Menopausal Mother

 
    Welcome to another edition of Fly On The Wall group blog postings hosted by Karen of  Baking In A Tornado. This is your opportunity to get a sneak peek at what goes on behind the closed doors of the writers who are participating in today's postings.

   
     Things have been pretty busy here since January, but rather than tell you all about it, I'll SHOW you what the Doyle family has been up to. If you've been reading my Fly On The Wall posts on a regular basis, then you know there's never a dull moment around our home. I am blessed with a loving, crazy, close-knit family that enjoys being together and having fun. These photos tell it all:






Ringing in the New Year with close friends and family. The evening would not have been complete without a champagne toast, some booty dancing, and a surprise appearance by Olaf the snowman. Um, yeah.....don't ask.....



My daughters and I are sticking to our New Year's resolutions to get in shape and stay that way with the help of our awesome Zumba instructor. Nothing like a vigorous dance workshop to sweat off the holiday pounds. And God knows I had a LOT of cookies and egg nog to work off.



I finally completed something on my bucket list: a trip to Disney World to celebrate my granddaughter's fifth birthday. We made some incredible memories that I hope she'll always remember and hold dear.....because I certainly will.



Check number #2 off my bucket list: For years I have wanted to raise a pug puppy, but never had the opportunity, until recently. This beautiful, furry ball of love was adopted by us just a few weeks ago. Say hello to Yoda, the little boy who melts my heart (and destroys my shoes). He's the best cure for depression! Yoda always makes me laugh because he's such a little stinker, but I love him to bits. Our two, adult pugs are still confused about his presence and wondering when his real parents will return  to pick him up. Sorry guys, but Yoda is here to stay. #MyForeverPup



This photo is blurry for a reason. My daughters and I were laughing too hard at our annual Super Bowl party. Did I watch the game? Nope---just the commercials. But I had more fun goofing around with my girls. Super Bowl to me is synonymous with chicken wings, chip & dip, and unlimited desserts. That's okay though, because everyone knows that calories don't count during the Super Bowl weekend.



After all the excitement, it was time to wind down with a visit to our favorite local park----Morikami Japanese Gardens. It's our little slice of heaven on earth that we can't live without. We're lifetime members, because the beauty and serenity of Morikami's zen gardens center us after a hectic week.  It has nothing to do with the fact that their cafe also makes the best tempura I've ever eaten....and I'm totally addicted to the stuff. Maybe calories don't count in Morkiami, either.



Check #3 off my bucket list: Seeing Andrea Bocelli in concert! My daughter and her boyfriend surprised us with the tickets, and we were thrilled! It was a lovely evening with dinner on the water in Miami, and then being treated to hours of superb music. Best Valentine's Day gift ever!

     Up next: we're off to the local Renaissance Festival, so you know there's going to be some unusual photos in my next FOW post.  Didn't I tell you Doyles like to have FUN?



Cluttered Genius                            http://www.clutteredgenius.com      

     It's that time of month again---Fly On The Wall group postings, hosted by Karen of Baking In A tornado. Today 11 bloggers are inviting you to catch a glimpse of what you would see in their homes if you were a fly on their wall.

     As many of you know, my mother has been in the hospital CVNICU for over a week now. It has been an emotional roller coaster for the entire family, and we are learning to take things one step at a time. Some days are full of little miracles, while others are heartbreaking and difficult to get through. For this reason, I haven't had much time to write or visit the blogs of my fellow writers. Our family is completely focused on my mother's health at this time and praying for her recovery.

     The month before Mom became ill, we were invited to do some fun social activities with our adult children. They treated us to some crazy and interesting experiences, and of course, we had to drag them along with us to the annual Renaissance Festival as well (a family tradition). Below are photos of some of the events that we shared: a night at the Miami Ice Bar, bottomless mimosas at YOLO in downtown Ft. Lauderdale, "Whiskey Wednesday" at Mellow Mushroom, walking the nature trail at Morikami Japanese Gardens, and a fun night at home with the family after a great dinner around the fire pit. Nothing beats making lasting memories with the family! The only thing missing is the fly----who knew he was camera shy??












***WANT MORE MENO MAMA? This week I was featured on The Mutton Club with my post, "Healthy Habits In Midlife (This Diet Thing Sucks)." You can read it here: http://www.themuttonclub.com/healthy-habits-in-midlife/

ANOTHER FUN THING: I was delighted to have my crazy hair featured on The Huffington Post. Yes, you heard that right. My purple hair. Check out the post, written by Ann Brenoff   here:http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/7-women-over-50-on-why-theyre-dyeing-their-hair-crazy-colors_us_56e07237e4b0860f99d78812