It's really winter!

It is sooo cold! In the words of my favorite comedian- Anjelah Johnson - "cold is not even the right word - INAPPROPIATE! That's what that is out there!" Brrr! We South Texans are not used to this!

I am 52 years old. Wow that looks weird when I write it. I don't feel 52 at all, I still feel like I'm in my 20's or 30's. Well not physically all the time that's for sure. Most days I feel 52 plus! But I still have silly moments - I love to cut up and laugh. But what I have been going through this year is menopause. One of the worst parts all year have been my hot flashes. Let me tell you something - hot flashes ain't for sissies! I have been so hot I feel like I'm going to implode from the inside out! There are times they are so bad they make me nauseous! They are awful. Being suffering with these for months. Until now. Not a hot flash in sight. It's the complete opposite. I am bone cold. The only place I feel comfortable is on my couch, wrapped like a cocoon in my heaviest blanket. And almost all year, I haven't been able to enjoy my beloved red wine because it made the hot flashes even worse. Not now. Wine isn't even warming me up! What's up with that????

We remodeled our family room this summer. My favorite daughter Desiree is an interior designer and helped me with every step of this remodel. One of the most important parts of my remodel is that I wanted a linear gas fireplace. Had to have it, not negotiable. So Desiree and I went to the Fireplace Store in Houston. Nicest man helped us, showed us all the gas fireplaces, gave us all the pros and cons of them. The cons were the price (super expensive), the installation (big deal!), and the temperature (hot!). He lit several of them for us and within seconds we couldn't stand in front of them because it got so hot. And the glass in front would scorch you if you touched it. Not smart when you have two grandchildren who are always running around! The pros? Only one - it was so pretty! That was it. Only one pro. Desiree said to me "Mom - this is South Texas, it never gets that cold. How often will you really get to use this expensive thing?" So we ditched my dream of the gas fireplace and instead choose a really cool linear electric fireplace. Well guess what? This would be the one winter I need that gas fireplace! It would sure help my shivering body!

I'm sure this winter is just a freak and next year we'll go back to our normal, mild winters. Maybe I'll will have finished with this beast called Menopause. I sure hope so. It sure ain't fun!

Hope you all stay warm and cozy. Have a glass of red wine for me.