Poke The Bear

I feel like I've spent a fair amount of 2026 being cranky.   Probably because that's accurate.  

Here's the thing - (peri)menopause crazitude feels pretty real.  Now, it might just be my regular crazy coming out for a little extra recess, but this feels different - we'll have a conversation with my ladyparts doc about that later this year.

As examples, things that are pretty minor are much harder to ignore - like the fact that it's too warm or cold in the office on any given day, or my home office is occasionally too cold or too warm.  Or the fact that I wrote myself a list in shorthand last week- well, my version of it.  I was looking at the same list, less than 24 hours later, and I couldn't figure out what the hell I was intending to with the list.  I figured it out, because, persistence, but jeez.

Here's the current fuss. My colleagues are obsessed with personal fragrance.  It's the kinds that have overtones of faux florals and undertones of briny Fritos.  It's the same basic formula as Sun-Ripened Raspberry from my college years, and it makes me want to heave. Honestly, I'm just kind of off kilter.  But come on, people - enough with the bad-smelling smell good.  Like, I rarely wear perfume now because even the stuff I love is way too much.   My lotion needs to be fragrance-free, and I vet my hair products and soaps very, very carefully.  I like Aveda and Suave Rosemary Mint for the former, and Ivory, Trader Joe's citrus or peppermint body washes for the latter.   Mrs. Meyers makes good cleaning prods.

One whiff of Fabuloso makes me want to claw my brain out.  I am apparently not alone in that.

Weirdly, I found some body wash at the store the other day, made by Mr. Bubble in its original scent.  Which, I love.  OK, it's basic, but it just works for me.  I bought it.  Is it ridiculous?  Yes, but I love it.  What can I do?

My point is, embrace the personal in personal fragrance.  My other point is that once our office reno is done, I'll be seeking out a spot where there aren't a lot of spritzers around. 

In less self-absorbed news, Piper was sickly over the weekend - she's way, way better now - but I was thinking we were in a bad way Friday/Saturday - but Sunday, she turned a corner.  I feel confident she had what our vet would call a "dietary indiscretion".  I'm glad to see her eating, drinking and scurrying after prey in the yard.  It's the little things.  I'm also glad I allowed her to work through it without intervention - yes, the money is part of it - but none of us enjoy spending time at the emergency vet.  It's like the French say - patience surpasses science. 

The French say a lot of things.  

The other big event of the weekend was the Kentucky Derby.  We decided to celebrate with our friends Chuck and Dusty.  And that means that we had hats.  Dusty and I both created our own.  Matt wore one he had:  

I love that they go all in on parties.  These have been some recent adds to our friend circle, and it's kind of perfect.  I feel very fortunate.  Even if I was super worried about Piper during this - I had a great time.  They are a fun pair.  We played a game that Chuck has created.  We ate snacks.  We watched horses race.  It was a good time.

I don't know - it's Spring, we're gearing up for a good Summer.  I sent my nephew a giant pretzel for his birthday.  I mean, he's going to get some serious cash for his grad present in a month - I figured mix it up a little.

Now I need to think about my BFFs birthday this weekend, and my sister's birthday at the end of the month.  It's a lot.  I have a lot of May people in my life.  Bless their hearts.

I also really need to water my porch plants.  I looked at them this morning, and they are parched.  And then, there's the fact that today is Cinco de Mayo.  We're having Mexican bowls for dinner.  I have some cabbage for mine because cabbage was on sale and I like the taste of it.  

I am not sure how I got so boring, but here I am,

Boring is probably better than cranky.  But both together.  No thanks!

ae