The Divine Secrets Of The Menopausal Sisterhood
A place where I can share some lighthearted humor about this wonderful part of my life! I hope you enjoy the postings! It was Erma Bombeck who said, “If you can't make it better, you can laugh at it” and that is what I intend to do!
Friday, March 22, 2019
Wednesday, October 10, 2018
Breast Cancer Awareness Month Save the Tatas Ladies
A pictorial example of breast self-examination in six steps. Steps 1-3 involve inspection of the breast with the arms hanging next to the body, behind the head and in the side. Step 4 is palpation of the breast. Step 5 is palpation of the nipple. Step 6 is palpation of the breast while lying down.
It is important in the peri and menopausal years that we continue with regular breast self-examinations ladies and remember to schedule yearly mammograms.
This should be done monthly, not just once a year in October.
Keep Calm pic from Pinterest
Breast Self Exam Wikipedia
Friday, September 28, 2018
This Blog Is For Entertainment Only
It has been a while since I posted here and after deleting the hundreds of spammy type comments I figured I should jot this down here. I'm not saying that none of this is real because honey, it is all real from every hot flash to every sleepless night. When I first started posting about this time in my life I figured since I couldn't beat it, I can find the humor in it and I might as well write it down.
First, please do not assume this blog as any medical advice. My writings are entertainment. This is a place that I share my own experiences and funny adventures about this phase of life often a daily hormonal rollercoaster of ups and downs.
I am a baby boomer and like many, just like myself, our mothers are not really forthcoming with information. Many moms born in the same era as my mom (the 1940's) generally don't talk about these things. Then there are those like myself who have a mom suffering from dementia or Alzheimers and cannot relate information.
Just in case you were wondering and afraid to ask everything you feel is totally normal. It is supposed to be exactly like it is. It is menopause and women have gone through it for thousands of years. My writings are to let you know that you are not alone. Millions of women are going through this phase in their lives right now as I type this.
I do sometimes mention vitamins and supplements in postings. Keep in mind these are only what I have tried. I am not recommending that you try the same. What works for me, may not work for you or depending on any prescription medication you take may cause a serious interaction. So, please check with your doctor or at least ask a pharmacist.
© 2018 Gossip_GrL
Monday, September 24, 2018
The Mid-Day Crisis
google image |
Most of us already know that no effort is needed to cause a mid-day crisis.
The midday crisis is just one of the things about this time in life that reminds of the menopausal hormone roller coaster. On this roller coaster, you don't even have to be this big to be a part of it. This post sort of goes along with, Flirting with forty-something.
This ladies, is the picture of a mid-day crisis, well mine anyway.
I have to admit that I can have one of these at least several times a day. Is it any wonder though that someone would have a midday crisis? All of the signs, the signals, and the reminders that Mother Nature throws out there on any given day.
Sometimes just a walk past a mirror can cause one. “Mirror, mirror on the wall, SHUT UP!!”
Maybe it is just the thought that this process is inevitable. It is something out of our control. Mother Nature is telling me loudly, “You know can't-fool me, fool!”
I know there is no way I could ever win an argument with her, I can’t even fool her these days. I don't try. I also have those moments that creep up of, “Dear Lord, that parking placard is not that important.”
I wonder if this is the period that the movie stars get to in life and just lose it entirely? They then go through those crazy extreme rituals that become late night infomercials, searching for the Fountain of Youth? Joan Rivers is a very good example. I saw her in a commercial and thought ‘OMG She has had so much surgery she now looks like a ventriloquist dummy.’
Ugh, I will pass on plastic keep fighting it all the way. Oil of O’Lay please do not fail me now. A part of life is screaming, “OMG just imagine the discounts you are going to get now” after receiving my AARP card on one birthday.
Covering my ears I say, “La, La, La, can't hear you. Just shut up!” Signs that reality starts to sink in.
Why does Mother Nature pick these certain times of the day to send reminders? Does she somehow get amused over the midday crisis? Mine anyway.
