Friday, June 13, 2025

The Menopause Decoder

If you're going through menopause right now, chances are you're not sure what to expect, and your male partner has even less of an idea of what you're experiencing. Author Stormy Quinn says that after realizing there was no real guide to help her—and countless other women—navigate the hormonal changes that impact relationships, she decided to create one. The result is: The Menopause Decoder: The Ultimate Men’s Guide to Understanding and Supporting His Partner Through Change a book designed to offer honest insights and practical solutions for couples trying to make sense of it all.



"This book exists because, for some bizarre reason, nobody prepares men for perimenopause," says Quinn. "Not your dad, not your friends, not that one awkward high school health class where the gym teacher mumbled something about “the female cycle” and then made you watch a VHS tape from 1987. Society just kind of skips right over this stage like “Ah, she’ll figure it out.” And while she might eventually, where does that leave you? So here we are. Welcome. You’re not alone, and you’re not crazy. You’re just in a relationship with someone who is entering one of the most hormonally wild, emotionally charged, and biologically confusing seasons of her life—and you’re going to need a map. Or better yet, a playbook."

Your partner sees that you are changing, and he doesn't know how to help. Mood swings, sleepless nights, emotional distance, or sudden tears—your partner realizes that you don't seem like yourself lately, but there’s a good reason for that and a way to understand it all.  

The Menopause Decoder: The Ultimate Men’s Guide to Understanding and Supporting His Partner Through Change is a new guide for men who want to understand what’s happening during perimenopause and menopause, and how to stay connected through it.

Written in a straightforward, relatable tone, this book breaks down the hormonal shifts affecting a woman's mind, body, and emotions. It offers insights into what she may be experiencing, what the man might notice, and how he can support his partner without making things worse.

Inside, your male partner will discover:

      What perimenopause and menopause can look like

      Why she might not be able to explain what she’s feeling

      How to avoid common communication mistakes

      Simple ways to stay supportive, calm, and grounded

 

Whether you’ve been together for a few years or a few decades, this is a practical, judgment-free resource to help men show up during one of the most misunderstood stages of a woman’s life.

 

The Menopause Decoder: The Ultimate Men’s Guide to Understanding and Supporting His Partner Through Change is now available on Amazon

BIO:

Stormy Quinn is an author and entrepreneur driven by personal experience and a deep understanding of the real struggles women and couples face during perimenopause and menopause. Her mission is simple: to provide a resource that helps women and the people who love them understand what’s really going on and how to work through it together. For more information, visit: https://www.venusvitalitynu.com/




Friday, May 23, 2025

Fly On The Wall With The Old Farts

     Welcome to another edition of Fly On The Wall group blog postings hosted by Karen of Baking In A Tornado. Today, there are four of us bloggers inviting you into our homes to see what a fly might see (or overhear). Hopefully, this month, the fly saw everyone having a fabulous Mother's Day---I know I enjoyed mine! Who doesn't like a day to be spoiled?


      I've REALLY been feeling my age lately. It probably started with my recent bone scan that determined the start of osteopenia. Yikes! So I've started walking daily as well as eating more dairy and using hand weights. Apparently, yoga and zumba hasn't been enough. This means I have to add more physical stuff to my routine (and anyone who knows me well knows I tend to be....lazy...when it comes to physical exertion). I've been teasing Mac about being an old fart since he turns 69 this July, but here I am having bone deterioration, so I guess I'M the OLD FART! Naturally, the nosy fly has overheard plenty of snarky conversations recently about our aging issues....



"Oh, look, there's a big antique show going on." 

"Antiques? You'd better hurry up and get over there since you're the main attraction."



"I read a funny meme about putting your loved one's ashes in an hourglass so they can still be part of family game night."
"Knowing you, my ashes would end up in the grandkids' sandbox."
"Or the kitty's litter box...."



"Hurry up and turn the A/C on! I'm HOT!"
"You hot? Thankfully, at your age, no one else thinks that."



     
We've continued with our RV trips, which means there have been more fun conversations around the fire while cooking s'mores. Of course, the marshmallows weren't the only things getting roasted:



"I thought you said we were cutting out carbs while we camp. I noticed I have pasta on my plate, but you don't."
"You need the carbs for energy, even if they cause a little weight gain." 
"So, instead of Make America Great Again, this is Make Mac Fat Again."


"Why did you buy such big tires for the truck to pull the RV?"
"Because size matters."
"That's what she said."



"Did you pick up the sod?"
"Yep, and I already laid it."
"That's the only thing around here that's getting laid...."


"You know, I'm your Big Mac and you can play with my McNuggets any time you'd like."
"You're also one fry short of a full order."



"Why do you eat so fast?"
"When you come from a family with eight siblings, it's do or die at the dinner table."



"Geez, your bunion is getting bigger. It's huge!!"
"I call it my sixth toe."
"Either that or you're turning into a platypus." 



"I need to declutter and get rid of some of my tchotchkes."
"Yeah, you have too many Titanic-themed memorabilia. No one wants your fake icebergs because their value has 'melted' over time."



"I'm burning up on this hiking trail! I feel like a rotisserie chicken turning over a spit."
"If you're the chicken, then I'm the shriveled up wiener at the gas station deli."



