Top 5 things I don't like about me

Tweet Ok, so I came to the realization the other day there are a few things that I really don't like about myself. The list I've compiled here includes both physical and personality traits. Some of them are changeable, some of them are changeable with large sums of money, and some I just can't do a thing about. I thought about doing a Vlog with this one, but I don't need my hot wife's friends asking her why she is with "that guy".

Here are the TOP FIVE things I hate about myself, in no particular order, and what I am doing, if anything, to fix them.

Enjoy.

1. The Hives. Yeah, so about a year or two ago I started getting hives. At first, I noticed them after I was sweating or when stressed, usually after exercising or cutting the grass or when I'm running late for something. I tried taking Benadryl and every other allergy medication I could get my hands on.

Nothing worked.

Then, the hives reared their ugly head after I went into the ocean, no sweating involved. I don't want to go out in public when they are there and I joke that I have leprosy. Yep, it sucks. I have an appointment to see an allergist who can hopefully figure out why they come and how I can stop it.

2. Male Pattern Baldness. I used to have a beautiful head of hair and I suppose I still have 7/8 head of beautiful hair. The first person who brought this to my attention was my sister who happen to see the top of my head in a picture. Thanks sis. I used to be the guy who would never consider using medication to enhance looks, but hey, I want my beautiful, full head of hair back. Rogaine is halting the Benedictine Monk look I'm headed for but I need it to re-grow the hair. NOW!

3. I'm extremely judgmental. This is probably the one item on this list that I go back and forth with on whether or not I hate it. Part of me enjoys making fun of people who aren't like me. I mean I look forward to trips to Walmart to see all the rednecks (see, I'm being judgmental now). I think people with tattoos on their lower back are tramps and low class. I think people who use the Hoverounds at grocery stores should lose weight. I think people, mainly guys, who talk with a southern accent are dumb and uneducated. Pretty much I'm an elitist and right now, I'm not happy about it. What am I doing about it? Nothing probably because by the time this post I'll not hate it about me any more.

4. My feet. Yep, they are hairy and I have the worst toenails ever. My wife calls me her Hobbit. I tried Nair once on them, but it looked really strange. I don't really plan on doing anything to fix this because, after all, I can wear flip-flops in the winter time since I have natural socks.

5. Hair, hair, everywhere. Ok, I really just don't like the hair in my ears and nose. I wish I could take the hair those places and put them on my head. Really what is the purpose of hair in those places anyways? Yeah, I guess you could argue that hair in the nose filters dirt and other crap going up there but let's be honest, how much foreign material goes up our nose (drug users don't answer this). The only useful purpose I have found for my nose hair is to keep me awake on long drives by pulling them out. Damn that hurts.

Now the ear hair. Why? Nope, my ears don't get cold enough where I need a fur coat to keep them warm. Again, I don't stick foreign objects in there so it can be there for that purpose. If someone knows a useful purpose let me know. In the mean time, I will continue to trim and pluck the hell out of those non-useful, annoying dermis protrusions.

I'm sure I could list a dozen more things I don't like about myself but I've got to maintain some sort of dignity.

a blogging challenge

Tweet I'm sure we all have things we'd like to change about our home. Big things, little things, maybe even some upgrades.

My wants for my house are simple. I want to get rid of some of the junk. Some of the junk is literal junk and needs to be taken to the dump. Some of the "junk" just needs a ride to the local Goodwill. However, much like a weed, if it doesn't belong in our house, it is junk.

So, I've challenged Chris to declutter our house (with my help, of course) and blog about it.

As of yet, he has pointedly refused to accept the challenge.

I am, as you might guess, disappointed. Disappointment is what led me to this very public challenge.

Chris Bra', REMOVE THAT CLUTTER!

Do you have rooms in your house that seem to collect everything?  Do you get overwhelmed by clutter like I do?  What challenge would you like to issue in your home (to yourself, to your kids, to your spouse, to your neighbors, etc)?

VLCADD, the heat, & Klaw

Tweet I have been very nervous about exposing Klaw to too much heat, thanks to his VLCAD deficiency (very long-chain acyl-COA dehydrogenase defiency).  Any situation that causes his metabolism to crank up can potentially be dangerous.   Since the VLCAD deficiency prevents his body from metabolizing very long-chain fats into energy, it's extra important to make sure he remains hydrated and has enough carbohydrates and proteins in his system to burn for energy.

To facilitate keeping him cool in the hot summer south, we have annual memberships at both the Children's Museum of Virginia (Portsmouth) and the Virginia Living Museum (Newport News).  Both are great spots for kids and families and provide ample indoor space for Klaw to run.  Both places have lots of buttons to push, too.