At night, a quiet prayer, “Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my shape I’ll keep!” I am often reminded of the wise words of my grandson who when aged seven said, "Awww shoot grandma, you're not old at all. I've seen 'em older." Out of the mouths of wise babes.
pic found @Google Images
©Gossip_Grl
Saturday, September 22, 2018
Trying to Reconnect With This Blog Once Again
I have decided to try to maintain both of them for now. I ran my posts here through a program and cleaned up the spelling, grammar, and other errors. I also work and take care of my elderly parents which takes up a lot of my time but I need a getaway; a place to laugh again, joke and make wisecracks about this time in my life.
I hope I don't bug friends too much with emails to read a post. Thank you for your patience.
Friday, September 5, 2014
Computers and Aging
A ram, the cousin of a goat.
A gig was a job for the nights
A CD a bank account
Backup happened to the commode.
A paste was done with glue.
A virus was the flu.
Tuesday, August 26, 2014
The Menopausal Goddess and Mid Life Crisis
The time comes when you just embrace your inner goddess! |
I have reached that time in life and rather than sink into a bed of midlife depression, I have decided to just unleash and embrace my inner menopausal goddess.
Now of course if I had lots of money I could do it in celebrity style with lots of Botox and a permanent smile, but I like to sleep with my eyes closed, ya know!
Since I can't change the whole aging thing, I am just gonna learn to embrace the menopausal goddess inside of me. I appreciate the stars like Lisa Rinna because I can now be confident that adult diapers won't show through my clothes.
Doctors say that Kegels are as important to older women as the Heimlich and become as routine as cleaning the house or doing the dishes. Remember to keep up with those Kegel's ladies!
Most of us go from flat to round in many areas like the tummy and the butt. Everyone is different. It was around age 48 that I noticed that my dryer started shrinking all of my jeans. Since I re-injured my knee I am not really as active as I used to be. I still take walks, but exercises like aerobics and Zumba make my knee scream at me. I was told that I just needed some Yoga and Meditation.
Maybe it's just me, but it's almost like if you were wishing for a poo and all you can do is fart- ya know- one of those kinds of things!
I do wish I had paid more attention in school though because Sigmund Freud's law of gravity also applies to our breasts. I am learning that we can't defeat gravity as we watch our breasts transform from perky to sagging almost instantly, overnight. Ladies of all ages remember support is very important! My mama was born in the 1940's, back when the ladies didn't wear bras when they were pregnant for fear a bra would restrict their milk coming in. So, when I was pregnant with my first child I thought my mama knew best. Oh no! She was so wrong. I am at an age where that ghost of many Christmases past came back to haunt me. I wish someone had told me differently! Ladies... keep those bras on I say!
We ladies love jewelry. Enjoy all your fancy pieces while you can. Treasure those days because the day will come when your favorite necklace will be replaced by a life alert necklace.
Embrace your inner goddess ladies otherwise you could easily become one of the ladies packing your bags and moving to Cougartown. When that doesn't work, they go on talk shows crying to Dr. Phil while the rest of us scream at the TV who knew that wouldn't happen! I say Look in the Mirror. Which is more beautiful? Your Inner Menopause Goddess or Bat
Now we all know that men too can also go through a period in their lives that is called a midlife crisis. I'm wondering, just who the heck decided to call it a crisis?
Why is it just a menopausal thing or The Change when it is referring to us ladies and it's a crisis when it involves the guys?
The word crises sound so traumatic, doesn't it? To me, a crisis is, for instance, the house is on fire. A crisis is when a bungee cord breaks, or you've fallen and you can't get up- stuff like that. I have never heard of the police having a mid-life crisis team in place. Why are we ladies expected to set back and suck it up, but let a guy see a gray or a wrinkle and suddenly... It becomes a crisis? Since males are supposed to be the stronger species they need to.... stop being such a drama king!
©Gossip_Grl
Friday, August 22, 2014
Life In The Middle Ages
For instance, retirement is still years away and most of us feel we will never get to enjoy retirement years; yet we are old enough to know better. Don't you think it's a bit confusing?
Also Just when is a person too old to wear a Hooters T-Shirt or to get a tattoo? Do we get too old to wear Levi's Jeans for Pete's sake?