"Geez, thanks for leaving the camper door open so all the mosquitoes can get inside."
"You're a mosquito."
"If I were a mosquito, I'd bite the hell out of you for leaving the camper door 
open." 


    Our RV camping has been awesome, but now that summer is coming, things will slow down a bit. I fell in LOVE with Lake Kissimmee State Park---made lots of new RV friends there. One of them---Kim, was eating an apple while we were hanging out, and suddenly three deer came to our campsite and let us feed them apple slices. It was a magical experience! Then later that night, a freaking armadillo came over and sat by my feet. He was eating something on the ground and was totally comfortable chilling out next to me. THIS is why I love the RV life! Another reason we were anxious to explore Lake Kissimmee is because our dear friend Kristin Jacobs, who passed away several years ago, has a trail there named after her, so of course, we had to walk it! Then two weeks after that park, we were off to Torry Island, where the sunsets were spectacular and the alligators plenty. Up next in June is Peace River again for a longer stay this time, since it has become one of our favorite spots. Temps are supposed to be in the mid-90s, so there will be a LOT of sweating going on.  










     It's getting hot as blazes here in Florida. I'm thinking Mac may just spontaneously combust while he's outside doing yard work or walking a camp trail with me... If he does, I already know where I'll be putting his ashes. Anyone have a cat pan that needs refilling?


***WANT MORE MENO MAMA? Speaking of aging, I had a blast writing a humor essay for AARP about things I do now that I never thought I'd do when I was younger. Check it out HERE for a good laugh! And I wrote another one "anonymously" for AARP about my husband's refusal to retire, which you can read HERE I also have some yummy & easy ground beef recipes for you over at AARP/The Girlfriend that you can find HERE 

Be sure to go see what the fly has been up to at these other blogs:

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

                                

On the Border                                         https://dlt-lifeontheranch.


 What TF Sarah                                 https://crazymamallama.blogspot.com/





Friday, April 18, 2025

Fly On The Wall With The Elusive Easter Bunny

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). 

The nosy fly already knows that every year I take pride in the annual family Easter dinner I host in the garden to enjoy the pleasures of spring. But this year, the Easter bunny has skipped town, taking his coveted chocolate eggs with him. Why? BECAUSE I FORGOT EASTER IS THIS WEEKEND AND BOOKED A CAMPING TRIP FOR THIS DATE A YEAR AGO!!!! 

I don't get it---Easter is usually in late March or early April. Who decided April 20th was the perfect date? Ugh! I have never missed this holiday with my family and I hate letting them down--they look forward to the goodies I cook and I LOVE seeing my grandbabies all dressed up for the holiday. I even have bunny ears, for heaven's sake! Okay, lesson learned. We actually get home late that afternoon, but there will be no time to cook, and I will be too tired anyway after the 3-hour drive home from Lake Kissimmee, but at least some of my kids have promised to come over for dinner, even if it's just some Chinese take-out (and I can still wear my bunny ears!!).

As I have mentioned in previous FOW blog posts, we are on the road every other weekend until midsummer, when all travel stops due to the horrid heat and hurricane threats. For now, we're just enjoying the good times with our RV and the gorgeous Florida weather. Peace River in Bowling Green was AMAZING last month and 2 weeks ago we finally got to camp in Stuart with our neighbors who have a huge RV. Talk about a great time! Well, it was all fun and games until our truck tire blew out on the highway home. SCARY! The only good thing about it was the cutie-patootie Road Ranger who rescued us. What a sweetheart! And he loves pugs, even though Yoda barked at him the entire time. Here are some fun photos of our last 2 RV trips:




The Fly got to see this old married couple celebrate 41 years together on April 7th. What a ride it has been, and I cannot imagine a better person than Mac to share a seat with me on the crazy train to Clown Town. No one entertains me more than him, and I feel blessed to share the laughter with him every day on this joy ride. (If you are on TikTok, you can follow me over there under my full name--Marcia Kester Doyle---and see all of Mac's wacky music/dance videos). 



The other night, when we were having dinner with friends who are considerably younger than us, they were laughing at the way Mac and I speak to each other. To some, our silly name-calling may seem offensive, but our weird nicknames are the language of love for us. As Mac said to our friends that night, "This is what 41 years of marriage does to you---but we wouldn't have it any other way!" Here are some of the old photos I posted on FB and Instagram the day of our anniversary (around the time we met, when we married, had our first baby, and then some....)

By the time you read this FOW post, I will be hanging out at Lake Kissimmee State Park and most likely swatting away at the nosy fly and his band of merry mischief makers. Although I will be missing Easter at home, I guess the bunny is NOT so elusive after all, because I just found a Cadbury cream egg! 

But of course, this special holiday isn't really about an elusive bunny leaving candy eggs all over the backyard for children to find.....So, for those who celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the hope of eternal life, HAPPY EASTER! #HeIsRisen

***Want more Meno Mama? You can find me over at AARP/The Girlfriend sharing some of the best dessert recipes HERE and a list of must-see TV shows streaming right now that you can find HERE Over at AARP/The Ethel, I have a list of some of the best (and easiest) viral recipes on social media that you can check out HERE

Don't forget to stop by Karen and Diane's houses to see what their nosy 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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