Photo by Alexandra Tran on Unsplash

There are a lot of things in my life I can't control: the rising cost of my rent, the non-existent inventory of the real estate market, and the fact that pretty soon my kitchen is going to ripped up and renovated. Oh, and the fact that Stranger Things only has one season left. And that Elton John just retired from touring (sigh). 

That's why I got back into working out regularly. When all else fails, just pick up the weights, my friends! 

It's not that I consider myself a control freak (except when cheese and wine is involved; then I lose all control) but because it does create an area of my life where at least I know if I put the work into it, I can shape the outcome—literally. And somehow, that makes dealing with everything a little easier. 

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

My plans for the Fourth this year included waking up early to work out and bleaching and toning my hair (riveting, I know.) 

But a peach cosmopolitan at dinner last night derailed all that for me. I spent the holiday with a hangover: groggy, upset stomach, unmotivated, and exhausted. 

Yep, just four or so ounces of peach vodka, Cointreau, and lime juice turned me into a complete Walking Dead extra last night upon arriving home and caused me to wake up pretty much every hour last night with a queasy stomach. 

I came across a quote the other day (that I cannot find now, of course) that said in so many words that you shouldn't try to look younger, but your best. (It was attributed to Bette Davis but I don't think that's correct, as when I looked up Bette Davis quotes this particular one didn't come up.)

But I digress...now that I'm in my 50s I tend to agree with this. And it's not because I wouldn't mind looking a bit younger, but because trying to do a comprehensive skin care routine aimed at making yourself look 35 sounds exhausting...and time consuming. 

Hint: it's not as fun as this.

Just kidding—some of these women are my friends, and I would never punch a friend! (Strangers, however, may not be completely off limits.) OK, totally joking of course, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't just a wee bit envious of women who claim they've never experienced a hot flash. What are the rest of us doing wrong?

Often the question comes up because some women, understandably, aren't sure if they've ever had a hot flash. It's a valid question. How does one know if they're just feeling hot because it's the middle of July and the air conditioning has only been running for a minute or if they're actually having a full-blown hot flash?

I'm happy to break the differences down for you!