It’s been like pulling teeth to get my 18-year-old son to prepare for college. Every step of the way seemed to make me a total nag. While I was spending time on Pinterest and TikTok looking at boys’ dorm rooms for ideas, my son did his best to avoid even thinking about it. He is going to a small state school 4.5 hours from home and he doesn’t know anyone else going there. His girlfriend and many of his other friends are going to a school 2.5 ... Read the Post...
The Empty Nest is Looming
The hotel check-in notification popped up on my phone then it hit me. My eyes watered, and soon I was full-on crying. It’s only Wednesday. My son doesn’t move to the dorm until Friday, but I guess I’m pregaming. He and his father leave tomorrow and stay in a hotel. I’m staying with the pets, leaving early Friday, and meeting them at the dorm. It’s our last night under the same roof. I still have phantom anxiety that my ex-husband is waiting ... Read the Post...
Beauty Sleep? More Like Injury Sleep
The Comedic Tragedy of Aging Women Ah, getting old. It's a beautiful thing, isn't it? The wrinkles, the gray hairs, the creaky joints...it's all part of the aging process. But what really takes the cake is when you hurt yourself while you're sleeping. Yes, you read that right. Apparently, even when we're unconscious, we can still manage to injure ourselves. Let's explore this phenomenon, shall we? First up, we have the classic neck ... Read the Post...
The Sink Grate Debate
Yesterday I removed the stainless steel grate from the bottom of my sink and I feel like the quality of my life has improved immensely. It’s so freeing, and my sink is so much cleaner. I feel like I removed my bra after a year of wearing it. When I remodeled my kitchen, I wanted a fancy workstation sink so badly. I had one picked out that had almost all the features I wanted: deep single basin, double ledge, and cool accessories I’d use. My ... Read the Post...
10 Signs You Are an Extroverted Introvert
When I go out, I am friendly and even talk to strangers. When I’m in a group where the audience or class is asked a question, I will yell out the answer. So when I tell people who see me in public situations that I’m actually an introvert, they think I need my head examined. I am NEVER bored. I’m a reader, so a book will always entertain me. I am very happy to leave my house no more than once per week, and though I’m friendly and try to be fun ... Read the Post...
To Medicate or Not? Mom Guilt
This is the year. My son is in 11th grade, arguably the most important year in his schooling. School has always come fairly easy for both of my boys…until high school. I have untreated ADHD, and I am 100% sure both of my boys do as well. But until about 10th grade, they were both performing OK in school. With my youngest, part of 9th grade and all of 10th were spent remote learning. It just made everything worse. He spent 7 hours in school on ... Read the Post...
Boob Light Replacements Under $100
Do you have boobs on your ceiling? I have nothing against boobs, but I do have a problem with the cheap, builder-grade lights that look like boobs! This is such a simple fix, and you wouldn't believe how much this small change can elevate a space. If you aren't sure about the type of fixture I'm talking about, here you go: You may also have the no-nipple kind like this: Even if you are renting, there are some easy inexpensive upgrades. ... Read the Post...
Why I Don’t Wear Red: Body Confidence
Body Confidence or Lack of it... I think self-confidence is what makes a woman beautiful. But it is just so hard to achieve! I wear all black all the time. I hide behind a curtain of hair because my hair is the only thing about myself that I like, and I usually walk with my head down. I wasn’t like this when I was thinner! But I was also young. As I got heavier it changed so much about me, and I can definitely tell you, I didn’t perform as ... Read the Post...
The 64-ounce water jug vs the 2-ounce bladder
I’ve never in my life been a drinker. Water, alcohol, coffee, tea, etc. I just don’t like liquid. The sloshy full feeling and back-to-back trips to the potty always bothered me. So why did I choose to challenge myself to 64 ounces of water a day? I’m a masochist... I must be, I see no other valid reason. This bottle is so motivating! Click here to purchase on Amazon (affiliate link) Made famous in college town bars across the land, ... Read the Post...
The Scale is Not My Friend
The scale is not my friend . . . Never really has been and probably never will be. More often than not, it stares back at me with a number that never seems to be in my favor, no matter how hard I work out, how healthy I eat, how much water I drink, or how many times I go to the bathroom. And during those times, I get defeated, usually quit and wonder will I ever get back to X number (it has changed over the years - currently, the ideal end ... Read the Post...