Turn the Paige Podcast

62: From Lost Zoom Files To Life Updates And Book Obsessions

Episode 62

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0:00 | 54:57

A vanished recording, a pregnancy reveal, and a promise to do postpartum differently. That’s where we pick up—right in the messy middle—sharing what’s working, what still scares us, and how tiny rituals help us feel human again. We trade banter about early-bird survival, Super Bowl snack culture, and Curling’s quiet charm, then move straight into the real talk: second-time-mom prep, sundown anxiety, and the thick, lonely hours when the house goes dark and the mind gets loud.

We unpack the difference between zero-to-one and one-to-two, from the shock of a first C-section to the confidence that returns when you’ve already kept one tiny human alive. This time, there’s a plan: a postpartum toolkit, friends on speed dial, and permission to believe that every phase ends. We get intimate about bodies that hold more than memory—pelvic floor therapy that no one mentions, numbness around scar lines, and why gentle movement and scar work matter. Acupuncture becomes a steady anchor for back pain and sleep; Reiki adds warmth, weighted blankets, and heart-and-root attention that invites release without overthinking. We talk energy, safety, and why healing shows up best when your nervous system finally gets to exhale.

Then the comfort of stories takes over. Reading replaces doom-scrolling, audiobooks soothe insomnia, and childhood favorites return at a kinder pace. We compare Goodreads, StoryGraph, Fable, and Libby; juggle TBR lists; and shout out the narrators who can carry you through a 2 AM feed. Expect a flurry of recommendations across thrillers, YA fantasy, and historical fiction, plus a peek into our Bookstagram, an Amazon storefront with cozy reading essentials, and a brand-new guided self-care journal we built for busy minds and tired hearts.

Press play to feel less alone, gather practical ideas, and leave with a few excellent books to keep you company. If this conversation resonates, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a quick review—tell us which book saved your week.

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Guided Journal - https://paigeturner2.gumroad.com/l/odgks

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Welcome Back And Tech Woes

SPEAKER_00

Welcome to Third Page Podcast.

SPEAKER_02

And finding itself again through my books. And let's Amazon package delivery. Real, honest, and a little bit.

SPEAKER_00

Talk about it all. So grab your favorite drink, put the kids to bed, lace up your seats or whatever you need to do and join us. We can't wait to connect with you.

SPEAKER_04

Hi guys. Welcome to Turn the Page Podcast.

SPEAKER_03

This is co-host Tawana Page. This is your other co-host, Sheree Page Barber.

SPEAKER_04

It's been a hot minute. We just dropped the 20, the first episode of 2026 on February 4th. It has been a minute. Life has been crazy busy. The holidays. The last time we record it was in December, but I'm sure you saw me complaining all over social media about it that it didn't save. So we actually have yet to re-record those episodes because they were kind of like in the moment and we haven't been back in that moment yet.

SPEAKER_03

But can I just who are we mad at for that? That's Zoom, right? I mean, I we can take this part out if we need to, but we don't need to because I already blasted them on Instagram. I am not very like open and vulnerable easily.

SPEAKER_04

No.

This Or That: Routines And Sports

SPEAKER_03

And I poured my heart and soul into that um like trauma-dumped, all about this. I honestly don't even know if I've announced that I'm pregnant because that podcast didn't so like I'm very disappointed in Zoom.

SPEAKER_04

Well, that's part of our life update, but yes, Zoom. Don't even I've blocked that out, blocked that part out of my life. I was already pissed about it. I we've already both complained about it. It was two months ago. We have moved on, but we have yet to use them since then, because why? Anyway. So rude. Life update, but first we're gonna be doing this or that. I got it right. I usually call it would you rather?

SPEAKER_03

You usually call would you rather this or that. But yes.

SPEAKER_04

Yeah, I said that.

SPEAKER_03

But we are actually doing a this or that this time.

SPEAKER_04

Yeah, I said we're doing this or that.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, yeah. Early bird or night owl?

SPEAKER_04

Before children, I was a night owl. And an early bird. Like I would go to bed super late and then wake up super early. Uh mm-mm. But now I'm an early bird when it's on my time, not my children's time, not work's time, but like I like to have slow mornings, and if I'm able to do that, that's when. But night owl, if we talk about like nine o'clock after the kids are asleep, slash like waking up in the middle of the night scrolling, then sure, night owl. But I have been waking up in the middle of the night, not sure why, but definitely night owl. I mean, definitely early bird.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, I think um I would like to be a night owl just because I feel like it's so much easier to do stuff um once she's already asleep. But I get maybe like a good hour and then I am not far behind. Lately I've been trying to wake up early to do a workout in the morning because I need to get my life together. Um yeah, early a bird right now.

SPEAKER_04

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03

Hmm. Great trips or bookstore.

SPEAKER_04

Oh shoot, stop that.

SPEAKER_03

I know.

SPEAKER_04

I love a Barnes and Noble, but I also love a library. I'm gonna have to say both.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, that's a good thing.

SPEAKER_04

But I also love an online I also love an online bookstore thrift book.

SPEAKER_03

I don't get to go like in person on my own anymore when I can just take my time. But yeah. It's different vibes. It's like I think library is more solitude, but I like the bookstore, especially Bard and Snowball, if you can get like a little hot bev. It's like you don't have to be as quiet. Mm-hmm. So yeah, probably both too. Last one, winter Olympics or Super Bowl? Super Bowl. I actually thought you were gonna struggle with that one. I thought you liked the Olympics, just summer.

SPEAKER_04

The Summer Olympics, because I like summer. Winter Olympics, you will not find my black behind out on any slopes or anyone's mountain.

SPEAKER_03

Not to participate, just to watch.

SPEAKER_04

I understand, but I like to like be in the vibe. Like I used to be a gymnast. I'm gonna be watching gymnastics in Summer Olympics.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah.

SPEAKER_04

I will watch figure skating if I'm like turning through. Like I've always liked figure skating, but that's I've never been skiing, have no desire to learn, will not go snowboarding. Like I will be on a mountain, but in the house.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah. I the only thing I like about the Winter Olympics, I used to watch the hockey games.

