Friday Thoughts
Friends! Hi.
It’s been a long while since I’ve checked in with a Friday Thoughts post, and I’ve really missed you! I’m determined to bring back Friday Thoughts with more regularity since they are some of my favorite posts to write (and to read your comments on!).
How are you? Like, really, HOW ARE YOU?
The last few months have been a whirlwind around here. I’m sure many of you feel the same way.
Here are five things that have been on my mind, and as always, I’d love to hear from you in the comments!
Life Lately
It has finally warmed up here, which means the pastures and grass are growing like crazy and we are spending a lot of time outside (weeding – SO.MANY.WEEDS).
Our fruit trees are blooming, and we just planted five more! (And by we, I mean Brian.) We already have two apple, two plum, three peach and a cherry. Now we also have two pear trees, another cherry, two apricot and one nectarine.
I have zero words of advice about growing fruit trees. Our soil is lousy. But we’re learning as we go, and hopefully this year our established fruit trees will reward us with some actual fruit (not eaten by wasps and earwigs!).
This spring has been crazier than I expected. Life certainly has a way of throwing curveballs when you least expect them. A few months ago, Brian’s position at work was unexpectedly eliminated. It definitely wasn’t something we were prepared for, but we have seen so many unique blessings come our way in the midst of it, including opportunities for Brian to start working for himself, which is something he has always wanted to do.
Within the first few days of Brian being home full-time and experiencing the to-do lists I was leaving for him as a way to “help” him keep busy during the interim of finding new employment, he politely but firmly declared he wanted a new boss. 😂
I’m grateful, more than ever, for this blogging space. I genuinely love being here because I get to interact with you, but this blog also helps provide financially for our family (which is a huge blessing right now). I’ve been intensely working on a few additional blog projects the last couple of months, and thanks to some deadlines, I don’t think I’ve ever been this sleep-deprived in my life! I think I’m seeing light at the end of the tunnel, which is good, because my kids need their mom back in non-zombie form.
As for the kids, they are busy as ever with spring sports, lining up summer jobs, working on the property (now that the weeds are growing faster than we can pull them), buying more cows at the cattle auction to raise, and all the other ups and downs and ins and outs of kid/teen life, including NEW TEENAGE DRIVERS. Pray for me.
We’ve also officially entered the phase of figuring out how to parent a young adult. Since I don’t even have the teenager chapters figured out yet, I feel like someone should probably come take my parenting license away?? 😉 I do NOT feel qualified to do this. My fake it ’til you make it motto is holding strong.
Hair Loss
Thanks to a combination of aging, thyroid issues, stress and who knows what else, my hair is STRUGGLING. I’ve never had overly thick, luscious hair, but it’s definitely thinner than ever, especially along my part line.
Just like anything health-related, google searches leave me overwhelmed (and kind of alarmed – wow, some of the proposed solutions are intense 😳).
My thyroid levels and blood work are all normal right now. I also tried Nutrafol after hearing so much about it, but I stopped taking it after a few weeks because it really upset my stomach (I think due to the biotin, which tends to make my stomach feel not so great).
Anyway. Just another fun side effect of my 40’s. Yay!
If you have any tips to share on helping thin, struggle-bus hair, I’d love to hear them!
Workout Love
Last year, I started following a weight lifting program, Sadie Active App, after seeing a friend post about it. I’ve always been *fairly* decent at moderate exercise, but I wanted to start implementing more weight training, which I’ve only done sporadically over the years. (This is completely unsponsored, I pay for my own monthly membership.)
I am hooked! This is by the far the best workout program I’ve ever done (here is Sadie’s Instagram account if you want to learn more). I’ve been doing the weight training workouts on the app since September, and I feel stronger than ever.
The thing I love most is that the app tells me exactly what to do, how many times to do it, and has videos to show the proper form. No guess work, which is exactly what I need. Also, the workouts are different every week, which is great for my personality that gets bored with repeated workouts really easily.
You can choose the “gym” setting or “home” setting. I’m mentally allergic to working out in public, so I always exercise at home. I don’t have an official home gym, just some random exercise equipment stuffed up in our bonus room.
