected all at the same time.
Unplug. Pause. Listen. Feel. Ground yourself. Recharge your spiritual battery. It only takes a few moments.
I Am Thankful For:
Getting a same day appointment with the eye doctor
What's happening is perfectly normal
My husband helping find a solution
Skirts
Listening to all the "outdoors" sounds
Perfect timing
A moment to recharge myself
Gathering storm clouds
Chicken salad
Working on a DIY project with my husband
Thunderstorms
My youngest niece
Pain meds when you really need them
A burst of creativity
Watermelon
The new cabinets have been delivered
Making it to book club after all
Early to bed
A busy day at the library
The first cucumber from the garden
The Midlife Crisis. It's one of the things that often comes to mind when people think about this stage of life. It's a time full of changes and challenges which can leave us feeling off-kilter, disoriented, and uncertaint about what we're doing and where we're going.
As we begin seeing more and more of the physical signs of aging, we may start recognizing and assessing our own mortality. This feeling that time is somehow running out may cause us to begin thinking about how our life has played out so far and what we want to accomplish with whatever time we have left. This can lead us to realize that we have goals that we never achieved or abandoned along the way. We might feel a sense of dissatisfaction with what we have achieved. We may be realizing that jobs and relationships we've had no longer serve us.
Our children are either on the cusp of becoming independent or are already grown. We're finding ourselves with empty nests for the first time in 18 years or more.
Other people may have expectations of what we should be doing or how we should behave (or dress, or do our hair or makeup) because we have reached a certain age. And these ideas might not fit with how we feel on the inside or what makes us feel confident and the most like our true self.
Midlife is only a crisis if we focus on the endings portion. As Semisonic told us way back in 1998 - "every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end." Midlife isn't the end! You're not too old. And it's not too late.
You still have an opportunity to rediscover that dream or goal you once had and look into chasing it. Or make some new ones!
Having grown children means not having to focus our time and energy on their needs. This gives you more time to concentrate on what you want to do. This is YOUR time!
You are under no obligation to do what other people expect! Now is the time to live life as your authentic self. Especially if you haven't been doing it up to this point. Wear the dress. Or the shorts. Or that bathing suit. Grow out your beautiful silver hair - or not! Put on the red lipstick. Or don't wear any makeup.
Figure out what brings you joy and do more of those things!
This chapter of life can feel like a collection of endings. But it can also be a time of new beginnings and opportunities.
Did you ever watch "Game of Thrones"? Or read any of the books?
If so, do you remember the leprosy-like disease that was so feared by the citizens of Westeros? Grey Scale - where the skin literally turns to stone.
Last weekend we were tiling our kitchen. Apparently I am excessively messy with the mortar. By the end of the day, I looked like an extra from an episode of "Game of Thrones"!
The moral of this story? Take and use the gloves your husband offers. 😂
I Am Thankful For:
Clean laundry
A new book
A cool breeze
A new vision for my crochet project
Basil harvested from my little garden
Finishing one book and starting another
Meds for my little chiweenie's anxiety
Fresh caprese salad
Wearing the shorts
New tile
Shrimp rolls
Progress
A deep cleaned bathroom
Sunshine
East summer outfits
A plan to deal with the unexpected complications
A beautiful morning
Fresh tomatoes from the garden
I Am Thankful For:
The new moon
Sundresses
A cool shower at the end of a hot day
Afternoon rain as a break from the heat
Dreams
Doggy smiles
Patio is complete
Words of affirmation
A movie date with my husband
Croissants
Making a plan
Grilled burgers
Dodging the rain
Peach season
Midpoint of the year
Early mornings
A busy day at the library
The start of an extra long weekend
Welcome to the midpoint of the year. Six months gone, six more to go. It has been a busy year so far, and June was no exception.
The most popular post on the blog for June was the latest addition to the "What No One Told Me About Menopause" series - It's a Hairy Situation, where we discussed all the changes that perimenopause can bring to our hair. Hot Girl Summer: Midlife Edition was a close second. Perhaps because it published just before the first heatwave of summer arrived and many of us needed those tips for coping with sweltering temperatures during perimenopause and menopause.
June was a month of changes around our house. The first phase of construction began on our new deck with the excavation and pouring of cement for the lower patio level. I am eager to have this project done so we can start enjoying our outdoor living space!
Home improvement projects were also taking place inside as we gutted the kitchen and dining area for a long overdue renovation. The walls and ceiling have all been patched, primed, and painted. New flooring should start to go in this week. And the new cabinets should arrive in a couple of weeks. I am so excited about how this new kitchen is going to look.
June was a medical month for me. I had my yearly bloodwork labs done and my wellness check with my primary doctor. I'm healthy for the most part, but my cholesterol and A1C have taken a negative turn. Coupled with a significant increase in weight, it's a clear indication that I need to get back onto a healthier routine. I'm not surprised by these changes. In fact, I anticipated this. Between my knee injury, surgery, and a back injury keeping me quite sedentary for most of the past year and a lot of stress eating - this was bound to happen. But, I have a plan in place to get back on track.
In June I read After the Forest by Kell Woods. Our book club selection for the month was The Wife, the Maid, and the Mistress by Ariel Lawhon. My husband and I completed The Institute by Stephen King. I finished listening to The Girl Who Chased the Moon by Sarah Addison Allen. And I had the pleasure of reading my daughter's first published work - a novella called The Joke's On You (by Kaitlyn Owenby)!!
Two of my favorite things from June can't be found in any store. The first one is my little greenhouse garden. It has brought me so much joy to start harvesting my first tomato, some lettuce, lemon cucumbers, and herbs. I can't wait for more tomatoes and cucumbers to come in. The second thing is my hydrangea. They are really showing up and showing off this year! So many blossoms and in beautiful shades of purple. I am obsessed!
How was your June?
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
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
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:
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?
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
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
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?
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
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!
I Am Thankful For:
Beginning demo work on the dining room renovation
A salad with baby spinach that I grew
Watermelon
Saturday mornings
Yummy coffee drinks
Grilling season
My husband working on the new kitchen layout
My new bird feeder is up and running
Trying something new
Waking up to breakfast already made
Putting on the shorts
Bird videos
Library days
Not vomiting
A long afternoon naps
Rainy mornings
I Am Thankful For:
Sunshine
Reading with my husband
Tasks completed
Feeling better
Weekends
Mothers Day breakfast
A new bird feeder
A day with my daughter
A delicious coffee drink
Independent bookstores
Book Club friends
Feeling cute
Afternoon thunderstorms
Discovering new books
The tree and stump are gone
Rain showers
A new meal idea
