Birkah Member

I love popping my little Chicklet in her Mei Tai for a back carry while we're at the farmer's market or out shopping elsewhere (and yes, she's old enough and I know how to tie a square knot properly) I am a bit of a klutz, though, and definitely prefer to take our outdoorsy walks with the jogging stroller.

Rheumatoid arthritis sucks. There are days when I am so exhausted that I can barely function, and days when I hurt so badly that I can barely move. Fortunately, flare ups have been few and far between as of late. Two of my kiddos are celiac (diagnosed by a GI with bloodwork and biopsy, not the internet). They are both tiny…

Granted! Suddenly, all that tastes good to you is brussels sprouts and salted beef tongue. I wish that every pair of jeans I ever try on fit perfectly.

I'm finishing The Aeronaut's Windlass by Jim Butcher and Three Slices by Kevin Hearne (gotta love short stories about divination by cheese). I have a long road trip coming up, so I'll probably re-read the Dresden Files novels on the way.

Definitely not. I'm not a Walmart snob, it's just "Snowbird Season" down here, and the Walmartians are especially rude and horrible this year. The adorable little pigtailed Girl Scout who talked me into sending Thin Mints to overseas soldiers was in front of Publix.

I met Robert Goulet after a performance of Man of La Mancha, and was a complete starstruck idiot. I also met Peyton Manning a kazillion years ago when he was playing college football. He was a really polite guy, I just didn't follow sports (and still don't) and had no clue at the time who I was talking to.

Oooh - I wish Thin Mints worked like that. How long before some whackadoo comes up with a "Thin Mint Diet"?

My business partner and I own a software development company.

We love our 8-month old Catahoula Leopard! She's about 45lbs, and a blue merle (grayish blue spots with white legs, chest, and belly). She is very smart, loving, loyal, energetic, and awesome with the kiddos. A bored Catahoula = a destructive one, so we keep her occupied with lots of heavy-duty chewing toys and lots of…

I've donated cookies to the overseas military before. Boy Scouts do that too with the popcorn sales. I just have to acknowledge that I have zero willpower against the pull of those scrumptious cookies, and I can't keep them in the house, since my celiac kiddo (who doesn't like the GF cookie offering - toffee is kind of…

I get fairly awful reflux and am trying to avoid Barrett's Esophagus like my mom (thanks, genetics). 2tsp of ACV in the morning helps me. I don't think it magically melts away fat, or is a miracle cure-all. I drink it mixed in hot water with a little lemon and cayenne for flavor (I like the spicy) and to clear up my…

Partly sunny and gorgeous, about 77 degrees here, watching the palm trees sway.

I add a splash of apple cider vinegar and a dash of cayenne - clears stuffy noses FAST.

I use one by the Minimalist Baker - it's GF (celiac kiddo in our house), fast and easy to mix in one bowl (once you have all the ingredients), and full of yumminess. I tweak it by using pecan meal instead of almond flour (waaaay cheaper and tastier), doubling the cinnamon, and adding 1/2 tsp of nutmeg, ground ginger, and a…

First - congrats on the little one! Those carseats are awkward and weigh a ton! Maybe the seat should stay clipped in the car and you just maneuver the munchkin in and out for a bit. Did your chiro set up a schedule for adjustments? One and done is just not going to cut it. You usually need a series of adjustments with a…

Epsom salts in the hot bath help a lot too. Oil up afterwards with some coconut oil and rub, rub, rub to work out those muscle kinks.

Army of Darkness

Congratulations and happy birthday! You've made a lot of great changes - keep up the awesome work! I wish you'd reconsider a support group for drinking, though. Having in-person contact with others who struggle with addiction is a big help. No pressure, just a suggestion :)

Slather your hands with coconut oil (liberally), wrap lightly in plastic wrap, put on mittens (you may need assistance - haha), and wear overnight. Works on rough, cracked feet too.

Teeth whitening strips

Can't beat Randy Travis, especially when you add in awesomely cheesy 80s bridesmaid dresses and hair. Wish I could embed this, but it's disabled :( https://youtu.be/sgJXbIP83A8

Gotta love Whole Foods - they'll simply walk into Mordor to stock the floral department.

This makes me laugh hysterically every time I see it.

I flip on my windshield wiper fluid and spray the crud out of them. People usually slow down a bit to look to turn on their wipers. Repeat as necessary. Note: This is extremely humorous if the offending vehicle is a convertible with the top down.

I like to walk a 5K about mid-morning, just before my coffee wears off completely. Goal is to eventually run the blasted distance, but I need to rebuild the muscles around my knee from an injury. I take the dog, since she's a Catahoula who has become more of a Fat-ahoula/Couch-ahoula mix in the last several weeks. I think…

I am short, and can't wear a one-piece, since they never fit correctly and I don't have the patience or time to try on a million swimsuits. I also have to chase kids around the beach year-round (yay for living in South FL), and can't stand constantly tugging on a suit. I found comfy bottoms at Target that have a…

Formula 409. It's a very clean scent.

Even bikini models take insanely unflattering photos. Don't let one not-so-great picture make you lose your momentum. You're doing great - keep up the good work! Maybe you could get all gussied up and treat yourself to a session with a good photographer when you reach your goal.

I've been listening to Queen and have adopted "Fat Bottomed Girls" as my personal workout song. When Freddy screams, "Get on your bikes and ride!", by golly, I get on that bike and ride.

If I put anything in my daily coffee, it's a splash of coconut milk and a (SMALL) spoon of coconut oil. Chicory coffee is awesome as-is, so I usually don't add anything. For an occasional treat, I love cafecito. Real Cuban coffee is super strong and insanely sweet, and gives me a combo sugar/caffeine buzz.