Wednesday, July 12, 2023

One Year Later And I'm Still Grieving

Today, July 12th, marks one year since I lost my sweet girl pug Savi. They say that the grief gets easier over time but I'm not sure about that. The pain of losing her still lingers; she was my best fur companion and I loved her more than I ever thought possible. She left a hole in my heart that I fear no other pet can fill. The tears still come when I think of her---as I often do. I remember the way she stared at me just before she closed her eyes for the last time while she was being euthanized. And I remember how my heart felt like it was being ripped from my chest. I don't know if I can ever get past that painful memory. Of course, I'm grateful for the two pugs I still have---I hold them extra close now---but they are not like Savi. She was my lap dog, my shadow, my baby. She loved to be cuddled and slept beside me every night for nine years. In my dreams, she's still there---until I wake to the empty spot beside me and remember she is gone.

Maybe you think it's silly to grieve so hard for a pet, but if you've ever been in my shoes---as many of you have---you understand this unique kind of grief. I've lost a lot of close family members and friends over the years, but this particular loss hit me extra hard. I know that pets ARE family, no matter what anyone else thinks. Unlike humans who become ill and are close to death, pets are innocent and do not understand what is happening when their body starts failing. They depend on us to help them through the pain, even though they are often unable to communicate these emotions. They have no understanding of a higher power or faith in the afterlife. All they know is the here and now---with us beside them---as they are leaving. And we are left with their names forever etched into our hearts.

My husband has offered to get me another dog, but I'm still not ready. I may never be. Savi can never be replaced, and the thought of going through this pain again with another dog terrifies me. All I have left of Savi is a tattoo of her paw print, a box of ashes, and my memories.

Some very kind people reached out to me after my loss and gave me extraordinary gifts to memorialize my love for Savi. One is a stone plaque created for her and another is a painting that an artist sent me after reading my story about her in AARP. At times like this, I lean heavily on my husband and the kindness of strangers. I'm still taking the loss one day at a time, holding my fur baby close to my heart in every way possible.

There is a video on Tik Tok that makes me sob every time I watch it but in a hard way, it's also comforting because it gives me hope that I'll see my beautiful girl again one day. This is from @muthapuppa:

"If your dog could have just one more moment with you, they'd tell you this: I know you miss me. I miss you too. But I need you to know....I took it all with me. Your love. Your scent. The memories. Even my blankey. Thank you for giving me so much love and joy. I love you. Always have. Always will...."

I will always love and miss you, sweet Savi. I look forward to seeing you again one day on the other side of the rainbow.....

Friday, June 23, 2023

Fly On The Wall On A Camping Trip

Welcome to another edition of Fly On The Wall, hosted by Karen of Baking In A Tornado. Today, the two of us are inviting you into our homes to give you a fly's eye view of what goes on behind closed doors.

That nosy fly felt right at home with us recently on our first RV trip we took over the weekend of June 9. He brought a bunch of his friends, too, but I didn't care because I was having too much fun exploring beautiful Highlands Hammock State Park in Florida. If you know me well, then you already know that RV camping has been on my bucket list for many years. Hubs and I have dreamed of retiring together and hitting the road in a little RV, and we finally took the first step to make that dream come true.

We rented a fully equipped 24 ft. drivable RV and it was perfect! I'm a very organized person who did my research, so the trip went smoothly and was absolutely the most relaxing vacation I have ever had. In fact, I'd say this trip was a game changer for me and my hubs. We know for sure now that this is the life we want, so we are making future plans to turn this dream lifestyle into a reality. The cool thing is that Hubs will be retiring next year, and I work remotely with my writing job, so I can continue to write anywhere, anytime.

What I loved most about this trip was the pure serenity we felt in the park--it was so peaceful, plus we were surrounded by all kinds of wildlife. The sites, the sounds....we were totally immersed in nature, exploring her glory---but with A/C, indoor plumbing, comfy beds, and a mini kitchen, of course! We spent our days walking trails, checking out the park's CCC museum, photographing wild birds and animals, and socializing with other campers. We also ate like kings during the trip---steaks, ribs, and fresh veggies on the grill as well as yummy side dishes and desserts (calories don't count while you're on vacation, right?).

But I'd say the best part of the trip was the evenings spent outside playing many rounds of horseshoes, cornhole, and lawn darts. It was also nice listening to our son softly playing his acoustic guitar while Hubs and I sipped cocktails as the sun set over the thick line of trees. The night sky was so vast and clear that we could see hundreds of stars and track the constellations above us.

There were also many funny moments on the trip between my son and Hubs, but the funniest was watching them try to figure out how to empty and clean the bathroom tanks. Yes, I'm talking about poo, and it was hilarious.

This trip was by far one of our best--so much so that we already booked another one in October. Words cannot express how much this experience meant to me, so I'll have to share some of the highlights with photos:

If you've been thinking of taking a camping trip in an RV, I highly recommend it! It was one of the best vacations I've ever had, so I can't say enough good stuff about it. I promise it will be an experience you will never forget---bathroom tanks and all!

***WANT MORE MENO MAMA? You can catch me over at AARP talking about another type of vacation (cruising!) with my helpful tips here: https://www.aarpethel.com/lifestyle/what-you-should-know-before-booking-your-next-cruise

Be sure to buzz around Karen's blog at https://www.bakinginatornado.com and see what the fly has been up to over there!

Monday, June 19, 2023

Inflammation And Achy Muscles? Go Natural For Pain Relief

Many people my age claim to have sudden, mysterious body aches that seem to come out of nowhere. Inflammation, joint pain, sore muscles, and arthritis are common complaints. Fortunately, there are natural pain relievers and anti-inflammatory creams on the market to help with these uncomfortable conditions.