I prefer to set the app to the “gym” setting and do the exercises at home, modifying the exercises to work with my minimal equipment.
A few key pieces of equipment I use for home workouts. The links below are affiliate links from Amazon; shop around locally or elsewhere online for the best prices.
- adjustable dumbbells
- thick booty bands (Sadie uses these a lot in the exercises)
- thinner loop exercise bands
- resistance bands
- exercise bench or step (I have an old one called the Fanny Lifter from The Firm days if anyone remembers those epic videos 😂)
Optional home equipment that can be added later or is a bonus if you already have it: kettlebells, exercise ball, pull-up bar, bar with heavier weights.
The workouts are 45-60 minutes, but can easily be shortened by cutting all the reps in half. I try to get in 3-4 weight workouts a week plus a few low-intensity cardio workouts if I have time (like walking on the treadmill, riding bikes with the fam, etc).
I can’t say enough about this workout app. I look forward to exercising (even though I know I’m going to be sore!), and it has helped me build muscle and get stronger (sorry, no flexing selfies). I love it!
K-dramas
Well, I’ve officially jumped on the K-drama train. Even though my entire extended family was waxing poetic about Crash Landing on You (as well as everyone else in the world, it seemed), I resisted. Mostly because I don’t watch TV very often, and when I do, I like to be able to multi-task. However, reading subtitles seriously restricts multi-tasking, so I resisted.
I got really sick in February and while laying in bed for over a week, I decided to finally dive in.
I watched Crash Landing on You and loved it so much, I’ve been rewatching it over the last month or so with Brian and Cam (it is extremely adorable how invested Camryn is in the characters). It also has seriously fueled my desire to travel to Switzerland. The two main characters are actually married in real life, so that’s fun for all of us at-heart romantics! You have to get through the first few quirky episodes and then it really gets good.
After a few minutes, you barely notice you’re reading subtitles. In fact, I swore I was fluent in Korean after I finished the series. 😂
For Cam’s birthday earlier this month, I gifted her this finger heart shirt {aff. link} (an endearing gesture in many K-dramas). She’s worn it almost every day since. 😍
I used to listen to a podcast or book when walking on the treadmill or riding the exercise bike. Now it’s all about K-dramas. I have zero regrets.
I’ve watched Business Proposal, Hometown Cha Cha Cha, and Crash Course in Romance. All of them fantastic for different reasons. I wasn’t a big fan of Forecasting Love and Weather or Her Private Life – didn’t finish either of those.
Cam and I just started watching Start-Up and are loving it. So far K-dramas have been clever, funny and clean, and I’m wondering if I’ll ever watch a non-subtitled show again. Oh, one word of advice: if the K-drama show has the ability to watch it dubbed over in English, don’t. I tried that with Business Proposal and it was ridiculously jarring.
Have you jumped on the K-drama train yet? If so, what are your favorites? Extraordinary Attorney Woo is next on my list to watch!
Things I’m Loving
Ok, I’ll end this with a few things I’ve been loving lately! {Affiliate links included for the things I’ve bought on Amazon – nothing is sponsored; I buy the stuff I love myself.}
- This is my favorite dress summer dress (especially after trying the famed Somerset dress that everyone raves about – it made me feel like a frumpy pioneer). This dress is flowy, light and much less expensive! I have it in green and floral pink.
- I use this foot cream every night before bed. It’s amazing.
- Do you hate melting butter and having it explode everywhere in the microwave? Yeah, me, too. I saw these microwave butter melters on Instagram, and so far, they are definitely saving my sanity.
- A while back I asked on Instagram stories about non-smearing mascara, and received hundreds of responses with recommendations of mascara to try. The top suggestions were tubing mascara, which I had never heard of before (living under a rock over here), so I decided to give it a go. First, I tried the L’Oreal Double Lash mascara that was recommended the most, but didn’t love it. I tried Thrive Causemetics liquid lash next, and I looooove it. I’ve been using it for several months now and am a super fan. It’s definitely more expensive than the every day waterproof mascara I used for years (and it’s not waterproof, but I’ve gotten used to that)…but it lasts a really long time. Yay!
