Friday, November 22, 2024

Fly On The Wall During The Month Of Appreciation


Welcome to another edition of Fly On The Wall group blog postings hosted by Karen of Baking In A Tornado. Today, there are three of us bloggers inviting you into our homes to see what a fly might see (or overhear).

Fall is my favorite season--even though I live in Florida where the palm trees stay green all year 'round. I love that we celebrate numerous family birthdays during these months and I really enjoy Halloween and Thanksgiving! But mostly, I like this time of year because it speaks FAMILY to me and everything I appreciate about the people in my life. 

I recently worked on an article about older people who live alone and why they prefer to skip the holidays. It really saddened me to hear their stories; I cannot fathom a life without my family and friends. For this reason, I feel extra blessed during the holidays to be surrounded by them. This is especially true during Thanksgiving when we gather and take turns sharing with one another what we are most grateful for. Of course, I always have to throw in the bit about being grateful for turkey, stuffing, and mashed potatoes (I CAN'T WAIT!!) and a big helping of pumkin pie. 



My gratitude list is a long one---I'm grateful for the obvious (family and friends) but also my faith in the Good Lord, my health, my pup Yoda (who always makes me laugh), my home and gorgeous backyard garden, my awesome neighbors, my Zumba peeps, my editors (who keep me busy and well fed), our monthly RV trips, the multitude of entertaining squirrels and birds who visit us daily for food, the ocean I live near, fruity martinis, decadent pasta, and chocolate.....LOTS of chocolate (I'm still working on a leftover bag of Halloween candy but don't tell Hubs--I keep it hidden in my closet drawer because yes, this girl hoards fun-size candy bars).

I'm sure there are a TON more that I forgot to mention, but you can get the gist of what I'm appreciative of from these photos! 







HALLOWEEN 2024 FUN!






                                   RV LIFE IS THE BEST LIFE! 










Happy Thanksgiving to all my dear readers. Now tell me in the comments below what YOU are grateful for this season!



***WANT MORE MENO MAMA? Let's talk Thanksgiving! Here are a few of my recipe essays that were featured in AARP this week.... On The Ethel, "3 Ways to Cook The Perfect Bird" that you can check out HERE  Over at The Girlfriend, I have an article on "4 Twists On Thanksgiving Side Dishes" that you can read HERE  And then another Holiday piece on Experience Counts about "Ingenious Ways To Use Up Thanksgiving Leftovers" that you can read HERE Lastly, I wrote a self-help article on getting more sleep (because I'm getting GREAT sleep, and you deserve some as well!!) which was recently featured on The Girlfriend. You can read it HERE

Now go visit Karen and Diane's blog to see what they've been up to this month!

Baking In A Tornado                                https://www.BakingInATornado.com

                               

On the Border                                         https://dlt-lifeontheranch.blogspot.com/



Friday, October 18, 2024

Fly On The Wall With A Not-So-Old Lady

Welcome to another edition of Fly On The Wall group blog postings hosted by Karen of Baking In A Tornado. Today there are 3 of us welcoming you into our homes for a glimse at what goes on behind closed doors. 

This month the fly saw me hit the big 6-5.....yes, I am Medicare-eligible now! My birthday was on the 15th, so I've had a few days to reflect on what it means to be 65. I am incredibly grateful to be healthy enough to have made another trip around the sun. I feel younger than I am (guessing that I act younger too, haha), and never consider myself an "old lady" despite what the numbers say. I think the reason for this is because I try to stay "young at heart." Yes, it sounds corny, but it's true. Laughter is also a big part of it, but mostly, it's about deeply loving the people I surround myself with. 


I've lost several friends who never made it to their golden years, and it saddens me to think of all they've missed out on. Sure, I've had my share of health scares and so has my husband, but we both advocate for our health by being proactive with preventative care. My goal is to beat Betty White's longevity record (or Keith Richards, for that matter), but of course, the length of my lifespan is not in my hands--only in the Good Lord's. But I sure hope I get the chance to see my grandbabies grow up, marry, and have kids of their own. Of course, I cannot imagine doing any of this without my goofball sweetheart beside me. 

This not-so-old lady is 65 going on 35, and I wouldn't have it any other way. The birthday celebrations are still going strong this week with family and friends, which makes me feel more and more that life is a gift I will never take for granted. This photo dump from the past few weeks is a reminder of the love that surrounds me. I feel truly blessed by these important humans in my life.  







Grow old along with me! The best is yet to be, the last of life, for which the first was made” by English poet Robert Browning.



***Want more Meno Mama?  You can find my latest recipe article for AARP/The Girlfriend HERE And for the AARP newsletter, I have an essay up on a grandparent's perspective on Gentle Parenting that you can read HERE


Now check out what Karen and Diane have been up to with the fly buzzing around their houses!


Baking In A Tornado                              https://www.BakingInATornado.com

                             

On the Border                                         https://dlt-lifeontheranch.blogspot.com/










   

Wednesday, September 25, 2024

Got foot pain? Reduce The Discomfort With Better Shoes And Comfort Insoles

Several years ago when I was walking a 7-mile track regularly, I started to experience uncomfortable foot pain, mostly in the arch of my right foot. Turns out I developed what my doctor diagnosed as plantar fasciitis. He suggested I buy comfort insoles and a better pair of shoes with support to reduce the pain---and it worked! Within weeks I was on the track again, enjoying my morning walks. 

