That Time I Was Topless at a Work Dinner

A few months ago, when I talked about skincare, and specifically deodorant, I alluded to a funny story involving how sweaty I used to get, and I decided to tell this story today. In advance, you're welcome. {grin}

I used to sweat REALLY badly. Like I had to be careful about what colors I wore because it would show SO BAD in clothes. I had to wear super light or super dark colors only if I didn't want to risk showing armpit stains. 

Well, this story is a time I broke my own rule and wore a hot pink shirt...to a work dinner...as an intern...

Through the accounting program I was in during college, I did an internship with a large accounting firm January through March of my 4th year of school {so winter 2002}. Not the one I ended up working for full-time after college, and still work for now, but a competitor, so also a global company. I was one of 10 interns, and one of the activities we did was a Progressive Dinner. With this dinner, we did a round-robin at different partners' houses - so appetizers at one house, main course at another, etc.

As a typical 21-year-old trying to make/maintain a good impression, driving to areas I was unfamiliar with, making sure I was on-time, looking nice/appropriate...all that...resulted in me being extremely nervous. Add nervousness to an already propensity for sweating and a hot pink button-down shirt, and your end result was by the time we arrived at the first house, I already had giant armpit sweat rings in my shirt. 

I WAS MORTIFIED. So my solution was that I tried to keep my wool peacoat on and claimed to be 'cold'. But that started to get awkward the longer I was there, and I honestly started to get really hot so being in a wool peacoat wasn't a viable option anymore.

I just finally gave up and went up to the partner's wife, showed her my shirt, and asked if she had a blow dryer. She was so sweet and took pity on me and took me upstairs to her master bathroom, showed me her blow dryer, and left the room. I had to take my shirt off to be able to dry it, so there I stood - in a partner's bathroom wearing a bra, pencil skirt, and heels. 

This is what nightmares are made of.

I spent the next 5-10 minutes praying no one would walk in there. Can you imagine how that would have looked? A 21-year-old intern standing in a partner's bathroom in a bra and skirt blow-drying her shirt?

Thankfully no one walked in on me and my shirt dried out and I survived the rest of the night. Doesn't that sound like a fun evening?

And can anyone blame me for using toxic, aluminum-filled Certain Dri for years? Ha!

Now you play along - got a funny or embarrassing story worth sharing today??

Anatomy of a Kitchen Counter

This is probably going to seem like a silly post, but I am constantly amazed at how my house can go from clean to cluttered so fast as a family of 5. I wanted to show my kitchen counter as proof of this as the day progressed. I took about 10 or so pictures throughout the day and just chuckled at this progression. Maybe someone else will find this interesting? Maybe?

Night before - 10 pm

Finished cleaning the kitchen and wiping the counters down

Only things out: my water class and computer

9 am - breakfast time for the girls!

What's out: children, 2 plates, 2 water cups, my computer, butter knife

10 am - unloading groceries

What's out: hot glue gun, bowl from Trent's breakfast, the girls' breakfast dishes, school work spread out, my headset/computer, and 8 rolls of toilet paper that need to be distributed, my water glass, Trent's cup

11 am - we're technically outside

What's out: girls' breakfast plates STILL out, hello to my coffee and tablespoon, Trent's breakfast bowl, hot glue gun, school work, Trent's pen, my car key, Trent's watch, and still that TP

Hi Trent! Hi open back door! {why won't these kids close the door??}

12:30 pm - lunch is served

What's out: same plates but a different meal, computer/headset, my car key, coffee, glue gun, Trent's bowl, school work, lunch fixings

1:45 pm - My lunch time

What's out - blender for smoothie, plates from lunch, glue gun, Trent's bowl, bowl of frozen peaches for Paige {that she didn't eat}, coffee {yes, I drink it this slowly}, plastic sack from an earlier walk, my car key, green beaded necklace, strawberries and tomatoes leftover from lunch, school work, computer/headset

2:40 pm - Hi Trent!

What's out - same as before but we've added Trent doing his work and a snack pack of Pringles and 2 sacks of crayons

*Big break here as I was helping Brent spread rock around the flower beds*

5:45 pm - It's time for a colossal meltdown from a tired Paige

What's out - same as before minus the Pringles plus an early dinner snack for Paige, a purple beaded necklace, squirty fruit package, and my water glass is back

7 pm - Meal 4,327

What's out - those same plates getting another meal, container of leftover Spanish rice I made on Sunday, half an apple, empty squirty fruit container, more beaded necklaces, some random bell pepper slices, glue gun, 2 knives, my smoothie straw, my car key, water cups for everyone but Brent

8:30 pm - Winding down the day...hopefully

What's out - I cleaned the stove so my cast iron griddle got moved over, Trent made some hot chocolate so we've added the mix, measuring cup, and mug, plus Brent's old cell phone they all play with, a few things were put away, yay!