SPEAKER_04

Okay.

SPEAKER_03

Um, but curling, sizingly, is actually like I've seen it, yeah. I really enjoy watching curling. I think it's the most pointless thing ever, but I don't know, it's fun. And luge. Actually, yeah, luge when they shoot it on those, yeah. I mean, I I don't like go out of my way to watch it, but if it's on, I will. But I'm gonna pick Super Bowl, and I was saying that I was kind of bummed that we're not in Puerto Rico this year for it because Bad Bunny's doing the halftime show, and I feel like it's gonna be lit. But we got to see the Eagles win down there, so that was cool.

SPEAKER_04

Yes. Oh my god, yes, but and I'm a bad football fan, but I one didn't realize Super Bowl was this Sunday until like a week ago and didn't even know who made it. I was like, I have stopped watching football like midseason. I can just say I don't care anymore, or like right now, this season my life. It's sad because I used to watch it. But with the Olympics, I'm learning so much. There are some sports that are in both, and also some people some people compete in both. There's been like like quite a few people who have like meddled in both the summer and the winter, because you know they're two years apart. I know people messed it up, but they're usually two years apart. Um there's also some people that are like in the Summer Olympics and compete in more than one event. Like not in like gymnastics and like new, you know, balance from like uneven bars, but like two completely different sports, like in the same Olympics. I was like, that's just fascinating. Like I never thought of it like that.

Pregnancy Reveal And Second-Time Prep

SPEAKER_03

I feel like it sounds like you're leaning towards more Winter Olympics. I also just I think I I don't really care about watching football. I I don't have the attention span to sit and watch a whole game, but I like the vibe of the Super Bowl, like the food and the snacks, and like everyone's just happy. So Yeah. Yeah.

SPEAKER_04

I mean that's fair. But yeah, those are some interesting Olympic facts that I didn't know. Yeah. But life update, guys. Would you like to go first, Sheree?

SPEAKER_03

I it doesn't matter. I was just gonna say, remember when we were supposed to do like a I was gonna say fun fact, but it was a word of the day from the I do remember that we did it about twice and we failed, guys. Yeah.

SPEAKER_04

We can only do so much.

SPEAKER_03

Do you ha still have the app?

SPEAKER_04

Yeah. Okay. I just it's like the same news stuff every day. Like it doesn't I go more to CNN, but I refuse to pay for CNN. It like cuts me off when I reach a certain number of articles and I'm like, but it's CNN, like it's on the internet, it's free. So I get pissed about that. And then New York Times, it's the same stuff. It's like doesn't update from what's currently going on. Like I like to know what other things are going on, but it's like the same stuff.

SPEAKER_03

They're like, sorry, are we in the backlog because there's just too much happening? Right.

SPEAKER_04

I prefer to look at it on a d on the computer because it's like bigger screen and like more things for me to like easily look at because it's like other sections I can easily get to. I still get the emails from um New York Times, the cooking section, which I love. Like I love getting those emails. Oh yeah. I don't play any of the games anymore and I haven't looked at the word of the day since like last year.

SPEAKER_03

I just got the app for the games, but like half of them are locked and you can only do the cur you can't do the archived games. Everything is behind a paywall, it's so annoying.

SPEAKER_04

It is annoying, but I find New York Times useful sometimes. Like I have found it useful at times, but other than that, I'd keep it for like there's some good things in there sometimes, so I have to like search for them. But I'll continue paying four dollars a month for it.

SPEAKER_03

Mm-mm.

SPEAKER_04

But um, would you like to go first, Sheree?

SPEAKER_03

Sure. I guess because I already spilled the beans. I also, if you can't tell, I am like first of all, everything like from my nose up is just blocked. Today it started to clear out a little bit. I said to say the day I woke up feeling human, Sage broke up with the runny nose. So we have been fighting something over here, and I think it's been a sinus infection for me because everything is inflamed off.

SPEAKER_04

Yay! Yeah, even the sinus infection.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, I think that's I think that's why. Because everything's just already like swollen. So yeah, I am I don't even know where to start. It's been a lot. It's been a lot. I feel like I went from being anxious and um low-key traumatized for the first 20 weeks to being like, okay, this is happening, like my brain caught up. And then 25 weeks I was like, wow, this is happening. Like I need to get my shit together, and I'm anxious again. Um currently 29 weeks, and I did put the dresser together today. Yeah, yeah. Um and painted the name plaque that will go in their room. Yeah, we're like slowly getting getting it together. I don't know, do you feel like second time around? Second time around, do you feel like it took you longer to get prepared than the first time around? Or was it quicker because you knew what to do?

SPEAKER_04

Well, there was no dresser for a bit, only because like they didn't really they hair set and didn't really have like that they don't really have that many clothes in the beginning, so I was like, you're just always washing clothes. No, that's um the only thing I really cared about was the bassinet, because like that's that's where they're s they're not gonna live in their room until like whenever, but the crib both times were up, like well before they were born. Yeah, I mean I mean the room came together like I we put the the crib was up and everything was pretty much ready, like with the bassinet and stuff. I think we used RJ's. Yeah, we saved it.

SPEAKER_03

Oh yeah. I think it's just cause I also know myself and like us. And uh I don't want to leave it because once we're in it, I don't feel like it'll ever happen. Like some things need to happen, but yeah, it just so I'm like, let's just do it now while it's maybe even ten percent easier.

SPEAKER_04

Um the number one is the bastinight because it's like that's where they're going to be spending most of their time.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah. I mean, because right now I'm pretty like you need to put the crib together, like put the crib together, but honestly, yeah, they're not gonna be in the crib until no a while. So yes.

SPEAKER_04

I mean I thought I'm different, but we didn't start till like six months.

SPEAKER_03

I think Stage was I think she I think she's in there by two or three because I mean everyone's different, yeah. I like she um we both just like kept waking each other up. Like we both could just hear and like smell and see everything that we were like, let's just try it. And that was one of the first nights that she slept, quote, slept through maybe like a six-hour stretch.

