The Latta Family

A couple of years ago I saw, on Pinterest, that Overnight Oats were like The Thing to have.  I tried it once, but I was grossed out by eating cold oatmeal.  I mean- GROSS!  Then like a year ago, I though- "huh, I could . . . microwave overnight oats, then I wouldn't have to eat cold oatmeal."  I mean- talk about a completely amazing idea.  (I would insert a "face palm emoji" here, if I had that option, but I don't, so pretend it's there.) So for several months now I've been eating overnight oats for breakfast.  They are a life changing breakfast.  I do a 1/2 cup of oats, 2 tablespoons of ground flax, 1 tablespoon of chia seeds, and then milk (I use Lactose free milk- and I use milk because it has a lot of protein).  I usually add fruit: berries, cooked apples, or more than likely bananas.   I got out of the habit about a month ago, because I accidentally bought rolled oats and not old fashioned oats, so my oatmeal was mushier.  Instead of buying

The end of Daylight Savings Time has caused me many a trial and tribulation.   About a year ago, I switched the way I was making my morning coffee.  I now use a percolator.   I LOVE a percolator.  My coffee is piping hot, and so flavorful.  The only trouble is . . . it doesn't have a timer on it.  Percolator's take approximately 10 minutes to perfectly brew the most delicious  coffee.  It's worth it, for sure, but about a month ago I got a simply brilliant idea to . . . get a timer  to plug my coffee pot into!!!!  So I bought this snazzy timer, from Amazon:  It is lovely.  I get my perfect cup of coffee- and it's ready for me when I wake up.  I don't have to wait for it.  It's waiting for me.  That's luxury right there.   Then Daylight Savings Time ended.  All that has been happy in my world ended.  It's been RUINED.   Last Sunday night, I reset the timer.  I planned for this time change.  I was ready for it.  When Doug came to bed

This year has been the beginning of so many changes, as Andrew is transitioning from middle schooler to outright teenager.  He has run cross country for all three years of middle school.  It started with me, basically making him do it. He wasn't opposed to it, but if I hadn't signed him up, I don't know if he would have done it on his own.  I insisted on him running because I am a big fan of running for mental health.  Andrew has a pretty stable emotional state. He didn't need it for mental health, but I feel like middle school is a tricky time with all those hormones releasing and all that wacky stuff going through their heads, and running would help get through this period.  (Alexa will run as well.)  This year the group of 8th graders on the team has become close.  It's a mixed group of boys and girls.  I like this group.  The kids are similar in academic motivation, involved in sports, seem to have pretty level heads about them, and are very encouraging of o

It's finally fall here in good ol' North Carolina.  I mean- it's only mid October and we've gotten to the 70's.  Since the nights are cool and the days are not, I figured I should get my kids some weather appropriate clothes.  But then I remembered . . . oh yeah.  Shopping with my kids is straight up torture!  TORTURE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I took them to Old Navy.  So you know . . . a reasonable store.  Within my budget.  Andrew was a total pill.  Like- I think I'm going to grab a stool, stand on it, and punch you in the face- pill.  (All of you with littles- you'll get to a point where your sons are no longer precious, sweet angels.  They are big, hairy, and super irritating. You know that irrational irritation you feel with your husbands? You'll feel with your sons, because they're no longer sweet babies.  They're old enough to know how hang up their STUPID towels, or bring their glasses from their bedrooms, or put food back in the fridge.)

Today I was walking out of the cafeteria, after going to visit some students and teachers, and had just witnessed one of the sweetest, most endearing acts.  I was teetering between smiling like a loon and shedding a few tears because it was such a sweet, thoughtful thing.    I've said it before- but in case you're a new reader, or forgot or whatever- I'm a special education teacher.  I work in a high school.  Mostly I work with small groups of special education students that are following the curriculum to get a high school diploma, or I co-teach with content teachers in typical/regular high school English or math classes.  I LOVE what I do.  Love it.  Are there things I don't love- sure.  I HATE doing paperwork.  I hate doing paperwork on deadlines.  I get why I have to do paperwork- but it doesn't mean I like to do it.   Last year I had a group of freshman that were, for lack of a better word, precious.  They were innocent, and kind, and considerate, and fu

