Friday, February 20, 2026

Fly On The Wall With A Nasty Flu Bug


Welcome to another edition of Fly On The Wall group blog postings hosted by Karen of Baking In A Tornado. Today, three of us are welcoming you into our homes to see what a fly night see---or overhear!


Y'all, I got SOOOO sick several weeks ago, all from a little mischievous bug that somehow attached to me after a family birthday party. In a little over 24 hours, half my family was down for the count. It started with a wracking chest cough that escalated into daily migraines, body aches, fatigue, chills, high fevers, dizziness, nausea, and diarrhea. I spent a week in bed with numerous Zoom calls to the doctor, who prescribed 2 rounds of steroids, inhalers, and antibiotics. I seriously thought I was going to die---it was a real come-to-Jesus moment, and I immediately understood how people died so easily from Covid. I felt so miserable that I was ready to give up the ghost. 


Before you ask, YES, I've had my flu shot, but I tested positive for Flu A, regardless, and by then it was too late to take Tamiflu. Luckily, Mac's symptoms didn't appear until a day after mine, so he was able to take Tamiflu and thankfully had no further symptoms. The worst part for me was the fluid buildup in my chest---it was so bad that it felt like an elephant was sitting on my ribs. I couldn't breathe very well, and lying down to sleep was impossible. Sadly, the experience made me wonder how my poor sister must have felt in the days before she passed away from pneumonia. I rarely get sick, but this flu was one of the worst bugs I've ever had. It hung around for several weeks, and I'm STILL coughing! Doc says it will take 6 weeks to get out of my system, but at least I'm no longer contagious, and the rest of the family has recovered. 


We did go camping after my worst symptoms had passed ( I refused to let the flu stop me!), and we had a wonderful time despite that crazy Florida cold snap that froze our RV's water lines. But since I've recovered, it's really been a good month — celebrated 2 of my grandbabies' birthdays and had a romantic Valentine's Day with Mac (our 43rd together!). So, here's the latest photo dump of all the fly has witnessed (and believe it or not, the stupid fly buzzed around my bedroom while I was sick!! But you don't need to see photos of THAT). 






Last but not least, I have some VERY exciting news to share: MY YOUNGEST DAUGHTER JUST GOT ENGAGED in Costa Rica!!!!!! I'm so happy for Jane and Al,
and I cannot wait to get this wedding started!!!


***WANT MORE MENO MAMA? Check out my latest "anonymous" essay for AARP/Members Edition HERE (or you may be redirected to the main page, so click on the search bar for the title, "After 42 Years, I'm Finally Putting My Husband First"). Over at AARP/The Ethel, I have a Valentine's Day article you can read HERE and 2 others on AARP/The Girlfriend about easy skillet meals that you can read HERE and another on special meals that will bring on a marriage proposal HERE.

Hop on over to Karen and Diane's house to see what the nosy fly has been up to over there!


Baking In A Tornado                                https://www.BakingInATornado.com

                               

On the Border                                         https://dlt-lifeontheranch.blogspot.com/



Friday, January 23, 2026

Fly On The Wall With A Triceratops Cowboy

Welcome to another edition of Fly On The Wall group blog postings hosted by Karen of Baking In A Tornado. Today, three of us are welcoming you into our homes to see what a fly night see---or overhear!


I hope everyone had a great Christmas and New Year's Eve—we were busy with holiday festivities for weeks, so it felt kind of nice to take down all the decor and just RELAX. But the best was spending time with the family and seeing the magic of Christmas in my grandbabies' eyes. 


Now that the holidays are over, it's time to focus on other things...such as RVing! We just completed our 18th camping trip 2 weeks ago and will be on our 19th adventure next week! One of the coolest aspects of camping is meeting other campers. I've made some great friends, and we chat frequently to help each other find the best parks and RV spots. I truly hope Mac and I can RV like this for many more years---as long as we can stay healthy!



Despite the cold weather we've been having lately (yes, Florida does get cold occasionally--it snowed in the Panhandle the other day!), the fly is still buzzing around and overhearing some weird conversations. 



"When I get up every day, I get bored if I don't get a change of scenery. I don't like looking at the same thing every day."
"What's that supposed to mean?? You've been looking at my face for almost 42 years now....."



"I overdid it tonight on dinner. I'm so full, I  feel like the Pillsbury Doughboy."
"No, you're the Pillsbury Dough GIRL, so we're going to make donuts with that dough."
"Mmmm...doughnuts." 
"Didn't you just say you ate too much??"



"Thanks for starting a fire for us tonight, but why does the fire smell so fishy?"
"Because I bought the special carp-scented logs."
 "Remind me next time to serve the logs for dinner instead."


"I'm so tired of hot flashes and fatigue....."
"
But you're past menopause age."
"Long after menopause is gone, it leaves a residue of body revenge."


"Ever wonder what life would have been like if we had never had kids?"
"Sure---we would have been stinkin' rich with a sparkling modern home in an upscale neighborhood. Instead, we opted for the other plan---broke, with four kids who sucked the youth out of us."
"I have a wrinkle cream for that."
"What's it called, Children be Gone?"


