Rambling Female Ahead ---
Well, I have just spent the last 2 and 1/2 hours playing on LJ! You know it's a good damn thing I have to educate a child or else I would be useless!
The preceding information is rather random and is posted here for my own benefit. You may read and comment if you like, everything is fair game!
Menopause: Yep, it's that time. The horror stories that I have heard hasn't applied to me...yet. I haven't had a period for 8 months so that fact combined with my age leads me to believe that I may safely bid adieu to the industrial strength tampons. Honestly, I felt more on edge when I was in my late thirties and early forties. I constantly felt irritated,and remember being hyper-critical of everything. Yuck! None of which is in my nature. It was like I had been possessed by this cranky,vile,fish wife. Glad that's over; other than intense hot flashes I feel more energetic,happy and at peace with me and my life than ever before.
I don't have a lot of female friends that can relate to my circumstances as the women I know have all had hysterectomies. It was suggested by my GYN that since Bill had a vasectomy after Riley was born that I should have a hysterectomy. I had exceptionally heavy,painful menses that left me anemic. I had by that time become use to it and it seemed to distress my doctor more than it did me. Perhaps if I had returned to work after our first daughter was born I would have been more amenable. I just didn't want to remove body parts because they had become an inconvenience. Our female reproductive organs contribute a great deal to our overall health, their purposes go beyond child-bearing, so I stuck it out. Go me!
I have a few addictions that I want to document.(1)Altoids-peppermint.(2) Graham crackers with a smear of p-nut butter and a marshmallow on top toasted in the broiler.(3) extra-strong tea, made with 14 regular size Lipton tea bags steeped for no less than 20 minutes in a medium pot of water just after the boil. Sweetened with 3/4's cup of refined sugar and a few drops of lemon juice, mixed with water to fill a gallon size pitcher. Fill a water glass with ice and pour tea to top. (4) Cinnamon pastries. Sara Lee makes a rather tasty coffee cake that is a staple for holiday breakfast(s). (5) Traditional breakfast. I love it when the weather is cool/cold and I get up early put on a strong pot of coffee, get the bacon (which only Bill eats but smells yummy),hash browns and eggs with toast. The house smell luscious all day.(5)Desserts. Gooey,rich,cakes,or pasties. The more caramel,glaze and dark chocolate the better. Needless to say, I don't indulge this addiction much. Don't care for pies or candy and only a couple of cookies. Ice cream is an absolute last resort because I have never been able to tolerate milk.
I am not a big eater, I don't get 'food porn'. I don't derive any enjoyment from eating unless it is listed above. I do like to learn about food and enjoy watching Nigella cook. Nigella really seems to enjoy food and the eating of it! I do enjoy cooking oddly enough. I would love to have a gourmet kitchen and an unlimited amount of money that I could spend on making wonderful dishes for my family and friends. Feeding my loved ones is one of the most simple ways I know to nurture.
Advertised products that we have found live up to their claims:(1) ProActive Solutions. Kenna wasn't happy with her complexion;she is prone to monthly break-outs. I ordered the introductory package of ProActive for her and damn if it didn't do all that it is advertised as doing. I have already re-ordered more.
(2) Arm and Hammer Natural Essentials Laundry Detergent. This is a petroleum free detergent. I've used another brand for years but it is very expensive so I was thrilled to see this product at a fraction of the cost. Yes, it cleans as well as anything else I've tried on cold water wash, and does an amazing job on hot water washes.
(3) http://www.revlon.com/ .The limited edition collection is gorgeous. I have used the lip and cheek stain. I really like it because if applied correctly it looks so much more natural than powder or liquid make-up. I want to try some of the nail polish (frosty tints) and as much as I love the other products in this line I think they would be more appealing on a younger woman.
Now, I must prepare to venture out and spend much money on doggie diabetic supplies. It is kinda embarrassing when a new pharmacists helps me and generously offers to file our insurance for the test strips and insulin and hypos--when I tell them it's for the dog they usually give me a smile and look that says "I think I would find a better use for $200.00" Believe me when I say I would love to, the only reason that we have been able to continue is because Bill's mom is a HUGE dog lover and especially loves Zoe, when we realized that we could not afford to buy her supplies every month Edie stepped up and gave us her credit card. Have I mentioned how awesome my mother-in-law is?
It's starting to look a lot like Halloween!!!