It’s been awhile so let’s link up with Kristin and Joey today.
Yesterday was lady doctor day. I treated myself to a s’mores frappuccino when I was done because that’s totally what you do after you go to the lady doctor. It’s also what you do for no reason at all because those things are delicious.
Yesterday was also do battle with a turtle day because OF COURSE there was a turtle on the outside of my fence when I got home from the doctor. Big son of bitch, too. This living in the country thing gets less and less appealing every day. It’s why I never leave the house. Not because I don’t want to deal with people (which I don’t) but because nature can go fuck itself.
And the icing on the shitcake that was yesterday? My car needs 4 new tires. FOUR. We thought it was just 2 and had budgeted for that. But now we need 4. And my car, which is already overdue for the registration renewal, didn’t pass inspection and thus, we could not renew the registration. DMV gave us 10 days to fix the problem. Awesome.
Reader poll–anyone use melatonin to help them sleep? I have terrible sleeping issues and I’ve heard it helps. But I’m curious about anyone’s personal experience with it, good or bad.
I cannot believe my daughter’s last day of second grade is next week. I swear, we just had meet the teacher night last month. I have got to figure out a way to slow down time.
Speaking of school ending, my daughter’s summer homework came home last week. It’s only a reading log and then a small assignment, so I’m not overly annoyed with the fact that she has to do it. But I am a tad bit concerned that the school is still recommending picture books for third graders. Shouldn’t they have moved past those by now? Am I overreacting?
While at my in-laws’ house this past weekend, I had creme brulee flavored coffee. You guys. I do drink coffee now (which is weird) but I’m extremely picky about what I do drink because I still loathe most flavors but this stuff was AMAZING. If you can find some of it near you, get it. 
Current events rant: I had a whole post written about the Duggar family but I didn’t post it for various reasons. What I will say is this: I am disgusted and appalled by Josh’s actions, TLC’s blatant disregard for knowledge I am 100% confident they had (not to mention its current silence and inaction, but I guess that makes sense when you’re talking about a cash cow), the homeschool curriculum and organizations the family affiliates with, the number of politicians siding with the family, and the fact that the records have been destroyed. Josh is a vile human being, filled with an unnecessary level of hatred I will never comprehend, and learning about his actions in the context of his beliefs makes me loathe him even more. But I am done trying to make sense of the parents’ course of action after they found out. Not because I support their choices. Not even close. Covering it up was wrong, and showed a complete lack of care and consideration for their daughters and the other victims. But they are so indoctrinated and enmeshed in a cult culture that handles sex abuse in an entirely fucked up manner that, in their minds, they did the right thing. And, much like I had to do with my clients, trying to understand their thought process in the context of my values will only give me a headache. Nothing in that culture, or the Duggar mindset, will change unless they are removed from it and comprehend just how utterly wrong it is. There’s also this–I get that people want to bring them down. I do. They are hypocritical hate mongers with an entirely too big platform on which to spew their vicious rhetoric. Their behavior is reprehensible and, despite the pretty, smiling, color coordinated package they’re wrapped in, you cannot hide the fact that, once they open their mouths away from the cameras, they are repugnant. But bringing them down at the expense of the victims is also reprehensible and I wonder how much thought was given to them when In Touch decided to released the redacted police report (like people couldn’t figure it out). I cannot even imagine what those girls are going through right now and my heart breaks for them. Oh, and did anyone else catch in the police report that they discipline their kids using a rod? Maybe we need to talk about that, too. /rant
And because I need to end on something less serious, this truth:
What are some things going on with you?
I once tried melatonin when I took a trip to Europe– it was highly recommended. It had absolutely no effect on me, and I ended up staying awake all the night(s) long. I was disappointed to not even get a tiny placebo effect. That said, it’s not particularly expensive, so maybe worth a shot before escalating to the harder stuff (i.e. Ambien and the like)?
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That’s what I’m afraid would happen to me. Whatever effect something is supposed to have, it usually does the opposite for me.
I love that E-card! I was cleaning the pool skimmers and a giant frog was
In there and I screamed bloody murder!
Rich got it out and put it over our fence in a yard with no dogs. On the Duggars- always the holier-than-thous are not. Reality(?) shows are the worst.
Sleep issues- nothing seems to be helping me! I have taken melatonin. I think it has much more to do with what is on my mind many times. I need to teach myself to meditate! Enjoyable read!
