Anne,
I read the BWS October edition of the news! You wanted comments:
(1) I'm so happy that chocolate is good for a person.
LOVE CHOCOLATE!
(2) Regarding Steve Jobs, it's too bad he didn't live another 20 years. Wisdom seemed to be his forte!
(3) Regarding menopause, IMHO a lady can get through this climacteric change by researching what's available to help her ease through the transition.

I have to agree with all of jabbers answers. All make perfect sense!!!

There is a lot of research available, Jabber, but not everyone knows where and how to research it. Plus, a lot of women don't feel comfortable talking with their doctors about this.And not all women experience this time of life the same way.

So, I'm of the opinion that sharing the link to the webinar with our audience WAS aiding those who need help with their personal research. And I don't want to shut down discussion of this issue by insisting that getting though menopause is a snap.

It seems to me that menopause is a lot like pregnancy, or our periods themselves -- not all women have the same experience. Some have a rougher time than others.

Some of you may recall that I have discussed elsewhere in this forum that MY periods were painful, debilitating and sometimes sent me to bed. The flow I experienced was more like a flood. And yet, I know other women whose periods were "a breeze" - so light they hardly noticed them.

Likewise, my mother's birth experiences were far different than mine. SHE always traveled from first labor pang to delivery in about 30 minutes. She even told me that for her, labor was not a pain - but more like an orgasm.

Meanwhile, my first labor began while I was in the hospital being treated for pre-eclampsia, and lasted well over 24 hours. Ended with an emergency C-section. And the doctor telling my husband that he had nearly lost me...

SOOO... I expect menopause is similar. I have breezed through it. I am delighted to be postmenopausal, and thankful that I THINK I may have only experienced one hot flash. and I have no idea what a night sweat might be like...

But I know that not all of our sisters are so lucky. And that's why I don't think is is fair of those of us who have not experienced difficult menopauses to insist that there's nothing challenging about it.

OK, I am off my soapbox. Thanks for letting me have my say.

Anne

Anne,
You are 100% right. And if I sounded like I was blowing it off,
I apologize. Not all my monthly periods were difficult; but I did have some like those you mentioned, as if a flood was taking place. And some were extremely painful. I've had bad moments
during menopause but they've been few and far between. I'm grateful you're a caring, loving person and go all out to help the membership here! Every link you share, is valuable and eye-opening! Sometimes I rush in here and rush-off a post, much too fast. Sorry about that! Please forgive!

Nothing to forgive, Jabber, dear. You are such a valuable part of this group, and I did not want to offend you.

I only wrote what I did because I woke up this morning with the strong thought that I needed to come back in here and explain why I think we need to offer a broad range of information and content on this site. Several people have contacted me via email to thank me for the menopause info. But since they aren't posting to the forum, they're "invisible."

OK, I am off to the grocery store. Given that you and I were both excited by the news that chocolate is good for us, I guess I will check to see if there's any Hershey's dark chocolate bars on sale, now that we are post-Halloween!

Anne,
There's no way you can offend me. I'm your biggest fan!!!
Sometimes I read the posts too fast; sometimes I post my posts
too fast.


My bucket list is getting longer everyday! LOL...

Love dark chocolate, anything! Yummmmmmmm....

Speaking of dark chocolate, I almost let myself walk into a fudge shop on Main Street yesterday.

I'd been at the salon next door having my hair cut, and as I was finishing with the cashier, a gaggle of tourists walked in for massage appointments. They were boisterous and happy and overloaded with packages -- so they caused quite a commotion trying to get in the door while not dropping their bags. Meanwhile, they were munching on fudge.

Talk about the power of suggestion! I walked out of the salon and actually started for the fudge shop, which was in the OPPOSITE direction from where my car was parked. I actually got as far as looking in the window...

But I was resolute. I turned myself around and went to my car. However, I feel certain that I am going to have to treat myself to some dark chocolate soon, even if it is only a mug of cocoa!

Girl I know the feeling. I had a friend who baked fudge and gave it out for Christmas gifts for years and years. I miss my friend. She's in the arms of The Lord. But oh the thought of that fudge. And when I see fudge for sale at fairs or carnivals or on some Main Street somewhere, I can hardly walk away without buying a huge hunk!

My grandmother made the best fudge on this earth and Christmas wasn't a holiday without her fudge. I miss it more than I can say and have yet to find any as good, anywhere. I miss her and her fudge every holiday especially!