Mountainair

Besides the meat pies or (hand pies) I’m still not finding anything I want to make myself. Old Top Chef I used to watch with my grocery list but the past few years I’m just not interested in making or even trying anything they make and I am not a picky eater. The constraints of the new challenges leave them making very elevated albeit probably delicious food but most things are out of reach for the basic home cook with a family to feed. I’m not saying that’s bad but Top Chef used to be the “approachable” show for cooks like myself.

The doctor called me today and wants me back for a left breast ultrasound and diagnostic mammogram. I’m curious as to why only the left breast. I’m now going to have to worry until April 17th. I’m not saying anything to my kids until I know something concrete but they are curious why I all of a sudden have doctors appointments for myself. Do you mind me asking why you have all these tests done? Is it family history?

Massimo looks like a low rent Jon Hamm to me but in a good way so I’d like him to stay. He really needs to get his kitchen energy in check though. Isn’t he the yogi from a previous episode?

Yes- I’ve only read the book over a decade ago. I get that there will be a part two but this first part felt like it only left more questions. At least with Harry Potter it felt like a problem was introduced and solved while also introducing a new plot point for the next movie/book. This just felt like a big, “wait, what?” movie to me.

My 9 year old forced me to watch this with her over spring break and I’m glad I did! I thought this was really great and it was giving me Harry Potter vibes in a good way. Ariana looks way better in this than in real life so I was happy to see that (she’s very hard to look at on the red carpet, etc). I read the book a long time ago so had a gist of the backstory here but was still confused in parts and a lot of that is my fault since I was working on a crossword puzzle while watching. SO- Galinda was “bad” and Elphaba was “good” but somehow that switches by the time we get to The Wizard of Oz? The Wizard has always been a bad guy? I’m confused and now have to rewatch. Loved all the dancing and most of the musical numbers. The high pitch singing just doesn’t work for me even though I think it was done well. Elphaba (Cynthia) was a stand out for me. In my mind while watching I kept trying to tie everything in to The Wizard of Oz (I’ve been a fan since I was little-own the collector Barbie Dolls, had the 1980’s lunch box when I was a kid and just recently visited Land of Oz at Beech Mountain- glad I did because Hurricane Helene came through and did a number on it).

I was in and out in 15 minutes. I figured I’d meet with a Dr beforehand or something. I filled out the online pre visit info but there was no where to put that I don’t have half of a family history. I also stated I was interested in the genetic testing but that never came up at the appointment. It was just in and out. My primary care Dr also changed so they sent the results to my old primary care Dr instead of the new one (both work in the same office). My past three years have been me dealing with advocating for my kids- broken bones, a Congenital Heart Defect Diagnosis in my then 10 year old requiring multiple surgeries, losing my MIL to heart failure and having to make all the arrangements, my other Grandma is currently dying in the hospital so I’m helping my mom get through everything, I work with special needs kids in Kindergarten. When it comes to my own health I close my ears and hum loudly. I did finally start taking my anti depressant and blood pressure medicine regularly which spiked last year. I’m a healthy weight but went to Dentist and my blood pressure was ridiculous.

They told me 1 out of 10 gets called back for more imaging and I had it in my head the whole time but I still didn’t want to be the 1 in 10. My mom is healthy and has been called back twice with no issues however since she was adopted I have no family history on her side. My aunt on my dad’s side had a lump, tested positive for the BRC-A (?) gene and opted to have everything removed in her 50’s. She is the only girl out of six kids. My grandma is fine though and we just celebrated her 90th birthday.

As a 40 year old I just had my first mammogram done yesterday. It was easy peasy. Of course I get the email saying there was a finding that requires additional imaging studies. I have dense breasts but now I’m a big nervous wreck. Ugh!

That was my first thought. I sucked at hacky sack but gave my best attempt. We used to play it in “the pitt” in high school which is where all the kids with cars parked. It was known for smoking and breaking rules. My high school boyfriend used to make me paper cranes all the time that I would put on my desk. We’ve been married 21 years now and he makes them for our kids often. We’ve would have crushed most of this challenge :)

I figured as much. I don’t do TikTok. Just thought it seemed in poor taste and was not surprised at the backlash he’s gotten from it.

Was briefly scrolling Instagram and saw a reel from Lawson about formula feeding babies. It ends with him having his baby holding an unopened Coke Zero. I *think* he was trying to be funny but dude should know better than to mention anything about how parents feed their babies. Some of the comments are hilarious!

I was watching something not kid friendly when my 9 year old daughter walked in so I switched it over to this and my daughter was into it. I ended up watching the first two episodes even after my daughter left the room. I don’t usually watch these type of shows but it held my attention and there is a certain beauty about Megan that makes me want to watch her if that makes sense.

As a Dolly Fan that lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains my heart is with her. She has done so much for our children with her free book program and is always the first the donate money to our communities when disaster strikes. My heart goes out to her. Our large family goes to Dollywood at least once a year. I missed the last trip because my Aunt passed away but my husband took the kids with their cousins and Aunts and Uncles while I was away. Grandma insisted everyone go on her dime. On the way she passed away suddenly (coming up on the year anniversary) and my husband had to break the news to our kids while I was out of town. Dolly loves Butterflies so that has now become our symbol of Grandma being present.

Our school does a big celebration for the 100th day but really only K-1st grade. Like others mentioned it’s just a way to count to 100 repeatedly and do different 100 counting activities. We do have a very enthusiastic male teacher in 1st grade who dresses up as “Zero the Hero” I.e. Superman and surprises every K-1 classroom throughout the day. They used to do the dress as an 100 year old but did away with that before I started working there.

As a Kindergarten Assistant I know for a fact that we don’t screen for skipping. I feel like when my oldest (15) was doing his screening they did but not anymore and it never mattered really in the grand scheme of things. It’s just to give a base idea of what level your kid is entering school at. Speaking of my 15 soon to be 16 year old- we went through the whole food debacle with him. Food in his room, eating all the snacks, etc… I even went so far as to put locks on the plastic storage containers that held the snacks which he promptly ripped off and stole all the snacks. Yes, he got in trouble, yes, there were consequences. I hide all my special snacks in a different spot every week so he won’t take them although I really don’t snack so that’s not an issue. My son goes through waves of thinking he’s fat and trying to starve himself to gorging himself on everything he sees. He is in therapy just so he has an outlet other than me and dad to talk to. I just don’t get that mad anymore about the food. If I get upset that certain snacks are gone (I have 2 other kids that want to eat too) I just stop buying them for a while. He’s a teenager and his eating is going to be all over the place. Yes, I expect him not to steal food but it’s just food. There are many worse things he could be taking from me (my alcohol for example, dad smokes so he could be doing that, etc). He keeps his room top notch clean, does his own laundry, etc. it’s a pick your battle type situation.