My Well Woman Check! Details Here.

So I just wanted to update ya'll and let you know I made it through my well woman check with flying colors.

Well, not really. It seems my cervix is still a little red and angry-looking. Yes, a gyno actually said that to me once when I was in my twenties (before I met Mr. Kerrie and when I was not, ahem, so kind to my body). So we'll see how all that shakes out. I'm not freaking out or running for the HPV vaccine or anything (do not get me started on that rant).

And since I'm all 42 and losing my hair (no bald spots so don't freak out, Mom, Dad and Aunt Cathy) and had gestational diabetes with Joel (borderline, people, but I jumped through the hoops because it was my first pregnancy), I get to GO BACK TO THE DOCTOR for blood tests for my thyroid and sugar and cholesterol and probably some other stuff.

That means more time out by myself, which I am oddly craving since the hardwood floors arrived and made my world all LOUD and echo-y.

By the way, how much do you love trying to make conversation with your doc and the lady that has to supervise him while he has his hand inside you and then has to do the breast exam?! We for real talked about how I'm proofreading AND writing now and my doc of 16 years said I'm the only person he knows who proofreads! Shoulda given him my card but my gown had no pockets.

Let this be a reminder for you to schedule your well woman exam. They are usually free if you have insurance and maybe Obamacare will also make them free?!

Sorry there are no pictures to accompany this post. Next time.

Kerrie McLoughlin's Print Books and Kindle Ebooks

Hey, did you know that you don't need a Kindle to read my ebooks? Back when I didn't have a Kindle I would just download books I bought or got for free on Amazon onto my Amazon Cloud Reader to read whenever I wanted later on my laptop. Here's my author page so you can see all my offerings on one page, you lucky duck.

Have files of article reprints that you own but have no clue where to start reselling them? Have ideas for some fantastic new pieces but no idea who might want them? Check out my 386-page PDF of tips, tricks, and insider information, as well as 384 paying parenting and family markets! Just head to this page to download How to Get Published (and Paid!) Writing About Your Kids and get started immediately!

Sign up for an email subscription to The Published Parent and get two amazing freebies: 10 Parenting Markets That Pay $100+ and 10 Markets That Pay Writers to Write About Writing! And join my Facebook group called Parenting Magazine Writers ... it's FREE and full of tips and tricks and markets and like-minded writer friends!

The Tater Tot Casserole Cookbook

Available in print and ebook (free on Kindle Unlimited)

I Love Shopping for Retro Stuff!!!!

Okay, Aron and I got to go to a Liberty Ball at the Riverfront Marriott in Lawrence, Kansas over the weekend to support Aron's cousin, who is running for governor of Kansas on the Libertarian ticket. (did I say that right? it sounds too smart to come out of my mouth!).

Anyway, the night before I had gone downtown to the Crossroads District of Kansas City to support my friend Angeliina at her art show with my BACKPACK slung over my shoulder. It wasn't freezing, so I did not wear a coat. My coat options are a heavy Liz Taylor furry thing or my 13-year-old busted up Yale jacket.

Saturday morning I realized it was time for a coat and a purse, for gosh sakes. My mother would be so proud that I am, at the age of 42, recognizing a little bit of class.

So after Weight Watchers (I don't even attend meetings anymore; I just weigh in and leave with my head down) I trucked to Pete N' Repeat in Downtown Overland Park because I knew I would find what I needed there in about 5 minutes.

And I was right!

I literally ran in, asked where the black purses were, and the woman said she had just organized them! A cute Liz Claiborne caught my eye and $20 seemed fair so there you go. Then I ran over to the coats, checked the Medium rack, and found my new lover, a gorgeous gray pea coat for $45. You get the full effect when it's buttoned up, and rest assured I will post pictures of that fabulousness.

I never cared much for fashion but looking back I realize I've always had a certain kind of retro style. Always. Now I can really buy what I love and look like I stepped right out of the 1960s without spending a fortune to do so!

What's your style like?

OraMD Review

Okay, here's the thing. You know I'm not going to lie to you. I got something to review and I'm just not so sure about it. So I'm going to say it. It might work fine for you and maybe I just have a super sensitive mouth.

But I got this OraMD stuff and it's a tiny bottle that is supposed to last for a month of tooth brushings (for one person?). It costs $15.31 per month per person. That is not going to work in my house. Toothpaste is much cheaper! Baking soda even more so!

Anyway, the cost is not my problem. My issue is that when I was using this stuff my teeth were hyper-sensitive. Things hurt when I ate hot or cold foods or drinks. I tried this experiment twice and got the same result both times. I have not used this stuff in weeks and my teeth are just fine.

I get that it's all natural and made with peppermint and spearmint oils and menthol, but maybe my processed-foods butt just freaks out when natural and organic touches my body ... haha?

Never fear, this company also offers a colon normalizer for $39.95 per bottle and Vitamin C for $29.95 per bottle. Being healthy is EXPENSIVE!

Could Prevagen Be My Brain Fog Lifter?

Okay, here's the deal. It's hard to tell something like if my brain is working better. I couldn't exactly do scientific tests on myself to see if I, say, did better at a timed test on Day 1 of taking this stuff versus Day 30. The company says you should take it longer than 30 days and I only got a 30-day sample, so I have to base my review on that.

That said, maybe I felt a little more spring in my brain's step for a while and was able to really go crazy on working on ebooks and writing creative and fun things. Maybe it lifted some of the fog. But then my grandpa died and the fog came back so it's hard to say about this Prevagen stuff.

Depending on how much it costs, I would buy it and take it again. I know this kind of things is all relative, like when you are taking vitamins and then don't and feel sluggish. Still, I put my faith in B12 for my daily energy and credit it with not needing naps! If the cost of this is no more than vitamins, I would stock up on it because I think brain health is very important. I'm 42 and Mr. Kerrie is almost 47 and we can use all the brainpower we can get to thwart the evil plans of our 5 kids. Just sayin'.

Here's some info from the company and after that how to find them online:

Prevagen (pronounced “prev-uh-gen”), developed by Quincy Bioscience, is a unique brain health supplement that promotes clearer thinking and improves memory. Prevagen’s main ingredient is a new use for a well-known protein called “apoaequorin” which was originally found in a certain species of jellyfish.

As we age, the body’s ability to produce essential proteins slows down. When this happens you begin to lose about 30,000 brain cells every day, and may start to experience difficulty with memory, focus and concentration. Apoaequorin has been clinically tested and shown to supplement these proteins during the natural process of aging and improves brain health and overall memory.

In 2012, Prevagen became the number one selling brain health supplement in chain drug stores across the country, and continues to remain on top. Prevagen is available in health food stores and pharmacies nationwide including Walgreen, CVS, Rite Aid, and Vitamin Shoppe.

Prevagen is safe and effective. Daily use for 30-90 days is the recommended length of time to experience noticeable results.

Learn more about Prevagen at www.prevagen.com. 

Here's how to find them on Facebook!

UPDATE: $40 is the cheapest I could find this online for 30 pills. For that price, I choose to remain stupid!

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.