- I bought this ceramic baking dish for a recent photo shoot, and it’s become one of my favorite baking pans! It would make a great Mother’s Day gift (for yourself or someone else!) 😉
- This is my favorite self-tanner. It’s very subtle, works gradually, and gives me just the hint of color I want on my lily white legs. The classic self-tanner smell is present but not overly strong. I use it a couple of times a week in the morning. Once it dries, I add a layer of the body lotion I use every day and don’t notice the smell much at all.
- My siblings and I bought this digital picture frame for my mom’s birthday earlier this year. She had an old one that she kept constantly on her kitchen counter, but we couldn’t add pictures to it remotely, so all the pictures were at least 10 years old. This new frame allows all of us kids to upload pictures via an app on her phone, which is awesome since three of us live several states away from my mom. She’s loving it!
- I bought this vacuum mop and after several months, I’m still really, really appreciating the value it adds to my life. Technically the appeal is that it vacuums and mops at the same time. I still give my floors a quick sweep before using it to minimize the amount of junk I have to clean out of it after. Because our downstairs is mostly LVP flooring and we live off a dusty long driveway and on 25 acres, my floors get n.a.s.t.y. This mop is as easy as vacuuming and I love it so much. It’s a bit of a pain to clean after but still very much worth it to me. I don’t use the cleaning solution sold with it; I just use water and it cleans spectacularly well.
Thanks for being here, friends.
Life has been a bit messy and heavy lately, particularly in respect to motherhood and all the ups and downs of that, but I also have so much to be grateful for, which means in the midst of feeling all the feelings, crying the tears and screaming in the pillows, I’m also trying to look for the blessings, too, and there are many.
Next week, I’ll be hitting the blog with a fun, free resource for kids graduating and leaving home, and there are also several phenomenal new recipes coming your way this month!
This is one of my happy places, and I’m really grateful for all of you! Love your guts! 💗
Our bodies start to change again when we hit our 40s- I once heard it called reverse puberty and that’s not too far off! I recently read an excellent book called The Upgrade: How the female brain gets stronger in midlife and beyond, by Dr. Louise Brizendine MD. I can’t recommend it enough for any women in their 40’s and beyond. It helps explain all of the hormonal and body changes that start to happen and gives many great ideas on how to get the help you need from your medical resources and advocate for your health. She divides the process into 3 “transitions” and gives great descriptions of each and how to manage them to have an ‘upgrade’ not a ‘downgrade’ as we age.
Thank you!! I am going to check that book out!!
I’m 54 and have had great success with adding 5 drops of Rosemary essential oil to my shampoo for hair thinning. Don’t use it straight – mix it in with your shampoo in your hand, put on your head to lather spending some time scrubbing it into your scalp. Leave on for about 5 mins while you wash the rest of you and rinse. It smells great and I definitely feel like my hair is thicker and fuller. My hair stylist told me it is working for many of her clients. Best of luck! I love your life updates 🙂
Hello!
I came here to look at family reunion info!
Thank you so much for many years of loving & using your recipes. I appreciate your efforts and your facebook recipe posts. Your the best.
Self Tanner: that one is the best. Have used it for years for my pale skin. Plus loads of sunblock, UPF shirts & hats.
Thrive Causmetics mascara: The only one I’ve used for many years. I ue their subscription! I love their story & mission statement.
Try CeraVe lotions, creams, sunblock, cleansers, etc. My Derm Doc recommended for my angry sun-allergic/Rosacea, POD skin.
Thinning hair: ugghh, it’s a struggle! Mine started thinning in my early 50’s. I’m a (mostly retired) hairdresser & many clients found success using Nioxin (nioxin.com for info). I’d recommend trying their starter kit #4. It’s for progressed thinning & color treated hair, but works just fine if your NOT color treated. Ask a hairdresser friend to get it for you at a professional beauty supply to try it out. It would be less expensive if they are willing to get it for you. The kits are around $37 at our cost. Dont buy from Ulta (expensive!) or Amazon (not sold by Nioxin, but by 3rd party=more$$). If JCPenney salon is still in your area, their salon might have it & usually on sale.