I grew up running around on the beach all summer long and it's something I want Klaw to experience, too.  However, I've been fearful to attempt it, especially during the week when it would most likely just be the two of us.  Yes, his health has been good overall.  Even his hospitalizations were not caused by his VLCAD deficiency, even though VLCADD was the reason hospitalization was absolutely required.

It's still scary.

It's scary to have to always worry that your child might get too hot, go into metabolic crisis, and die.  I know that sounds melodramatic but it's what is always in the back of my mind.

However, I can't and I won't live in fear - at least, I won't let him live in fear.  He's a toddler and he needs to have fun.  We just need to prepare for any possibility and continue to stay one step ahead of his VLCADD.

Mom, KriKri (my niece), and I decided to go to Jekyll Island for a beach trip.  I packed a cooler full of water, Gatorade Prime, cut fruit, jarred food, & applesauce.  Yes, I gave Klaw Gatorade.  This particular one is full of glucose, sucrose, & b vitamins.  Although most moms of toddlers would like to avoid that much sugar with their toddlers, it's exactly the high carbohydrate solution that could help prevent a VLCADD related metabolic crisis.

Mom rented an umbrella, which is smart for anyone but it was a really good idea for Klaw so that he could have a shady spot to stay cool and out of the sun.  The water temperature was perfect and, thanks to some haze and a decent breeze, it wasn't too hot.

After he got over the initial 20 minute screamfest driving over there, we had a blast.  Klaw spent time digging in the sand under the umbrella and playing in the water.  I got a good reminder as to why I do not want a pool at my house when he dove face first into the ocean without hesitation. KriKri was a great big cousin and played with him the whole time.

I made sure he had his Gatorade available and that he snacked on some applesauce while we were there.  It was actually really difficult and I felt like he wasn't getting quite enough fluids or food for me to be comfortable.  He ate almost a pint of fresh fruit when we stopped for sandwiches on the way back & finished his Gatorade, so I'm afraid my instincts were right.  I'm not really sure what I can do because he just didn't want to be distracted from fun in order to stop & eat.  I know (hope) this will be easier when he's older and can understand why he has to stop playing and eat or drink.

However, he was no worse for the wear by the time we got home and he was worn out!

Have you ever had to make a toddler eat or drink?  Do you have any tips you can share?  Do any of my more experienced Mito Moms (mitochondrial disorders) have other tips for surviving the heat with our kids' special needs?

headin' to the 'stink

Tweet as in Brunstink.

or Brunswick, GA as some people refer to it.

I hope to get some good pictures, maybe some vlogs.  I'm also going to be working with a blog designer behind the scenes to update the look & feel of Really, What Were We Thinking?

In preparation, I have already had a 25 point assessment of our blog done by Eli Rose Social Media and they are in the process of helping me develop a personal strategy as I move forward with the blog.  For the most part, they pointed out design issues with the blog that have been bothering me but I lack the html knowledge to change it on my own (and, let's face it, I lack the desire to learn a whole bunch of coding).

While I'm on my little vacation (is it actually a vacation when you have the toddler with you?), I hope to flesh out some ideas for future posts.  A nice subtropical beach town should be inspiring, right?  RIGHT????

As my brain is hardly working these days, what would you like to see me write more about each week?  Do you find my nerdilicious fact-filled semi-crunchy lifestyle pieces tantalizing?  Do you prefer it when I make fun of myself and post ridiculous pictures of mullets or swollen body parts?  Is Klaw the cutest kid you've ever seen and you wish I'd post more pictures of him every single day?  (Feel free to keep it to yourself if he is not)

I'm really interested in what you would like to see more of in this blog.  I know what posts are the most popular based on my stats, but I'd like to hear directly from y'all, the community that reads & responds to what we write.  Please leave a comment & let me know what you have enjoyed so far and/or what you'd like to see more of in the future.

Thank you! 

Oh, yeah, would-be-burglars, the house is not empty.

vanity is a strange thing

Tweet Believe it or not, I have a streak of vanity.

I know, I know...this may be hard to believe when you think about how public I was about my big fat face on the Fourth of July, my accidental mullet, or my atrocious sense of elementary school fashion.

Yes, I will leave the house and make light of the fact that my face is twice as big as usual.  I'm not saying I like it, but it's not that big of a deal and I do kind of think it's funny.  I don't mind the huge cafe au lait birthmark that stretches from my calf to my back.  The big brown splotch on my forehead doesn't bother me a bit.  My multiple scars & bruises are just evidence of a life well-lived.

However, throw a few zits on my face and you'd think I've grown a third head.

My almost 35 year old face has broken out in painful acne thanks to the prednisone I had to take in order to reduce the size of my swollen face.  I've had adult acne for a while, so this is nothing entirely new, but it's been fairly well controlled thanks to various treatments.  Pregnancy made my acne almost non-existent. 