9:45 pm - And it's clean again!!!

Whew! That didn't even seem to get as bad as it does sometimes, and it still got pretty awful during the middle of the day. 

How do you handle clutter in your house?

Book Worm

I had some fun book worm things to talk about - and I know almost everyone who reads my blog will agree that being a book worm is fun. {grin}

1) Y'all know I am a giant Harry Potter nerd and would find nothing more enjoyable than making references to the HP world all day. Well, I was on a conference call one time at work and made a crack about wishing I was a Griffyndor but knowing I'm really a Hufflepuff. I mean who doesn't WANT to be a Griffyndor?!?! Well, crickets. NO ONE I WAS TALKING TO HAD EVER READ HARRY POTTER. I was in shock but also a little embarrassed that I made this little crack with words that sounded like gobbledy-gook that no one understood ha. BUT to make matters worse, I tried the same little joke a few weeks later with a different group of people and GOT THE SAME REACTION. #killmenow

2) I found this printable on IG and thought it would be really fun to fill in throughout the year. I'm struggling already though to decide my favorite for January. I'm debating between The Printed Letter Bookshop and A Place For Us. The Printed Letter Bookshop was just a fabulous read [nerd alert, I wanted to use the word delightful, but I use that too often describing books, so I looked up synonyms ha] that made my heart happy while A Place For Us most certainly did NOT make my heart happy but was very powerful and moving and impactful... Can I have a tie?

3) I've really gotten into updating/using Goodreads. I never really understood the purpose before, but I downloaded the app and am having fun seeing what other people are reading, instantly updating my 'Read' shelf or 'Want to Read' shelf {which I can tell is going to grow to be huge}, rating books in the moment, and reading others' reviews. I set a goal for the year of 100 books {less than 2018, more than 2019}, and I like that it keeps track of where I am in relation to the goal {currently 1 behind the pace, AAAAAHHHH}. Anyone want to be my friend? HA.

4) A little bit related to #3, if I 100% read or listen to my child read a book, even if it's a bit on the easy side but over 100 pages...should I count it toward my goal? For example, Drew and I finished the 2nd Babysitter Club book last night. It was over 150 pages, and I read it all out loud to her. Now on the flip-side, T read some of Just Mercy to himself {and got in trouble for it since I had specifically told him he couldn't read that alone since I wasn't sure if it was too mature for him and have definitely edited out some sentences when reading together}, so I wouldn't count that towards my goal. Thoughts?

Any super nerdy book worm stories you want to share?

Let's Talk About: My FAVORITE Books Part 2!

From the comments I received you guys seemed a little surprised/disappointed in my favorite books #10-6, ha. My favorite comment was from Erika who said some of them seemed like 'run-of-the-mill grocery store paperbacks'. Thanks a lot! {grin} Our favorites are what they are and sometimes it doesn't always make sense, I guess! I do think #5-1 will make a little more sense though.

FIVE

Description: In 1939, as Hitler casts his enormous, cruel shadow across the world, the seeds of apartheid take root in South Africa. There, a boy called Peekay is born. His childhood is marked by humiliation and abandonment, yet he vows to survive and conceives heroic dreams–which are nothing compared to what life actually has in store for him. He embarks on an epic journey through a land of tribal superstition and modern prejudice where he will learn the power of words, the power to transform lives, and the power of one.

Why I Love It: One of my high school English classes watched this movie, and I enjoyed it so much that I immediately read the book and LOVED it. It was such a fascinating story of a world I knew so little about. Years later, I re-read the book wondering if I'd still like it as much, and I did. It really is a powerful read with a great message.

Description: Scottish Highlands, 1945. Claire Randall, a former British combat nurse, is just back from the war and reunited with her husband on a second honeymoon when she walks through a standing stone in one of the ancient circles that dot the British Isles. Suddenly she is a Sassenach—an “outlander”—in a Scotland torn by war and raiding clans in the year of Our Lord ...1743.