SPEAKER_04

I mean, hey, as a newborn, that's like the you've won a gold medal at the Olympic.

SPEAKER_03

Truly, yeah. I remember waking up like, oh my god.

SPEAKER_04

Yeah, I'm gonna monitor you, like, oh my god, did I miss something? And then you felt like bad because you thought you're sleeping through the cry, so then you're like, I can never, and I actually could never.

SPEAKER_03

No, never. Yeah. So I'm not looking forward to going back to that and being in the pet space.

SPEAKER_04

That was really tough.

SPEAKER_03

I like bassinet days too, because like I like a change in breathing patterns, and I was like like staring at her stomach, like, are you okay?

SPEAKER_04

Yeah, and also just like the size of the bassinet, they could like suffocate because I'm like that just I know.

SPEAKER_03

I mean, it's mesh, so I not mean but like no, I know. Yeah. So I because I've been seeing people with like other materials and I'm like, huh. Okay. I don't know. I mean, I don't have an opinion on it. I'm just like, maybe I missed a recent, a recent update. I yeah, it's just a lot of anxiety. I feel like we're finally in a groove with stage and she's three, so it's kinda it feels like just going back to square one, which feels really scary.

SPEAKER_04

Square one, but not really, because it's like you already have another one here, so it's it's a different square one.

SPEAKER_03

And I think I asked you this last time we tried to record this because I'm seeing this conversation float around like on the what to expect app. I'm on like the forums for that. Zero to one or one to two, which was the harder transition.

SPEAKER_04

Zero to one, because it was a complete and utter shock.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah.

SPEAKER_04

My not the pregnancy wasn't a shock, but like just going from not having a kid my whole life to having to being pregnant with a kid, and then like the C-section, like it it was zero to one for sure. The lifestyle changed. You have no idea what you're doing. Like you literally have no idea what you're doing. And then you realize that you didn't need to read on any of those books because everyone's experience is different. Just like know the basics, like keep them alive. Yes. One to two. Other than like having to come up with like a new routine all over again, the sleep deprivation was like a real struggle and definitely struggle with that in the postpartum depression for both. But also, like I just had more confidence because I already knew I already knew how to take care of a baby. Like they try to tell you stuff at the hospital. I'm like, yeah, yeah, yeah. Like I've this is not my first radio.

SPEAKER_03

That's what I'm hoping for.

SPEAKER_04

And like make not like I have like five kids and like I've done this five times, but like having one kid is like you again won a gold medal at the Olympics. Like you've kept one person alive. It's like I feel like once you have one, you can have like a million more, because it's like, are you make sure you hold their head up? Like, yeah, yeah, I this is not my first radio. It's like that stuff you just like never forget.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, I think it's just the stuff that like not that I have forgotten, but has been neatly filed away. Like, yes, the sleep deprivation, but truly it was like nighttime for me, like 6 p.m. Yeah to six a.m.

SPEAKER_04

Yeah.

Bassinets, Sleep Deprivation, And Postpartum

SPEAKER_03

I would like at the beginning, I was like, okay, I'm getting the baby blues, and then obviously it was like full-blown posthorm depression, but like at six o'clock, I would get so much anxiety about bedtime. Yeah. And like at that point still waking up all the time to pump and then like being up in the middle of the night, just me and her, and just it being quiet and dark, and it is like, yeah, it's just you and your thoughts.

SPEAKER_04

And if you already have like um if your mind challenges you sometimes, it's like a tough place to be. Like your mind will play different tricks on you.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, so you know, say a prayer. I'm going in with the postpartum plan this time, so hopefully that helps.

SPEAKER_04

At least with as you call them some children, you know that things are temporary and that it's gonna end.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, I'm hoping that helps too with just like being more present. Because I also feel like I was like blacked out for the first two and a half months of Sage's life. So Yeah. Just realizing that yeah, it does it is over quick. It's just like anything when you're in the thick of it, it it's like it's heavy.

SPEAKER_04

It is so and now you got a three-year-old one on the way, I got a six and a half year old, three and a half year old, and I'm just losing.

SPEAKER_03

I mean, I guess. Um yeah.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah.

SPEAKER_04

Well, here we go again, but with um more knowledge and confidence.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah.

SPEAKER_04

Like it's not the the new mom anxiety anymore because you know what to do.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah. Which I think that at the beginning I was feeling really isolated. Like nobody obviously you understand, but like I don't really have and I do, but at the time it felt like I don't have anybody to talk to because I wasn't telling anyone. Right. And I extended that even longer just because sharing felt traumatic. So I isolated myself, but now I'm trying to lean into like I do have friends that are moms, I do have friends that get it. I can make new friends that get it. Yeah, so it'll be fine. You know, we'll get through it. We don't really wonder how my BFF Ashley's doing. You know, she was not too far behind you, right?

SPEAKER_04

She was. I think she was like eight months, which means her child will be seven as well this year.

SPEAKER_03

Crazy.

SPEAKER_04

I know. But we were the best of friends.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, if you can call just all the hormones raging. I also had a very pregnant nurse too, which was interesting. So I remember Brayman's mom was like, Are you sure you are like you really want to be in here for this? Like, yeah. You're about to watch this happen. She was much nicer than Ashley was, though.

SPEAKER_04

Yeah. Ashley, hopefully, if we see each other later in life, we can be better friends. Yeah. Play date anybody. God, whatever. Anyway, that was seven years ago.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah. Crazy.

SPEAKER_04

Wild. But my life updates, let's see. I have started Reformer Pilates. I swore I would never do Pilates, Matt Pilates, but I'm doing Reformer Pilates. If anyone doesn't know, the Reformer is a machine that's designed specifically for said Reformer Pilates. Um, it's like the best stretching of your life. It's amazing. I will be 40 this year, so I'm trying to like my gosh. Um gain muscle. Um, because I heard muscle's good when you get older. Adultly. Um Sarity feels stronger, and I'm just loving it because it's all types of women, all sizes, all colors, all shapes, sizes, and colors, and I just I love the machine.