"The squirrels look fuzzy and fatter than normal. I guess it's their winter coat." 
"And the squirrels are looking at us and thinking, oh look, the humans are fatter than usual--- they must be wearing THEIR winter coats!"



"Hey grandkids, your grandfather used to ride on the back of the family's giant St. Bernard like a cowboy when he was a kid."
"No, I rode on the back of a triceratops because that's how old I am." 


"I don't feel well...."
"Why? What's wrong?"
" I ate too many Ramen noodles. I feel like I have a belly full of tapeworms."
"Cheer up! Tapeworms are the new wonder drug for weight loss!"



That's it for this month. I'd better go check on my husband before he puts a saddle on our pug for the grandkids to ride. Does anyone have a cowboy hat?


***WANT MORE MENO MAMA? Check out my latest for AARP on tracing my family roots with my father HERE. *If the link takes you to the main page, just type in the search bar,  "Researching Genealogy With My Father Brought Us Closer."  Over at AARP/The Girlfriend, see how I stop anxiety in its tracks HERE

Hop on over to Karen and Diane's house to see what the nosy fly has been up to over there!


Baking In A Tornado                                https://www.BakingInATornado.com

                               

On the Border                                         https://dlt-lifeontheranch.blogspot.com/





Friday, December 19, 2025

Fly On The Wall During The Holiday Hoopla

Welcome to another edition of Fly On The Wall group blog postings hosted by Karen of Baking In A Tornado. Today, three of us are welcoming you into our homes to see what a fly night see---or overhear!


The fly at my house is dizzy from all of the holiday hoopla. It started with Thanksgiving, a fun, loving day with my adult kids and grandkids. However, one son was very sick and didn't want to expose us to the flu bug he was fighting, while the other son was out of state with his in-laws. Of course, this did not stop me from making waaaaay too much food for the rest of us. I just can't help myself!! We sipped mimosas while watching the Macy's Day Parade and then started playing a family game called TALES, which was a blast! The laughing and finger-pointing that ensued during the game were hilarious, and I highly recommend buying it online!


I had barely put away the Thanksgiving decorations when it was time to dress the house for Christmas. Then the parties started, and it has been non-stop (I'm not complaining; just TIRED already). We've been to a boat parade party, a historical downtown party, a neighbor's big bash, visited several light displays, and then went out on another friend's boat to see more lights along the waterways. Nothing says holiday cheer to me more than Christmas lights strung around a palm tree and Santa Claus sitting on the beach with a margarita (that's REAL Florida life)!

This month, we also got to visit our daughter's new side hustle--she creates her own jewelry at Soul Bloom and has been doing festivals every weekend. So proud of her! I already stocked up on my Christmas gifts! Here is her website if you care to order anything: https://soulbloomfl.weebly.com/#/


Right now, we are in the midst of a baking marathon while we put together a gazillion batches of holiday cookies and breads to give to friends and neighbors as a big THANK YOU, and I APPRECIATE YOU. It has been a tradition in my family for as long as I can remember, and I truly enjoy carrying it out all these years later. 


Thankfully, this year we actually bought nice Christmasy attire for our gatherings (Okay, so no weird costumes like lobsters or squirrels!!) and it was the best decision I could have made — no more second-guessing what to wear at Christmas. We wear the same stuff to every event we attend (but yeah, people are starting to wonder if these are the only outfits we own....I swear we wash them after each party because nobody wants to reek of wine). 


Rather than drone on and on about all the reasons I cherish this time of year, it would be easier to show you with a holiday photo dump. If you sing all the lyrics to "White Christmas," I promise it will go faster.....
















Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, and a Happy New Year, from our house to yours! #JesusIsMyReasonForTheSeason 


****WANT MORE MENO MAMA? If you're looking for hot beverage recipes to get you through the winter, check out my latest for AARP/The Ethel here: https://www.aarpethel.com/lifestyle/recipes/our-5-fave-homemade-hot-drinks-for-winter/or if you're more interested in my recipes for easy crockpot holiday side dishes, The Ethel also shared that info here: https://www.aarpethel.com/lifestyle/recipes/slow-cooker-sides-to-simplify-holiday-meal-prep/I also have 4 super easy app recipes for gameday featured in The girlfriend this month if you'd like to check it out here: https://www.thegirlfriend.com/lifestyle/recipes/4-super-easy-and-yummy-apps-with-5-ingredients-or-less/  At AARP/Members Only, I have a fun, researched article titled, "Grandma Wars: The Battle For Family Favorite" that you can read here: https://www.aarp.org/family-relationships/ethels-tell-all-competing-grandmas/   (if that link doesn't work you will need to log in at AARP Members Only and use the search bar to find the article. (Sorry about that---I don't know why they make it so difficult!)

Hop on over to Karen and Diane's house to see what the nosy fly has been up to over there!


Baking In A Tornado                                https://www.BakingInATornado.com

                               

On the Border                                         https://dlt-lifeontheranch.blogspot.com/







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