Sunday Inspiration: Use What You Have

Goodbye, August

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? 

Thankful Thursday: August 28, 2025

 

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

Sunday Inspiration: Believe

 

Thankful Thursday: August 21, 2025

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

What No One Told Me About Menopause: It's Itchy

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? 

Sunday Inspiration: Change

Thankful Thursday: August 14, 2025

 

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

Mix, Match, and Imagine

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. 

One of my favorite toys growing up were my Fashion Plates.  They were the ultimate creative outlet for budding designers and fashionistas in the late '70s and '80s. With a set of interchangeable plastic plates featuring tops, bottoms, and accessories, kids could mix and match to create endless outfit combinations. Once the plates were arranged in the frame, a sheet of paper was placed over them, and rubbing a crayon or colored pencil across the paper revealed the design like magic. It was part fashion designing, part puzzle, and completely satisfying. 

I would spend hours (no exaggeration) designing outfit after outfit, carefully coloring each one with as much detail as I could. As I created, I imagined elaborate stories about the girl wearing them: where she was going, what she was doing, and how each outfit fit perfectly into her day. For me, Fashion Plates weren't just fashion - they were the catalyst for entire stories.

Looking back, it’s amazing how something as simple as a set of plastic plates and a few crayons could spark so much creativity and joy. Fashion Plates weren’t just my toy—they were a doorway into imagination, storytelling, and self-expression.

What was your favorite childhood toy?

Sunday Inspiration: Growth

Thankful Thursday: August 7, 2025

 

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

Sunday Inspiration: Getting Ahead