My periods are still regular, but, praise be, very light except for about every three months. I'm tracking them primarily by the psychological changes of my cycle.

Can't comment on my period because Mirena changed my life. I may have a day or two of spotting but it is SUCH a difference. Of course, my doctors plan is that I will be done with menopause by the time it would need to be replaced.

My experience also. My periods had gotten insanely heavy and the cramps in my back were sidelining me. Mirena changed all that. After almost three years of no periods to speak of, now I'm noticing that my cycle seems to have shortened by a week, week-and-a-half. I'm assuming that's another symptom of menopause. Man, I will be so happy when it's over and my hormones settle and I get my personality back.

Hot flashes. Limited, light ,irregular,Heavy cramps, night sweats, boiling under the skin. Yup. Less now. But sometimes with a vengeance

The hot flash folks have my sympathy. I've been getting cold flashes since just after HPF was born. Sitting here right now with two sweaters and a heating pad. Still freezing. Plus the added bizarro stuff of the past 5 months and 6 years ago.

Bodies. How do they work?

I have no experience in this area.

I am roasting some broccoli. Instead of attempting to chop or slice or whatever into something like uniform pieces, I'm trying just splitting the bunches vertically.

Up until a week ago I always assumed I would be on the pill till menopause was over and past. Now I'm not at all looking forward to the next few decades without the option of added estrogen. Oh well, "new normal" and all that.

I've had non-hormone related flushes, and as they've been so rare, they are fascinating. They've always been hot, but hot the way icy-hot or bengay is, in that they're also sharp like cold is. Over in a couple minutes.

I always run hot part of my cycle, wake up sweaty in the morning, no matter how cold it is. And I'm a head-sweat-er normally, so ew. It nicely coincides with the part that runs me with no patience whatsoever and the focus of a gnat. Funtimes.

This hand cream I unearthed from my xmas stash smells like yellow lemon cake mix. Not batter, the mix. Down to that baking-soda edge. Kinda makes me want to eat my hands.

Sara has secret yellow cake, invade her!

Broccoli experiment a total success. FTR, 15 mi at 450F + 15 more minutes in the oven with the heat turned off = yum!

Several of my facebook friends are either dermatologists or work for dermatologists. Apparently "get Botox in time for Valentine's Day!" is a thing now.

So I'm home finally. Dad slipped & fell in the shower. I think he hit his head on the wall, and then the floor, because he has lacerations on both temples and the back of his head. Takes some skill to do that!

And he broke his jaw.

I hate the medical establishment. The hospital didn't have anyone on staff who could do anything about his jaw, and the maxillo-facial surgeon they referred me to basically said they only take dental insurance, not medical. I nearly snapped the nurse's head off. Appointment tomorrow to see what they need to do.

So this is fun. Dad looks like he was in a bar brawl, huge bruises all over. I took his dog home so he doesn't have to deal with walking him, and the staff are going to check on him every hour.

I'm SO GLAD January is over, so I could get home and pour myself a glass of Petite Syrah.