Menopausal Mother

The fly is excited because Christmas is only a few days away! I've got all my decorating and baking done---the only thing left is to wrap the last of the gifts. Yesterday I came across this cute Christmas question-and-answer page and thought it might be fun to share with you. Feel free to copy the questions and share them with your own family! ***If you don't celebrate Christmas, you can adapt the list for Hanukkah or Kwanzaa as well!

CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS:

CHRISTMAS PLANNING:

FUNNIEST CHRISTMAS MEMORY?

Many years ago when I was baking cookies with my kids and their friends---we got into a massive powdered sugar fight (like a snowball fight) throughout the entire house while my husband was out shopping. We ended up coated in confectioner's sugar as well as all the furniture, the floors, and even the dog. needless to say, Hubs was not happy about the mess---our house looked like a snow globe exploded. It took MONTHS to get all of that sugar out...but I still laugh about it just thinking of that day.

FAVORITE HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES:

1. Parties! We go to several and I really enjoy catching up with our friends and neighbors. It's always fun to see Santa and eat so much food (guilt-free because holiday calories don't count) that I feel like I'm going to burst!

2. Christmas Caroling. Well, we don't actually do the singing--we attend a community gathering at a historical mansion where carolers walk around singing. There is plenty of food, wine, music, games, fake snow, and sometimes fireworks!

3. Old Town Untapped. This is a monthly greeting event in the historic district of my town. Live bands, food trucks, bars, vendors. The Christmas gathering is amazing and hundreds of people show up to celebrate the season together! 

4. Driving or walking around town to see all the Christmas lights. There are also several parks we go to at night with a thermos of hot cocoa while viewing the holiday decorations. 

Despite all the hustle and bustle of Christmas, always remember the TRUE meaning of the holiday---the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! 

God Bless you all and Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Heri za Kwanzaa, and a Happy New Year!

Stop by Karen and Diane's house to see what the fly has been up to this holiday season!

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

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

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. 

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! 

***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/

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/