Menopause

Menopause has taught me a lot about myself, who I am and what really matters most.
I understand how women can change completely, become radical feminists, channel energies to spearhead causes,
wear wild clothes, get tattooed, and become very outspoken.
I have done none of these, I changed in other ways...

I suppose "empowered" is a term that might be linked with this stage of life.
A sense of self confidence, a healthy dose of self esteem,
and a feeling of calm after the hormonal storm of menopause.

My menopausal years were fraught with hot flashes and mood swings,
that only cold showers and vast amounts of chocolate could quell!
Those turbulent years of uncertainly, weight gain and many sleepless nights are now a thing of the past.
I am grateful that I have emerged relatively unscathed.
I have learned a thing or two...

I started paying closer attention to the food that I was fueling my body with...

and put in a vegetable patch started eating more fruits and vegetables in bright shades of colour.

Always the one taking care of others I used to be "too busy" to take care of myself.
I was the classic woman volunteer that could never say "NO."
Perhaps you've heard the expression "If you want something done ask a busy person"
that was me...
I was on the board of too many committee's.

When fatigue set in I cried for no reason.
I was downright cranky.
I had to figure things out for myself and it took awhile...
Slowly I pulled back from my committee duties and became more selective so that I could maintain a balance.

I discovered Yoga and learned to breathe properly, deeply and mindfully.
Books on the subject were read and I gleaned information and strategies for well being.

I learned that I could not control everything in my life...
I could only control my response to what happened in my life.

After a few years
the fog lifted and I felt well again.

I had energy, and felt a vibrancy that I had forgotten and thought I'd lost.
Clarity and Joy returned.
It was as if a wind had blown the cobwebs away...
I felt truly happy, grateful, excited, and interested in simply living.

I discovered that I needed to be outdoors surrounded by nature.

Walking and gardening are the best ways I know of to get fresh air and some exercise.

Mother Nature is a great healer.

I took up painting

a hobby just for me.

A creative outlet that brings me joy.

My roses are my muse and my Bliss.

They feed my soul.

I developed my personal style.

Less is better and classics suit me.

I have always gravitated to white tops and tees and jeans.

Pearls have multiplied strand by strand.

(the newest ones)

I am smitten with more rather than less.

Things have changed,
my children have grown up and moved out and created lives of their own.
I've become a grandmother and adore the lovely Miss Isla.

There's more time now to rest and recharge, even though I still work outside the home.
I have de-cluttered mentally and domestically and continue to streamline living in The Humble Bungalow.

I found that I love wearing scarves

and once every so often I'll treat myself to a new Hermes Silk Twill

or if luck is on my side I might find a nice scarf at a Thrift or Consignment Shoppe.

I didn't frequent spas until I hit menopause and then something went "click"
I gave myself "permission" to indulge!

Once every few months I'll have a facial or a massage and during sandal season, monthly pedicures.
I'd rather have pretty toes than a haute couture gown or a new designer bag.

There's a Spa tucked away in the tony Cadboro Bay Village area called Bliss.

It's off the beaten path, but in every way exceeds my expectations.

I have been going there for the past few years, 

their great service, good value and reasonable prices keep me coming back.

I do love to be pampered on occasion, especially during times of stress.

A little TLC goes a long way.

Hope that your week is full to the brim of good things.
Don't forget to take the time to enjoy the little things....

What has menopause taught you about yourself?
Have you changed?
What strategies did you use to navigate your way?
If you had any advice to give younger women what might that be?
I'm interested...
perhaps you've got some ideas that can help some of our sisters on their journey.

Thanks a bunch for stopping by The Humble Bungalow.
Hostess
XO

Home sweet home...

Our holidays have come to an end and we are home safe and sound.
I am buried under a mountain of laundry and have lots of catching up to do...
the cats were really glad to see us.

Our house sitter did a great job keeping up with the watering of the garden and she was able to harvest some beets, swiss chard and zucchini.
The sweet peas are glorious...
I ran out with my secateurs and grabbed a handful.

bliss in a vase

water colour pastel shades

Chester has spent most of the afternoon on Mr. HB's lap.

He loves to find a sunny spot for his nap.

View from the cooktop through the window

Ball sealer jars on the ledge.

My BFF called me today to tell me a co worker had died tragically.

She was our age.

Her work mates are getting together tonight to support each other in their grief.

Monday morning in the office is going to be difficult.

My heart goes out to her family and all her friends...

Ship Shape...a floating boating post.

The weather is HOT HOT HOT!
I am keeping my cool by wearing cotton frocks and I have donned a pair of shorts.
I just hope that The Fashion Police have taken the day off.
I am showing much more skin that I usually do and feel a bit vulnerable.