I ask because my sister went out and bought me three pairs of jeans.... with elastic waistbands and several polyester pantsuits. Really!
Well, I'm not ready to give up my Levi's yet. She got upset when I told her to take them back. Apparently and according to her "they are more fitting for folks in my age group." I love my sis, but really! Why should it really bother anyone what I wear? Is there a group of conspirators that make up the wardrobe?
Another fact of life and living in the middle ages I've noticed is that suddenly we find that our brain to mouth feature slows down or gets broken completely. Stuff comes out before I have a split second to think; which almost caused quite a stir at the local 7-11 and upset my sister over apparel.
Sometime in the middle ages, wisdom comes. It happens out of the blue almost like one day you wake up with Wisdom. I'm not sure but it could be fueled by life experiences. Suddenly there are things you notice that make no sense like the day I read a story that Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches are now being seen as racism!
Wait! Who has the time to think this
I love peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. I also enjoy eating the following peanut butter sandwiches: p/b with jalapenos, p/b with olives, p/b with pickles and one of my most favorites... peanut butter, Nutella, mayo and banana sandwiches.
I have never heard that I was racist while eating any of my sandwiches. Now... I have been told that I am a bit f^@$'d up for eating that crap. Peanut butter is the main staple in my house. I also carry a jar in my bag because no restaurant carries it as a table condiment and I love it on a lot of other things I eat. Is that confusing to you? You better watch out, confusion is one of the signs of aging!
These middle ages is also where I spend so much of my time trying to figure out how to bring sexy back if only I could remember where I put it in the first place. Of course, my hubby is always reassuring me, but is it really enough? For some reason, I now spend too much time worrying that every little quirk is a midlife crisis.
I never thought that the one sentence to the song, "Help me make it through the night" would actually be the words in my nightly prayer.
:©Gossip_Grl :
Thursday, August 21, 2014
Kicking The Bucket List
No More! |
I don't know why. I guess because I kept reading so many lists that I just thought we all had to have one. My question is, Can this be used as a bargain should the grim reaper show up too early? Maybe I could say, "Wait I haven't finished my list yet"
A few lists of books they want to read, but almost every one I read listed, I want to travel through Europe which made me realize that I really, really need a vacation. Not a fancy one, just one that my kids cannot call me every 5 minutes asking when we are coming home. No, seriously I have had my kids call me in the middle of the night. When I answer the phone they ask, "What you doing?"
Hello... it's night time I was sleeping. I'm old now and that is what old people do at three in the morning....sleep.
Then if that isn't bad enough they will say "I'll just call you back in the morning"
Wait! What? Oh, hell no scooter you already woke me up and I have to pee now.
If it was something important or an emergency that'd be something different, but we're not talking about that, oh no! Not my kids. They then say, "I just called to see what you were up to?"
At 3 AM seriously? I doubt it. Then when I am riled up they have the nerve to get all mad at me because I am in a pissy mood. Does that make sense? It sure doesn't to me. OMG! Folks, I want a real Calgon vacation package! Getting away from my kids would be at the top of my list!
Other things I would include:
- I want to go fishing without worrying that a snakehead fish will come out of the water and attack me.
- I want to go camping without fear of a chupacabra attack.
- I'd like to once have a regular family get together without worrying that because of their drunken redneck antics, we will all be featured on the nightly news.
- After looking at my watch for the fifth time, I'd like to remember why I keep looking at it in the first place.
- I don't care what comes after blue-ray, I'm not upgrading anymore.
- I want to answer the door carrying a Gin bottle filled with Sprite
- I want to walk up to someone in a fast food restaurant with a pad and pencil and ask them why they wanted fries with that
- While at the checkout line talk in the third person
- Set in traffic and drink blue Gatorade out of a Windex bottle
- Fill a mayonnaise jar with vanilla pudding and eat it just to see peoples reaction when I do.
©Gossip_Grl :
Wednesday, August 20, 2014
Junk In The Trunk and The Slow Metabolism
One day we are fit, active and thin and then wake up to what just happened to my figure?