Claire is catapulted into the intrigues of a world that threatens her life, and may shatter her heart. Marooned amid danger, passion, and violence, Claire learns her only chance of safety lies in Jamie Fraser, a gallant young Scots warrior. What begins in compulsion becomes urgent need, and Claire finds herself torn between two very different men, in two irreconcilable lives.

Why I Love It: Yes, I'm cheating and putting a whole series in 1 slot. It's my list, ha. [Now to be clear, that description is just for book 1.] I first read Outlander for book club. I don't know that I would have picked this up on my own otherwise - to me, the descriptions read like a super cheesy romance novel with time travel thrown in. And I'm sure most of you would think that sounds right up my alley but it sounded a little too cheesy, even for me. Well, I'm glad it was chosen for book club because it was PHENOMENAL, and I devoured the other 7 books in the series - I think the shortest story is over 600 pages and the longest over 1,100. Diana Gabaldon is a brilliant author {brilliant overall, she has a Ph.D. and you can tell how much she researches to make these books historically accurate}. She has created a rich, intricate world with characters you want to know so badly! Jennife {who picked the book} and I agree that Jamie is the best male character in fiction we've ever read! Book #9 should be out later this year, and I can't wait to get it!

Description: The timeless, bestselling four-part epic that began with the Pulitzer Prize-winning Lonesome Dove takes readers into the lives of Augustus McCrae and Woodrow Call, two tough-as-nails Texas Rangers in the heyday of the Old West. [The link gives you the summary of all 4 books if interested.]

Lonesome Dove description: Augustus 'Gus' McCrae and Woodrow Call are retired from the Texas Rangers and settled in the border town of Lonesome Dove running the Hat Creek Cattle Company. They are visited by their old friend Jake Spoon, who convinces Gus and Call to gather a herd of cattle and drive them north to Montana in order to start a cattle ranch in untouched territory. Gus is further motivated by a desire to see the love of his life, Clara Allen (nee Forsythe), who now lives with her children and comatose horse-trader husband in Ogallala, Nebraska. On the way to Montana they travel through wild country full of thieves, murderers, and a lifetime's worth of unforgettable adventure.

Why I Love It: Growing up, I remember my dad watching the Lonesome Dove miniseries on TV every year. I thought I hated Westerns so I always rolled my eyes at him, but early on in my dating years with Brent, he made me watch it, and I LOVED it. {The miniseries is also on my Top 10 movies list.} I read all 4 books my Freshman year in college, and it's another set of long books ranging from 500-750 pages, and I fell in love with Gus and Call. The stories of their lives during and after their years as Texas Rangers in the 1800s were fascinating - I mean Lonesome Dove won a Pulitzer Prize, so I'm not the only one who thought so - and the characters had such personality. I've always been proud to be a Texan but this series just amplified that pride so much ha. Sidenote: if you decide you want to read these, the order they were written in - and I think best read it - is not chronological. So you read it Lonesome Dove [written 1st, 3rd chronologically], Streets of Laredo [2nd, 4th], Dead Man's Walk [3rd, 1st], and Commanche Moon [4th, 2nd]. Of the 4, Commanche Moon was my favorite. I think these would be so great to read OR to watch the miniseries which is on Netflix! I love the music so much, it gives me chills every time I hear it. Brent even watched it with Trent last summer, and he loved it too. The miniseries also has a lot of big names in the cast - Robert Duvall, Tommy Lee Jones, Danny Glover, Diane Lane, Angelica Huston, Robert Urich, Rick Schroder, Chris Cooper, and Steve Buscemi - talk about a cast!

Description: Harry Potter has no idea how famous he is. That's because he's being raised by his miserable aunt and uncle who are terrified Harry will learn that he's really a wizard, just as his parents were. But everything changes when Harry is summoned to attend an infamous school for wizards, and he begins to discover some clues about his illustrious birthright. From the surprising way he is greeted by a lovable giant, to the unique curriculum and colorful faculty at his unusual school, Harry finds himself drawn deep inside a mystical world he never knew existed and closer to his own noble destiny. [Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone]

Why I Love It: Okay so everyone knew these had to be on here, right? I had never heard of Harry Potter until a Young Adolescent Literature class at A&M that I took as an elective - another thing that should surprise absolutely NO ONE. At that point, the first 3 books were out, and I found out my mom had all 3! She bought them because so many of her elementary students were raving about the series. I ate them up and read them numerous times over the years. I remember when the last book in the series came out - such a bittersweet moment - I couldn't wait to finally find out how Harry would defeat Lord Voldermort, but I was so sad to see almost 10 years of my reading life come to a close. Brent called me during a really critical part and I was bawling my head off and wouldn't talk to him, and he was so annoyed at me. DON'T YOU UNDERSTAND HARRY IS IN MORTAL PERIL??? I've now had the pleasure of deep-diving into the books through the Binge Mode podcast, which is PHENOMENAL, and reading the series with Trent. My love for these books grows year-over-year and I am so excited to read them again with both Drew and Paige.