SPEAKER_03

I've also heard just in general, but especially people like in their forties, pelvic floor therapy has been Yeah, I heard that isn't that after pregnancy though. Yeah, but I guess I'm hearing it more from people that are in their forties that are like, huh, okay. Like I probably should have done this sooner, but now it's like part just building strength, but also one person was like, I couldn't jump. Like I couldn't jump without feeling like I was gonna pee myself.

SPEAKER_04

So yeah. No, yeah, but that ties into I guess a lot of other things I'm gonna be talking about today. I have a friend who had a C-section, like this was probably like eight years ago, but I was t like I had two, and I was telling her that, like, you know, I'm still numb down there and don't have any feeling. And she too also goes to acupuncture, like I do, and her acupuncturist actually helped her like regain feeling by her in her at her C-section area. Um, like she worked on my consistently and she did um the pelvic floor stuff. Like numb to the touch, or you can't like engage your core down like I can engage my core, but like when my acupuncturist puts needles down there, I can't feel them. Interesting.

SPEAKER_03

Like on the scar or the whole area?

SPEAKER_04

Like the whole area. So it's like the C-section, they cut through seven layers and like your nerves are in there, and your nerves, from what I read, do not grow back. And like they cut in the same place twice, which is great because it'll be a clean cut and like it was my scar looks fine. Like you can't it looks it's neat scar. But um, like everything else heals and stuff, but like your nerves, and like for the longest time I would wear jeans and it would just feel like weird in that area. But I have no problems peeing myself yet. So Yeah, well, I did have I had to go to physical therapy for that because it just I was getting a lot of like pain and that's another thing that I was talking to my Reiki practitioner about yesterday was that like they don't teach you how to like like they teach you how to heal after a C section, like you know, move around and like blah blah blah, but like how to like really heal, like there are like movements you could have that I could have done to like break up my scar tissue so I wouldn't get it. And that's what the problem was, like that's why I didn't have physical therapy because I was in pain, so she like used these like movements to like break it up and like get things moving and stuff. So yeah, they don't I mean you have to look for the information, but the pelvic floor thing never came up either in e in any of my doctor's appointments.

SPEAKER_03

I don't feel like it's talked about or like advertised enough. I don't know why.

SPEAKER_04

I'm just like this is absolutely ridiculous. Um but that yeah, so that has acupuncture have helped. I originally went for low back pain. It's helped with that and it's helping with other things as well. I know people go for like migraines and stuff. So I have gotten needles in my the top of my head and like my forehead and like my face. But the needles are so freaking thin and different parts of the body will always hurt just because it's like like the the feet will always hurt just because it's like all the nerves are there. But some areas like if you keep doing it, like you're eventually like you'll get like you won't hurt anymore but some areas will just always hurt just because of what it is.

SPEAKER_03

That's a quick question. Because I haven't done accu acupuncture but I've done dry needling and I think you said dry needling goes deeper.

SPEAKER_04

Yeah I have an I have another friend who does dry needling as part of her physical therapy for her calves.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah.

SPEAKER_04

And oh she's like it's like acupuncture but she like it goes deeper and I'm like I I don't think I could do that.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah I've been doing it well I stopped because one time I did it and she hit a nerve and I was like I don't think that yeah. I've been doing it at the ki chiropractor for like my hips and my shoulder and my back.

SPEAKER_01

Mm-hmm.

Zero To One Vs One To Two

SPEAKER_03

And she was saying like the areas that it's more tender, there's more tension or more like it could be is it the same for acupuncture? Do you notice I mean like areas where you carry more tension? Does it feel more uncomfortable?

SPEAKER_04

Yeah so like she'll take my pulse and stuff like when I lay down and then she can tell like what chi's are blocked and stuff. Oh yeah. Just by like feeling the energy and stuff like that. And then like sh my my kidney chi is a little clouded sometimes because it's like when you're like tired or just like you know run down. That's how that shows up. And like different points in the body go to different organs. Like I believe your feet it's like the bladder I forget the other areas but there's different points on the body where they put the needle that line to your different to the org to different organs. Like I've had it like in the middle of my chest before I guess I've had it on the top of my head. I've had it like on my hands. Like I've had it like everywhere. I haven't had it on my back yet I don't think well what she did the low back she did the low back but she did like other parts of my body to like put energy into there. I mean every session's different like there's a few sessions where like I'll go home and I'll sleep like a rock because it's like you're just so tired. I don't know I just really like it and it's just like you like I went one time I was like really congested and like when I left like she focused on that and like I was not fine after but like I wasn't as congested. So that was good. Um and then Reiki I tried that yesterday for the very first time shout out to Jessica Gentle Hands love her. It was amazing. She started her career in an acupuncture studio that's where she learned Reiki and then she branched out to Reiki. It was so cool. Like you do an intake at first and like you just it's like a therapist intake but they ask you like a bunch of things or whatever. And then some Reiki practitioners only use the hands like above your body but she incorporates like minor touching and like obviously if you don't like that like you tell her and she won't touch you. But she'll like press down and she'll like it's kind of interesting. It's like she like this happened accidentally. She said during one of her trainings like the instructor said something like to embody the other person's energy or something. If something happened and like she was like feeling the other person's energy he's like oh that's not what I meant. She's like oops but like that's what she like does so it's like she'll stand next to you and she's like I'm feeling like like your heart chakra is a little like clouded and it's like and she'll like say what why that might be and it's like she focused mostly on my heart chakra and my root chakra like my hips and like my back and stuff and what those link to and this was like so you say how you're doing in the beginning and then like you'll get on the table. So those two chakras made sense based on like what I told her at the intake like why those were the strongest for her. Um and then did you I just learned that like the tummy hole because it's like the womb, like your abs, all that stuff in that area is very like sacral and like protective and it's also where like our um like our childlike energy and like our inner child live.

SPEAKER_03

Uh no but I guess that makes sense because I know like the connection with your gut and your like anxiety and the microbiomes and all of that. Yeah that tracks.