One crumb from our favorite dessert goes right to our derrière. In my twenties, thirties
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
Inside The Menopausal Mind
This is a Maxine pic |
Yep folks! I am an official card carrying member of the AARP and somehow I feel as if I am stuck in the middle. You see, I am too young for all the senior benefits and retirement; yet old enough to know better. It sucks.
In years past I used to shop for purses and shoes; I now shop for Gold Bond Anti Itch cream. I used to love going shopping, now just the thought of it makes me want to take a nap.
Driving is the worst. I used to not care so much how people drove on the roadway, now it's crazy. Those cars that pass on the shoulder thinking they
Monday, August 18, 2014
A Trip Down Hormone Lane
flashes, Bloated, Slow Metabolism, Sleepless Nights, Crazy Dreams, I Need A Nap and I can't forget Moody Patooty plus two Bitchy and Psycho.
Oh, they are all a lot of laughs to have around me, daily. It's hours of fun here at my house I tell you. I am actually thinking about claiming all of them on my taxes next year. If I am going to be supporting them and they don't have jobs I should be able to claim them right?
The trip on Hormone Lane is like a Pandora's Box as we travel to our first stop on the trip. It is The Follicle Stimulating Hormone Test. This is the test that
Friday, July 25, 2014
Dr Suess Advice on Aging
Thursday, July 24, 2014
The Geritol Years
My parents take Geritol and for some odd reason, I always thought because I was raised on the Lawrence Welk Show in our home, that it was somehow the vitamin of choice in the golden years; a given rite of passage. That was until my doctor put me on daily Prenatal Vitamins for these menopause years. Long story
Wednesday, July 23, 2014
Monday, July 21, 2014
Fear of The Fairy Yak Mother
Sunday, July 20, 2014
The Empty Nest Is A Quiet Nest
pic credit: bluntcards.com |
You see, The Empty Nest has sparked arguments and some controversy in my little circle of friends.
When my last little birdy left our nest a friend asked, "oh my what are you going to do now?"
I said, "well for starters I'm changing all the locks on the doors!" She didn't talk to me for six months! I know some women have the opposite feeling
Friday, July 18, 2014
Doctors, Drug Companies and The Aging
pic from www.minniepauz.com |
Thursday, July 17, 2014
Cyberchondria and Menopause
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
The Biological Clock
I haven't even heard my own. I am about a day late and a dollar short on that. Friends tell me that my clock should be ticking as loud as Big Ben right now. Wait.... nope, nothing, no ticking.
A few made me feel that something was really wrong with me because my biological clock never
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
The Astrology of Aging
Wednesday, June 18, 2014
The Campaign: #StopBirthdaysNow
I feel that way especially with some of the stuff that comes across my news feed lately. It is what Facebook thinks I'd be interested in reading. Right now I am interested in hitting the delete Facebook button. This thought often lasts for a day or more.
I first started Facebook to keep in touch with family who lives out of state. Then came the co-workers. Then came the friends. Then came the game requests. Then the friends of friends who play those games seeking requests and free crap. Then came the creepers peeping. It's madness I tell ya!
Then one day came the nonsense early Monday morning.
Some of the craziness I have read lately on social network feels like that moment when someone totally trashed shows up four hours late to the party. It's a buzz kill I tell ya. That is how I felt over another campaign with the pound sign. How do you even reply to things that sound so absurd?
Well, I figured it was time to start my own campaign. To stop birthdays now. Wait that should read hashtag stop birthdays now. Or something! Whatever they are doing with the pound sign thingy these days.
#STOPBIRTHDAYSNOW and #BIRTHDAYSKILLPEOPLE |
With yet another birthday on the horizon not the near horizon, but close enough these are the years that the thought of another one scares the living crap outta me. Why do we have to have one each year anyway? Just the thought of having another one offends me. It is coming to the time when I cannot lie about my age anymore. It means I am getting older, closer to you know... The End. We must stop them immediately! Continuing birthdays kill people!
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Sunday, June 15, 2014
Fathers Day In The Man Cave
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
Is Kitchenheimers The First Sign?
