Book Review – I Just Want to Pee Alone

Medically reviewed by Christiana George Updated Date: December 17, 2022

Ok, so I don’t usually post anything non-food and I don’t usually post about book review, but this one is too funny. A bunch of mom bloggers got together and wrote some real life essays about being a mom and how to find humor in it. This is something I can totally relate to. I have two kids that on good days are sweet and charming, but on bad days are whiny, clingy, hard of hearing, uncooperative, and mean. Oops, I guess the bad outweighs the good sometimes. That’s when you need a good laugh.

I read the first essay about one of the moms going to the spa and I couldn’t help but continuously laugh out loud as I pictured myself in the same situation. So my husband had to find out what was so funny. I told him the name of the book I was reading and he looks at me and says, “Oh, I know that book.” My brain tried to wrap itself around that fact that my husband knows about a book that was written by moms, when a) he doesn’t read books for leisure and b) I just found out about this book myself and c) he’s not a mom. So I of course asked him how he could possibly know about this book. And he replies “I saw it on NickMom”. Ok, stop right there. If you are wondering what my husband is doing watching NickMom (I sure was) , his answer was that the Nickolodeon Channel was on when he turned on the TV to watch his shows. OK fine, I will give him that. The kids do watch Nick a lot. But how much did he watch to have seen them talking about this book. I didn’t ask. Some questions are just better left unanswered. Perhaps he was just trying to be a good husband and figure out the psyche of a woman. Doesn’t he know that we are fickle creatures and he will never figure us out?

Anyway, back to the book. If you are a new mom, mom-to-be, or a mom who’s been around the block a few times, you need to read this book. A mom’s life is not always easy, but it does have those funny moments. This book is full of them. With titles like “Potty Training and Prostate Exams”, “The Tale of Two Vaginas”, and “In the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Penis”, how could you not find humor. It’s great to know that you are not the only mom with horror stories, inadequacies, and bad parenting moments.

Here is the link for the book on Amazon:

I Just Want to Pee Alone

Disclaimer : I was given a free copy of this book to read and review, but all thoughts and opinions are my own.

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Gin Thyme Lemonade

Beverages

Christiana George

Updated Date:
June 8, 2023

To understand my feelings about alcohol, I need to tell you a story.

One 4th of July when I was in college, I went to an Independence Day party thrown by a bunch of frat guy friends. There were hamburgers, there were hot dogs, there were chicken wings and other barbecue-ish food items. The only things missing were beer and dessert.

In the middle of the party, one of the guys made an announcement.

“They’re bringing the cake!” he said.

“The cake?!” I squealed. “Yes! All right! Awesome! That is great to hear!”

“No,” (he rolled his eyes. Okay, maybe he didn’t, but he probably did inwardly.) “the keg,” he corrected.

A cheer went up in the room. I felt crestfallen.

Chris finds this story oh-so-amusing, and to this day, makes fun of me for it. But you know what? I’m not ashamed to admit it: I’d choose cake over liquor any day. I’m just that kind of woman. (What kind of woman, you ask? The kind that dreams about petting dogs, no joke. Chris thinks I’m repressing something.)

That being said, you will notice that today’s post features a very awesome alcoholic beverage. With the amazing weather we’ve been having—and the fact that Chris and I celebrated our move-to-New-York anniversary recently (thanks for the comments, guys!)—it seemed that kind of day. The kick-off-your-shoes-and-expose-your-very-pale-feet kind of day.

And anyway, I’ve evolved. I actually enjoy alcohol now. Although I have to admit, I’m a girly drink type of person. I’ll have none of that neat-scotch, thanks, but give me something fruity, ideally something that masks much of the taste of the alcohol, and I am down. I mean, let’s face it, I’m presenting you spiked lemonade. It doesn’t get more gentle than that. But it’s good stuff, and the subtle hint of thyme makes it doubly lovely. And even though it’s kind of early in the season for lemonade, I can definitely see it making its debut at your first barbecue of the year. It’ll be a smash hit, I promise, just don’t serve it to the kiddies (or alternatively, don’t add the gin).

Another confession: I made this lemonade with Meyer lemons, so I suppose it’s really a gin thyme Meyer lemonade. I had a bunch lying around that were starting to shrivel, so I decided to juice them. (I’ve also been on a grapefruit juicing spree lately—Greyhounds!) I encourage you to try this drink with Meyer lemon juice sometime. Think extra floral notes!

Anyway, I’m starting to feel really red around my ears (the unfortunate side effect of being Asian I’m afraid), so I’m going to stop now and go finish my drink. Cheers, and have a great weekend everybody.

GIN THYME LEMONADE

Adapted from Martha Stewart
Serves 4 (makes about 8 cups)

Feel free to omit the alcohol.

Ingredients:

1-1/3 to 1-1/2 cups sugar (according to your sweetness preference)
5 cups cold water
1 small bunch of thyme (10 to 15 sprigs or so)
2 cups lemon juice
1 cup gin

Directions:

In a medium saucepan, bring the sugar, 1 cup of water, and thyme to a boil, and stir until the sugar melts completely. Turn off the stove and add the remaining 4 cups of water, lemon juice, and gin. Stir, then refrigerate. Serve cold, preferably with ice.