Firstly, Happy Birthday to my beautiful, clever, funny and loyal sister Karen. I hope this year your true happiness is found and hopefully your menopause doesn’t start for a while, ha, ha!

One of my favourite photos of myself and Karen singing karaoke about twenty years ago (note the hair).

Karen’s just a little younger than me by two years.  I started those menopause symptoms about a year ago. Mainly it was the irregular (or no existent periods, yay) and flashes. The flashes (mostly at night) were like a wave of heat hitting my body like a hot summer westerly. My skin was itchy (apparently it dries out) and I scratch all night. It only lasted a couple of months and I thought – wow is that it? What’s everyone complaining about?

Last week it’s come back with a vengeance. Last night I barely slept because I was tossing and turning, one moment getting my arms and legs out of the covers and the next shivering and getting under the sheets again. It doesn’t help that, not only do I have Bevil snoring beside me, I have Mahli’s extremely warm body between us. Dog snuggles and hot flashes do not mix.

I thought I’d be able to ignore the flashes and I nearly can, but combined with the constant itch of my skin (particularly my face. I hope this means it won’t be getting really saggy really quickly) it’s very difficult to sleep. Let me know your own symptoms and how long they last. I’m sure it’s different for every woman.

I was glad I told Sharon I wouldn’t do boot camp and instead run Mahli, because just getting up at 6am was hard enough let alone 4.45am. I had a quick coffee and stretch and as soon as I got my runners and came in the lounge room to put them on Mahli started whimpering excitedly. I’m glad I was making her happy.

Mahli panting after our block run today.

Today we ran the whole block non-stop. About 2 km 800 metres. Mahli barely sniffed the ground she was so excited. She even ignored the Labradors at the corner house she usually tugs towards as they bark their greeting. Now invigorated (and definitely awake) from the run, I went out the back to do some weight sets. Mahli circled me panting and happy, but soon got bored and went back inside to her favourite place by the front window where she can watch the neighbourhood go by (and probably think about Boss). I’m feeling great and my dog is happy. Menopause? What Menopause it could be Perimenopause?

Mahli is not so interested in me lifting weights.

My new favourite breaky. Just add water, cook in microwave if you want it hot (1 min) add a little protein and milk and enjoy.

I just wanted to add one more thing. This is a photo of the card I got for my 50th from my friends. I think they know me very well and I adore it. It’s placed on my desk so I can see it every day. The most beautiful thing about this card is it helps stop the illegal trade of wildlife. It says: ILLEGAL WILDLIFE TRADE IS DRIVING ELEPHANTS TO EXTINCTION. Visit wwf.org.au/STOP or phone 1800 032 551.

My 50th Birthday card from friends Julea and Peter.