I don’t recommend trying the current internet/social media fads/trends. Rosemary oil? Yikes. Search youTube for it and watch Dr. Dray, who talks no-nonsense about it (board certified Derm Doc, who uses evidence based info). Also, ask your Derm Doc what they recommend for you).
Apologies for the length, but I hope something helps you out!
Hi Mel!
I’ve been following you for many years – thank you for being such a warm and cozy place on the internet and such a trusted resource.
Just replying to your bit about figuring out hair loss etc. I have Hashimoto’s, which is an autoimmune disease that attacks the thyroid. I have lost hair (among other symptoms). Your Thyroid numbers can test normal if you have Hashimoto’s so get the antibody test just to make sure!
Hope all is well, thank you for all you do!
♥️Wendy
As always, thanks for sharing. My best advice with your young adults is to read Doing Life With Your Adult Children by Jim Burns. Transformative book with practical tools.
I just LOVED Extraordinary Attorney Woo! I hope they make a second season. It was wonderful, I think you’ll love it too. <3
I really enjoyed reading your blog today. For sure ordering the butter melters.
Loved this post…so real, honest and relatable.
I am a long time reader but seldom if ever, post a comment.
I could not be help identify with your hair loss woes. Due to stress and various health issues along with age, I too have been struggling. I think I have tried every shampoo and serum out there. I have finally found a few things that work…but patience is called for.
I use a DHT blocker shampoo..WOW Apple Cider Vinegar…that I massage into my scalp and let sit for 5-10 minutes before actually washing my hair. I also mix it up with a bar shampoo made with rice water for a company called VIORI.I am kind of shampoo and conditioner obsessed.
I have been taking VIVISCAL for over a year and have noticed a difference in the width of my part line.
I recently discovered a product called REVELA. It is a non greasy serum I use nightly…massaging small amount into the areas having the most thinning…part line and back of my head.
Finally, I massage in rosemary oil on the evening before I plan to wash my hair. I only was my hair every three days.
Yep…it is seems like a lot but I am determined to make things better and this whole route seems to have had some positive results. It could be one or some or all of the things I am using. Unfortunately, have not been too scientific in my “throw everything at the wall and see what sticks” approach but I do see some improvement so it is all worth it.
Thanks for the great recipes. Your chip cookie recipe with the ground oatmeal is a super favorite that I make often.
Kdrama for life!!
Okay my favorite is also Romance is A Bonus Book.
It’s truly incredible and probably one of the best ones with crash landing on you!! Let me know which others you watch ♥️♥️
Love your updates and your content Mel. Thanks for being a constant source of deliciousness in my life
seriously with parenting young adults….!
Best of luck to your husband and you starting a business. I am sure it will be well worth it! My husband and I started a business a few years ago and we never looked back. As for your hair, I think it looks great from the photos you post but there’s nothing wrong with getting a little hair topper. It is instant success 🙂
Love ya Mel!
Thanks for keepin it real.
I had some basal skin cancer removed on top of my head. That left a big hairless chunk of head to be seen and exposed to the sun. Surprisingly, that new skin is quite sensitive and painful in our desert sunshine. Solution….hair topper made from real human hair. It has been a lot of fun. It covers that sensitive skin. I have thin hair, but this has given me a new appearance by adding hair.
I hope you come back and share what you learned about eyebrows.
Thank you for your great work! You are the go to for my daughters and I.
Thanks for sharing. As a mom of a teen son, your post was relatable and affirming that motherhood can have ups and downs, but like you mentioned, there’s a lot to be grateful for. I can also relate to what you said about body changes as I am 1 month away from 40. It’s really hard sometimes. You’re going to feel such a sense of relief when you wrap up your projects. You’ll have to treat yourself!
Hi Mel, so great to hear from you! Sounds like life is somewhat parallel to ours here. Good luck with parenting, the other kids. As for hair loss, several years ago, an acquaintance randomly told me if I ever suffered from hair loss, that started taking fish oil tablets. A few months later, my hair mysteriously started thinning terribly. I followed her suggestion, and it worked— 1000mg of fish oil every day.. I’m struggling again now, after a severe illness this winter. I’ve started up the fish oil tablets again, and I’m hoping it helps. But I do remember it takes about a month to kick in. (And the after burps are gross.)♀️ Good luck (for both of us!) finding a good solution! Looks like you’ve got several good suggestions here!
