Seasoned

I have taken almost a year off from writing. I wrote under Fashion Statement which is still in place although this is my new home.


This past year has certainly been about change for me. With my fiftieth birthday looming at me, I feel there will be even more changes. My husband, James, is about to have a big birthday as well, bringing with it retirement from a career of 35 plus years. James and I have been spending a great deal of time reflecting on our lives together and what retirement for James will mean for us.

We find ourselves looking forward to these big birthdays and to retirement for James. What is next? We are not finished and God certainly isn't finished with us. We have been so blessed. Yes, we have been monetarily blessed, but greater blessings are those of friends and family. We find ourselves happier and more fulfilled than ever before. We are surrounded by loyal friends and family that grow more precious to us each day.


I am excited about my new blog. For those of you who know me and/or have been readers of Fashion Statement, you know that I am just a little menopausal. However, I am now medicated and I am making great strides to reaching the "other side" (whatever that is). I am over the crying junk (remember, I am medicated) and I find myself laughing at things that probably should not be laughed at. I find humor in the strangest of things. The strangest of things is probably me. My body has changed, my thinking has changed . . . that's why they call it "the change" I guess. While I am very compassionate and loving, I am cynical as well. I am not sure those characteristics should even be embodied by the same being. Nevertheless, I am who and what I am today because of where I have been.


Menopausal women often say, "this is not a hot flash, this is a power surge", "I am not sweating, I am glowing", "I am not moody, I just don't want to be around anyone or talk to anyone", and the list of justifications for weird behavior goes on. I have heard it said that the only difference between a menopausal woman and a Pitt Bull is the woman usually has on lipstick. (Make no mistake, never (and I repeat, NEVER) ask her what she is angry about.) If you say MENOPAUSE like this, "minnow pause" then maybe it is simply the time taken to rebait my hook. It could be, "Men, O, pause!" Say it like you want to; believe what you want to; I am living it.

I want this new season in my life to be about grace. I want to extend grace and to move gracefully into my new season. I want my words to be seasoned and full of grace. I look forward to my journey and I hope you go along with me for the ride. I promise it will be worth your time. We may cry a little and I know we will laugh a lot. Come along with me.


I am not OLD, I am SEASONED.