Grey mix of batik type pattern

loose and cool.

a water mister for a quick shot of cool

~ ~ ~

 now for a few snippets of life aboard ship

I love to coil our dock lines.

polished chrome scoops bring air in to cool the engines

our cozy V berth

screened "air conditioning" above

also

our personal sky light if you will

a view from the deck

We are moored at Poet's Cove Resort

pools, hot tubs, a pub, restaurant, cafe and a Spa

all here at our fingertips.

Mr. HB has been working his summer daytime job as The Crab Man

he brought in 3 for our dinner tonight

we'll sit and pick them leisurely while sipping a cold beverage

and I made a batch of "prawn sauce" which we love on all seafood.

Prawn Dip

1 cup mayonnaise

2-3 tbsp. grated fresh ginger

2-3 tsp. soy sauce

mix and chill ahead to allow flavours to blend.

Lovely daughter will be joining us tomorrow

we have lunch at a Gulf Island Vineyard planned

and there will be swimming

and perhaps a visit to the Spa!

Hope that you are keeping your cool.

Stay hydrated until next time.

Your Humble Hostess

reporting from our Chris Craft Constellation.

XO

Saving face on the high seas....

High maintenance beauty routines are not in the forefront aboard ship.

I relax and use less make up

and have given up blow drying my hair.

With a little help from Bumble and Bumble my holiday hair looks just fine.

Skin and sunshine are not the best of friends...over exposure is not advisable.

I recently learned that a very dear friend has had surgery to remove a malignant melanoma.

It's scary stuff and a wake up call for all of us. 

She is doing fine but now limits her time in the sun wears a hat and uses sunscreen everyday.

My skincare routine on board is the same as at home.

I use travel sizes of the Avene products and bring the Olay battery powered facial brush.

Everything is conveniently stored in my roll up cosmetic bag and hangs in the head for easy access.

Eminence Mineral Sunscreen 

a bit of lipgloss

some mascara

and I am ready.

Eating fresh fruit and vegetables gives me a sense of health

that balance out the "naughty salty snacks" that I have been eating.

My current read

is set in Australia

I've just started this novel

and feel transported to another place and another time...

Stay tuned...

I'll check in with you periodically as we move from marina to marina in the sunny Gulf Islands of BC.

Hostess

XO

Galley "creations" are common aboard our wee craft.

Lunch time rolls around and we are famished.
With the invigorating salt air we find ourselves nibbling between meals
munching naughty snacks and our meal time portions tend to be on the larger size...
I am sure that I will gain weight this holiday.

There's a pub up at the top of the dock which serves up fabulous fare

we enjoyed lunch there last weekend. 

I like to cook and doing so in my small galley gives me a sense of satisfaction.
I rustled up a ship board lunch using swiss chard, bacon and eggs...
(vegetarians look away)

fry up pieces of bacon

Meanwhile 

look in the fridge for some veggies

~ ~ ~ 

swiss chard from our Humble Bungalow Garden

corn sheared off the leftover cob that went uneaten

asparagus spears from the previous night's dinner

after removing the bacon

wilt the veggies 

boil water in a pot 

when boiling add a glug of vinegar so the eggs stay "together"

and poach some eggs

Plate the veggies

top with eggs and arrange the bacon

a hot salad lunch is served!

Mr. HB is out setting the crab traps

we've met up with some boating buddies and they have a sleek new boat

 we dined aboard their vessel last evening

they are off hiking 

they'll be joining us for drinks and appetizers tonight.

I am alone with a cup of coffee

and have done all my boat chores.

One of which was to polish all my bangles 

as they were so very tarnished

 I had no Twinkle aboard so I used toothpaste

it worked brilliantly!

We have been thinking about selling our boat

as we have not been using it very much the past few seasons.

But when we get out and relax aboard her it feels like we are meant to live this life.

We sleep so soundly and ship life is rather carefree...

maintaining a classic takes deep pockets and lots of elbow grease.

Moorage in the boathouse is very dear.

Looking ahead to retirement one wonders if owning a boat is an extravagance that is too expensive.

It 's too confusing to think about just now

so I am going to put these thoughts far away from my mind and live in the moment.

reflections of our boat in the ocean...

The sounds of a seaplane

the seals floating by

the call of the ravens

the gentle hum of the fridge as it cycles

the smell of hot coffee

the tick tock of the ship's clock

the creaking of the dock

the flapping of the burgee in the breeze

the gentle rocking from wake of boats passing by

the scent of lavender from the soap from my morning toilette

is all I need for right now.

Have a wonderful week!