Friday, June 21, 2019

Fly On The Wall In Sauna Season

Welcome to another edition of Fly On The Wall group blog postings, hosted by Karen of Baking In A Tornado. Today, six bloggers are inviting you into their homes for a glimpse at what you might see and hear if you were a fly on their wall.

We're too hot to do much this month as we deal with the interminable heat of summer. Living in south Florida from June to September is like living in Satan's armpit for four months. Or like experiencing a hot flash that never ends. This is my life. The only way to keep my sense of humor is to stick my head in the freezer every 30 minutes. My husband also has a sense of humor. He bought me a "wearable sports fan." For real. I don't care how dumb it looks on me; it's worth it not to melt into a puddle every time I walk the dogs.

Anyway, here are some snippets of conversation the fly overheard while he was sweating on the wall:

"I love riding my spin bike at home, blasting tunes and singing along with the music. But this morning, I don't think the dogs appreciated it when I hit that high note on A-ha's 'Take On Me.'"

"I remember in high school when my best friend and I went to this small gas station near her home, there was a big guy who worked there and he had a crush on her. Every time he saw Ginny, he made a point of trying to impress her by telling her that he was a firebug."
"Well, that's not creepy at all..."

"I can't believe that after 15 attempts, I FINALLY got a publication acceptance from McSweeney's on my funny post about those nasty seaweed chips! Do you think this will make me famous for humor writing?"

"No, it'll make you famous for hating seaweed chips."

"I love coming home from work and popping open a few beers."
"Yes, I can tell. You do it every single night."
"Yep. The only difference between me and an alcoholic is that they go to meetings every Tuesday night. "

"You really need to start using a moisturizer on your face."
"Yeah, I know. There isn't enough lotion in the world to smooth out my deep wrinkles. I've got a map of the Grand Canyon on my face."

"I've eaten so much meat tonight that I'm pretty sure I've consumed Noah's entire ark."

"What's taking so long for the waiter to bring out our food? All he has done so far is set our table. I'm so hungry, I might chew on the silverware."
"Maybe that's all he thinks we need for dinner---edible napkins on a plate."

"I don't know why they call this a memory foam mattress. I still don't remember anything after I wake up."

"My mother served us beef tongue when I was a child. She tried to disguise it under layers of ketchup and pass it off as meatloaf. I knew something was wrong when I saw the pointed end of a tongue and taste buds on the surface. This is why I have trust issues today."

I don't have trust issues, but I DO have fan issues. As in, I need MORE!

***WANT MORE MENO MAMA? I'm thrilled to have a new essay published on the website Human Parts: "The Healing Power Of Ink." You can read it here: https://tinyurl.com/y2oauld5

Buzz around, see what you think, then click on these links for a peek into some other homes:

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

Never Ever Give Up Hope https://batteredhope.blogspot.com

Menopausal Mother http://www.menopausalmom.com/

Spatulas on Parade https://spatulasonparade.blogspot.com

Bookworm in the Kitchen https://www.bookwormkitchen.com/

Follow me home https://followmehome.shellybean.com

Friday, June 7, 2019

Fun Friday Guest Writer: Anne Bardsley

I'm always so happy when I get a chance to showcase my dear friend Anne Bardsley's work. We became pals when we first we met at the Erma Bombeck Writers Workshop in 2014 and she has kept me laughing ever since with her hilarious tales. With her permission, I snagged a funny story from her blog because it is 100% relatable to my life, and I think some of my readers might be able to relate, too. Enjoy!

YOUR BODY IS LISTENING

I realized that my body and mind are more connected than I realized. I’d read that if you speak kindly to your body, it reacts accordingly. For instance, I always complained about having big feet. All of the cute shoes are size seven and eight. By the time I get to my size ten, the pickings are slim and unattractive.

I realized that my feet need more loving attention. I now thank them for taking me where I need to go. I even promise them a pedicure. Don’t you know after doing this practice, cute shoes started to appear in my size!

I thought this was a genius body-mind connection that would work for me. I began talking to my stomach, “Hello belly. It looks like you might have a baby growing in there. It’s okay. Many women my age have the same belly. I just want you to know that I love you just the way you are.” I did a few effleurage strokes, like I learned in natural childbirth classes, on my belly to show my love and support. I felt happy suddenly. Contented with my belly, I patted it again.

That afternoon I went to Target to find a sundress. As if my belly was leading me, I went straight to a pretty, bright flowered dress. It fit perfectly. This never happens. I usually have to try on ten dresses to get a comfortable fit. I was so happy! I may have been glowing.

I felt a slight cramp as I was hanging the dress back on the plastic hanger. I said to myself, “It’s probably just a Braxton hicks contraction. It’s nothing to be concerned about at my age.” I rubbed my lower back and took a few deep breaths while patting my belly.

That’s when I realized that I am talking myself right into the maternity department! No one ever listens to me. Why should my body? My body now has very happy feet and thinks I’m six months pregnant. Of course, the sundress fit perfectly! It was a Maternity by Liz piece and that’s the exact brand maternity bathing suit I bought last year!

I almost put the dress back on the rack when a little voice spoke up, “Anne, you look pretty in pink. It gives you a nice glow.” I bought the dress and a hat to match.

I’m afraid to talk nice to my breasts now. I really would like them to be firm and high, but I might end up back in the maternity section again. I could end up with a pink nursing bra!

BIO:

I am a wife, mom of five, Gigi to four, a friend, a sister, a sunset watcher, and my hips move whenever I hear music. That is not always a good thing. I’ve been married for thirty-nine years to Scott, my wrinkle maker of a husband. He was part of the inspiration for my first book, How I Earned My Wrinkles…Musings on Marriage, Motherhood, and Menopause. My work has been featured in Erma Bombeck’s humorwriters.org, Purple Clover, The Grand Magazine, Better After 50, Feisty After 45, Island Reporter, Paradise News, Very Funny Women, Scary Mommy, and many others.