Starting book 7 with Trent last month!

*second highest # of likes on IG this year ha*

ONE

Description: This is the tale of Scarlett O’Hara, the spoiled, manipulative daughter of a wealthy plantation owner, who arrives at young womanhood just in time to see the Civil War forever change her way of life. A sweeping story of tangled passion and courage, in the pages of Gone With the Wind, Margaret Mitchell brings to life the unforgettable characters that have captured readers for over seventy years.

Why I Love It: My second Pulitzer prize winning book! A sweeping story is definitely the perfect way to describe GWTW. I read this in high school and can distinctly remember being about halfway through and thinking I really needed to savor this book because I had found something truly special. I never wanted to finish it! After I finished, I had an entire wall in my room decorated with movie memorabilia - which honestly I don't like anywhere near how much I love the book. Janet and I even went to a display at a museum in Austin called The Making of Gone with the Wind a few years ago, which was so cool to see. This was the first truly epic book I ever read - where the history, descriptions, characters, plot, everything were so deep and rich, and I fell in love with a fictional world. I can't even imagine what would have to happen in a book for it to take over the #1 spot!

So what do you think of my Top 5? Do I redeem myself from #10-6? Do you have all-time favorite book?? I might have to do 1 more post for some honorable mentions for some books that could have almost made the list! I hope I've inspired you to read one of these books that I love so much - my top 10 list that is actually 25 books. {grin}

Let's Talk About: My FAVORITE Books Part 1

I thought it could be fun to post about my favorite books of all time - I blog about books monthly but most of my favorites EVER date back way longer than I've been blogging! I have a Top 10 List of favorites {yes, I AM that dorky!} that I created in college and I update as necessary, but I honestly don't change it that often - there is 1 big edit that happened in the last 5 years but the rest date back as far as high school! I'm going to split this into 2 posts, so this one will focus on #10-6. Come back next week for #1-5!!

TEN

Description: We are not alone…In a cave in the Himalayas, a guide discovers a self-mutilated body with the warning--Satan exists. In the Kalahari Desert, a nun unearths evidence of a proto-human species and a deity called Older-than-Old. In Bosnia, something has been feeding upon the dead in a mass grave. So begins mankind’s most shocking realization: that the underworld is a vast geological labyrinth populated by another race of beings. Some call them devils or demons. But they are real. They are down there. And they are waiting for us to find them…

Why I Love It: This book was so unique when I read it, and so many times it shocked me. I don't think this book description screams Allena which might be why it stuck with me so much and for so long after I finished it.

NINE

Description: Ever since legwarmers were cool, best friends Tara, Katherine, and Fintan have survived small-town ennui, big-city heartbreak, and endless giddy nights out on the town. But now that they've graduated to their slightly more serious thirties, only Fintan has what can honestly be called a "love life." With Tara struggling daily with her eternal diet—and her dreadful, penny-pinching boyfriend—and Katherine keeping her single existence as organized as her drawer full of matching bra and panty sets, it seems they'll never locate the exit door out of the "last chance saloon."

But it's always when you are least ready for change that fate insists on one. And when catastrophe inevitably follows crisis, the lives of three best friends are sure to change in unexpected ways ... and not necessarily for the worse.

Why I Love It: This is probably one of the first, if not THE first adult chick-lit books I read. I was probably in college, and I fell in love with these characters and this story. I've re-read it a time or two and still think it's such a great story of friendship, the messiness of relationships, being an adult... it's just so good! Honestly I contemplated putting Cancel the Wedding on this list but the nostalgia of how much this story meant to be when I first read it has always stayed with me. We'll see if Cancel the Wedding can sneak into the top 10...

EIGHT 

Description: A portrait of the Mafia underworld as told through the fictional first family of American crime, the Corleones.