SPEAKER_04

Yes and it was just so fascinating and everything that she like felt I believe was like with spot on and she makes you not makes you you get as comfortable as you want like some people like I lean on my back some people prefer their side or like their stomach. Some people like to be touched some people don't like it's everyone's preference. And then I had two weighted blankets girl a heating pad and a pillow under my knees girl I was in heaven. That sounds so nice. It was amazing and then sometimes she'll get messages from like the ancestral guides and spirit guides and the few came through saying like it's okay to like feel your feelings like that's why they're called feelings and like not to like research them and like intellectualize them I was like oh that's what I do. But it was just funny because I'm like yup and then you know everything on the intake and she's like we are so similar so like a lot of things like she understood what I was saying. I mean I enjoyed it. I was so today I felt really depleted and she said that's normal. Like sometimes I feel like that with acupuncture too because it's like your body's releasing things that it's been holding on to.

SPEAKER_01

Yes.

Acupuncture, Pelvic Floor, And Healing

SPEAKER_04

And on her website it's like you can't heal something like you can't be in trauma and heal at the same time. So it's like if you're in like a stressful environment like you're not gonna be able to heal because you're just constantly like your head's gonna swivel or whatever. So it's like when you're in Reiki or acupuncture it's like you're telling the practice is to like tell your body it's okay to relax like release things. Like with yoga like we h we hold things in our bodies. That's why some people um you know cry during yoga because you know that's just time for them to release like how their emotions come out. But everyone's different and you might not even know how you're gonna how it's gonna come out until you're on the table. But you're fully clothed, you just take your shoes off. Just like with acupuncture same thing. It's all about energies and just like I don't know. It was just I it's I don't know. I like it. It's like if you go regularly it can be kind of not regularly but like she recommended it like once a month or whatever or like the next in the next three weeks just because of like what we addressed and to see if like it like improved or didn't improve. But essentially like I felt so depleted today like my hips hurt and like my upper body hurt but those are the two areas that she focused the most on where like I was holding things in. So she's like that's normal and of course I chat GPT that and Chatty told me like that was normal. I f feel better now but like in the morning I was just like And they tell you not to do like right after not to have any heavy conversations or just like just drink water and like journal if you need to because it's like a release. Um and then I have my first somatic therapy session on Monday and I'm like oh my gosh. My other friend was like she was that might be a lot like that might be too much and I'm like yeah I'll tell you I'll let you know how it goes like I'll see how it goes and stuff. But I'm like I'm in my error of trying new things. Yeah I mean that's fair. I mean I stole my talk therapist oh you can do both yeah so I kept my talk therapist and my somatic therapist is a talk therapist but specializes in somatic therapy. My talk therapist does not specialize in somatic therapy. And then there's two types of Reiki I don't ask I don't remember what they are but I will definitely go back. It's in the same the same place as where I see my my esthetician, my girl Tara so I made a whole day out of it and then went to an antique shop. We definitely have to go because there's so many like creepy slash cool things the antique shop. I was so fascinated by the old like medical equipment. Yeah and it's just I sent daddy a picture of the bacterial cabinet with like the old baseball mitts and stuff.

SPEAKER_03

Oh yeah I saw that. Is it anywhere near isn't there like a big bridge out there? Is it anywhere near that? Yeah it's right next to it. It's like part of it. Okay. No, I just um something was over there. Either a venue or like a a a dress place.

SPEAKER_04

It's super cute. They have so many cute coffee shops and like two consignment shops I like going to over there. I think they have I don't know if it's like wood painting they have something like like a what's the name of that paint place? About no. Amazing glaze. They have something like Amazing Glaze but we definitely have to go they have like bridal stuff like a bridal shop out there.

SPEAKER_03

I think that's it.

SPEAKER_04

And I think they do have a venue there.

SPEAKER_03

We should remove that door instead of the OG Are we saying places? Can we say places? Sure we went to Savage Mill. Well I I was gonna say instead of Annapolis we can just go there when we do the whole day.

SPEAKER_04

Oh for sure. Yeah yes for picturing the bridge we can just use that we can even ride out there on the 28th I just see what's open though. Because I usually go like in the afternoon. It's so far from here though. I mean it's far from here to work it's like 10 minutes from work. That's why I'm always picturing oh it's not that far but it's like it's far from here. I mean we'll talk about it offline doesn't matter but yeah those are that that's yep it's the bridge. The bookstore there. So yeah I just love walking around I end up spending most of the time in the antique shop after my Reiki Reiki session waiting for my esthetician appointment that was really fun. And then I have literally been it's what February 7th I think I have read 11 books thus far in 2026. I set my goal pretty low because I have never done this before. I set it to 15. I was like I'm gonna surpass this in a month. So I raised it to like 50 I think or something. But I have a condition where I like to read more than one book at a time. So I have one going on audio I have one in my hand and I have a Kindle so that's how I'm able to like get through all of them but um I don't watch TV anymore. Like I've watched TV and like I can read what I said I've watched anything on T game. So I just mostly am doom scrolling sorry guys we do this. I'm not the only one or I'm reading or listening to an audiobook and I love that. My gosh that scared me sorry that's my timer to turn the dryer back off I have read so many amazing books and I just did a big bulk order with script books. I ordered like 10 books.

SPEAKER_03

But some of them are for the kids all three kids so I still have books that I ordered and like have not touched that are on my bookshelf from like COVID like quarantine.

SPEAKER_04

Same I my TBR list just keeps growing I'm not ashamed at all. Currently reading Night Road for our book club yeah the trying to teach book club it's really good Krista Hannah she wrote The Women which I always rave about because it's such a great book I finished on audio in like two days.

SPEAKER_03

Someone else said her other book Winter Garden is really it like wrecks you. But I don't know if I'm trying to it the person said that it wrecks you and I don't know if I'm looking to be wrecked but yeah I mean her books aren't happy like they're sad like the women was sad night is sad Nightingale was yeah so it's always about like sad things but it's like I like them.