Anne's Books:

HOW I EARNED MY WRINKLES

ANGEL BUMPS

BLOG

Thursday, June 6, 2019

The Natural Way To Minimalize Hot Flashes

If you are in the throes of perimenopause or menopause, then you know the discomfort of hot flashes. I'm tired of sweating through my clothes every day, so I'm always on the lookout for products that work to reduce the symptoms of hot flashes. I'm happy to share some info on the blog today from EQUELLE , a company that offers relief from hot flashes without hormone treatment.

EQUELLE: THE SAFE ALTERNATIVE TO REDUCING HOT FLASHES

As the summer heat rises, hot flashes from perimenopause and menopause may become more and more unbearable. In fact, hot flashes are the most common menopause symptom, 75% of U.S. women will experience hot flashes at some point. Other symptoms experienced during perimenopause and menopause can include muscle aches, mood swings, night sweats and difficulty sleeping, a feeling of brain fogginess, vaginal dryness, weight gain and more. So, what can be done to help manage these symptoms? The first steps are simply to commit to improving your overall health and well-being. Strategies include eating fresh, healthy foods, increasing physical activity, getting adequate sleep and reducing stress levels.

If none of these strategies are working, the good news is there is a new non-hormonal alternative for women to reduce the frequency of hot flashes called EQUELLE^†. EQUELLE is a naturally derived product from a plant compound found in soy. EQUELLE is a non-prescription supplement clinically shown to alleviate the frequency of hot flashes associated with menopause.† Two tablets should be taken twice daily with a glass of water. In clinical trials, women saw results in as few as four weeks, with optimal results in eight to twelve weeks. EQUELLE is now trusted by tens of thousands of women for menopause relief^†. Learn more at EQUELLE.com.

#EQUELLEambassador #sponsored

†This statement has not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Tuesday, June 4, 2019

Common Foot Problems For Aging Adults

Today I have guest writer Will Bail on the blog again, this time to discuss the foot problems that aging adults often face. I suffered from Plantar Fasciitis several years ago and it was quite painful, but I was able to remedy the situation after seeing the doctor and wearing a special boot on my foot for a few weeks. I'm happy to report that I haven't had a problem with my foot since then, and I'm able to continue with my vigorous Zumba classes!

Below, Will outlines the most common foot problems in aging adults, what causes these issues, and the possible treatments. Please welcome him to my site today with lots of comment love!

Common Foot Problems for Aging Adults

There are several types of causes that can lead to chronic foot problems in older adults. Aging, diabetes, and tight footwear are the common causes of most foot problems. The stress of carrying your weight around can put your feet at an increased risk of injury, more than other parts of your body. Here some of the most common foot concerns among older adults, the causes, and the types of treatment.

Athlete's Foot

While athlete's foot is commonly known as a fungal infection on the skin, it commonly appears on feet. It's caused by a fungus that's attracted to dark, moist, and warm environments, such as between the toes or the bottoms of the feet. This is especially the case if the individual is active or exercises a lot. This problem can inflame the skin and cause a scaly, white rash to appear.

It can also lead to burning, itching, peeling, and odor. If it's not taken care of, this infection can spread to other parts of the body. You can prevent athlete's foot by keeping your feet clean and dry at all times. You can do this by changing your socks and shoes regularly. There are also antifungal sprays and creams that can be used to treat athlete's foot. If neither of these over-the-counter options works, then you'll need a prescription-strength aid.

Bunions

Bunions are known as abnormalities that form a severe bump on the large toe area. This causes the toe to turn inward. Women are more likely to get bunions from wearing narrow or tight shoes. This applies pressure to the metatarsophalangeal joint (MTP), where the bone of the big toe meets the bone of the foot. Genetics, polio, and rheumatoid arthritis are all risk factors.

Corns and Calluses

Corns and calluses often form on the bony part of the foot. Corns appear on the top and sides of the foot and in between toes. Calluses often appear on the bottom of the feet, especially underneath the balls or heels, or on the sides of the toes. These dead skin cells can be difficult and painful to remove. You may have to wear moleskin or padding around your corns and calluses. Instead of attempting to remove them yourself, you should visit Mod Pod Podiatry for additional care.

Hammertoes

Hammertoes happen when the third or fourth toe is bent or pointed at an awkward angle. Like bunions, hammertoes are caused by wearing tight shoes. Wearing foot pads or inserts can help reposition the toe, but it'll return to its original bent position when removed. Hammertoes cause severe pain and require surgery to correct the issue. Since the toe is bent, corns and calluses can form on it.

Plantar Fasciitis

Many foot doctors have confused heel spurs with plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is the biggest reason for heel pain among older adults, according to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. This painful disorder causes the ligament that supports the foot's arch to become inflamed.

Heel spurs, on the other hand, are the bones that develop once you have plantar fasciitis. It's not the heel spurs that are painful. It's the inflammation that's caused by plantar fasciitis that makes it difficult for some people to walk. Plantar fasciitis can be treated by applying ice to reduce inflammation, resting the feet, and stretching the foot before and after exercise. Comfortable and supportive shoes can also help treat this problem.

BIO:

Wilbert Bail is a link-builder and web developer at LD SEO Sydney. He has an adventurous mind but seldom travels as he would rather stay home and make the client's business website more visible on the internet. He likes techie stuff but won't buy any gadgets that are above $1000, hence no iPhone.

Menopausal Mother

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