The leader, Vito Corleone, is the Godfather. He is a benevolent despot who stops at nothing to gain and hold power. His command post is a fortress on Long Island from which he presides over a vast underground empire that includes rackets, gambling, bookmaking, and unions. His influence runs through all levels of American society, from the cop on the beat to the nation''s mighty.   

Why I Love It: This book was so twisty and dark and seedy, and the very last paragraph had my jaw on the floor. I ate up every word and it ended with a mic drop. I'll never forget how I felt when I finished this book.

SEVEN

Description: This is the way the world ends: with a nanosecond of computer error in a Defense Department laboratory and a million casual contacts that form the links in a chain letter of death.

And here is the bleak new world of the day after: a world stripped of its institutions and emptied of 99 percent of its people. A world in which a handful of panicky survivors choose sides - or are chosen. A world in which good rides on the frail shoulders of the 108-year-old Mother Abagail - and the worst nightmares of evil are embodied in a man with a lethal smile and unspeakable powers: Randall Flagg, the dark man.

Why I Love It: This book is exactly why I get upset when people call Stephen King a horror writer. The Stand scared the crap out of me but not in an axe-murderer-hiding-in-the-pantry sort of way. It was infinitely more subtle with how much it freaked me out. I remember reading this at night in my old bedroom {another book dating back to college} and looking around to make sure no one was in the room with me - that kind of creeped out. But OH SO GOOD. It starts as a 'virus kills everyone' story and then evolves into an epic good vs. evil battle, and I loved every page of it.

SIX 

Description: A pact is sealed in secret behind the foreboding walls of Newgate Prison. In return for one night of unparalleled pleasure, a dashing condemned criminal consents to wed a beautiful heiress, thereby rescuing her from an impending and abhorred arranged union.

But in the fading echoes of hollow wedding vows, a solemn promise is broken, as a sensuous free spirit takes flight to a lush Caribbean paradise, abandoning the stranger she married to face the gallows unfulfilled.

Ruark Beauchamp’s destiny is now eternally intertwined with that of the tempestuous, intoxicating Shanna. He will be free . . . and he will find her. For no iron ever forged can imprison his resolute passion. And no hangman’s noose will keep Ruark from the bride— and ecstasy—that he craves.

Why I Love It: My boss in college knew I was a huge book worm and sent me to Half Price Books one time with the specific mission of buying a book {The Flame and the Flower} by Kathleen Woodiwiss. I had never heard of her, but my boss swore I would love her books. Later that summer I was home reading said book, and my mom starts quoting the book to me. Then I found out that my name came from another of Kathleen's books {the main character in another story, Ashes in the Wind, is Alaina and when a girl popped out when my parents were expecting a boy, my mom suggested that name as she was reading the book at the time but spelled like my dad's middle name, Allen. Interestingly enough, my middle name is Kathleen, but that is also my mom's middle name, ha.} THEN I found out my future mother-in-law had a collection of Kathleen Woodiwiss books as well and were some of her favorites! What in the world?!?! I started Shanna on the drive to Brent's college graduation, and I think I read it the entire 4+ hour car ride and fell in love. I have read every one of Kathleen's books and devoured them. She is the Queen of the romance genre, and Shanna is her masterpiece. This story is definitely over-the-top at times and some scenes are eyeroll worthy, but overall it's such a great story! I love the characters and the world that is built for us. I legit read this book every couple of years and love it wholeheartedly every time.

What do you think about these favorites? Anything intrigue or surprise you? Any guesses as to what will make the second half of my list? I hope you're excited for my top 5 next week!!!

Fun Evening

I had 2 really fun experiences last night that are worth sharing for a few laughs.

First, I got to spend a fun chunk of the evening picking slime out of Drew's hair. WHEN WILL I LEARN MY LESSON ABOUT SLIME?!?! There is slime stuck in the carpet in not one bedroom, not two bedrooms, but ALL 3 kids' bedrooms. There is a slime stain on the playroom couch. And now I got to pick it out of hair. Needless to say, I threw all the slime away that I could find. My kids love slime, but I'm pretty sure our slime days are OVER.

