WOW! Long Time No Blogging.

Wow. It has been forever and a day, almost a full year since I have blogged. I have referenced my blog soooo many times since last April, for so many different reasons, and the ONE FACT remains more than anything, I miss it!

WOW! Where In The World Is Kristin Bolling!

Has it really been FIVE months since I did a blog post? This has crippled my heart.  The truth is, as much as I love to blog and be resource for others, BLOGGING is my passion and my purpose is to document our family's life, so my children can use this as a memory when I pass away.  Does anyone have time to do things the old fashion way anymore, aka a photo album?  I do NOT! I think at this point I am so overwhelmed by the BACKLOG that I now have, I don't even know where to begin. Again, this blog is 85% for documenting our lives so my children have something to look back on. 

A New Look!

Yay! A new look!  I bet you were so surprised to tune in for a daily post and find our old blog gone. Did you think that you accidentally typed in the wrong blog address or clicked on the wrong link? I hope this new look is enjoyed.  I had a hard time saying goodbye to those precious photos captured almost 6 years ago, but it was time. A new look was LONG OVERDUE.  

The Infancy Of Portion Control and Serving Size

Exciting news to share... I was asked to do a guest post by Emily Parker, on her blog, The Journey Of Parenthood.  She saw my passion for portion control and serving size and invited me to appear on her blog.  It was featured last Friday! You can go directly to her blog to read my post or read directly BELOW!

Hello! My name is Kristin Bolling.  I am a wife, to my high school sweet-heart, a mother of 3, (2 of which includes a set of twins), a redeemed rebel, saved by grace, a believer of Jesus Christ, and the author of our family blog, bollingwith5.blogspot.com I was excited when Emily Parker, of Journey Of Parenthood, asked me to do a guest post on her blog.  Although I have been featured many times, on several websites, this is my very first guest post but, I am writing about something that I am very passionate about: portion control and serving size.  I am not a food science major. I am not a fitness instructor. I am a conscientious person and a loving mother with not only a huge desire to educate myself, but also others about living and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

When my son, almost 11, came home the first week of school, he said to me, “Mom, you wanna know what’s so annoying and unfair?”  I replied, “What buddy?”  He proceeded saying, “So many of my friends pack their own snack bags/lunches and they have like four packs of gummies or an entire bag of goldfish, no fruit, and no protein. They don’t have a little zipbloc baggie of goldfish like I do.”  There was not one fiber in my body that felt bad for him.  I was not stumped at how to respond to him, nor surprised that he felt so cheated. 

“There was not one fiber of my body that felt bad for him!”

I am hoping that the above comment didn’t come across as an unloving mom.  Instead, as you will see when you continue reading, I hope that you will feel the complete opposite…that I actually love him whole-heartedly.  Comparing is deadly and it’s also a sin! I reminded him of this all to often.  

“I was not stumped at how to respond to him!”

I made a lifestyle change over 15 years ago, prior to having my first child. My husband and I were enjoying a very healthy and active life, which involved a high protein, low carbohydrate, portion controlled lifestyle, plus exercise.  Why would I not have those same expectations and desires for my children? SO… when my son, Tyson, expressed his annoyances and frustrations, I said, “Bud, often times, mommy and daddy will make decisions for you that do make sense now or seem unfair/cruel compared to what your friends’ parents allow.  Please trust that most people are just simply unaware of what portion control really looks like.  They are uneducated AND therefore, really don’t know enough to even care.  The fact that I measure out your food verses allowing you to eat from a bag is one way that I show you love.  You have to trust that!” 

“Nor was I surprised he felt so cheated.”

I wasn’t surprised Tyson felt cheated.  Whether it be turning away from soft drinks, bread, alcohol, cigarettes, or french fries, let’s face it… initially, you will feel cheated.  You will miss all of those foods that have caused you to feel sluggish and put on excess weight because those foods comfort. Those foods “taste good”.  Those foods are convenient.  However, once you start seeing the positive results, from your lifestyle change, willpower, self-control, and moderation, you will not feel cheated, you will feel much more satisfaction than those foods could ever offer.  There is reward at the end of the tunnel.

