Menopause De-mystified

One of my favorite blogs to read is The Pioneer Woman. It is written by a funny,funny gal named Ree. One of her features is to answer questions her readers send in and give them advice. I had to share this letter with you on menopause. (Even if you're just a young'un, you'll still smile when you read it!)

Dear Pioneer Woman:
Can you please explain to me why middle aged menopausal women have hot flashes, their metabolism slows down and their tummys start to pooch in places they’ve never pooched before?

Signed,
Flashing and Pooching


Dear Flash:
It’s very simple. Hot flashes allow your body to rid itself of all naiveté, inexperience, and confusion of your youth. The copious sweat is a baptism—a sign of new life. With each hot flash, you become more and more the woman you were meant to be. Even if it happens on aisle nine of your local grocery store. A pooching tummy is put in place so that you will have a soft lap on which your grandchildren can sit as you read them Where the Red Fern Grows and Little Women every time they come to your house. They will develop a love of literature because their early memories of reading will involve comfort. I have no idea what to tell you about slowing metabolism. Give me a little bit and I’ll try to come up with a really good rationalization for that one, too.

Love,
Already Poochy

I LOVE her explanation! My grandchildren do like to sit on my lap and listen to me read stories to them. (Although if they were old enougt to listen to Where The Red Fern Grows, they wouldn't fit on my lap. My pooch isn't that big!)

                                   This is my favorite book to read to little ones!

Wordless Wednesday

                                                             The best chocolate chip cookies ever!

Go, Girls, Go!

Saturday marked the 40th Anniversary of Title IX, the federal law granting women equal opportunity to participate in sports. Back in 1972 (the year after I graduated)only about 300,000 girls were involved in sports. Now over 3 million girls have the opportunity. As you know I am a late bloomer and only started running three years ago. I never thought I would ever be an athlete of any kind.

 There were no girls' or women's sports when I was in high school and college in my area. (If you were pretty and popular you could be a cheerleader.) Running has enabled me to set goals and build confidence. It has been one of the hardest things I have ever done. Starting out I thought I would die after running for one minute! But I kept at it and looking back I kind of laugh at myself. It has been a lot of hard work but also a lot of joy when I see what my body and mind can accomplish together. And sure, the occasional medals are just the icing on the cake.

I look at my two little granddaughters, 7 and 9. They are in dance,soccer,softball and golf this summer. They are having so much fun while learning teamwork and cooperation. The girls are becoming confident in themselves so it doesn't matter if they miss a putt or strike out. They are enjoying their time with friends. I can see their pride when grandma and papa come to watch.

So I would like to thank the people responsible for passing Title IX. While it wasn't timely for me, millions of other girls and women have benefited. I am so looking forward to the Olympics to watch all of the incredible women athletes! What's your favorite to watch?

Have You Tried Argan Oil?

I had read about this oil and its good properties but didn't give much thought to actually using it. A few months ago my sister mentioned how she loved using it on her hair. Still didn't think too much more about it. Then I went in to get my hair cut by a new stylist. You can guess what she suggested for my hair...yup! Argan oil.

Now my hair is very course and the grays are coming in wiry. In summer when it's humid it is generally a frizzy mess. I had resorted to cutting it short to try to keep a more manageable style. So I was really interested when she told me that her product contained argan oil(or as the label reads, Moroccan Oil) and that it would make my hair shiny and elminate the frizz. She put some on my hair and I was sold! (Plus I liked the name...Sexy,Healthy Hair!) However, the real test would come when I got home and tried it on my own.

I have to tell you I use that argan oil on my hair everytime I wash it. I put a small amount in my palms, rub my hands together and then put it on my hair. It has made such a difference in my hair texture. (Now that I am older, I only wash my hair every other day and I can still feel the difference on the off days.)It only takes a little so my bottle is lasting quite awhile.

The product I use is from Great Clips. (I have not been reimbursed for this--opinion is strictly mine.)I did buy another argan oil hair product on sale at a discount store. I will be trying this stuff when my Great Clips product is gone. My sister uses one from the salon where she gets her hair cut. I'm thinking that any product that has the argan oil would probably give the same results.

Guess what? Checking the Great Clips website I saw that the Sexy Hair products during the month of June are only $10! (The sale ends on June 30, 2012.)

Have you tried any products containing Argan Oil?

Wordless Wednesday

               

Happy Father's Day

For all the dads in my life I want to say enjoy your special day; you deserve it! And to my son Jon who is a brand new dad here is a little food for thought. Your new role as dad is going to be all of this!

What Is A Dad?

A dad is someone who wants to catch you before you fall

but instead picks you up,

brushes you off and lets you try again.

A dad is someone who wants to keep you from making mistakes

but instead lets you find your own way,

even though his heart breaks in silence when you get hurt.

A dad is someone who holds you when you cry,

scolds you when you break the rules,

shines with pride when you succeed,

and has faith in you even when you fail. 

Unknown

Heartfelt Photographs

I have exciting news! I am a grandma again. My son and daughter-in-law just had a baby boy. He is the sweetest little thing. Since we live in different states I haven't seen him in person--yet. Hubby and I are traveling there later this month to meet him. I just can't wait to hold little Jack.

Reveling in all this joy really made reading the article about Heartfelt Photographs so heart-wrenching.  Heartfelt is a volunteer organisation of professional photographers from all over Australia dedicated to giving the gift of photographic memories to families that have experienced stillbirths, premature and ill infants and children in the Neonatal Intensive Care Units of their local hospitals, as well as children with serious and terminal illnesses. Heartfelt is dedicated to providing this gift to families in a caring, compassionate manner. All services are provided free of charge.

I can't imagine the sorrow and heartbreak parents must feel when they are not able to bring their baby home. After doing an internet search I found that we have an organization here in the U.S. that provides the same service. It is "Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep". (Find more info here.) I actually found the photographer that provides this service here in my hometown. Hopefully you will never need this information but please pass it on if you are aware of anyone else who does.

Wordless Wednesday

                                                                                               
                                                                                       

A Mother's Love

This is such a sad story. Jerry was driving along running some errands. He was on a busy four lane going about 50 mph. Up ahead he saw cars slowing down, driving around a mother goose and her two little goslings who had been run over. Even with all of the traffic the mother goose would not move.

Later he came back the same way and saw that someone had moved the two little dead goslings to the middle median and the mother goose stood right there by them. I could just imagine her pain at losing the two little ones. Had she tried to warn them not to go out into the traffic? Had she tried to save them? Had it been her idea to try to cross the road? I wonder how long she will grieve her little ones. To me it proves that all mothers are the same. We love our children and mourn their loss. She must just be heart-broken!

Do You Make Time to “Treat” Yourself?

I was reading a post by Gretchin at The Happiness Project. She had asked her followers if they find time to treat themselves and if they do, what are their "treats". I found that  pretty interesting and had to take some time to ask myself that. It seems like I've been busy lately and haven't really taken the time to treat myself. So...guess what I'm going to do starting today? Yup--find the time to "treat' myself.


So what are some of my treats?  Here's a short list...


1. Read some of my favorite photography blogs and dream about taking awesome photos.
2. Giving myself a facial with mud from Gathered From the Garden.
3. Sneaking in a short nap in my hammock.
4. Eating a piece of dark chocolate.
5. Reading on the couch in my porch.
6. Sleeping in just a little now that I'm off for the summer.
7. Taking a walk through my gardens to just enjoy the flowers, not work in them.
8. Watching the hummingbirds at the feeder.
9. Eating breakfast on my porch.
10. Getting a massage. (a big treat!)


Are you taking time to treat yourself?  What's on your list of treats?