For about 4 years I've been having irregular cycles. I've gone through a series of tests and procedures, but the doctors never were able to find anything wrong. I suspected I was perimenopausal, but my hormone levels were always in the normal range when tested. Well, about the time we were on our trip out west this summer, I started having hot flashes. Not just one or two a day, but rather 8 - 12 a day and night. It has been completely miserable. I haven't been able to sleep more than about 90 minutes at a time through the night. A couple weeks ago I decided I had enough suffering and called the doctor again. This time the blood test came back indicating I'm menopausal. I haven't had a cycle since May, if you would even call what it was in May a real cycle.
It's funny but this bit of official news has hit me harder than I would have thought. I'm 44 years old. Not really too young for this, but not the expected age either. I'm shouldn't be surprised because my maternal grandmother was 42 when she hit menopause. I'm going through all kinds of emotions right now. On one hand I'm glad I don't have to deal with things every month. On the other hand, I feel like I've aged in an instant. I know a lot of this feeling is due to my lack of sleep and my overly emotional nature of late. Now comes the hard decision about what to do to about the symptoms. I have one of three choices:
#1. Just put up with it like I have for the past couple months and hope the hot flashes don't continue for years like I've read that they could!
#2. Talk to my doctor about HRT. This option is not appealling because my mom had breast cancer and I really don't want to willing do anything to increase my odds.
#3. Try a natural remedy. My doctor recommended a couple brands to try. I did a little investigating on the internet and they both seem to have favorable reviews. I'm trying one to see if it works. According to what I've read, it can take about a month to notice any reduction in my symptoms. Believe me, it won't come too soon. I'm purposely omitting the names of what the doctor recommended until I decide for myself if it works for me or not. Stay tuned. Hopefully a favorable recommendation will be coming soon.
Now, to the fun part of the blog. Around the chaotic activities that are 'back to school' I have been working on a blanket for my niece who is due to have her first baby (the first great grandchild for my parents) in September. below is the first section of a blanket for the baby.
This is based upone Elizabeth Zimmerman's Knitted Garter Stitch Blanket from The Opinionated Knitter. I'm following Meg Swansen's recommendation to have different colors in some of the areas. It will have blue in it in addition to the yellow and green. I just hope I can get it done before the baby arrives.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Finally Finished
Over the weekend I finally sat my bum down and finished Valpuri. Seaming has never been my favorite, and it still remains so. For the most part I'm happy with the final product. I wore it to work on Tuesday. If I were to do anything different, it would be to make the body a wee bit longer. I am short wasted, but with my fat stomach, I felt like the ribbing hit at a very unflattering spot. The yarn is a cotton blend, so I don't know if it will grow much. A little would be nice.
Back to school activities are well underway. Both girls made their school's volleyball teams. Dancer is giving up dancing and dedicating herself to volleyball. I'll have to think up another moniker for her, since VBGirl has dibs on that one. Dash is anxious to get back to school. He's been a little bored lately. It will be nice to get a routine established. However, I doubt that will happen until volleyball season is over in late October.
I'm still 'training' for the half marathon. My training isn't progressing according to any prescribed schedule. I'm trying to get my miles in, but life seems to always get in the way. I still feel like I can walk 13 miles without the hard core training. The event organizers are allowing an average 20-minute mile pace. While I'm walking, I'm averaging 17 minute miles. I'll do fine, I think.
Ed's Ironman is less than 3 weeks away. He's in the final phase of his training. He's cutting back on his mileage and focusing on storing energy. He's beginning his race preparations also. My next post will probably be after that event.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Back from the Black Hills
Earlier this year I told Ed that I wanted to show the kids some of the places my parents took my siblings and I when we were young. Spring Break was spent in Washington DC and this summer we spent a week in South Dakota in the Black Hills area.
It has been 30+ years since I was in the Black Hills. I vividly remember Mount Rushmore and have a vague recollection of Custer State Park and the Badlands. A few other memories are scattered in there of either Wounded Knee or Custer's Last Battleground, but I can't remember which. I don't remember if the Black Hills area was very touristy back then, but even if it was, my dad would have avoided those attractions. We stuck mainly to the natural wonders, with the obvious exception of Mount Rushmore.
On this trip, Ed and I tried to do the same. Despite the emphatic recommendations of several fellow hotel guests, we did not see Reptile Land, Bear Country, Flinstone's Bedrock, Cosmos, or the Old West Gun Fight show. All of those sounded just too cheesy. We did venture slightly into 'cheesiness' by stopping at Wall Drug and taking the 1880 Train ride. Ed vetoed a stop at the Corn Palace because it was too Griswold. Here are some of the highlights from what we did do.
Stopped at Wall Drug for lunch and a little browsing through their shops.
Visited Mount Rushmore. Dash is trying to become one with the sculptures.
Toured Needles Highway through Custer State Park.