Alexa. Alexa. Alexa.  I tell you that girl is one independent thing.  At the beginning of the summer I was feeling quite frustrated with her because I hadn't figured out her "currency." I couldn't figure out how to get her to do what I wanted her to do!  I mean- I just give Andrew a look, throw a little guilt at him, and he's putty in my hands.  Alexa is a whole other ball of wax.  But I got her number now too.  I have to talk to her, explain my frustration or concern, ask how we can come to some sort of solution and then walk away.  And wait.  She almost always comes to me the following day or a few days later, and is willing to work out a solution- and usually has one.  I just have to be patient and appear  to let the whole thing be her idea.  For example I really needed her to stop sucking her fingers.  She's sucked them since she was a teeny baby.  When she was a baby I was so thankful for those fingers because she could self soothe herself- and Lord

I love to ride my bike.  I haven't ridden it in like 2 years.  Andrew and I used to ride our bikes around the neighborhood, at our old house.  Currently, we live in a small, two street, neighborhood. I do NOT want to leave my street and go ride on other nearby roads, as that feels like I'm just asking to get hit by a car.  Alas, I have not ridden much.  Plus, Andrew doesn't want to go ride bikes with his mom anymore.  He's too cool for that.  Alexa- up until 2 weeks ago- did not know how to ride a 2 wheeler.  GASP!!!!!  She hadn't really seemed all that interested in it, and if Alexa's not interested in something, it's not worth forcing it.  However- she decided she wanted a bike for her birthday.  I was kind of surprised, but if it was something she'd do outside, then sign her up!  The first lesson didn't go great.  It wasn't bad.  No trauma.  No falling.  But she didn't "get it" immediately, and wasn't super interested after

I realized that I don't drink anywhere near enough water.  Like- at all.  I feel accomplished if I drink 20 oz of water.  If I don't drink water, what do I drink?  Not much.  I allow myself 1 Diet Coke a day and one cup of coffee a day.  I don't drink tea, juice, or alcohol.  Occasionally, if I have been really working in the yard, like a crazy woman, I will drink a Gatorade- that's like 1 time a week. I'm just not a thirsty person.  Drinking any kind of liquid is not inherent to me. I have to remind myself, and make myself.  However, I have been struggling with gaining weight. I'm frustrated with this, because I don't feel like I eat all that much.  I don't snack.  I don't eat fast food.  I am not saying I eat great, but I don't eat enough to gain weight like I have been.  Plus- it's summer, so I exercise everyday and work in the yard.  What's going on?!  I decided I would drink 100 oz of water.  A few years ago I had gotten into a r

I may have admitted before, but I have a bit  of an issue with my imagination.  Just a small issue.  Nothing debilitating.  The problem really seems to flare up when Doug is out of town.  Suddenly, there are  werewolves  in the vicinity, or   possessed black cats .  I have made more than one phone call to my parents when Doug is out of town and something scary has raised up my hackles.  Wait . . . I call my parents?  Yes.  I call my parents.  I revert to my childhood self, and I call my parents.  No.  They don't live nearby.  They aren't going to drive an hour and a half and come save me from my imagination.   Are you wondering why I don't call Doug?  Well . . . he's not exactly helpful in these situations.  He brushes off my  irrational fears .  My parents help me make fun of myself, see the humor and unlikely event of Boogeyman busting in the house.  Last night . . . was one of those nights.  It was the perfect night for the Boogeyman to come out.  First- Doug is

I met up with a friend this morning.  We were talking about how accomplished we feel when we complete a task that would typically be a "husband" job in our house.  For example, she lives with 3 men/young men and she put the new grill together all by herself!  Whenever I use power tools I always feel like I am the bomb dot com.  I don't need Doug to show me how to use the miter saw.  I can use the drill, and even change the bits in and out.  I got this.  Last year, we came across an old wooden desk.  It's all wood.  I sanded it down.  Then when I got tired of that, I bought a safe chemical and chemically removed the stain and dirt.  Then we sanded some more and more and more and more.  Finally, this past week I put the finish on it.  Doug measured and it was going to fit exactly into the place near our tv.  I mean- not a smidge more or it wouldn't fit.  Doug is excellent at measuring.  He knows what all of the "ticks" on the tape mean.  I say things lik

Yesterday/Monday was the first day of the summer that my kids were actually together. I viewed it as the first "real" day of summer.  We had no guests, nothing special planned, it was a regular summer day. Andrew infuriated Alexa approximately 12 billion times, and she stomped to her room and slammed the door every time. Doug received a text at 4pm that I needed time away from the kids and when he got home- I would be taking it. Day 1. Day 1 I was so fed up and frustrated with them.  They were bored.  I had taken technology away (they can have an hour in the morning and an hour in the evening).  I was determined to not be the cruise director all day.  I did a few things- and then . . . they had to figure out how to entertain themselves on their own.  It's not unreasonable. I'm not responsible for their entertainment 16 hours a day. At 5:00pm they had both been sent to their rooms indefinitely. I just couldn't deal with them anymore. I had told Doug a few