Love, Steph’s momma
I don’t mind frogs. Scott says they’re a sign of a healthy environment so I suppose the frogs can stay.
I just couldn’t pick up the frog. He was probably
Looking for water. It’s so dry! Agree that frogs are good.
melatonin – i wouldn’t. your body will adapt and you’ll have to increase the dosage. exercise, healthy eating and regulating my sleep cycle (going to sleep/waking at the same time every day) got rid of my insomnia.
the duggars – wack. i really do think that people who are extremely opinionated about certain issues (to a point where they slander others) are seriously nuts and actually have something to hide.
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I agree re: your assessment of the Duggars. There’s definitely more that they’re hiding. Can’t wait for it to come out.
Thanks for the melatonin information. I definitely do sleep better when I eat better throughout the day. A little exercise helps, too.
i love melatonin cream–i gotmine on amazon. it works for me! and smores frapp cures all!!
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S’mores frapps are delicious and good for all occasions!
YOU GO GIRL. I second your Duggar rage and rant. Well said.
Melatonin did not work for me, it actually had the opposite affect. What has helped me both fall asleep and stay asleep is no electronics for 1 hour before bed, sleepy time tea with valerian root, and lavender essential oil on my pillow case and rubbed into the bottoms of my feet. I do all that shit and read for about a half hour and then I’m asleep.
RAGE on the tires. I hate car issues and costs.
SMD @ Life According to Steph recently posted…Thursday Thoughts on Blast: shit that annoys me
If I could get away without owning a car, I would. I hate car issues and expenses, too.
Thanks for the melatonin input. I might check out the essential oil as I do some of the other things (not the tea, but you’re the second person to mention valerian root).
Starting from the bottom and working my way up:
1. I think the culture of the Duggars speaks volumes for their actions. Christianity is a way of life for most people (including myself), but I think they generally set the bar really low for their daughters, so they might not have seen it as a setback for them. My biggest gripe is that these families expect their daughters to be SAHMs and they don’t send them on to higher education. I also take issue with the fact that they knew they were portraying themselves in a particular way (“perfect”) when they knew that was not the case. I’m glad TLC pulled the show.
2. What are some of the books they’re recommending for almost-3rd graders? I can give you suggestions!
3. Scott like valerian root to help him sleep.
4. I’m having DMV issues x10 right now. It’s awful.
5. I did read your post yesterday and what I took away from it was “wow, she reads every night and you, Kristin, haven’t read a book in 2 weeks”.
Kristin recently posted…Stuff and Things 5/28
The low expectation for their daughters is a whole different post. It’s not that I’m condemning their Christianity; I just have a problem with the particular cult-like mindset they subscribe to that causes them to behave in certain ways including covering up molestation not just of their daughters but of someone else’s. And I do not absolve TLC from guilt in assisting covering it up.
I’ll have to find her reading list. She has a few chapter books she’s planning on reading and I might get her another book of poems. She loves Shel Silverstein. Recommendations are always welcomed!
Ok – so whats up with hatred of turtle? I mean other nature, sure – but turtles!!!! <3 <3 <3 <3 Can I have him?
4 tires – shit that hurts. That happened to me in the fall. I got 2 – waited a month, and got 2 more. Felt better that way… less like getting my wallet stolen through my butt. Sorry for that image.
Creme Brulee anything – gawsh gimme gimme
Duggars = so PO'd about this. Can't even hide RAGE
And and criminal minds HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA – yes
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It’s not that I hate the turtle. It’s just that I don’t know if it’s one of those snapping turtles and I love my pets and don’t want them getting hurt because they’re super nosy so the turtle needs to leave.
I’ve tried melatonin and couldn’t really tell much difference, but I only used it once. I also don’t think I used enough. I only had it to give to the storm-phobic dogs that come through and they get about 5 at once. I just prefer the benedryl route. Not only do I get good sleeps, I also can breathe all night long! lol.
I am about to hit 60k miles on Yurtle AND I need 4 new tires.. Goodbye $1000.
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I don’t have allergies so I can’t justify using Benadryl. Good to know about the melatonin.
When my fiance first started his new job that required 5am and 6am start times, we both tried melatonin. It worked pretty well for us, but we were both growing dependent on it, so we stopped. I also started to see some of the negative side effects after using it for several days in a row.
