Points of Intersection

I slowly peeled the sticky note off the windshield as I read, my heart thumping faster and heavier with each word.

I quickly shoved it in my pocket as I glanced to see if my mom had noticed.

She hadn’t.

We were utterly exhausted and wanting to somehow leave the worry there at the hospital and symbolically drive into new hope and faith as we exited the hospital parking garage. We needed to gather up a little energy to give a little more to Dad over the next week.

They Didn’t Know

It was 7 pm and we’d been at the hospital since right before 7am.

The person didn’t know we’d only found out just a couple days before that the surgeon had found an almost totally blocked carotid artery and set surgery for right away.

They didn’t know we were inside fasting and praying as what had been said would be a shorter surgery turned into many hours and finally into all day of waiting.

They didn’t sit with us when the surgeon finally came out, wringing his hands with a serious face as he said, “it was much worse than I had expected.”

They didn’t know we’d just faced the reality that at any time one wrong step off of a curb could have taken a husband, father and grandfather.

They didn’t know we were relieved to have witnessed a miracle of discovery and removal but that we were still carrying the day upon us.

They did see that the left side of the car had too much space between the lines and the right side was sitting too close to the yellow line.

And that was enough.

Points of Intersection

We are all but lines on a world map and eventually we will come to what is known in math as “the point of intersection.”

What can be a total annoyance to one maybe someone else’s mere effort of survival.

Lines crossing lines without seeing where they are coming from.

I didn’t know this sticky note had followed us in the move but today I lifted a book and there it was.

A sticky reminder that I just want to act in a way that oth

Creamy dark chocolate peppermint fudge is topped with crushed candy canes for a wonderful Christmas treat.

Peppermint Fudge

Five-minute fudge recipes are my saving grace this time of year. I always want to be that hostess or friend with tons of holiday treats at her fingertips, but then time gets away from me.

Lightning-fast candy recipes can help you put together the prettiest and tastiest of holiday treats with the least amount of effort!

As an added bonus, a piece of this fudge will melt beautifully into a steaming mug of milk and make a wonderful cup of peppermint hot chocolate! I’ve already stashed this fudge in the freezer to make cocoa through the holiday season.

I have always loved making candy and treats to share. But have to admit the traditional candy-making process can get tedious. So, finding a way to get such delicious holiday flavors in an easy fashion is a winner in my book.

Easy Peppermint Fudge

The best part – no one knows the difference. No one will believe that you made this in just five minutes and five ingredients. I love adding this fudge to cookie trays to share with friends and neighbors.

Stored correctly Peppermint Fudge will keep nicely in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. Store in an airtight container, separating multiple layers with parchment or wax paper. Serve from the refrigerator.

I strongly suggest storing Peppermint Fudge in its own container. Do not combine it with other treats in a tightly enclosed container. If you store them together, everything in that container will become peppermint in flavor.

I have a family member that prefers this fudge without the candy on top, so I usually only top about half of the recipe with crushed candy canes. The portion without candy is still full of peppermint flavor and everyone loves it.

Can I Freeze Fudge?

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Period pains are one of the common symptoms that affect an estimated 90% of women. While PMS can leave us feeling awful physically, many haven’t heard of PMDD - a severe form of PMS that can lead to anxiety, clinical depression and a higher risk of suicidal ideation

Most of us have heard of PMS (premenstrual syndrome), the name given to the signs and symptoms people that ovulate experience in the days or even weeks leading up to their period. It’s estimated that anywhere from three in four menstruating people to 90% of women experience some form of PMS.

Mood swings, food cravings, tender breasts, painful cramps, fatigue, irritability and depression can all be typical symptoms of PMS. But have you heard of PMDD? And could you be experiencing it without even realising it?

We answer your biggest PMDD questions, and share everything you need to know about premenstrual dysphoric disorder, signs to look out for, and how you can find help.

What is PMDD?

PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder) is a very severe form of PMS, thought to affect around one in 20 women. Sometimes referred to as ‘severe PMS’, PMDD causes a number of different emotional and physical symptoms monthly in the weeks running up to your period. Occurring during the luteal phase (between when you ovulate and your period stats), some people have symptoms for a few days, while others will have them every day during the run-up to their period.

While most people who ovulate will experience some form of PMS during their lifetime, those with PMDD experience symptoms that have a much greater impact. PMDD can make it harder to work, socialise, and even maintain healthy relationships. For some, PMDD can lead to suicidal thoughts. One global study released in 2022 revealed that as many as 34% of those with PMDD have attempted suicide.

On average, it takes 12 years and seeking support from more than six healthcare professionals before most patients are able to gain a diagnosis of PMDD. An overwhelming 98% feel that symptoms of PMDD put a significant strain on their romantic relationships, 97% say they affect their family relationships, and over half (56.7%) have lost a partner due to PMDD.

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder can develop at any time during your reproductive years, though on average, symptoms begin around age 26. Symptoms often interfere with your ability to do day-to-day things and can occur during some or most of your cycles (though some months may be worse than others).

How do I know if I’ve got PMDD? Signs and symptoms

People with PMDD can experience different symptoms. These can include emotional and physical symptoms:

Emotional symptoms

• mood swings
• feeling upset, tearful, tense, angry, irritable or on-edge
• lack of energy
• decreased interest in activities you normally enjoy doing
• increased feelings of anxiety, overwhelm, hopelessness, or being out of control
• trouble concentrating
• suicidal thoughts or feelings

Physic