Portion Control:
According to the Wikipedia, the true definition of portion control is as follows:  “Portion control is understanding how much a serving size of food is and how many calories or how much food energy a serving contains. Portion control is important for body weight management as the weight is defined by the total calorie intake.”  Since the day my children knew how to count, I have emphasized the importance of measuring out their food in front of them. The moments are rare that they are eating their snack directly out of a bag.  The times have been VERY MINIMAL where they have eaten MORE than the FDA recommendations.  We have chosen to make a lifestyle out of portion control because it’s 100% effective and doable.  It’s not some unapproved, FDA fad, it’s not expensive, it doesn’t restrict you from enjoying events (like birthday parties that serve pizza and cake) and it’s easy.  If you can read, count, and own a set of measuring cups…you can portion control. As my mom used to say, “Keep It Simple Stupid.”

So…now that I have introduced myself and spoken a little bit about what our family eating habits are, allow me to give you a few brief essentials by educating you on the infancy of portion control.  

Take for example, a box of Cheese Itz Crackers.  Especially if you have children, without allergies, I’d assume these crackers definitely exist in your house.  Take a peak at their nutritional facts.

The portion of Cheese Itz crackers that are recommended is located directly underneath the word “facts” and is 27.  Did you hear that? The serving size is 27. A grown man can fit 27 crackers in the palm of ONE hand.  If he dips his hand in the box 3 times, he has eaten more than double the amount of crackers recommended, not to mention, 24 grams of fat and 450 calories. OUCH!!! Cheese Itz crackers are certainly not worth consuming that much fat and calories over.  Moral of the story, READ the BACK of ALL PACKAGING, educate yourself on the serving size before you start eating any FOOD, and MEASURE out the item(s).

I’d love to discuss a few other things regarding portion control.  Remember, this is just the “infant” stages of educating yourself on this subject matter.  Five other topics come to mind: (1) Be certain to measure out ALL foods. (2) Purchase reliable tools. (3) Consider your subject before considering the serving size. (4) Educate your children and (5) A few sneaky and/or reliable foods. 

1. Be certain to measure out ALL foods.

I have found, in the past, that the best way to ensure you are eating portioned controlled is to measure out the recommended serving size.  Do not allow yourself to eat aimlessly out of a bag/box.  Whether you are on the go or sitting at your desk, be prepared and proactive. Focus on eating.  Do not focus on a screen or task.  Measure, measure, measure ALL foods, even fruit! It will take a little longer to prep your food, but it’s worth it.

Keep in mind, measuring is beneficial because if you eat too little, you could rob your body of the nutrients it needs. And if you eat too much, you could ingest too many calories, and eventually put on weight. In the event you do NOT have a way to measure out your food, try to ingrain this photo in your head and use it as a resource during those times.

2. Purchase reliable tools.    

You don’t need to be Chef Gordon Ramsay to successfully measure out a portioned controlled snack or meal.  It’s a matter of stocking your kitchen with a few essential needs: a set of measuring cups, a set of measuring spoons, a box of Ziploc snack bags, and SOME people may desire a food scale (I do not own one!).  I bought a beautiful set of metal, heart-shaped measuring cups and spoons at Sur La Table, years ago, and just recently I purchased a cute collection of rainbow measuring cups and spoons at Wal-mart. I have found that almost EVERY serving size of food that I eat, fits perfectly into a SNACK Zipbloc bag.  SO…if you are in a huge rush and CANNOT measure something out, at least use those bags to help minimize over eating. 

3.  Consider your subject before considering the serving size.

When my children were in preschool and up until Kindergarten, I decided that just because the FDA recommended a specific serving size/portion of food, it didn’t necessarily mean that my children needed to consume that amount.  Often times, I would cut the serving size in half.  Take for instance a snack bag of Doritos chips.

