Change in Season, Same Hot Flashes/Night Sweats November 9, 2014

I love fall. The brisk air, the foliage, the anticipation of Holidays.

With the change in weather is the change in wardrobe. Out come coats and sweaters, or do they?

I detected a whine in the voice of my husband the other morning when he said, “Can we turn on some heat please?” Heat? Really is it time to turn the heat on? I noticed he was wearing fleece. When did he stop wearing shorts?

Certainly when the heat is turned on and the rains have started, I need to get out my winter wardrobe. I used to have 2 sets of clothing, one for summer and one for winter. Since menopause, I notice I have one set of clothing with some sandals or a few sweaters.

One set of clothes for all seasons? I could be living in Hawaii! I don’t! Damn you menopause!!

With the change of the seasons and the heat is turned on and it is cool outside then warms up or it rains and then stops, it is hard for anyone to regulate their body temperature. For the menopausal, the hot flashes and night sweats are just having a hey day and night!

Is it hot in here? I know it isn’t just me! Do you have one all weather wardrobe?

Winter Weather Wonders, Humbug December 23, 2008

 

I mean not to whine too much, but the weather here is truly frightful. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow is tedious. I’m dreaming of a White Christmas, any where but here.

All those Christmas songs are fun to sing, but living them is NOT FUN!

 

It rarely snows in Portland, Oregon. The city owns about 4 snow plows and 3 sanders. I may be exaggerating a wee bit; the city of one million people has 5 plows. This being Oregon, we do not salt the roads. Chains on cars are required. Have you ever tried to put on tire chains?

 

What this all means is that with 18 inches of snow/ice and temperatures in the 20’s, the city is at a stand still. Roads have been closed, as well as airports, bus routes and Amtrak. No one can get in or out. Power outages are the worse. Keeping up good cheer is hard to do in a cold dark home.

 

I grew up in New England so I am familiar with the snow but I have lived in Portland for over 30 years.  I know those of you in snow climates are saying “BooHoo, put on boots and a hat!”

Let me explain, we don’t own snow shovels. We don’t own warm clothes or boots. We own rain gear. Rain is not just warm snow. Rain doesn’t have to be shoveled.

I am dreaming of a rainy Christmas. Nice and warm and soggy, just like the ones I used to know.

 

Merry Christmas and Happy Chanukah!