SPEAKER_04

On my finish drunk on love right now I am getting through wrong place wrong time. Had no idea that this was an English author and I'm like I was just so it's just so fascinating. Instead of calling it takeout they call it takeaway I love that um I read Dear Debbie thanks you thanks you thanks Frida that was so good. I'm still into the fantasy genre guys don't worry I did not give up I finished the first book of Turn to Glass and Misty over here finished two of the book. The second book arrived in the mail a couple days ago that's next I'm gonna be reading after Night Road.

SPEAKER_03

I um you know what's interesting I've been debating how to track I might just do a separate folder on Goodreads so it doesn't go towards my um my yearly books because I feel like it's cheating I yeah sorry I just kind of started in the middle of the thought pregnancy and thumbs picking my butt okay I wake up at like two or three two and a half and then stop so I've been putting on audiobooks to fall back asleep. But I've been picking books that I already read. I've been going through like childhood books. Like right now I'm working through the Chronicles of Arnold series.

SPEAKER_04

You love that book. I think that's good because it's like if you fall asleep like you didn't miss anything because you already didn't miss anything.

SPEAKER_03

It's like I put it on 1.0 speed so it's like slow. Yeah I know what's happening.

SPEAKER_04

I can kind of like picture it but it's not super um I can see that but I have another coworker who's an avid reader as well who she's like well if you read books to your kids she goes you can count it towards that she's like you read the book like I don't know. It's also like our own personal count to like who really cares. But like I get what you're saying.

SPEAKER_03

I just I think it's more for me because I don't want to be like oh I hit my count and like 12 of them were in my sleep. Yeah. Yeah so unless I raised my county but I think Goodreads you can do like a separate shelf.

SPEAKER_04

Okay.

SPEAKER_03

Because there was I'm working through that and then I finished I'm just bringing a wrinkle in time I finished the other day. I'm gonna start the Little House on the prairie series.

SPEAKER_04

My bad bring it all back. I love it.

SPEAKER_03

I keep track on Goodreads which I believe correct me if I'm wrong links to Fable it links to something you can do you do an export to Fable or Storygraph is when you first get it but it's they said don't only do it once because you might like miss more books. Like do it when you first switch over.

Reiki, Chakras, And Energy Release

SPEAKER_04

Yeah I did that yeah so I my main update is good reads and then I'll update on Fable and then I'll update on um story graph and then I also have a manual one that I write in a bookkeeping notebook like a book tractor notebook and that is just because an idea from a coworker as well she carries around a notebook of all the books that like she that's how she keeps track of them like when she she has them and then she also has a spreadsheet that she has at home but you can't access them everywhere. So she just brings the book sometimes and that's how she's got she's given me so many great books just because she has the notebook with her all the time and that inspired me to do that. So I'm like oh well this is I just carry it around and like I try to update it um a day or two after so I don't forget but I'm like I also have like good reads, fabled story graph as backup obviously. So I can just also remember what I read and just like write it. Loving that I'm gonna start the Aquitar series again. I have to do book start book two soon I also have that on my shelf. Um trudging through the mud on the first one truly yeah thrown of glass is my jam I can't reach wait to read the second one.

SPEAKER_03

I definitely I mean I'm only 40% of the way through Avatar and so my opinion might change but Throne of Glone of Glass hooked me in right away. And I need that in a book otherwise I just didn't like No that's fair.

SPEAKER_04

It was like they were hooked and then bam it was over I don't know I think that's why I like Freedom Books.

SPEAKER_03

Like so yeah I just finished Dear Debbie. I'm reading a book now I think you might have read a book by this it's called You Belong here by Megan Miranda.

SPEAKER_04

Yeah she writes a lot of thrillers but it's so like I don't know has it in hold or she also did I was just gonna say Swim fan that's a movie. She also did is it the one that Blair she did the the book that we read for the book club recently? Yes the one that we just did. The Mad Wife?

SPEAKER_03

Yes no not her that is her Megan Miranda? I think so no it's not her The Madwife is by I don't remember who it's by The Madwife is by Megan Church. Okay. Megan Miranda you probably read she has one called All the Missing Girls. I feel like that's your vibe or the last house guest I did read.

SPEAKER_04

The last house guest you did read I don't know if I've read any of her books I've obviously seen her name and like she's a popular author. Yeah I think I've had an old hold or something I can't remember. That's why I'm interested I'm also trying to get through it didn't start with us. It's um nonfiction I'm just interested in it and it's essentially like generational about generational trauma. It's interesting but I'm like I feel like I need to read this but I'm like it's so hard to get through because I'm like I want like you know like murder or like a fairy or something and I'm like this is like the ultimate nonfiction book. It's like reading it's like that's why I don't read business books. It's just like I need to be entertained. I will read personal development books like I had a stunt with that but I'm like I feel like I want to get through this book because it's very interesting. I just have an issue sometimes when it's audio and I don't like the author's voice or the narrator's voice.

SPEAKER_03

I so what's funny is the narrator for Dear Debbie Julia Whalen she's done so many books that I've read to the point where I'm like she no she's my favorite narrator and it's so weird to say that about audio book but like every time I hear her or like read by Julia Whalen I'm like it's gonna be great.

SPEAKER_04

So fascinating I love that sounds familiar and like I've noticed that about books I'm like why does this name or why does this voice sound familiar? Why does this character's voice sound familiar? Yeah I also oh my gosh I'm forgetting this is why I keep track on Goodreads and everywhere else. What were those books that we Stacey Willingham like Flicker in the dark flicker in the dark what's the other one that we read I got it.

SPEAKER_03

Anyway You're not something only if you're lucky.

SPEAKER_04

Yes that was good.

SPEAKER_03

I have another one on my shelf I'm gonna read soon forget me not by her um I think I texted you about this but um add Don't let him in by Lisa I don't know if it's Jewel or Joel to it was so good. That hooked me in right away.