Hi Mel, I’m sorry about Brian’s job. That is so stressful to go through! And hair loss on top of that. Ugh. Not fun. I have thyroid issues and deal with hair loss occasionally. My endocrinologist recommended that I take a supplement of calcium, magnesium and zinc to help with it. This is what I take: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Made-Calcium-Magnesium-Vitamin/dp/B000OD1F7U. It’s helped me. Hopefully it might help you!
We are watching Crash Landing on You right now and love it!! My Hubby is Korean so sometimes will tell me that the translation is off, but by and large it’s pretty darn close! We have also loved Hometown Cha Cha Cha, which I know you said you watched, but also loved Clean With Passion For Now and Vincenzo!!! Highly recommend both of those! K Drama’s seem to be masters at perfectly timed and chosen music in my humble opinion. I too am pretty sure I now speak Korean, but my Hubby points out that really isn’t the case when I ask him to turn up the volume : )
Thanks Mel for the heads up on mascara and k- dramas so I don’t fell so duddy and out of it to my daughters !
My friend used caster oil for herhair bald spot. Look it up on line. It really worked for her.
I love your Friday thoughts. I love that summer dress, but it needs to come in petite/shorter lengths. I’ve never heard of tubing mascara, but I think I’ll give it a try, even on days when I go makeup free, often I’ll add mascara. I just saw a website for JustFashionNow clothing. Looks super-cute, will you be the guinea pig and try some for us? I remember back a few years when my kids got out of high school, I think I actually enjoyed that stage more than any other, probably because I thought now I’ll see if all the parenting I’ve invested in them will really pay off (it did!) They are wonderful, responsible, caring adults. I pray for parents who have difficulties since there are no guarantees.
Hey Mel, I don’t know if I’m missing something but how do I find the recipes in order of how you posted them ? I mean, I’ve been here for years and years and I know that besides you putting recipes into categories, they used to be in order from newest to oldest. I can’t find the newest to oldest so I don’t know what the last recipe you posted is.
Hi Mel, been following your blog pretty much from the beginning and I have a binder of all my favorite ‘Mel’ recipes.
HAIR LOSS, ugh! It happened to me after having Covid. My hair was falling out like crazy. I found a product called Hair Renew by Terry Naturally Vitamins. It not only stopped my hair from falling out, but I have new growth as well. It does have some Biotin, but it’s the millet seed oil that helps tremendously with hair growth. It is a little pricey, but it was worth it to try because they have a money back guarantee. I’ve been taking it 6 months now, I love it and the only downside is that I have to keep coloring my roots, lol. Hope this helps. Sorry to hear about Brian’s job. We’ve been there. God provided a way through. Take care!
I’ve been fighting with thinning hair for years. Been to four doctors. No answers. My hair use to be quite thick. I’ve decided part of life ugh! Good luck hope you find help. Love your blog❤️
Thank you for all the comments, feedback, support, suggestions – EVERYTHING! I’m just getting caught up on all the comments…and I’ll respond to specific questions as I get to them. Sure appreciate all of you!
Hi Mel,
I’m a huge fan of podcasts. The Huberman Lab is one of my favorites! It’s very scientific, but gives actionable advice based on science. Here’s an episode about hair:
https://youtu.be/6ZrlsVx85ek
I think your hair looks great but I was super frustrated with my thin hair and was daydreaming about having thick luscious hair. I tried all the creams and vitamins and nothing made a noticeable difference. Then, I actually bought a hair topper from uniwigs. I was fully planning on returning it once i got it because I was sure it would look unnatural but I. LOVE. IT….it looks so natural and it gives you that thick look. Seriously. I scoffed at the idea for so long but so so so glad I got it. A hair topper is not a full wig, it is just a little extra on top. They seriously need to pay me for promoting them
My husband says that everyone warns you about the terrible 2’s and teenagers but he found the most challenging age to parent the young adult years. You move into an advisory role and they may or may not listen and frequently have the funds to do what they want anyway. 🙂 enjoy!!