Since Father's Day is tomorrow, this is a particularly relevant post about these two: I took this picture of them about 2 days ago.  They had spent several minutes watching someone attempt to devise a method to keep a door open.  They both watched the situation like it was the most fascinating movie.  You can't see their faces that clearly, so you can't see how similar they look.  But while they watched the person, I watched them.  And smiled.  They're so cute sometimes.   Later that day, Andrew and I were enjoying a treat at the local Snow-Ball Cabin (Alexa was at camp).  We were sitting at a picnic table and Andrew says, "Jeez.  Whoever built this table didn't know what they were doing!"  I had a hard time getting a good picture of this table- without Andrew knowing, so this isn't a good visual.  However- the 2nd board is lower than the 1st and 3rd board.  How many times have you sat at a picnic table and NOT noticed that the boards

I am hopefully buying a new car this summer.  HOPE.FULLY.  Doug keeps putting me off, but I'm pretty determined.  Why?  Well . . . in exactly 3 years we'll have another driver in our house.  And that potential other driver is pretty determined to drive- already.  With another driver, we'll have another car payment, and teenage boy insurance payments (which will be like a mortgage, from what I understand).  With all that to consider, we should get my car payment out of the way, so we're not going broke every month.  When you look at it that way . . . I have been thinking about this for months.  I started a spreadsheet of the cars I think I would like.  On the spreadsheet I compared each car: price, cabin size, gas mileage, engine information, and other details that are important to me.  I have done hours of internet research on each car, gathering the information, reading reviews, and marking cars off.  I'm pretty sure I know what car I want.  I've been check

Pretty much every parent is saying the exact same thing . . . we're tired.  One time many years ago, I was speaking with a woman about my age.  Her child was still a toddler.  She is not an educator.  She didn't realize I was, and therefore her rather . . . controversial opinion was not intended to get a rise out of me.  She was merely sharing her opinion that there is no reason for schools to follow the schedule that we do.  We're not longer an agriculture society.  And frankly- kids should go to school all year round- with no extended vacations.  They're not necessary.  I was STUNNED by her.  First of all- she was an educated human being.  She had a doctorate.  Owned her own business.  But I have literally never met someone so self involved.  She had no concept of . . . anything (Her husband proved to be equally as moronic, when I told him I was a special ed teacher in title 1 school.  He thought I was a specialized teacher in a private school.)  Then I thought- "

Doug recently tackled a HUGE project. Literally and figuratively.  A friend commissioned Doug to build him a table, after seeing our table that Doug built.  In case you hadn't read the post- Doug built this table. The top is wood from his grandparents house. The friend had some trees cut from his property, and was wanting to build a table with them, and after seeing the design of Doug's table, asked Doug to build his table.  Doug loves wood working projects, helping friends, and really liked the story behind the wood being used- so he was all in.  This was no small feat.  First of all, the table was going to be 14 feet long . . . really 14 feet long!!!!  Second of all- there was a "small" amount of pressure in that. . . these boards had quite a history and what was delivered- was all there was.  If Doug messed up. . . it's not like he could go to Lowe's and get more.  These boards were literally one of a kind, and he had all he was going to get.  Thi

If you didn't know this- I work with Doug.  We have for years.  We met at our school.  Dated, were engaged, married, then I left for a bit.  Then I came back.  Then I left for a bit more. Then I came back. When I interviewed to come to work at the same school as Doug, I was asked, "What's the advantage of working with your husband?"  What I wanted to say was: "He always has a dollar, so when I get hankering for the vending machine, he hooks me up."  I didn't.  Instead I said, "We always know where we'll be on Friday nights."  For real, at the times I've worked at other schools, it was hard choosing between what football/basketball game we'd go to.  For the most part I think Doug and I work together pretty well.  We hardly ever see each other. We don't ride to school together.  I like to get there early and leave by 4pm.  He likes to get there at the last possible second and stay until 5-6pm.  (plus, I'm not a morning perso