My husband has suffered from back pain for several years now, mostly due to his outdoor job in landscaping and property maintenance. He used over-the-counter medications for his pain and has even been to chiropractors, but the pain never quite disappeared. Lately, he has been considering acupuncture or massage therapy But this can get expensive, so now he is mostly interested in natural pain relievers such as turmeric and anti-inflammatory creams. These have offered a certain amount of relief for his back pain and are far more cost-effective. He prefers products with natural ingredients that do not contain carcinogens/poisons and ones that have not been tested on animals.

Although I don't have the same degree of inflammation or joint pain that my husband experiences, there have been times after my cardio workouts when I feel soreness in my knees or upper arms. If my muscles start to hurt, I simply soak in a warm bath or apply anti-inflammatory cream to the areas that bother me.

Of course, there are other options that help relieve pain that include relaxation techniques such as breathing exercises, and meditation There are also pain management programs available if the pain is chronic. My advice would be to get enough rest, eat a healthy diet, and incorporate gentle exercises into your daily routine. It's also a good idea to distract yourself with activities you enjoy, whether it's knitting, cooking, journaling or reading, etc.

The idea here is to begin with natural alternatives to reduce pain and inflammation without the use of prescription medication---if possible. But first, do your research and consult with your physician to find out what pain relief method is best for you!

***Disclaimer: This blog post is in partnership with Responsival.

Friday, May 19, 2023

Fly On The Wall During A Mother's Day Celebration

Let me start by saying that the nosy fly was privy to some very exciting news.....my oldest daughter is having another baby! This will be her third (but it's my 4th grandbaby) and we are ecstatic that she's having a boy this time. The baby is due in November, so we might be postponing our annual cruise that was scheduled around that time...because there is NO WAY I'm missing out on the birth of this beautiful baby boy!!

My daughter's news made Mother's Day even sweeter and I feel so incredibly grateful to have all of my family living within miles of me, and being able to see my grandbabies every week is the icing on the cake.

It has been a wonderful month---Two weekends were spent brunching with my daughters--no boys allowed! We laughed so much that my stomach muscles hurt for days. I was also fortunate enough to sit in on a jam session to watch both my sons playing guitar together. My youngest boy has gotten really active in our local church (where my friend is the minister) and is now playing every Sunday with their Christian rock band during the service. I'm so proud of him!! (See photo below---he's the young man in the white ball cap who is playing the guitar)

As for Hubs and I, we've been hitting up some new restaurants in the area, hanging out with our neighbors at a few community events, and chilling in the backyard garden with cocktails while watching the brilliant sunsets. Hubs is nearly retired now, and my dream job of writing full-time for 2 websites has finally come full circle. Most days I have to pinch myself to see if it's real because I have waited so long for this to happen. Whoever said that getting old sucks was WRONG. These are by far the best years!!

Since I can't really put it all into words, here are some of my fave photos that capture the last 4 weeks of Doyle fun:

I know I say this every year but I swear, this was THE BEST Mother's Day---and a pretty phenomenal month all around. Sometimes I wish time could stand still so these special moments would last forever, but there's always something new and exciting around the bend! Speaking of which, next month's "Fly On The Wall" ought to be very interesting......we are taking our first RV trip on June 9th to explore one of Florida's oldest state parks for a few days. I hear the mosquitoes can be brutal there, but I'm well prepared and super stoked for the upcoming experience....plus I'm sure the nosy fly on the wall will have a LOT to say about it!

Want more Meno Mama?? Catch me on AARP with my collection of yummy Memorial Day picnic foods HERE

Now be sure and hop over to Karen's house next to see what the fly has been up to over there this month: https://www.bakinginatornado.com

Tuesday, May 2, 2023

Ready To Hit The Road? Listen To The Skiptown All-Stars Podcast!

Who hasn't dreamed of hitting the road after retirement (or if you work remotely) to explore the country? My husband and I have discussed doing just that once we can afford to buy an RV. But I'm a planner, so I'll need to research not only the vehicles but the destinations that we have in mind. This is where the Skiptown All-Stars Podcast comes in handy---the Gordons have already put in the miles and are sharing all the important info with their listeners. Here is one of my favorite episodes (#34) of theirs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Re_EIca_cmA&t=5s Want more? This is what you'll find when you tune in:

Skiptown All-Stars Podcast

Ever wonder what it’d be like to liquidate your life and hit the road at the tender age of 50? JAMES and DENISE GORDON did just that. After their youngest daughter flew the coop for college, the married couple of 25 years sold everything they owned in Los Angeles, loaded up the minivan, and headed on a cross-country journey in search of their forever home. Their weekly podcast is an adventure like no other. It’s an immersive deep dive into American cities and coastal towns. They take their listeners into every tourist trap, hidden gem, and off-the-beaten-path escapade. All the while, asking the most important question, “Can we live here?”

It’s not just about skipping town. They’re also breaking down retirement, remote working, real estate, and all the other impending issues Gen Xers and Boomers are facing. Whether you’re looking to check off those bucket-list boxes or want to know the scoop about where to hang up your hat, Skiptown All-Stars Podcast is for you! With thousands of miles under their tires and countless cities visited, they’re quickly becoming known as the wildly amusing Trusted Trip Advisors, appealing to the wanderlust in us all. Episodes are available everywhere you get your podcasts. #empty nest #full tank

***You can find the Gordons here: https://skiptownallstars.com/ (plus anywhere you listen to podcasts) or their YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@skiptownallstars

***If you need the audio-only links for the podcast:

For Apple users

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/skiptown-all-stars/id1636817938

Spotify

https://open.spotify.com/show/0LY5k3G0n03N0pDtO8Zx72?si=c3f9daa1902b4741

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