You must watch “My Mister” K-Drama… between the storylines, acting and music score… it’s a classic in every sense.
It’s always fun to find other k-drama fans! I second the distaste for the dubbed versions and the problems with reading subtitles when I want to be doing handwork while I watch.
Nice to know I have likeminded “sisters” out there! Thanks for the contact, Mel!
Hi Mel,
Thank you for the wonderful recipes which I have been using for a long time. You are very talented. Love your Friday thoughts. I use Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides from Costco for my osteoporosis and it helps my hair which has been falling out from hypothyroidism and Covid. My hair still falls out, but is thicker than it used to be. Good Luck! Kids just need lots of love and encouragement, no matter what age they are. Adults included. I wish I had great answers for you, but Heavenly Father can help you. You are amazing!
Hi Mel, YES to the Tineco — I love mine too! — I have the LVP flooring as well and can’t use their cleaner b/c of the flooring warranty — but I can use the Bona Hard-Surface Floor Cleaner – Machine Formulation, Lemon Mint — it works wonderfully and smells so nice!
Now, about the hair loss — I have some experience with this that I hope you find helpful… I was turning 50, hypothyroid, and started noticing lots of hair in the shower — a shocking amount that made my doctor’s jaw drop when I brought it with me to show her. I could run my fingers through a section of hair, remove 6-7 strands (with follicles I noticed), then immediately run through the same section and get another 6 strands — over and over. You should have seen my hairbrush – I had to be ultra careful when cooking b/c I was shedding so much. It was so weird, but I felt fine.
The doctor ran bloodwork — and everything – TSH, hgb, etc was fine. I searched and studied the internet and learned that if your body needs iron, it will take the ferritin from your hair follicles to keep your blood levels up. This means that your hgb level will be “normal”, but meanwhile your hair is falling out. Doctors don’t generally run a ferritin level test because of the cost and I couldn’t convince the nurse to tell the doctor that I needed one (because as she kept saying — my hgb was fine), so I decided to try increasing my over the counter iron (as ferrous sulfate) that I had been already taking for a number of years – from 65mg to 130mg per day and see if it would help. Within about 6 weeks the massive hair loss slowed, then stopped, and hasn’t returned. I still take the 130mg every day, my bloodwork still comes back “normal” but my hair isn’t falling out anymore.
Hi Mel, please look at the ingredients in your self tanner -bht and parabens. Try to find one without them. May be contributing to your hair loss as they are endocrine/hormone disrupters. Speaking from experience….thanks for all you do
Oh Mel…these Friday thoughts are not only yours, but I think they are right in line with the other 98% of humans populating this planet. The struggles (and abundant blessings) of this life are REAL! Thank you for sharing them with us and simply being relatable when so much around us isn’t these days!
I too feel no shame in my K-drama habit! Here’s a few I’ve enjoyed recently: Twenty Five Twenty One (think Cam would enjoy this one), The Kings Affection, Crash Course in Romance, 100 Days My Prince, Rookie Historian, Beauty Inside, When My Love Blooms, Because This Is My First Life, She Would Never Know. Okay, that’s more than a few…but really, Hallmark has taken a back seat in the entertainment department!
And parenting young adults…well, I find myself on my knees more than ever! Just remember, they are your Heavenly Father’s child as well- and He’s there to help guide and fill in for us when we feel that we’re lacking, which believe me, can be often. I’m in my 60’s with young adults still at home and it’s an interesting journey- but they are teaching and growing me, just as much as when they were young children. All I can say is, embrace the journey!
I always love all your product suggestions, and recipes, of course. I just bought your favorite dress, as a matter of fact. 🙂 I have the same issue with my hair right now, also in my 40s with thyroid issues. I look forward to seeing what people suggest. Be sure to tell us what you try! You are a voice on the internet I have found I can trust. I’ve tried your recipes a bazillion times and always love them, and have tried products you’ve suggested, and you never let me down. Thanks for being here!! I’m grateful for YOU!