I’d suggest using it, but treat it like you would any other sleeping pill. Short term use only.
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If you wanted to try it, Benadryl / zzquil is diphenhydramine (an antihistamine) but it also works as a sleep aid. I’ve used it in the past with varying levels of success but without the mega-grogginess of the prescription sleep aids.
The Duggars: It’s appalling that people are excusing Josh’s actions, but like you, the absolute worst thing is that the parents let him get away with molesting his own sisters. Their daughters. I mean, I can see them being so callous as to not care about other people’s daughters, wrong as that is, but to not even care that he did this to his own family too? So many levels of wrong. I just can’t fathom it.
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That ecard is freaking hilarious!!! Ughhh the Duggars!!! I never cared for them and knew there was something shady with how perfect they try to portray their lives as. I never really watched a full episode before, so I just thought maybe I was being judgy but now I can see it makes sense!!! I agree with everything you said.
It is funny you had a turtle yesterday…so did I. Only mind must be working for Geico and nearly had me swerve off the road to miss it!!!
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Re: melatonin. I’ve been an insomniac my whole life, and I’ve tried everything. Currently, melatonin is my last resort on really bad nights if I know I have to get up early the next day. It’s also the only aid I will take—all my other “tricks” are basically mind games. I know everyone’s experience with it is different, but for me, it helps me feel tired enough to fall asleep if I let myself within 30-60 minutes. It’s easy to fight though, if that makes sense. I have to be ready to fall asleep and in bed with lights off for it to work. However, I really, REALLY do not recommend using it habitually. I did for a while, and it was a mistake. Now I’ll take it on the really bad nights—like, when we’re closing in on 3 hours til wake-up and I’m not the least bit tired.
I’ll also say this about melatonin: I find it really hard to wake up after taking it. That *may* be because if I’m having to take it, I’ve already lost out on a couple crucial hours of sleep.
In sum: In a pinch, I take it. But of course, lifestyle changes are going to be the better bet in helping insomnia. (Source: life-long insomniac.)
Re: Duggars. You’re right. About everything. I am absolutely concerned for those girls, because no matter how much public support and sympathy they do have, there is also a disgusting amount of apologists very publicly excusing their attacker, and they and their closest circle of confidants have been indoctrinated to find fault in them, the victims. I wish there were something I/we could do to be sure they were able to get the help and counseling they deserve and feel protected from their attacker and heinous rape apologists, but I don’t know that there is, and that’s a tough pill to swallow.
Also re: your daughter’s summer reading… Yeah, I think picture books might be inadequate. If you want to keep her engaged throughout the summer, she might like some of the younger grade Jude Blume books (Fudge, etc.) and the older American Girl (Samantha, Felicity, Addie, etc.) books. I devoured them at her age. Along with the Little House series, Boxcar Children, etc. I started reading really young though and was advanced by first grade, so I’m not sure where exactly the barometer is now. I’m sure she can handle the ones I suggested though, if you want to keep her sharp this summer!
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I am a KDG teacher and I’m not even recommending picture books on my kids reading suggestions unless they are super low. I’d go with your own personal thoughts, and check reading levels, so that she can stay on grade level and above. Good luck with that!
Stopping by from Stuff n things!
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LOL at the Shades of Grey card, SO TRUE. And yes, lady doctor visits always require a treat afterwards! That’s like a law, right?? 😉
Julia @ Grace Makes New recently posted…Currently Loving…
I would love to get reading as homework. The Duggars are just disgusting. Covering it up and wrapping it in faith is just despicable.
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I couldn’t agree with your Duggar rant more. But they are already getting too much of our attention, and I’ve purposely NOT read all of the media coverage on them, so I’ll just stop there.
Regrading melatonin, I haven’t used it, but my ex used it almost daily. While it worked to help him sleep, he always complained about very weird and sometimes scary dreams that would wake him up.
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Ugh… regarding**
Dani recently posted…Friday Favorites
I never watched the Duggars and am not following the aftermath of it, but I agree with everything you wrote. His actions are reprehensible and it’s very bad that nothing is being done about it except an apology and promise to get him therapy (last I heard). It really bothers me when people profess one thing and then do another because it ruins it for those that actually profess AND do.
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A to the frickin’ men on the Duggars. It’s all a huge, disturbing mess and everyone involved or commenting in support of them make me sick.
That turtle is huge! I’d be freaked out. Haha!
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