Maybe one would assume that a snack bag is just enough for ONE person to fully consume, but as you will see in the nutritional facts above, a snack bag of Doritos actual contains TWO serving sizes.  No one, in my opinion, should be consuming two serving sizes of Doritos in one day, but a child, especially, should not be eating that many empty calories. It is a food that has no nutritional value.  So… when packing my children’s lunches, I always divided the bag, in two, and gave my twins half of the bag. I highly suggest also adopting this method for family members who are not very active and need to lose weight.

4.  Educate your children

One good reason to educate yourself is so that you can also educate your children.  Your children are human sponges and they won’t be little for long.  BOTH your positive and negative eating habits/methods will, more than likely, be adopted by your children.  They will eventually be forced to make decisions of their own, whether it be at a sleepover, in college, or when they become parents themselves.  Why not help them learn the importance of good eating guidelines NOW, so that they can make important decisions that benefit their long term health and body’s physique.  You could even turn this into a game by quizzing them, for instance,

“Hey Rebecca, What’s worse for you? One egg with 2 slices of bacon or a bowl of cheerios cereal?”

See if your child can not only answer correctly, but also EXPLAIN why?  If they cannot do BOTH, then I would educate them about why their answer was either correct or incorrect.  While educating your children, you will continue to learn new facts yourself.  If you are truly concerned, you will make this a lifestyle change and not just a moment in time.

5. A few sneaky and/or reliable foods.

Hungry? Want to EAT, but do not like the recommended serving size because it’s “too small”.  I get it, but obeying those suggestions is the only way you will maintain a healthy weight. So many foods are abused OR people are truly UNAWARE of how quickly two handfuls or two bowlfuls equate to 4-6 serving sizes. Here are a few (good and bad) sneaky foods to watch out for.  

Cereal (3/4 cup)

Nuts (1/4 cup)

Cookies (2)

Crackers (14-27)

Chips (11)

Peanut Butter (2 tablespoon)

Dressings (2 tablespoons)

Bread (1 slice)

Cheese (1 slice)

Grapes (16)

Hummus (2 tablespoons)

Coffee Creamer (1 tablespoon)

Avocado (1/4)

Here are a few foods where the serving size seems to be a good quantity of food aka filling:

Turkey Pepperoni (17)

Mini Rice Cakes    (17) 

Rice (1/2 cup)

Apple (1)

Eggs (2)

Chicken (4 ounces)

Protein Bar (1)

Air Popped Popcorn (3 cups)

Cherry Tomatoes (20)

Tuna (one 3 ounce can)

Raspberries (1 cup)

Black Beans (1 cup)

Yogurt (6 ounces)

Banana (1)

Oatmeal (1/2 cup)

Cheese String (1)

Well, there you have it!!!! The infancy stages of portion control and serving size education.  I hope that I helped.  The main thing to remember is to read labels, purchase and use measuring tools, MEASURE ALL FOODS, healthy and non-healthy, educate both yourself and your family members, and make it part of your LIFESTYLE! It usually boils down to what you are eating and how much of it that you are eating.  There is no magic pill, no special shake, and no secret diet BUT, there IS a such thing as portion control/serving size. 

Don't Forget To Follow US On INSTAGRAM!

Having our family blog PUBLIC has MANY great benefits. The ONLY downfall to a public blog is that our lives are NOT private to those we'd love to keep out.  Our family blog does have an Instagram media tab, on it's homepage but, I thought I would let our readers know that while that tab will direct you to our most current instagram account, you will STILL have to request to follow us. We have a few snooping people who don't genuinely follow our blog because they love being involved in our lives, but rather, they follow us simply to SNOOP! The cool thing is... I KNOW WHO YOU ARE. Thanks to blogger and it's cool "spying" features, I have full access to the traffic and visitors to our blog.  #hatersgonnahate 

So...to leave a little bit to the imagination and regain a little control back, I have chosen to keep our IG account PRIVATE! Please check us out at bollingwith5 and request to follow us.  I'd be happy to accept you as a "friend", IF you are willing to reveal who you are :) Everything that I post to IG does NOT get posted to our blog.  It's the rare occasion that I share what's on our IG account, on our blog, because I don't want our readers to be bored.  Our IG account is filled with all kinds of daily, creative, FUN, sweet, and comedic moments, of our lives, in a flash! We love and cherish are readers/followers!!!! 