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The name I have given to a disorder that I swear is possibly the first stages to the dreaded Alzheimer’s that we hear about is Kitchenheimers. Could it be that it first starts out as kitchenheimers?
You know the symptoms of it; you walk into the kitchen and can't remember for the life of you what the hell you walked out there for. OR you go to the fridge,
Friday, June 6, 2014
Reality Barbie: An Evolution of Time
Image sent to my Facebook |
Wouldn't it be nice to just once find Barbie has evolved with her age? You know to find her on the shelves just as menopausal as I am every day.
To find her once perky breasts now sagging because she never wore a bra. Her lovely blond hair now gray. Her face showing a little age with crows feet at the corner of her eyes. It would be nice to find her with the slowing metabolism and just as out of shape struggling at the gym. Oh I know I would! It is about time Mattel. All
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
The Change
Do you ever remember the women in your family talking in code? If not, then it must have been something that the ladies only did in my family. I can remember as a child the adult women discussing something of an adult nature. Should you invade that privacy they would say, "little pitchers have big ears." That was the code word for kids to get the heck out of the room.
Once or more I walked in and heard my mom and aunt talking adult using the code word, The Change. If I lingered too long in the room and of course, little pitchers have big ears. In my childhood, I had no idea what it meant when the women were discussing these code words about the change and often whispered words to each other. The women of my mothers' generation were a confusing bunch of ladies.
I don't think my mom ever gave me the talk. She says she did but if the conversation I remember was the talk she is referring to then she was confused. It was in the 1970s. My mom was born in the 1940s and grew up in a different generation than that of the '60s and '70s. Her talk proved that there was a huge generation gap. If every teen girl in my generation got that same talk it is no wonder we got confused along the way.
Now that I am older I understand when adults are talking about something of an adult nature that shouldn't be discussed in front of children, but what about when those children grow up?
Here I am all of these years later, menopausal and going through The Change that so many years ago was discussed in secrecy when I was the little pitcher with the big ears. What in the heck was so bad that it was whispered about?
My mom was in her 70's when I needed some history about the women in her family for the doctor. One of the questions asked at what age did the women in my family experienced menopause?
I ask her, I get a look like someone just farted, and then she slaps my arm!
What? No talk? No whispers about The Change?
Nope, just a slap, and she said, "we didn't talk about stuff like that."
Hmmm... really because I remember it way different!
I have a daughter and should she ask me I would be honest and open with her. She knows that I am going through menopause because I couldn't hide any of this, especially the mood swings!
© 2014 Gossip_GrL
Thursday, March 20, 2014
An All Natural Approach To Menopause and Menopause Remedies
It was then that I decided that I would not be a guinea pig of nature or maybe I should have said that meant that I would not be taking anything related to HRT/hormone replacement therapy.
I then went to the health food store to seek advice for a homeopathic approach. You don't have to take my word for it, but menopause is a natural thing that happens to all women since Eve the first woman. I am still not sure how an appointment to discuss
Friday, March 7, 2014
Aging and Hormones: Inside the Menopausal Mind
This posting is about a few of the changes that we experience in our brain per my own experience.
Sometimes in our Peri-Menopausal years, something changes in our brains. These changes affect the way we think and they last way into the menopausal years. Dare to read on...
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Menopausal Doomsday
The pill most recommended for Menopausal Women |
Apparently, there is one sadistic app that counts down your uterus expiration date for you so you don't have to Hmmm... Really! Interesting!
Well, what can I say? WTH will they think of next? Should I be saying Thank God an app now has that mystery solved for me? I can set back and enjoy all
Monday, February 10, 2014
Those Menopausal Raging Hormones
It's more of a moment when you don't know whether to laugh, cry or be angry at something and punch something. Those inflatable blow-up punching bags are just the answer. Mine looks like Bozo the Clown so it frustrates me even more. Giv'er one more punch!!!!
Loving our addict I often don't know if what I am feeling is the addiction insanity or the hormones and emotions associated with menopause! I've heard some refer to the addiction rollercoaster. Well, ladies, there is also a menopausal rollercoaster. I have days that I don't know which ride I am taking!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBvysuewIOs&t=96s&pbjreload=10