Many people my age (in their 60s) complain about the changes they've noticed in their feet, such as a widening of the foot width, bunions, or overpronation. These conditions can limit physical activity--something those of us past middle age need to do to stay heart healthy. This is why comfort insoles are beneficial for leading an active life. 

As it turns out, walking is one of the best forms of exercise for people 50 and older. It helps strengthen our muscles and bones and is also great for maintaining a healthy weight. Walking keeps our joints flexible and prevents both osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. However, without proper shoes with supports, walking long distances may become difficult and cause increased foot pain. 

My husband experienced this recently. His job requires quite a bit of walking around a large, residential property where he works as an overseer, and recently, he started experiencing foot discomfort as well as knee pain. He was constantly limping and complaining, even after trying several medications, shoe inserts, and knee braces, but nothing helped. I finally convinced him that he needed to ditch the old shoes and buy special ones with comfort insoles made to decrease the pain of plantar fasciitis. Within the first week of wearing his new shoes, he felt relief, and by the second week, the knee pain had disappeared!

To me, it's a no-brainer. If you want to stay healthy by being physically active at any age, good shoes with comfort insoles are a must!

Disclaimer: Please know this partnership is between Responsival, and my blog, Menopausal Mother. 






Friday, September 20, 2024

Fly On The Wall In A Squirrely Season

Welcome to another edition of Fly On The Wall group blog postings hosted by Karen of Baking In A Tornado. Today there are three of us inviting you into our homes to see what a nosy fly might see if he was buzzing around our houses. 

The fly has seen me at my desk throughout most of the summer---thankfully, the assignments have been rolling in from AARP, and that helps me afford the abundance of seed I feed my outdoor "pet" squirrels (more on this squirrely insanity below). Fall is also a mellow, reflective time for me, my thoughts often turning to family, bittersweet memories, and loved ones I've lost. I am fortunate to have had the privilege of writing these sentimental thoughts in personal essays for AARP this month (see links below). It is always very cathartic for me to get this stuff out into the world, and in a way, it validates what I'm feeling when I read the reader's comments who share my perspective.

What cheers me up though is spending lots of time with the grandbabies, which I did this month, so heads-up--lots of grandkid photos in this post! 


Mac is also great at bringing humor into almost every situation, and this month's nosy fly overheard quite a few weird comments from my better half...... 


"Wasn't that a great crock pot meal I made tonight?"
"Yeah, but I'm so full after eating it that I'm going to need an epidural just to pass all this food next time I go to the bathroom." 
"Nobody is forcing the fork into your mouth."
"I feel as if I have a family of four growing inside my stomach. I'm going to claim them as dependents on my tax form next year." 



"Look at all the new, baby squirrels we have in the trees!"
"It's your fault we have so many. We're spending a fortune on seeds and nuts just to feed them all."
"Somebody needs to tell them to stop having squirrely sex."

"Well, at least SOMEBODY around here is getting sex...."



"Our pug is so spoiled at bedtime."
"How so?" 
"He gets to sleep on the new memory foam pillows while I'm still sleeping on your mom's hand-me-down flat pillows from 1939."
"What can I say? It's a 'RUFF' life for you..."



"I hate it when you send me to the deli counter at the grocery store. The lines are always so long."
"Just start farting loudly and you'll clear the line in no time."



"The squirrels are at the door again. They're hungry. I guess I'm just the food bag to them."
"No, you're an OLD bag to them."



"Have you been using my hairbrush? There's blonde hair in it."
"Well, it was sitting there looking lonesome on your dresser so of course, I had to use it."
"No, you were just too lazy to get your own."
"Good thing you didn't notice the short, black hairs in it."
"No one in this family has black hair!"
"The dog does....."


"Geez, it's warm in here. I'm sweating."
"A hot flash? I thought you were done with menopause."
"I am, but I've gained weight since then. Now I'm getting Fat Flashes."



"Again with the squirrels?? STOP FEEDING THEM! "
"I can't help it--they depend on me."
"It's not just squirrels anymore! We have hungry raccoons, mice, possums, and tons of birds frequenting our yard now. One of these days I'm going to come home and find a buffalo grazing in the backyard!"

I've been feeding the squirrels for over 25 years, and I'm not about to stop anytime soon. If Mac keeps arguing with me about it, I've threatened to turn him into a human birdfeeder by strapping him into a chair, slathering him with peanut butter and covering him with seeds and nuts. Too much? 

Now if you'll excuse me, there's a squirrel knocking at the back door....I also need to find some duct tape and peanut butter....

By the way, we are HUGE KC Chief Fans, (and totally stoked about this season!) so of course.... I had to include a pic of us in our football attire. GO CHIEFS!!!

***WANT MORE MENO MAMA? It has been a VERY busy writing month! I LOVE this AARP/ Ethel personal essay about my mother cooking in the kitchen (including some of her recipes). You can read this lovely bit of nostalgia HERE Another heartfelt essay on AARP/Girlfriend about the loss of my sister---I'm especially proud of how this one turned out----You can read it HERE I also have a few food articles up---one on crock pot recipes at AARP/Girlfriend HERE  and another recipe article on the classic American burger over at AARP/Experience Counts, for you to read HERE My latest column for Yahoo Life focuses on the emotional side of retirement HERE And lastly, I also have a fun piece on why it's great to live in Florida, which you can read at AARP/Experience Counts HERE

Now go hop on over to Karen and Diane's houses to see what that naughty fly has been up to!

Baking In A Tornado                                https://www.BakingInATornado.com

                              

On the Border                                         https://dlt-lifeontheranch.blogspot.com/



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