Second, I got scammed. A woman knocked on our door and [DON'T LAUGH AT MY STUPIDITY] was selling magazine subscriptions. She had a whole story about the company she worked for being for people who needed second chances and she was rebuilding her life etc. etc. I figured going into it there was a good chance this was a scam, but I figured what did it hurt to help her out a little? I even chose magazines to send to a foster home. But then she told me the total for 3 magazine subscriptions...$192. EXCUSE ME WHAT? I wrote the check and immediately started panicking. How was I going to tell Brent what I just did? I googled the company and there were lots of complaints with the Better Business Bureau, so I decided to put a stop payment on the check. But now I just feel so slimy. First off, what if everything she said was true? I feel like a jerk, but that is just too much money. Second, if she/the company are really liars, they're jerks. I also fessed up to Brent, and after 22 years together, I still manage to surprise him with the dumb things I can do. {grin} Upside? I worked on my response for how to say 'no' kindly so next time I can nip it in the bud before it begins!

So how was your Wednesday evening?!?!

Favorite Authors

In case you haven't noticed, I like to read. {grin} And one of my favorite joys is discovering a new amazing author. I thought it could be fun to write about some of my favorite authors and see if anyone has others I should be reading. Who knows...maybe we'll all find someone new to love!

The Favorites:
J.K. Rowling - This is probably a dumb one to start with, but I think the Harry Potter series contain some of the best books ever written. I've read the whole series numerous times and love them still, I'm listening to a podcast about them and am fostering a love of them with Trent! I also love her Cormoran Strike series which is completely different from HP. The only book I didn't like was The Casual Vacancy. And I haven't read any of the Fantastic Beasts books and am not sure if I want to or not, but I sure do love J.K.!

Kate Morton - Kate's books always follow somewhat of a formula - girl in modern times who is unraveling a mystery from the past - usually Edwardian time period {Downton Abbey} - and we see the mystery unfold as she uncovers clues AND from a point of view during that time period. You know what you're getting every time, but they're always really enjoyable. 

She has a new book out, and I'm on the waiting list already for it!

Liane Moriarty - I knocked out Liane's first 7 books in rapid succession and ATE THEM UP. They weren't all amazing but several of them outstanding! Her most recent book that I read, Truly Madly Guilty, was a bust for me, but I've heard great things about her latest book, so I'm hoping for good things.

Her next book - can't wait to read!

Taylor Jenkins Reid - Man, Taylor knows how to write a chick lit book that is SO MUCH MORE than a chick lit book. I've read all 5 of her current releases, and she has a 6th book coming out in March that I can't wait to get my hands on! She takes a simple yet interesting idea or what seems to be an impossible scenario and weaves a magical tale out of it. I've ended all of her books extremely satisfied with how she tied everything up. She just has a knack for telling a great story.

Coming out in March...

Jennifer Robson - I just discovered Jennifer Robson earlier this year and have read all 4 of her books. Three of them were a loose trilogy set during/after WW1 and the 4th one {that I read first} is set during WW2. I'm a broken record with my love for a) books about the Aristocracy and b) books set in Europe during the Great Wars, and these check both of those boxes.

Dying to read this - about Queen Elizabeth's wedding gown!

Susanna Kearsley - My sister introduced me to Susanna Kearsley a few years ago when I was raving about Outlander. A lot of her books have a slightly similar theme and she thought I'd like them. She was right! Susanna's books are somewhat similar to each other in that they usually have some element of a) supernatural elements, b) Jacobite timeline, c) story jumping from the present to the past, or d) all of the above. Most of them have been really good, a few were excellent, and there's only been 1 or 2 I didn't like very much. Given I've read 9 of her 11 releases, I'd say I'm a fan!

JoJo Moyes - After reading Me Before You, I was definitely hooked on JoJo Moyes. Since then I've read 6 more of her books and only have 2 to go before I've read all of her books. I wouldn't put her with Taylor Jenkins Reid for knocking my socks off everything, but she writes really great books and has really well-developed characters that you root for. 

The Sometimes Authors:
Kristin Hannah - The first Kristin Hannah book I read was The Nightingale, and I think that was a big mistake. It was a phenomenal book and started me down a path of love for all those 'Great War' books I've mentioned above {which is probably 20 or so books}. Since then, the other books I've read of hers have largely been more of your run-of-the-mill chick lit for me. I liked The Great Alone and Winter Garden a little more than some of the others and find her to be a good author to choose when I'm in a bit of a reading slump. But I don't typically seek her out.

Nora Roberts - I have easily read 50 or 60 of Nora Roberts' books. I think that makes me a fan, ha. However, they are very formulaic and if you've read one, you've read them all. Doesn't mean they are bad and who doesn't love a book that they know will be good every time. A few of them are better than others, and I really think Nora is a solid writer, she just doesn't set my book world on fire.

