Thank you so much to all the lovely people that left such kind congratulations on my wedding anniversary. It really is lovely to open my emails each morning and see your wonderful words, which are so uplifting.
My ripple blanket is really starting to look like a lovely leg warmer. I’m about ¾ of the way there with another 20 to 30 rows to go. My Mum is still a bit shocked that I just got the wool and a hook, did a few You Tube tutorials and away I went, no pattern and no idea of what I was doing, hehehe! The ripple pattern is honestly very simple and I can’t stress this enough, if you are thinking about doing a ripple blanket but worried about the degree of difficulty, DON’T! It’s easy peasy, and anyone can get the hang of it with just a little practice.
I was going to do this post on Menopause, but I thought it would have a really high boring-factor and so I changed my mind. But I would like to ask my dear readers for their input on this subject. I turn 44 in May and my Mum tells me that she started going through Menopause around that age. Over the past few months I have been experiencing seriously HOT random flashes. I don’t get them all the time, and I don’t get them every day, but by jingo when I do it’s awful. Last Friday night I was attending a function at a school hall, you know the kind with the high roof and the wooden floor, they are pretty drafty and a bit chilly. One minute I’m wishing I had a jumper on the next thing I know I’m sweating, damp and feeling just a little light headed. Within a minute it’s completely gone and I’m back to normal, well as normal as I can possibly be :)
So what’s with that then? What I’d like to know, from other lovely ladies, is should I be heading off to the Dr for some test, pills, a good talking too or just soldier on and pretend it’s not happening? I don’t take any medication at all and I really try to avoid it if I can. Do these herbal teas work or should I be on HRT?
I have to say the thought of going through Menopause at just 43 is very disconcerting and has certainly had me worried. I can just see myself growing a beard and become grumpy prematurely. One thing is for sure though and that’s the horrid realisation that I am getting older.
I’m just too young to be old!
I wish you all a wonderful week and hope you have enjoyed these beautiful Lotus images, I’m hoping they will help me stay calm and centred.
TTFN
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April 15th, 2008 - 1:23 am
I am 52 and am still perimenopausal. I haven’t had any hot flashes yet, but my periods are definitely slowing down. I think I have only had two in the past 9 months. HRT is not an option for me since my mother got breast cancer not six months after starting it. So far I have no obvious symptoms except that I get moody from time to time and my periods are erratic. I love the lotus images. They are beautiful and where did you get the pattern for your ripple crochet blanket? I would love to do one of those. I have not done one in years and you have inspired me to want to do one!
April 15th, 2008 - 1:26 am
I have heard Evening Primrose Oil can help with hot flashes? I would be cautious about HRT with all the worries about side effects… Just one more thing too look forward to, eh?
April 15th, 2008 - 4:46 am
Love the crochet. It’s fab
April 15th, 2008 - 5:02 am
Ohhhh Maddy! My package arrived today. Thank you so very much. I LOVE it. It smells wonderful and I can’t wait to use it. Love the ribbon, too.
As for menopause…those hot flashes are about as much fun as wrestling an alligator into a corset, eh? I used HRT for about a year. Then, my cousin was diagnosed with breast cancer, so I quit them. I found a soy-based alternative that helped immensely. I would do a little looking around the internet and see what you might find available locally. I didn’t have too many real mood swings, but anxiety was a problem…and I may have been a little short at times….ahem. I don’t think the family suffered too terribly. Just don’t ask them, they may give you an honest answer and deflate my ego. I no longer wear sweaters too often. Menopause has nothing to do with age, dear. Some of us went through it way too early due to surgical removal of pieces and parts.
April 15th, 2008 - 11:19 am
What a lovely blog you have Maddy! You are talented, intelligent and loving and kind! How nice to meet you. I started menopause about a year ago, and have hot flashes twice a day. They are not uncomfortable, and just heat me up for a few minutes! Menopause is not a disease, and its a totally normal part of becoming a Wisewoman!
Christine Northrup, MD, covers midlife, menopause and the changes we go through in her book “The Wisdom of Menopause”. I recommend this highly for good information on midlife changes for women. I find it one of the most creative, soul searching, contemplative and artistic times in my life. The physical symptoms won’t last forever and exercise and healthy food help curb the symptoms a great deal. Meanwhile, I’m creating (websites and art) like crazy and enjoying every minute of every day!
I’ll be back to visit soon and again, congratulations on a lovely site!
Love - Carole
April 16th, 2008 - 12:13 am
Can’t wait to see more of the crochet love! I’m thinking of trying a ripple lap quilt (in white and aqua blue) later this summer as long-term project to work on. The ripple looks complicated, but perhaps that’s just it’s appearance. We take your word for it that it’s easy-peasy! ;o) I’m 35 so menopause is down the road for me yet. But my sister is 33, and for some time was having hot flashes, the lot. She went to the doctor fearing that she may be perimenopausal already (our mother began menopause early, in her early 40’s) But my sister since has discovered she had a hormonal imbalance that she’s been working on correctly with the aid of vitamins and diet changes. So she was lucky it wasn’t menopause starting already! But as Carole says above, menopause can happen to us at any age depending on circumstances. You ought to go to your GP and have a chat first to discount any other potential problems or to confirm if it is menopause. Don’t wait, go see and put your mind at ease…and make changes if you need to. Getting older isn’t something we none of us like. I like the wisdom and experience age brings, but it’s the bodily changes that make aging a trial! But there is help and there is hope…Keep up posted on how things go. Thinking of you ((HUGS))
April 18th, 2008 - 3:14 pm
Hi Maddy,
Haven’t got much to offer regarding menopause. I did worry a while back when I was feeling off because I’m nearly 47 and short a few ‘parts’, but I think my problem is/was not enough exercise and too much baking. Hope everything settles down for you.
About that ripple rug. Today I ordered some yarn (nice rainbow colours, I hope). Can’t wait to start. I bet you’ll be finished by the time I get to it though.
Have a great week end.
April 22nd, 2008 - 5:16 am
Personally I’d avoid the HRT due to the fact that the hormones are taken from the urine of pregnant mares. This means that horses are kept in completly unantural conditions and then there is a problem with the disposal of the by-product ie. foals.
Just my twopennyworth.