Definition (according to Google): determined to do as one wants even if other people advise against it. According to www.theodysseyonline.com words associated with strong willed women are: bossy, headstrong, confident, stubborn, assertive, independent, demanding, hot-headed.  It also said: "She doesn't have time to sugarcoat things and she doesn't want to, because that's when meaning gets lost or confused along the way." I'm trying to decide if Alexa got her strong-will from me.  Some of those words don't describe me.  I don't think I am determined to do things even if others advise against it (unless that person is Doug.  If he advises against it, I hear- "Oh, you're challenging me?!  Well, I'll show you."  Mmm- that's not a good example to prove I am not strong willed.  Forget that example.  You never read it. 1. Bossy?  I'm not bossy. I give good advice.  Next. 2. Headstrong?  According to vocabulary.com that can mea

Please tell me that this is normal.  That my kids aren't the only kids in the world who do this.  IT DRIVES ME NUTS!!!! Who put a random piece of a granola bar wrapper there?!  It's not even a convenient spot!!!  What about that spot says, "Here's a perfectly acceptable location to leave food wrappers?!!!"  Nothing.  Nothing about that spot suggests it's a good location for that.  Was that Alexa's food trash??  I feel like no.  It's taller than her, so she would have had to reach to put it up there. Surely in the efforts to reach up- it would have occurred to her that that's not the spot to leave it.  Although- she eats those granola bars at home, and she is notorious for leaving food wrappers everywhere: in the couch, under the couch, on the counter, wherev.  Andrew would totally leave a piece of a wrapper in that spot, but he tends to eat those bars as a snack at school, so I can't say for sure it's him.  Neither have any kno

One of Alexa's friends called and asked if she could go home with them from school tonight (Wednesday) and then go to church with them.  I said sure.  It's after spring break- I'm practically on summer break, so yeah- come home after 8pm and no worries that we didn't get homework done and we'll be cramming it in tomorrow night.  I'm going through the motions y'all- but I'm practically on summer vacay. (I've got 8 1/2 more weeks, and like 39 actual school days . . . I've got a LOT of school to go.  Why I'm already slacking- I ain't got no clue, but it cain't be good.) Anyway, as I left school and didn't pick up Alexa I was filled with the most bizarre feeling.  I mean . . . what if I had the day wrong?  What if it was actually Thursday?!  What if the friend's mom had an emergency and didn't pick the girls up and forgot to tell me?  What if Alexa is sitting at school going- "WHERE IS MY MOM?!!!"  Then I was think

Clearly food and Alexa has been a situation for years!  I mean- check out how many times I've posted about her and food . . . and this was "A Just Barely Looking Through all of My Posts" list.  Food Post #1 Food Post #2 Food Post #3 Food Post #4 My struggles with her and food were alluded to other times- but not the main focus of the post.  Anyway- to top off all of her pickiness.  Alexa likes to throw in surprise episodes of low blood sugar.  It's not everyday.  It's not even a few times a month.  The first time I realized she had a low blood sugar episode was when she was less than a year old- because she still took a bottle. I mentioned it at her next well visit.  We took a visit to the endocrinologist, but nothing significant was discovered.  As she tends to be a "grazer" (you know- walks around snacking most of the day, never really eating a meal) she never really had too many low blood sugar episodes.  And they were really sporadic.  I disco

Clearly I didn't do games with my kids that had them develop skills to look for things.  I should have made cleaning up a game. "Can you find all of your . . . ?"  Usually when they're "cleaning up" I'm either nagging them by pointing out everything that's scattered all over the house.  Or I've already gathered it all and put it in a big pile (emphasis on big for Alexa). . . . Or done a better job with Easter Egg Hunts.  My kids have done 3 "hunts" this Easter.  My parents came up on Good Friday and we celebrated birthdays and Easter.  My mom "hid" Andrew's eggs.  We were pretty sure a toddler could find them. Andrew HATES looking for things.  He doesn't have the desire to look- even if there's a fairly good amount of money in them.  It's sooooo hard to put your hands in containers, or look behind picture frames.  Or . . . everything.  We're doing our final "hunt" this morning.  I told my kids

Alexa and I have been having some rough mornings the last few weeks.  There are two things happening: 1. I'm not a morning person 2. She's trying to deviate from the routine I have done the exact same routine for forever.  It hasn't changed.  I get in the shower at 6:10/6:15. I am ready by 6:45.  I fix breakfast, and hand kids lunches at 6:50.  We leave at 7:10am.  Everything is prepped beforehand: coffee is made the night before, lunches are either made the night before, or while I am waiting for my coffee when I wake up. Trash is taken to the road, bags are packed and in a designated location.  I am RIGID about my routine.  It's not because I'm super organized.  It's because I'm not a morning person.  I am clinging to rational thought. I have a short temper.  I am impatient, psychotic, and over the top reactions easily explode from me.  I know this about myself.  Because I am practically a demon, everything is prepped.  I take out every possible si

