and not in the 'good' way. I'm being attacked by the loud, clanging internal clock that pokes it's sweaty head out every so often to announce, 'TIME'S UP!'

It starts like a weakness in the knees and a shaky, spine-tingling shiver. As soon as the brain registers it, it's on the move like a shot of adrenalin, a bolt of heat that pulses through your body until it erupts at your head. Suddenly you're covered in a film of cold sweat and your body temperature flashes into super-hot mode. It lasts mere minutes. By the time you're loosening your collar, sweater, blanket, whatever -you're back to what I've come to know as normal.

I find it fascinating however my family doesn't share the same feeling. They have been known to hold strategy meetings when I'm out -kind of like Al Anon for peri-menopause. I think they should call it, Survival of the Flashes and there should be courses and support groups for loved ones on how to cope with that evil-personified-witch-of a-monster-who-is-subjecting-everyone-to-her-polarizing-mood-swings. If someone comes up with it I would like it to be named after me, The Queen of the Hot Flashes because heck if you're going to go through it you might as well own it (and have awards).

Remember. I invented it.