PS.  You don't like us, but you be checking our page religiously! IF you don't like us and you still watch everything we do.... YOU'RE a fan! Ha! #sotrue

TheStir.CafeMom.Com Feature #10

In honor of Saint Patrick's Day, let's celebrate early!!! Please rejoice with us as we enjoy our 10th appearance on TheStir.CafeMom.com Yahoo!!!!! Be sure to try this fun and unique artwork with your children.  The kids, one year later, still talk about doing this together.  I am thankful they appreciate the memories we are making together.  

TheStir.CafeMom.Com Features #7, #8, and #9

BollingWith5 was featured on TheStir.CafeMom.com again. This is feature #7, #8, and #9.  Yahoo!!! You may recall this post about Ashely's Baby Sprinkle. It took a tad longer, than I had expected, for some of my creations to be published, but here is the actual link to the what TheStir considered unique ways to celebrated a mommy who's pregnant for the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th time around. Three of my ideas were featured. I still pinch myself every time I get featured and when I think about how lucky I am to be able to work with TheStir, from time to time.  

Feature #7 - A Baby Shower Sprinkle Invitation

Feature #8: A Fruit Salad Baby Cradle

Feature #9 - Baby Sprinkle Game: Whose Water Broke?

*A side note: 2/6 families, from our small group, are expecting little ones in September and in October.  A special shout out to The Maggi Family and The Fernandez Family.  The Maggi's are expecting their second child and the Fernandez Family is expecting their 4th child. I guess they will be receiving a Baby Sprinkle sometime in the near future. 

Officially "Mom Central" Approved!

It is with great pleasure that I announce the "welcoming" into the family of Mom Central immediately via Google!  You will notice the addition of Mom Central's badge on the right hand side of my blog's home page. Click on it to learn more about what Mom Central is all about. Their motto: "Engaging and helping influential moms build their platform and increase their influence to support the brands they love!" WOW! I am officially a part of a blogging community that will be influencing others to love the brands I love.  

A few weeks ago, my favorite blogger, Jill Dubien, at MeetTheDubiens began sharing some of her beginnings with me.  She was sharing with me, after she received a recent email I sent to her, congratulating her on her BIGGEST and latest gig with NETFLIX.  Now that's HUGE! Jill lives in Canada. Here is a small excerpt from her email, 

The only company I work for that I didn't wait for them to contact me is Mom Central Canada. I'm sure they have a similar program in the U.S. Basically, they send out emails a few times a month for collaborations with certain brands.  Generally you have to write a post about that brand, test out their product, make a recipe etc.  You apply to be considered for each post and then they contact you if you are successful.  They pay you about $-.-- a post and you also get free products to try out.  I've done loads of campaigns with them and have gotten some cool stuff to try out - I'm getting a new refrigerator this month! Through them, I've worked with big names such as Campbell's, General Mils, Rubbermaid, Fisher Price, Hasbro, Fridgidaire, and more!

She encouraged me to look for Mom Central in the U.S.  I wasted NO TIME and located a U.S. Mom Central.  There is an application process for bloggers. Not all bloggers are approved and welcomed into their blogging community. To be totally honest, I forgot that I applied because there has been so much going on in our lives: snow, delays, snow, delays, snow, more delays and SICK KIDS! While out with the kids today, I checked my inbox and came across an email with the title, "CONGRATULATIONS! PLEASE READ! IMPORTANT INFO!" I almost pressed DELETE.  I get so much SPAM it's unreal.  I am so glad I didn't because had I deleted it, I would have never been able to have this amazing opportunity!

