I Heart Wednesday

banana468

For those who celebrate it, Happy Hump Day!

It's going to be a low key day here.  Between the snow, kids and Ash Wednesday I'm not binging on chocolates and started my morning with insomnia, a work out and now black coffee.  I weighed myself last night and I was 5 lbs heavier than I thought so that was a rude way to go to bed. 

Today I'm going to my forever Valentine's party in his class and I'm bringing Pirate Booty.  Later we'll have some kind of nice fish dinner that isn't overdoing it and will try to chill out.

Cute story:  Monday night Chiquito said, "Mom I have a new crush!  It started at lunch and I looked over at her and then she looked at me and I smiled at her.  Her name is Penelope and my friends keep telling me we should talk to each other."  

It's totally adorable and I asked if he could tell DH but he said, "No that's a SECRET."  

mrsconn23

Awww Chiquito is the sweetest!!  

I put out little gifts last night for my guys to find this morning and DH brought me flowers home from the gym.  He was going to go out last night, but the street all our stores are on had a massive power outage and they closed early.  

SSDD otherwise.  I did find out my raise and I'm pretty pumped.  It was better than I was expecting.  

Casadena

The boys have been loving the free Home Depot kids workshops and this month they built little wooden valentine boxes. So after they went to bed i put them out with some fun heart shaped sunglasses, freeze dried yogurt things they love, and some new underpants G got Spiderman and N got Animals! H is getting new sunglasses and a couple little things also and we had plans for a lunch date Friday, so hoping that sticks!

They "helped" me with all their Valentine making for school today and were super pumped to give out treats to their friends. 

I'm making yogurt muffins with pink frosting, chocolate strawberries and heart shaped pizza later. Hopefully they have a fun day!

CharmedPam

@Casadena Sounds cute! i’m sure they loved it
@banana468, chiquito’s secret is safe with me. 

Yesterday I went to a mardi gras/bunco game night which was fun.  You could dress up either way but all us girls went valentines day garb. Tonight is trivia, but people are dropping out like flies.  It would be really nice to have dependable people on meetup.  

I ordered 15 pounds of my favorite sf chocolate pretzels today.  That qty gave me 20% off which is why I did that amount.  15 pounds sounds like a lot, but it’s really not.  Other than that, I’m seeing some Vday sales on lipsticks online.  Kylie has her lippies on sale for $11 each but you need to buy 4 to get free shipping (I’m a “buy till you hit the free shipping quantity” girl),  and I don’t need anymore lipsticks… but I’m curious of her brand.  It’s a good price. Also, I think national lipstick day is soon and all the companies have sales for that. 

charlotte989875

Pretty good day so far, we put out Valentine’s for M and he was so excited. Last he and I went to the store to pick out treats boor his friends at school. He picked gummy bears and dino stickers.

MIL is here hanging with J so I ran and showered and about to take a short nap! M is having an ice cream social for the parent so I’ll pick him up early and stop by for that. We’ve got a busy day! 

kerbohl

Congrats on the raise, @mrsconn23!
We have soup and buns at church tonight.  They used to do a pancake supper but Covid killed that unfortunately.  But weekly soup and buns for Lent?  I'll take that!  
My amaryllis will bloom soon.  I think this is the fourth year I've have it, and it blooms every year for me.  I will have three flowers.  
No big plans for Valentines, but I do hope to buy discount chocolate soon.  Also, just found out that I stupidly let my license expire, and the next appointment I could get was Tuesday.  Good thing I work from home!  I can just not drive for a little bit ....

short+sassy

@CharmedPam, you did more for Mardi Gras day than I did, lol.  I had a piece of king cake and lounged around.  That was about it.

I didn't get any sleep last night, not even one minute.  I didn't help myself by getting up late yesterday and then taking a nap in the early evening.  I knew it wouldn't be great.  But it doesn't make sense I got none.  At least it is a WFH day and I am going to take a one-hour nap for lunch.

TMI about periods:

My period was a week early last month.  It was another 10 days early this month!  What is happening?!?!  I have always had a very regular cycle.  This is unprecedented.  I've probably been a week early a few times and never 10 days early.

I Googled all the things that can cause it to come early.  Nothing jumps out, but the article also said not to be alarmed.  So at least it's not potentially a sign of something serious.

It can be a sign of perimenopause.  Maybe because I'm that age, but I don't have any other symptoms.  Sudden weight change.  Also maybe, but it would be delayed.  I've lost a good bit of weight over the last 8 months, but most of that was the first 6.  It unfortunately hasn't been much for the last 2 months.  I'm puzzled, but will probably have to chalk it up to one of those things.

ei34

Set out Valentines for the kids last night as well.  Ash Wednesday restricts us from too much indulgence today, but definitely making a heart shaped pizza for dinner tomorrow night. 

Work is rolling along. Picking up the kids a bit early from school so we can make it to a 3:30 prayer service for ashes, and hopefully a quiet night. Super cold but thankfully no ice, everyone did a good job of shoveling yesterday. 

Casadena

@short+sassy i don't have any advice really, but just commiserating. My cycle has been all over the place the last year or so and it's so frustrating. Even going back on the pill it's not as regular as it should be. Early sometimes, late sometimes (that one freaks me out). Hopefully you can figure out what going on!

banana468

@short+sassy when did your mom start to have signs?  