More Genetics Fascination

We had a check-up last week with Trent's MTHFR specialist, and once again, I left fascinated by what we talked about and also loving his doctor even more! She just really understands Trent's mutation SO well and gets him.

First off, Trent is doing SO good. I want to state that because we are just so proud of how hard he's come and the young man he's turning into.

The start to the school year was really rough for him, which we honestly fully expected, because he's been saying since the end of last year that he was really nervous to move to Upper Elementary. {Quick Montessori sidebar: You are in a Montessori classroom for 3 years - Primary is 3 years old through Kindergarten, Lower Elementary is 1st - 3rd grades, and Upper Elementary is 4th - 6th grades.} Even though Trent changed schools mid-year last year, he was really nervous about this transition because it meant he went back to being the youngest in the class. But after we got over the hump of the first 2 weeks, he's been great. 

I was describing all of this to his doctor, and she recommended we talk to his behavioral therapist about CBT {Cognitive Behavioral Therapy} which basically rewires the way your brain responds to certain situations. Well, guess what? When I talked to his therapist, that's what they're doing! HAHA! So I can check that off the list - love when those line up!

The next thing we talked about was his specific mutation. She pulled up his genetic profile and commented that he also has an FOLR2 mutation.  So his MTHFR mutation means he can't properly methylate folate, and the FOLR2 mutation means he can't absorb folate - kind of a double whammy. Luckily, the medication he takes helps with both! She wants us to increase his dosage when he turns 10, which is perfect being in the summer because messing with his dosage can cause a little bit of a regression until he adjusts to it. 

That led into her deciding to prescribe him a prescription size dose of Omega-3, it's considered a medical food apparently? This will also hopefully help with his anxiety and therefore his aggression and some of his ADHD tendencies {even though he's never had a formal ADHD diagnosis, we've had several comments about him having some tendencies}.

Then we also talked about the vitamins he {and the girls} take. I asked her about Vitamin D and how I heard you needed to take it w/ K to help with absorption, and she said that was true AND the version they formulate has the K - boom, yay! She also told me to stop giving the kids vitamin C - the real benefit is when someone is sick and you get a HUGE dose through an IV - like 40,000 mg, and it can leech your copper and zinc levels, and it is the most bio-absorbable {meaning absorbed through food}. Her recommendation was the Smarty Pants multi-vitamin, since it has methylated folate in it, but we've tried that before and [shocker] Trent doesn't like it. Knowing that his diet isn't the best - we're so proud of him for now eating apples, carrots, and bananas, but he doesn't eat anything green - like he threw up when we got him to try a green bean! - we're going to try her office's version of a 'super' greens powder. He doesn't like the taste of the version we've tried before [shocker], but she swears this one is good, so we'll see!

And there you have it! Our latest checkup on Trent - more really cool information. I still want to do a 23andme profile on the rest of our family since Trent is heterozygous for each of his mutations, and I know my MTHFR combination means the girls each have a 50/50 chance of each mutation, so it'd be interesting to see what the girls actually have. 

I'm sure no one is still reading this, but I love learning more and more about this!

Let's Talk Vitamins!

**NERD/HIPPIE POST AHEAD...READ WITH CAUTION!**

As we roll into month 2 of school and fall is quickly approaching {HOLLA!}, I've been stepping up my game with the kids' vitamins. We majorly slacked off in the summer, oops! I wanted to share what I give my kids most days - probably 3-4 -  and see if anyone has other good ideas. I REALLY don't want to repeat the Flu-Strep Apocalypse of 2018!

As a reminder, this is what my vitamin regimen looked like after Drew and Paige!

So I'm no stranger to A LOT of vitamins. {grin}

Ningxia Red

Ningxia Red is a Young Living antioxidant drink that everyone takes but Trent {he refuses ha} instead of a multi-vitamin. It is made from wolfberry and has a ton of benefits. I don't really understand what antioxidants are, but I know they fight free radicals and that free radicals are bad. {grin} I've read information about helping liver function, eye health, stabilizes blood sugar, and immune boosting.

Omega 3

We all take Omega-3! I take it for a multitude of reasons but one of the main reasons is it helps prevent my stye problem caused by chronic dry eyes. Since I started taking a large dose of DHA daily {think 1,000 mg or more}, my styes are almost non-existent, and if I slack on it...poof, a stye!

For the kids, it's really awesome for brain development, it's been linked to helping with ADHD, good for blood fat, Alzheimer and dementia prevention {which my maternal grandmother had}, and so many other benefits!