SPEAKER_04

And I want I have this on hold where I think what are those two books they were in Reese's book club which are like common that we read um it's like the last time I saw him and the first time that I saw him oh by Laura yeah yeah I think I read the first one the last time I saw him or something like that. There's also The Last Thing He told me a few like African history ones that I've been wanting to read but I'm just so hooked on these fantasy ones. I got one from Walmart I forget what it what it was called don't even ask me. So Ellen Heldon what's her last name? Hilden Hilden brand so I keep seeing like the last summer or something. Oh yeah and I read the back of it at Walmart and it's like a combination of like a bunch of her stories. Interesting. No it's something it's something like the character from or like I don't know I'll make up a name like Kelly from whatever book we see her again and like it was like the way they describing I was like is this like a combination a combination or compile whatever. Is this just like a collection of like her past books and it's like the characters meet and it's like characters from different stories but I was like I haven't read any of the other books I'm gonna be confused.

SPEAKER_03

I'm not gonna buy this is it tw 28 Summers?

SPEAKER_04

No it's called like the last summer or something a lot of her books have the word summer in the title.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah she's very like Nantucket yes vibes I don't see that one though. I just read one by her well it was kind of an insomnia read so but The Academy I did see that I didn't read it though.

SPEAKER_04

Um I'm also this is really good on Kendo The Island of Missing Trees. I think I've heard of that one. Yeah um what is that? So yeah I'm really into Frida books Karen Slaughter her books are long I returned one because I wasn't gonna get to it but um The Good Daughters one we both read about the two sisters. Yeah she's very descriptive she is very descriptive and that's what makes it really good. I did enjoy the Divine Rivals series.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah I was just gonna say I just added this to my list I I guess it's like the prequel I can't get into that though. Well but I don't just hold on because I might not be saying But guys this is YA young adult fantasy um you got me into Elsie Go, so I'm look what but you did it's this it's Divine Rivals.

SPEAKER_04

I know I said you got me I didn't I have never like not that I've never but I never thought about reading like young adult but like it was good.

SPEAKER_03

No you said I can't get into that stuff. No no no the prequel oh that's what yeah because I it I don't think it's the same characters. It's just you know how in a series where it's like number one but this book is number zero so I guess this happened and also I think Avatar and Turned Glass have like or maybe it's just Turned Glass they have like um different numbers too.

SPEAKER_04

It's just oh no the other Freedom one, the House made there's like two point two point five or something. Yeah.

SPEAKER_03

I like that it has a different set of characters though. But I like separate from the timeline.

SPEAKER_04

I also love historical fiction. Well I'm gonna be reading soon the Roundhouse maybe American historical fiction which I love. The Berry Pickers will always be one of my favorite books. I haven't read that one that's really good. What were some other ones that I Oh Last House is good. I read that last year Um Speaking of that we could pick a book for March.

SPEAKER_03

It's being voted on.

SPEAKER_04

Yeah.

Book Tracking, Apps, And Reading Systems

SPEAKER_03

Which I don't know how that's gonna play out because uh actually no. And I think it's because uh yeah. I was like I wanna vote because I can see the percentage break deck. Can you two on Fable for the vote? And I was gonna pick one that I think you voted for, and I'm kinda glad I didn't because now it's 25, 50, and 25 instead of 50 and 50. The Stolen Queen, the one with like the Oh I finished that yeah, I finished that. Well then maybe you didn't vote for that one.

SPEAKER_04

Maybe I did it before. Oh that yeah, I finished that one like last week.

SPEAKER_03

The Briar Club, Typewriter Beach, and the Frozen River.

SPEAKER_04

Yes, yes. Okay, so the Frozen River, that's the one that I think is in my first book um package. Briar Club, I had it on hold, but I returned it because I wasn't gonna get to it. And then Typewriter Beach. Yes. Someone told me about that.

SPEAKER_03

Okay, that's I have the only problem too with Libby, I have the two libraries on there now, so it adds to my hold. But I'm like, all there's all these new releases coming out this year. Yes. So I go to add stuff on hold, and it's like, sorry. We don't have it yet. I have 20 books on hold because I'm just waiting.

SPEAKER_04

I'm like, my god, that's so many. That is totally.

SPEAKER_03

But that's the but ten between the two, and then all of a sudden it's like five books are available at the same time. I'm like, what am I supposed to do with this?

SPEAKER_04

I have to suspend my hold sometimes. Yeah. And I noticed that Libby took this feature away, but you used to be able to, whenever it was ready and you weren't ready, you could like tell it when to give it to you again. You can't do that anymore.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, but I kind of like the new one because you unsuspend and when you're ready for it, it's like it's they it just adds you back in line.

SPEAKER_04

But I would I like being able to say, Oh, deliver it to me in like 27 days. Or like, try again in like 37 days. But I do like to sus yeah, I do like to suspend it, unsuspend.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, I would be like, try me again in three days, because then I would usually be ready. But now, like, yeah, when you unsuspend, it's usually ready. Yeah. Or you're just waiting for the person who has it to finish. Right. I have a lot of good things on hold.

SPEAKER_04

Um place, wrong time is due in three days, but I'll finish it before I mean I'll just renew reno it if I need to. But my next physical book is gonna be the second book of Tournoqua.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, I am excited to hear what you think.

SPEAKER_04

I know. I have just been flying through these books and I'm loving it. Yeah, so guys, those are our life updates. Thank you for listening to us ramble about our life. Yeah, man. It's been interesting, you know? Our TBR list is getting bigger and that's all that matters. Yeah. Truly. Whether physical TBR or the 20 books on virtual TBR.

SPEAKER_03

Yes. And yeah, I don't know. I think what do we got? Hold on.

SPEAKER_01

Hold on.

SPEAKER_03

Okay, yeah. We have book club coming up. We have a couple other okay. I'm gonna do my best to like stay present, but I will probably be hunkering down soon. So, but just to let you know, like I tried to let you know in December that I am still here.

SPEAKER_01

Mm-hmm. Right.

SPEAKER_03

But Zoom did not want me to be crazy.

SPEAKER_01

But Zoom. Yep. Yeah.