Also, could you be overly stressed and/or are you seeing fertility signs to confirm that what you have is a period and not different bleeding?   When my hormones were fluctuating I was having what I think was breakthrough bleeding but not an actual period. 

VarunaTT

@short+sassy I'm definitely in perimeopause.  My period tracker, every damn month, is like "your periods have been irregular".  YES, I KNOW.  I was clockwork until this as well.  I can't ever tell if it's going to be shorter than the 31 days or longer than 31 days that it was previously.  I also can't tell if it's going to be 1 day or 2 weeks long now.

I've decided that in March, I have to do a spending freeze.  Between my party, taxes, and "it's my birthday!!", I've been buying a lot. I'll have to buy 1 dress in March but otherwise, nothing but things I actually need to live.

I got a big raise yesterday.  They're changing our bonus structures, so they basically gave everyone a bump.  I'm pleased.  For where I live, both in personal and professional fields, I am making very good money now.  I feel very in control of my life finally and it's wonderful.  Please note:  this does not mean I feel like an adult.  No way, no how.

Also, I bought a coat like I've been wanting for forever.  It's completely trendy, probably not warm, and I love it.  I'm also mad that they don't seem to have the dress too, b/c that would take care of my March need.

CharmedPam

I love that dress too @VarunaTT! Reading your post I was like “naw, girl, you just got a big raise.  Spend more! More!”
but I also have a problem in that area so don’t take my advise on anything to do with finances. 

@short+sassy, king cake was at the party too but I didnt get a slice. I brought one home but it was dry by this morning for my breakfast piece.  The real cake from NOLA was way better!

short+sassy

banana468 said:

@short+sassy when did your mom start to have signs?  

Also, could you be overly stressed and/or are you seeing fertility signs to confirm that what you have is a period and not different bleeding?   When my hormones were fluctuating I was having what I think was breakthrough bleeding but not an actual period. 

I looked up the average age for menopause a few years ago.  In the US, it's 53 and I'm 50.  The article also said the onset is highly genetic.  I asked my mom.  She didn't remember but guessed without my prompting that it was 53.

I had hot flashes about 6 years ago periodically for about 8 months.  But then it stopped as suddenly as it started and hasn't returned yet.

Stress was another cause.  I am more stressed than usual.  But have had much more stressful times in my life and didn't have this happen.

It feels like an actual period because I have the slight cramps and some moodiness that usually go along with it.

Especially with @VarunaTT having a similar experience, I'm going to chalk it up to perimenopause.  I was leaning in that direction because it seems the most likely.  If so, then I'm just a bit surprised the hot flashes haven't returned.  Which is fine by me, lol!  

short+sassy

@mrsconn23 and @VarunaTT, congrats on both of your raises!

ILoveBeachMusic

I had perimenopause symptoms for about 10 years before my last period - everything from hot flashes to light periods to gushing ones. I was never terribly regular until right before menopause LOL!

charlotte989875

I also just got a raise and a bonus and equity. And I’m trying not to spend it on fun things that I don’t actually need. 

kerbohl

charlotte989875 said:

I also just got a raise and a bonus and equity. And I’m trying not to spend it on fun things that I don’t actually need. 

I'll jump on the raise train here, because I just found out I got the job!  Now, I don't know what they are offering for salary yet, but .... I did give a number that is more than I currently make.  So many of us are having a good week when it comes to our jobs!  It's also better hours, and better benefits.  I'm sure everything just sounds better right now, but hey - I'll take it!  

charlotte989875

kerbohl said:

charlotte989875 said:

I also just got a raise and a bonus and equity. And I’m trying not to spend it on fun things that I don’t actually need. 

I'll jump on the raise train here, because I just found out I got the job!  Now, I don't know what they are offering for salary yet, but .... I did give a number that is more than I currently make.  So many of us are having a good week when it comes to our jobs!  It's also better hours, and better benefits.  I'm sure everything just sounds better right now, but hey - I'll take it!  

CONGRATULATIONS!!!! That’s awesome- hope the offer is what you’re looking for!

Casadena

Congratulations for everyone getting raises and good job offers!!! Very exciting

VarunaTT

Whoot!  WW is having a good week it feels like.  Also feels like we all needed it!!!

short+sassy

@charlotte989875, congrats on the raise, bonus, AND equity.  Very nice!

@kerbohl, big congrats to you!  I'm so glad to hear you got the job!

banana468

Congratulations to those getting raises!

I can say from a perimenopause state that I've noticed the following.   I'm nearly as Irish as Conan O'Brien from a 23 and me perspective and we start periods late and go into menopause late.   That said I'll be 44 and have noticed that since I turned 40 I've had more nights of insomnia where I fall asleep but wake up easier and have more issues falling back asleep.  And we have been in the same house for 13 years keeping the bedroom the same temp with the same blankets and now I wake up SUUUUPER hot.  It's to the point that I rarely wear long sleeved pajamas and seek silk or fabrics designed for hot sleepers.   It's not unheard of for me to weak up as a sweaty mess and I'm basically told - have fun being a woman. 

I've had a few cycles that were off but so far I have been able to trace them like clockwork with regular ovulation coinciding with increased cervical fluid and all the changes in libido.     

CharmedPam

Woohoo! I lost track but congrats on the raises/promotions/jobs! 

ei34

Congrats on all the raises/job success!  My union has a 1% raise per year for us.  Better than nothing