Y'all, my life is complete.  A few weeks ago, I got a Cricut.  Up until that moment, my life was barren and deficient, but I didn't even know it.  I had no idea I needed this amazing piece of technology, until now that I have it!   Now, my life is whole.  All I could need in the world, is right here in my house- until I run out of paper, vinyl, transfer tape, or my blade dulls, and even then it's all good, cause I got an Amazon app and a Prime account.  When I first got my Cricut, I was so intimidated by it.  I had to have a few talks with myself about how I was in a learning curve.  It didn't need to be perfect.  Between YouTube and Pinterest I am heading in the right direction, and gaining a lot more confidence. You know why I love this so much?! Look at that roller ball full of essential oil blends?  Does that label indicate the amazing powers of the contents?  No.  I mean- LAME!!!!  It looks like generic brand white bread.   GAHHHH!!!!! Isn't

There are positives to living with 7th grade boys: 1. you always have someone to blame funky smells on- whether it's them or not- and they don't deny the smell, they assume the smell came from them. 2. they're impressed with their developing strength, so they're willing to carry heavy things to prove they're strong like ox 3. their sense of humor is maturing and they're actually funny (except for when they're not.  They're still learning the fine line of what's funny and what's just aggravating) 4.  they have insightful discussions and sometimes help to see the other side of things Then there are situations that involve this: This is single handedly the MOST irritating gesture on the face of the PLANET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  If you see young men in the 12-17 year old age bracket do this sign, they're not flashing gang signs (I hope, I don't think, I'm pretty sure.).  Pretend you don't see them do it.  Or, catch them

My parents came up this weekend, to celebrate my birthday a little bit early.  They convinced me to go out to dinner with Doug- sans kids.  I'm down with that!  While we were gone eating dinner, "someone" got the great idea to hide the cake my mom made for me (I believe it was my mom's idea- but I cannot say for sure.  I feel sure the idea originated with my parents, but my children happily jumped in on the trickery).  Except, in all the excitement, the cake got dropped.  Face down.  Amazingly- it was still great, except for the top of the cake was missing the icing.  (You'll be happy to know it has not impacted the taste in the slightest.  It's still delicious!)  FYI- those candles show "29." I am going to be 29 . . . and I've celebrated that year a "few" times now.   Upon the cake tumbling- Alexa cried, and Andrew dove to the floor and started licking it off the floor!  My Mom & Dad laughed. This brings me to a memory

I don't know if I've ever told this story, but it's a classic tale of what a goober I am. My freshman year of college I discovered Peter, Paul, and Mary.   If I Had a Hammer  was one of my favorite songs!  It was so catchy.  I just sang it and sang it!   When I went home at Christmas, or on a weekend, or sometime- I somehow got to be the chauffeur for my sister's first date.  I believe my mom was with us, when I played this song, as I drove my mom's mini-van with my sister and her date.  I sang "If I Had a Hammer" LOUDLY- more than once.  I was probably the most embarrassing, horrifying sister EVER.  It didn't twist the chains of fate too much- as 6 or 7 years later, my sister married that boy- I sang dumb hippy songs in front of.  She's still married to him.  I still do dumb annoying things in front of him- but that's how I show love and affection.  My sister in law received some embarrassing, awkward love from me too.  It's who I am

Hahaha! I so turned the tables on ol' Andrew today. I love when I come up out of nowhere and GIT him! First, let me say, I am widely regarded as the "soft parent."  I am the easy one.  They want me to find out the bad news first, so I can either take care of it, or break it to Doug easy.  This cracks me up.  While I am the quieter parent- I am the creative parent.  My consequences last longer than Doug's lecture.  But whatever.  I maximize on my reputation and exploit their fears.  I'm a good parent like that. I received an email from one of Andrew's teachers today informing me he had a closed lunch (which means he had to sit by himself in silence) because he didn't turn in an assignment.  Whatever- it's a stupid consequence- but he got it and life goes on.  What annoyed me about it is that I asked him if he had homework.  Doug asked him if he had homework.  He got an attitude about it- which annoyed me, and his teacher reached out to me.  I need to