I came across the new Chicken Soup for the Soul in Menopause book. I of course bought it! I have read several of the stories and they are really funny. The cartoons are hilarious! I am going to pick up a copy for one of my sisters this week. Just this week, her doctor confirmed she's not crazy, she's in menopause. I too have been dealing with some of these issues this week. I have been very moody lately, I feel like I have PMS more often than not and have those days when I want to run away from it all.
I had lunch with my friend Maggie. What would I do without her? She's 7 years ahead of me and it on the back side of menopause. I was having a particularly bad day, really down on myself so we arranged to have lunch. I was telling her I kept having those thoughts....I don't want to be anyone's wife, mother, employee, etc. I just wanted to check out for a while, run away somewhere. She knew exactly how I felt. I could remember times when she would call me sobbing and feeling the same way. I felt so much better after lunch, I still wanted to run for the hills, but I resisted the urge.
Gerri

gerrbeck, I also sweat more now than ever. Funny, I am also looking for a better deoderant. What a hoot. Anybody have any suggestions?

Having friends and these boards has certainly helped me through my moody perimenopausal state. Well, I also might add that the birth control has helped too.

Yesterday, for no absolute reason at all, while on a boat trip with hubby and friends, I had this intense feeling of sadness. I even filled up while in the ladies room. Weird! Now mind you, this is in the middle of a gorgeous day on the bay doing something I love with people I adore. I decided it had to do with missing my kids because they used to be with us on the bay. I mean it came from out of nowhere. Can you relate?

Yes Dotsie

Mountain ash

I can relate Dotsie. When our boys, moved out of the house, I joined a club of families that provided a summer vacation for children from Tschernobyl.

I'll never forget one particular day. We drove to an amusement park, and my husband climbed into a ride with the little Russian boys, (6 and 8 years old). I remained on the ground to take pictures. As they whizzed by, it was like I was set back into a twilight zone. I felt I was watching my husband with our sons. Boy did I well up. When the three of them got off their ride, I managed to hide my crying, but it was damn hard.

I was never so aware of time and how fast it goes. A big hand seemed to tug at my heart strings. The short episode of our childrens' lives goes too fast- But I tell you Dotsie, some day you will be a grandmother too, and you will be able to relive these joys, even more intensly than before. You'll see. Enjoy this free time you have now;…before you know it, children's laughter will fill your house again.