As you see above, the beginning of the email stated that I am "officially [welcomed]" What an incredible feeling and accomplishment.  And to go further, it stated that they spent an extensive amount of time "vetting" through hundreds of bloggers who wanted this position.  I'll be honest! I had to look up the word "vetting". The definition reads: "making a careful and critical examination of something."  ANOTHER, W-O-W! And it just so happens that if you turn that W-O-W upside down, it spells M-O-M.  I am just thrilled that our blog was carefully considered and critically examined and STILL APPROVED!  You can see (below) another small excerpt from today's email!  Specifically, I am sharing what expectations had to be met in order to be chosen.  In return, I will be given the opportunity to participate in campaigns and write on my opinions/viewpoints about particular products, hoping to influence other curious moms to love them too!

I cherish my blog readers and value my blog followers even more! Will you start following my blog today?  Allow me to take the pressure off of you by sharing my ideas, experiences, and thoughts, not to mention my adorable family members with you!! Hehe.  Click on the right hand side of my blog to become a follower.  I'll be sure to let you know when I receive the FIRST opportunity to work for Mom Central by reviewing an item or items. All glory goes to my LORD & Savior for giving me this public opportunity to let His light shine and to help others in my community, as well as, globally.  

Our Blog Has A New Look! (Officially Adsensed).

The "new look" is something I have wrestled with for some time, probably almost a full year, but after talking to several BIG named bloggers, I have been encouraged to sign up for google adsense.  My biggest concern was that the look of my blog would change.  I didnt want it to appear busy, messy, or worse very business like with all of the ads placed throughout the home page. I think I am officially over that fear. Some say, "blogs that have ads seem more legit and professional" aka worth reading. I would have never thought that.  I prefer the look of a clean, precise, fresh screen to stare at.  I have the "less is more" mentality.  So, I will see if adsense benefits my efforts as a blog publisher and if not, then I have the simple option to get rid of it and go to the way things were. It's worth a shot.  SO... I hope the addition of ads, to our blog, does NOT deter you from visiting it.  Instead, I hope you will find the ads to be great resources. I had to apply and wait for approval from Google.  I passed the first and second application process, so tonight is the first night that advertisement has appeared on my blog. Pretty cool! I have LOTS to learn and no time to really be wasting in front of a screen, so bear with me as I make way for a few aesthetic changes. From what google has shared with me, not everyone gets approved. I didn't have to pay anything to have adsense, instead, I will get paid when my loyal readers use the ads as a means to assist them! Moral of the story.... please share my blog with all your besties!!

TheStir.Cafemom.Com: Features #4, #5, and #6

It's STILL a great accomplishment to be featured on thestir.cafemom.com, even IF it's the 4th, 5th, and 6th time.  It never gets old!!!!  I love knowing I have readers, who enjoy our blog, AND to have our blog receive free advertisement is a plus. This time around, theStir featured our family blog for 3 indoor, Winter activities.  Here is the link to all 12 of the activities featured.  Our blog was fortunate enough to provide 3 of the 12 activities.  So exciting...

I took screen shot photos, of our features, or you can click on the title of each photo/feature to view it on theStir's website.  You can see our blog's name mentioned in the bottom, right hand corner of each screen shot. It's such a cool feeling!!!

Melted Snowman Snack 3 of 12

 Melted Snowman Ornament 6 of 12

 Paint Stick Snowmen 9 of 12

If you try any of these fun ideas out with your kiddies, please email me at bollingwith5@gmail.com I'd love to see how your creations turned out.

Marble Jar (Part 2)

Back in 2011, I did a post on a Marble Jar experiment that I chose to use, to help create "order" in our home.  Here's an excerpt from that post, if you don't desire to read or re-read the entire post.  

One thing I decided to try and improve on, in our home, was order.  Not order in the cleansly sense. I'm pretty sure I've had that talent since I was at least 8 years old, but rather order with my children.  Let me put it more positively... better management or increased harmony amongst them. I thrive off of structure. I like calmness. I desire guidelines, control, and peace in our home. Don't we all? With children, it's possible, but the odds are against me with 3 little depraved souls.