Monat shampoo and conditioner have been a game changer for my thin, flat hair. It’s expensive but well worth it.
Haha – back again to say I also can’t wait to see what your blog projects on a deadline are! And going for some more on-a-whim purchases from your links. I’m considering them my “Happy Mother’s Day to me” gifts. 🙂
Btw I loooove my Tineco so dang much. Bought it after you recommended previously and wish I had had it 20 years sooner. The best purchase I have made in prob the last 5 years!
My hair started to thin from stress so I was taking B1 to help with that. Then I got COVID and it started up again. Can’t win! Go see a dermatologist. They can help figure out what the problem is as it’s a scalp/skin issue. With mine, only time is going to help, so I’m trying to not grit my teeth and wait. I’m practicing zen. 😉
Mel, thanks for a Friday update. Even though I love your recipes and have used them since your first few blogs years ago, I think the Friday posts are my favorite. I’m in my 60’s and went through some fun teenage years with my three (two are adopted from Korea so the Korean shows on Netflix are a must around here). Believe me, you’ll get through it and suddenly your adult children become your friends. Your best friends. It’s great. Sometimes it’s hard to like who they date, but that’s another hurdle. Good luck to you and Brian and your beautiful children. God bless.
Thank you for all the honesty. It helps all of us to know that we’re not in this alone. Just wanted to add a little note to the conversation about thinning hair. Mine started to thin in my 40s and I am otherwise very healthy so we had to chalk it up to heredity. This was really rough because my hair was the one thing I never had to worry about in life. I tried some regrowth strategies for a while but found that nothing really helped me. But I’ve found some great hair care products that give my hair a lot of fullness. The best one I’ve found is Bumble and Bumbles Great Body Blow Dry Cream. It gives my hair an overall thicker look. I also use just a dab of Tea Tree firm hold gel at the roots. This also contributes to a look of lift and fullness. Gee. I feel like I’m in a commercial.
As far as raising young adults goes, I’ve been doing that for a while and yes, there are some tears. There is a natural season of breaking away from parents as kids figure out their path. Stay grounded as a person and communicate love. Like so many others, I’ve loved your recipes over the years. They’ve brought my family together in delicious ways. They’ve impressed my book club. They never let me down. All my love to you and yours.
Hey Mel! Love your Friday thoughts post and hearing how your life is going. I am definitely going to check out the work out app! I could use something easy to follow and modifiable for home, sounds perfect! Sorry to hear about the hair loss struggle. I definitely agree with other comments to look into functional medicine. It can be a variety of things that are root causes of hair loss. Functional practitioners are trained in this area and can be of great help! Personally I have had help with functional medicine recently in other areas and am finally starting to get better. Things that regular doctors/medicine are not trained in.
I’m almost 50, and have experienced a tremendous amount of hair loss earlier this year (we think from covid). It did stop, thankfully. I’ve been using hair spritz from Rowe casa organics. You just spray it on washed, wet hair. Smells amazing and has made my hair so so soft! It’s also growing. Like, a lot!! You just need consistent use! Highly recommend!
I love your Friday Thoughts! It made me smile to see this post. Wishing many blessings to you and your family (especially for your husband’s new employment!)
Hi Mel! I also have struggled with thyroid and stress related hair loss. I tried sooo many over the counter “cures” but ultimately what helped the most was getting a prescription for Minoxidil at my dermatologist. Could be something to ask your derm if you’d like to go that route. ❤️
I have had wild swings in my thyroid levels for over 50 years and can relate to all of the issues that go along with it. I have lost all of my body hair and eyebrows but luckily still have the hair on my head. What jumped out at me while reading your wonderful blog was your comments about biotin. I get my thyroid levels checked every 6 months and there is always a note from the lab saying that biotin will interfere with the thyroid tests, so I now stay away from anything that might include it (multiple vitamins, enriched cereals, etc). On a lighter note, I (and my family) love your recipes! When I try a new recipe, my husband and son will ask if it’s a Mel’s. When I say yes, they always approve! Hang in there, we all love you!