Vitamin D

We're lucky in Texas to get a lot of sunshine in the summer which provides natural Vitamin D. I don't put sunscreen on the kids unless they're going to be exposed to the sun for a lot of time during the peak hours because Vitamin D is THAT important. The only time we used sunscreen all summer was our trip to Lost Pines with Brent's mom!

But the rest of the year, I try to give the kids 2,000 IU or more of Vitamin D to help boost their immune systems and help prevent all the nasty winter bugs. Maybe they need more after last year? Ha!

Vitamin C

The kids typically eat this like candy, and I encourage it! It's so good for fighting off the common cold and coughs, and I dole it out big time, especially when somebody is yucky. I look for tablets that are at 500 mg each, so the kids get HIGH doses of this one.

ImmunoPRP Spray

Here's my super hippie vitamin - this is made from bovine colostrum and is another immune booster. It actually tastes really good so the girls love when I just squirt it right in their mouths. For Trent, I hide it, ha.

Probiotic

I don't think I'm sharing anything new with probiotics, but I love that it makes me feel proactive about helping the kids' gut health - especially after antibiotics. I do switch this up ever so often, since there are a lot of really good brands that have different strands/potencies. Right now, we're using one from Young Living that is a capsule - Trent can swallow it, but for the girls, I open the capsule and sprinkle it into their daily drink of Ningxia/Omega-3.

Do y'all think I'm totally crazy for giving the kids this many vitamins? Is there anything you use/give your kids I should add to my regimen?? No flu in 2019!!!

20 Things - Favorites and Stuff

You guys know I love random surveys - this one I've had saved on my phone for over 6 months - I'm such a nerd!

1. Favorite smell - baked goods baking
2. Last time I cried - last night - I had an IM chat with a co-worker who lost a baby to SIDS many years ago, just tore at my heartstrings
3. Favorite pizza - BBQ chicken
4. Favorite flower - pink roses or peonies
5. Favorite dog breed - lab or golden retriever
6. Untie laces before shoes come off? - nope
7. Roller coasters? - even at my most adventurous, I would only do baby ones, now I don't want any part of them
8. Favorite ice cream - Amy's Mexican vanilla
9. Pet peeve - cattiness
10. Shorts or jeans - jeans
11. What are you listening to - Downton Abbey
12. Color of your vehicle - silver
13. Color of your eyes - hazel
14. Favorite food - all things Mexican
15. Favorite holiday - Christmas!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's so close!!
16. Night owl or morning person - morning
17. Favorite day of the week - Saturday
18. Do you have a nickname - Al, Lanzie
19. Favorite music - Oldies
20. Tattoos - no but I've always wanted one

Anyone else want to play? Emily - I know you will!

Overthinking Bathing Suits

No, I'm not talking about bathing suits for myself. This image should show how I felt when I tried some on last week...

No, what I want to talk about is bathing suits for my daughters. I never thought I would spend as much time as I have thinking about bathing suits...especially to the point where I would blog about it!

When I was a kid I wore pretty skimpy bikinis up until about middle school. I really didn't understand why my mother forced me to stop wearing them, ha! [Mom, I finally understand!]

See? Skimpy! Also: look at how long my legs were as a kid! Also: Hi Drew!

But now as a mother to 2 young girls, I really debated bathing suits this year. For the longest time I wanted to buy Drew a bikini, and she never wanted one. This year she found a bikini she really liked, but then I waffled over it for a while. And this is where the overthinking happened... Would I be sexualizing my 5-year old by putting her in a bikini? OR do I just let a 5-year old be a 5-year old and get her the bathing suit she wants? Where do you draw the line? Would I be dressing her inappropriately? And why is it inappropriate? If not, when is it inappropriate? Why is it so haaaaaaard?

In the end I asked my BFF and my mother-in-law, and they both agreed the bikini was fine! She did, however, also pick out a tankini that I bought as well. Maybe that will ease my mommy guilt?! 

Drew's suits - now you can see why I love the bikini! So cute! {grin}

I also gave away Paige's 12-month swimsuits thinking they'd be too small, but her 18-month ones are too big, so I had to buy her new ones as well. And she got a bikini and a one-piece, so they can match in their bending to the pressures of society!

Paigey's suits! The one piece for her gives me ALL THE FEELS though!!!!!

So if you didn't think I was crazy before, do you think so now?! 

Girl moms - what's your stance on bathing suits?