Turning 50

I've always associated 50 with longevity. My grandparents and great-grandparents were married for 50 years...now that's a LONG time to spend with one person. I wonder what it's like to wake up every morning for 50 years and see the same face staring back at you.

I must say I'm truly looking forward to 50. I feel more fit, attractive, capable, and in charge of my life at almost 50 than I have at any other age. The one concern I have is menopause and what affects it will have on me. You see, I recently started having hot flashes. It's the weirdest sensation ever. It's like a slow crawling prickly heat that completely envelops you. Before you know it, you're sporting tiny beads of sweat in the most obvious places. You can literally feel yourself turning red. It's completely embarrassing. You're sure that while it's happening everyone in the room is noticing. This assumption is validated for you when someone looks over at you and says..."having a hot flash?" I really need to do some Internet research to find out how to minimize these episodes. I've heard lots of Soy. Vanilla Soymilk will become my new best friend.

Then there's the night sweats. YUCK! There is nothing worse than waking up completely drenched in your own sweat and kicking off the blankets, only to find that 30 seconds later your freezing to death and can't get back under the covers fast enough. Oh wait...first you have to get up and put on a "dry" tank top.

To top it all off, there's the memory loss. You're having an intelligent conversation with someone and all of a sudden, you stop mid-sentence because you can't remember what it was you were going to say. Common words and recent memories completely escape you. It's VERY frustrating...I wonder if there is such a thing as menopause anonymous meetings???

It's just not fair what we as women have to go through to be done with having babies. Geez! You'd think that after having to endure child birth (some women for some insane reason do this over and over and over again...like Octomom), and years of having periods, that someone somewhere would cut us some slack. Whoever said women are the weaker sex??? Men...you have no idea how easy you have it.

Until next time...

The Seven Dwarfs of Menopause: Itchy, Bitchy, Sweaty, Sleepy, Bloated, Forgetful, and All Dried Up. (Too bad I couldn't snag the pics...there are hillarious)

A Shopping Nightmare or Dream

There is nothing more annoying than making a purchase only to find it 1 month later for $75 less at a higher end discount store 1,000 miles from where you bought it...go figure! How does that happen??? UGH! I recently bought this rockin watch at Macy's for $135 only to find it at Nordstrom's Rack this past weekend for $60. I was NOT happy. Being at Nordstrom's Rack this past weekend was like hitting the lottery for a shopaholic. They had Coach sunglasses for $65/pair, Juicy perfume for $40/bottle, etc., etc. If you wanted a pair of designer jeans, this was the weekend to be at Norstrom's Rack. Lucky jeans were $35/pair (normally $100-$125), Rockin Rupublic were $125 (normally $250-$280), and True Religeon were $100 (normally $250). However, the day was not a total shopping loss as I did manage to score a SAWEET Ed Hardy belt for $40 (normally $85), so I was VERY happy.

Until next time...

"We always hold hands. If I let go, she shops." - Henny Youngman

The Most Amazing Valentines Day

Even though it's late, I feel compelled to blog about my Valentine's Day weekend. I flew to Seattle to see a friend who is near and dear to my heart. I had the opportunity to meet his 15 year old daughter, Kailey, who is a pure joy to be around. She is so cute and so precious. Even at 15 you just want to reach out and pinch her cheeks she's so darn cute. For me to say that you know it's true...I have three beautiful grandkids so I KNOW what cute is. Valentine's night he made tacos (and we ate them...go figure), we watched Forget Paris (if you haven't seen it, rent it...it's hilariously funny), and ate popcorn (diet popcorn at that...it tasted kind of like cardboard but oh well, I picked it out). Sunday morning we went to church together and then Bible study. What a great way to end the weekend. Another great part of the weekend was all the laughter and all the connecting we did. So far it's been an amazing journey...

Until next time...

You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence. - Psalms 16: 11

Serious No More

I've decided that my blogs are way too serious and it's time to whoop it up a little. So, here goes...I recently got a new iPod. She's pink...and her name is Isabelle. THANK YOU KeeKee! The fact that I've named my iPod frightens me a little and makes me think that someone has WAY too much influence over me. However, only because I "allow" him to. You see, I have a friend (a very "good" friend) who names everything. He recently named his daughter's new car "Mellow", which I think (but could be wrong as it does happen once in a while), is short for Marshmellow (I believe the vehicle is white...at least I hope so with a name like that). The one before that was named Panties...don't ask...I didn't. But go figure. He also had a hot tub named "Molly"...I think. He probably has a nickname for me as well...I just don't remember what it is...oh wait a minute...maybe I do...oh....nope...false alarm...I am almost 50...16 days and counting...YIKES!

Until the next time...Make Tomorrow a GREAT DAY!

Love Extraordinaire

Love can sometimes be a very frustrating and confusing thing but when it's right, it's the most beautiful and fulfilling life experience of all. When you are loved unconditionally by someone, it is the most extraordinary feeling. It's a perfectly safe place to be. It is amazingly satisfying to know that you are completely understood by the one who loves you. To know that there IS someone out there who puts you first, who believes that your happiness is more important than his or hers, who wants to give you the world, who tells you (and makes you truly believe) that without you in their life it would not be complete. And to be able to reciprocate that...well, it's one of life's greatest joys.

Until next time...

"When you are in Love you can't fall asleep because reality is better than your dreams." Dr Seuss

It's complicated and sometimes confusing...

Isn't it strange how we find ourselves in a place we never thought we'd be? We move through life, day-by-day, thinking we're doing all the right things in order to create the life we all feel we deserve...only to realize, that God has a different plan in mind. Lately, I spend a lot of time trying to figure out just what his plan is for me. There are so many things I have to be thankful for...a job I thoroughly enjoy, a beautiful family, friends who love me and actually care how I'm doing when they ask,and endless opportunities (that I only need to take advantage of) to do whatever I want to do in life. So why then, do I find myself always contemplating what my next move will be. I think it's because life is WAY more complicated than any of us care to believe. Just when I think I have all the answers, something happens and I realize I don't have any of the answers at all. All I can tell myself is to take it slow, one day at a time, and it will all work itself out. Somehow, some way, my life will end up exactly the way God intended. What more can I ask for???

Until later...

The most decisive actions of our life ... are most often unconsidered actions. Andre Gide

Life without my iPod

My iPod died. I am SO sad. My iPod is my workout buddy. What will I do without my iPod? Maybe someone out there knows what the flashing between the green and amber lights means??? Anyone??? I've followed all the troubleshooting steps on the Apple website and nothing has worked. Until I can get a replacement, my workouts will not be the same...no Lisa, Creed, Nickleback, Colbie, Michael, Blake, Lifehouse, Pink, Fergie, etc...i yi yi...can you tell I'm somewhat addicted to my iPod??? My workouts will be...BORING...!!! I love my iPod so much I feel like it should have a name...like...I don't know...Irene or Ilene or Isabelle??? I have a friend who names everything from his hot tub to his car. A little weird...ya think? Endearing though. Well, if any of you out there have any ideas as to what might be ailing my iPod...or if you think she's a goner, please reply. I'm open to ALL suggestions. I'll try anything!

Oh, and BTW, what's up with the Cardinals losing the Super Bowl...poor Warner.