Let me start by saying, Morgan is extremely happy you have jumped on the K-drama wagon. She has watched and loved all the ones you mentioned. Except she did also love Her Private Life. She said you might need to be a K-pop fan to appreciate that one, which she is. BTS baby! I have only watched Crash Landing and now you know why I am going to Switzerland this summer? I laughed when you said you felt like you were fluid in Korean by the end…I felt the same way! It’s so weird how that happens.
I bought the self tanning lotion you mentioned. Let’s hope it does something for my super white, veiny, old lady legs. That might be asking a lot.
I recently started using a tubing mascara too. And I didn’t even know that is what it was when I got it. The first time I washed it off I was like “what is happening?!” But it’s great! I use Big Sky by Maybeline. It’s a lot cheaper than the one you linked, but I am curious to try the one you are using.
Sorry to hear about the hair loss, but your meme about looking like a young colonial man was the funniest thing I read all day. I feel like I am having a little hair loss happening at my part, but nothing too bad yet. So I am interested to see what people say in these comments for future possibilities. Hair loss should not be a problem allowed to happen to women.
Anyway, love your guts and have been thinking about you lots during this crazy time of life. You’ve got this!
Mel- you are the best!!!
Try watching Masquerade (look up Masquerade Korean movie on Amazon Prime). It is a Korean movie drama set in the Joseon period and has all the elements of K-drama. Great characters, humor, action. My teenage kids loved it! On TV I loved Vincenzo – so many funny things! I’m in the middle of Crash Landing on You and love it! Thanks for the recommendations!
Mel, I don’t know where you live, but losing your hair is not normal! Chances are your doctor checked 2 or 3 thyroid levels to tell you your results are “normal”, but did you know there are actually 12 thyroid markers? You really need to have them all checked to get the full picture, but unfortunately, traditional doctors are not trained on the non-standard testing in medical school, so they know nothing about them, nor how to interpret them. You need to find a Functional Medicine Dr who has learned about comprehensive testing and who can get to the root cause of your symptoms. The one I follow is licensed to practice in AZ, TX, and CO. She has a Facebook page – Happy, Healthy and Lean: Women Overcoming Low Thyroid. She does comprehensive testing – those 12 thyroid markers, as well as full hormone levels and over 100 tests to drill down and figure out what is causing your symptoms. Unfortunately, most of what ails us is related to the chemicals and unhealthy things we put into our bodies – gluten, soy, white sugar, etc. if you live in any of those three states, I highly recommend looking her up (Heather Stone), but if not, try to find a Functional Medicine Dr. In your area. Good luck!
Totally agree regarding the thyroid issue connection with diet and chemicals you use on the skin & ingest. I have the same issues with stress & hair loss. You need to get to the root cause. Functional doctors are the better choice.
Mel!!!
Omg, I believe I was the person who strongly recommended you watch Crash Landing on You ( I’m sure there were others but I still want the credit ). After watching Crash Landing we watched Start-up and loved it. We also watched all the other ones you mentioned and we loved them all. We are on our 75th Kdrama ( that is all we watch now)! My husband keeps saying we need an intervention but we don’t care. We love them. Since we’ve watched so many, it is hard to know what to recommend but here are a few: Descendants of the Sun, Search WWW, What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim, Legend of the Blue Sea, Romance is a Bonus Book, The Inheritors , My Holo Love. Do NOT waste your time with The Interest of Love because it’s super boring and the all the actors are depressing! When you’re done with these, let me know and I have 65 more to recommend.
Actually, I think we may need an intervention after all !
(Do NOT waste your time with
Mel… can I just say…I love you… you are so normal and relatable… and you made me a pretend chef…. the kitchen is my happy place because of you! Now I’m going to go find out what the heck a kdrama is… right after I order some butter melting pots! Hang in there friend… you’ve made our lives richer and we love you for it!
I, too, have hypothyroidism… my stylist recommended Nioxin shampoo and conditioner and it has made a difference!
You got me started on K dramas! I had knee replacement surgery six weeks ago so I had a LOT of down time! I am glad you are going to start Extraordinary Attorney Woo… so good!
Thanks for all you do, and for keeping it real for us!