Saw bison in Custer State Park and the Badlands National Park. Lots and lots of bison. Bison on the road blocking traffic in Custer SP. These animals were grazing along the road. Several cars, including us, stopped to watch. I was stunned when a family got out of their car in the middle of the herd and put their child on the roof of their car to get a better look. The alpha male was right by our car and he kicked a few other bulls right in front of us. I can't believe those people had a total disregard for how dangerous these animals could be.
This is one of the wild burros from Custer SP. This particular guy reminded us of Donkey from Shrek. They were so tame. We had to remind the kids that they still were wild animals and don't expect them to behave like a pet.
There were pronghorn and prairie dogs.
And finally very unusual terrain in the Badlands National Park.
We also took the Lantern Tour through Jewel Cave. The kids were a little hesitant at first, but after we got inside they realized it wasn't that hard to climb through the cave. I wasn't able to take my camera because I couldn't fit it in my pocket (a requirement for anything you bring). The kids said they'd like to explore more caves.
And finally, even though I packed 3 projects to work on, no knitting or crocheting occurred. I was too tired from our exploring to do anything in the evenings.
It has been 30+ years since I was in the Black Hills. I vividly remember Mount Rushmore and have a vague recollection of Custer State Park and the Badlands. A few other memories are scattered in there of either Wounded Knee or Custer's Last Battleground, but I can't remember which. I don't remember if the Black Hills area was very touristy back then, but even if it was, my dad would have avoided those attractions. We stuck mainly to the natural wonders, with the obvious exception of Mount Rushmore.
On this trip, Ed and I tried to do the same. Despite the emphatic recommendations of several fellow hotel guests, we did not see Reptile Land, Bear Country, Flinstone's Bedrock, Cosmos, or the Old West Gun Fight show. All of those sounded just too cheesy. We did venture slightly into 'cheesiness' by stopping at Wall Drug and taking the 1880 Train ride. Ed vetoed a stop at the Corn Palace because it was too Griswold. Here are some of the highlights from what we did do.
Stopped at Wall Drug for lunch and a little browsing through their shops.
Visited Mount Rushmore. Dash is trying to become one with the sculptures.
Toured Needles Highway through Custer State Park.
Saw bison in Custer State Park and the Badlands National Park. Lots and lots of bison. Bison on the road blocking traffic in Custer SP. These animals were grazing along the road. Several cars, including us, stopped to watch. I was stunned when a family got out of their car in the middle of the herd and put their child on the roof of their car to get a better look. The alpha male was right by our car and he kicked a few other bulls right in front of us. I can't believe those people had a total disregard for how dangerous these animals could be.
This is one of the wild burros from Custer SP. This particular guy reminded us of Donkey from Shrek. They were so tame. We had to remind the kids that they still were wild animals and don't expect them to behave like a pet.
There were pronghorn and prairie dogs.
And finally very unusual terrain in the Badlands National Park.
We also took the Lantern Tour through Jewel Cave. The kids were a little hesitant at first, but after we got inside they realized it wasn't that hard to climb through the cave. I wasn't able to take my camera because I couldn't fit it in my pocket (a requirement for anything you bring). The kids said they'd like to explore more caves.
And finally, even though I packed 3 projects to work on, no knitting or crocheting occurred. I was too tired from our exploring to do anything in the evenings.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
It's been a while
It certainly hasn't been the lazy days of summer. It seems like I've been just as busy now as I was during the school year.
My training for the 1/2 marathon has officially begun. I haven't updated my webpart to show my mileage, but I'm walking at least 17 miles a week right now. The mileage will go up. I should do 4 miles this weekend, which will put me at about 19 miles this week. My average speed is 3.5 mph. Not too bad. I'll work on my speed later in July.
This is a special weekend around here. My brother Joe is in town competing in the Ohio Special Olympics. Here's Joe at the start of the Opening Ceremony.
Let the games begin!!!
At the bowling lanes.
Joe earned a Gold Medal for his bowling. He is a lot better than I am at bowling.
In knitting news, I'm still making slow progress on Valpuri. The sleeves are a little more than half done. Tomorrow I will work on it more. Photos later. I promise.
My training for the 1/2 marathon has officially begun. I haven't updated my webpart to show my mileage, but I'm walking at least 17 miles a week right now. The mileage will go up. I should do 4 miles this weekend, which will put me at about 19 miles this week. My average speed is 3.5 mph. Not too bad. I'll work on my speed later in July.
This is a special weekend around here. My brother Joe is in town competing in the Ohio Special Olympics. Here's Joe at the start of the Opening Ceremony.
Let the games begin!!!
At the bowling lanes.
Joe earned a Gold Medal for his bowling. He is a lot better than I am at bowling.
In knitting news, I'm still making slow progress on Valpuri. The sleeves are a little more than half done. Tomorrow I will work on it more. Photos later. I promise.
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