SPEAKER_04

At least you are into audiobooks, so if you do find yourself in the middle of the night up with he or she, you can pop it into your phone or two.

SPEAKER_03

Oh yeah, that's what I did with Sage too, and like the Kindle app.

SPEAKER_04

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03

And still stay connected.

SPEAKER_04

So you won't be starting your reading journey, you'll just be continuing. So she'll still be connected, guys. Yeah. Connected to your reading.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah.

SPEAKER_04

Oh yes, if people want to know about reviews other that we provide them in our newsletter. Does the community know about your your bookish Instagram?

SPEAKER_03

You know what's so funny? Um, Bookstagram. Excuse my and I mentioned to my therapist because she was like, What's one thing you can do for self-care this week? And I was like, post to my bookstagram and she was like, What? I was like, You've never heard of a book for a bookstagram.

SPEAKER_04

It's so popular.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, it is. I love it. Um yeah, I'm I love the space. I love the people. I think I did like a shameless plug at the beginning of the newsletter, but I can drop it again if you're interested in I try to make some aesthetic pictures of books and just I used to do like a full out review or at least a recap and now it's just my rating and like a couple sentences because you're gonna always, you know, still good.

SPEAKER_04

And you know what? I am no shame. Chatty helps me with a good portion of my captions.

SPEAKER_03

I it's not even thinking about what to say, it's just like I've put so much on like I gotta pick a song, I gotta have a picture. Okay, I'm like, you know what? Like it's fine.

SPEAKER_04

I still think they're pretty good reviews. Um, yeah, I love the people that are in that community that you have found in there. I'm like, oh, let me look at their page. But yeah, tell the people what it is here, and we can also drop it in February's newsletter.

SPEAKER_03

I know what the words are, I just don't remember where the underscore is, so hold on. I don't remember if it's at the beginning or the end. The end. Okay. It's bookish and busy underscore. But it's also linked on my main It is under like the podcast and my foodie page. So yeah, follow me there.

SPEAKER_04

Yeah, that and then also another shameless plug. You have excuse me, have an Amazon storefront for that Instagram, don't you?

SPEAKER_03

I do, and uh thank you because I have not advertised or spoken to anybody about it because I just don't I'm like weird about stuff like that.

SPEAKER_04

Me too. Like I obviously it's like promote what you your talents and stuff, and I'm like, yeah, we still struggle with that when we have a freaking podcast. Um, but we've gotten amazing feedback. Um, guys, I now share Cherie's Amazon storefront in the newsletter for the books that we're reading.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah. Okay, great. Yeah.

SPEAKER_04

Well, if you're reading a book and like you want to share it in your story, like for people a link to it, you share the link from the storefront.

SPEAKER_03

Okay, I haven't been doing it.

SPEAKER_04

I mean, like if you No, you don't have to, I'm just saying it's all the newsletters now going forward. Like in the book.

SPEAKER_03

If you are wanting some bookish things like cozy comfort ways to like self-care and read, I've got a lot in there, the stuff that I also use myself. So if you need some ideas.

Thrillers, Fantasy, And Nostalgia Rereads

SPEAKER_04

And also another timeless plug, guys, really quick before we get off here. We well, during the snow day, um, we created a digital journal. Um Patty helped me. Um it's a guided self-care journal. It's amazing. It's in our Etsy store. Um I'm gonna put it in the newsletter for February, but it's also I haven't I have to put it on our website, um, but it's in our Etsy store, which is our always linked in the show notes. But it's on Etsy. It is 19 bucks, but I think it's on stuff like 17 now. I have it on Etsy for that. Um and then it's digital, so you put your email in and you pay, and then as soon as Etsy accepts your payment, it will send over the PDF download for you and you can print it out. So that means you can use it as many times as you like. Or I was also able to create it to be iPad friendly. So if you have a I think it's called a stylist, you can do it right on there.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah.

SPEAKER_04

Um, I was gonna try to do like the fill-in PDF, but it's like hard to convert that on Etsy, they were saying, so but uh it does work on the iPad. If you have a stylus, you can do that. Um if not you can print it out as many times as you like. Once you purchase it and it's sent to you, it's yours forever. You can do whatever you want with it. So it came together during a snow day and just all of the changes we've had in life between motherhood and just like finding out who we are. Yeah, it's good. And also another thank you to Jessica, my Reiki practitioner. The first one of the first things she said to me when I walked in was, um, I listened to an episode of your podcast. I was like, I wasn't expecting it at all. Um, I was so excited. It was the PMD PM D and PMS up or and we also touched on that and she shared some very valuable information from that episode. So yeah. And I told her about the luthial phase where I'm depressed and like how and she like explained why and I'm like, wow, like literally right on time. But guys, it was just a catch up. It was fun. Catch up for both of us too. Because it's been cold, she's pregnant, and we haven't seen each other since Christmas. But that's changing. I mean we talk every day, but it's not the same. That's crazy. Yeah. But here we are in negative three degree weather. I am absolutely not about it at all. So come for me if you'd like. But I hate winter.

SPEAKER_03

No, I'm fully leaning into wintering this year, and I'm I literally hate it. I hate it so much.

SPEAKER_04

Okay, guys, so we will continue on living. Trucking through life. Yes. We are back. We're dropping episodes. Um pretty consistently and inconsistently. Like as we can, you know. Life is life in, and we are doing the best we can. Yes. But we probably will be back, hopefully full force in the summer, because she will be unpregnant. I mean, yeah, we'll see.

SPEAKER_03

We'll be sleep deprived, but oh yeah, so probably towards like August, September.

SPEAKER_04

Alright, y'all. We are out of here. Like, listen. Review and subscribe. And we will talk to you soon, y'all. Bye now.

SPEAKER_02

Bye everyone. This was another episode of Turn the Page Podcast. Thanks for hanging out.

SPEAKER_00

Don't forget to like, listen, and subscribe. And also, don't forget to leave a review, please, and let us know what you thought about today's episode and all the other episodes. Thanks, guys. Talk to you soon. Bye.