I had been lulled into an acne-free dream world.

Prednisone knocked my happy butt back into reality.

No, I'm not posting any pictures.

For the record, prednisone-induced acne scoffs at prescription acne cream.

Top Ten (Canceled) TV Shows

Tweet We don't watch a whole heckuva lot of TV around here.  One of the reasons is because when we like a show, it gets canceled.  It's quite annoying.  I'd like to pay homage to some of my favorite TV shows, in no particular order, that are no longer gracing the small screen.

Moonlight - two words: Alex O'Loughlin
You can keep your Hawaii Five-0 (although I have been known to watch it on mute).  I want the gorgeous & emotionally tortured vampire, please.

Dark Shadows - Barnabas is another tortured undead soul that should still be on air (at least in more reruns!).  I was enthralled by this show when I was little.  It creeped me out quite a bit, but I liked it...if an episode happens to be playing when I'm channel surfing, I'm on it like white on rice.  Maybe this is why I was so drawn to Moonlight.

Angel - Okay, yeah, I'm noticing a theme already. No, I have not seen any of the Twilight movies.  If Rob Pattinson looked like David Boreanz, I would have been there at midnight with all of the screaming teenagers.

The Greatest American Hero - Who could it be?  Believe it or not, it's just me!  Best. Theme Song. Ever.

Wonder Woman - C'mon.  A brunette Amazon that kicks Nazi tail?  What's not to love? (especially for a lanky, dorky brunette named Dana)

Boston Public - This is really for Chris.  He loved this show.  I enjoyed it, too.  Smell that shoe.






Pushing Daisies - This show was so freaking cute & dark at the same time.  I loved it.  It introduced me to Kristin Chenowith (who needs a sammich based on how she looks on SYTYCD).  I also knew from the beginning that it wouldn't last. The humor in it was too dark to appeal to the masses and the whole storyline was really quite quirky & strange in an Edward Scissorhands kind of way.  I was sad to say goodbye to The Pie Hole.

The New Adventures of Old Christine - This show was so inappropriate in so many ways.  It was hilarious.  Obviously, not everyone agreed.

The "real" "not suitable for kids" Sesame Street - I'm sorry Elmo & Abby annoy the crap out of me. I won't let Klaw watch the "new" Sesame Street.  I can't stand it.  Why can't the clips be slower and less CrAzY?  Here's a little Cab Calloway action:






Guiding Light -  CBS can bite my butt for cancelling one of my stories (two if you count As the World Turns).  That is all.


I purposely left out Arrested Development.  I think most people agree that it is too obvious a choice.

This post was inspired by Mama Kat's Writing Prompt:

1.) A list of 10 old TV shows you’d like to make a comeback.

*as of 8:15am EST, the video clips are not loading. I am trying to figure it out. Thanks!

what not to wear #vlogtalk

Tweet This week's #VlogTalk is inspired by:

2.) Your spouse’s pet peeve (Submitted by Mama’s Monologues)

Chris has a lot of pet peeves. This one does not involve me, thank goodness.



Oh, in case you missed it, you really should check out how my face exploded on the 4th of July.

Don't forget to check out the other great vlogs!

WTH is wrong with my face?

Tweet Happy Freaking 4th of July!

In celebration, my face has decided to explode.

Baby, you're a firework.

Here's a picture of Chris & me decked out for the 4th of July in 2009.  (maybe TMI, but there was possibly some cell reproduction taking place at this time). 

This is Klaw and me last year at the local 4th of July celebration.  Chris wasn't home but we still had a good time.

Annnnnd...

This is my big fat swollen face July 4th, 2011.

I may not leave the house today.

(FYI - the inside of my mouth & my throat are not experiencing any difficulties. If the swelling spreads, I will definitely leave the house to go to the ER)

7/7/11 - Update - mild to moderate allergic reaction to SOMETHING. Five days of prednisone & benadryl as needed. My face & back have already broken out with acne. Thank you, prednisone, I hate you, too.  I mean, thank you for helping the swelling go down.

Keys to a Happy Marriage

Tweet A friend of mine gave Chris & me a hilariously cute and incredibly insightful book as part of a wedding present.

Advice For a Happy Marriage

from miss dietz's third-grade class

This book may very well save a marriage.

One particular piece of advice would have saved me a lot of hassle & hurt feelings had I followed it from day one.  This dear, sweet child had already learned a marriage-saving lesson by the ripe old age of eight.

When your husband's grumpy, give him some coffee.

So simple, yet so profound...

If you have kids, what piece of marital advice do you think they'll learn by watching you & your partner?