It's insane to look back, almost 4 years ago, and see that I actually tried this experiement when my twins were barely 2. Needless to say, it didn't last long. Duh... 2 year olds don't really have an attention span or a drive for something like an incentive program. NOW, fast forward 4 years, from that post, and guess what?!?!?!?! I decided to pull old tricks back out. Sometimes... ORDER, peace, and harmony still DO NOT exist in our home. What?!?!?! You mean you haven't perfected that Kristin? NO! And when someone does they will be the richest man/woman alive if they can figure out a way to bottle that potion. Tyson shows his "love" by picking on the twins. Yes! That's his excuse for sticking wet fingers in his brother's ear or flicking his sister in the head for no good reason. I call it bullying and sin. Jax is picking up on Tyson's "love" and doing the same occasionally, although he has such a sweet heart that I think it kills him to act that way. And Lilah, well, let's just say she's half Italian and she loves to talk  argue with her hands (oh you know, scratch, pinch, and pull shirts, instead of just saying what's on her mind.). But more so than that even, the reality is... my children are still TOTALLY DEPRAVED, UNSAVED SINNERS. Until their lives are fully submissive to Christ, the personalities of our children will prevent complete harmony in this home. BUT...I will do all that I can to HELP create as much harmony as possible.  I waited a few months to see if the marble jar experiment would work, this time, and it has.  We are on month 3 and it's going strong!

The idea behind the marble jar is this: each child gets a clear glass (or plastic) jar.  Every time a child does something they're supposed to, without being asked, OR above and beyond the realms of what's expected of them, then they receive a marble in their jar. If any form of disobedience occurs, a marble is removed (in addition to any other forms of discipline that needs to take place, such as a spanking).  I have taken this a step further. If an offense is made against a sibling, by another sibling, then a marble will be removed from the offender's jar and put into the victim's jar.  Some examples of "good works/deeds" are clearing your plate after eating, using manners, vacuuming up your crumbs without being asked, and doing chores. A reward of $5.00 is given, to each child, every time their jar accumulates 30 marbles. Thirty marbles DOES NOT seem like a lot, but marbles get removed WAY more than marbles get earned.  When I revisited this idea, I rewarded the FIRST child to reach 30 marbles with $10 (which by the way was....JAX....no surprise there) and it took 24 days to earn 30 marbles. 

Let's role play:

Tyson licks his finger, puts it in Jax's ear, Jax gets upset, and instead of retaliating, he comes and discusses it with me. Response: Ty removes a marble from his jar and places it in Jax's jar.  

A NEW addition to this marble jar is as follows: if a sibling sees another sibling doing a kind deed for them, they can remove a marble from their own jar and "pay" their sibling a sign of gratitude with a marble they have previously earned.  

More role playing:

Jax is heading upstairs for the night.  Jax grabs his own shoes, on the way up the stairs, to put them away in his closet, and notices that Tyson also has a pair of shoes sitting on the steps.  Jax brings Tyson's shoes upstairs and places them where they belong. If I notice Jax's kind deed, Jax receives a marble. If Ty notices, he can choose to just say thank you OR he can choose to "pay" Jax a marble, as a sign of his appreciation.

There is so much that needs to be done around this house AND so much that the kids LOVE to save up for or "want".  SO... this marble system is a great way to NOT only promote kindness in our home, but also a desire to help out.  Even IF initially, they are doing things just to earn marbles, so be it.  AT LEAST, they are getting in the habit of considering others more important then themselves (Philippians 2:3).  Darren even uses it to receive help.  Often times I hear, "Who wants to put a trash bag in the trash can for Daddy and get a marble?"  Sometimes I hear crickets and other times all three kids run to daddy's rescue.

As I said in the marble jar post, back in 2011, my hope is this

I am hoping this marble jar system will help train our children to desire to be obedient and kind UNTIL the Lord changes their heart for good. What will start out as a "habbit" of doing good, will hopefully turn into a heart that desires to be obedient for the Lord. We will revisit this system from time to time to make sure it's the best decision for our family. For now, it seems to be working much better this time. My children LOVE incentives and rewards. Some people pay their children to do chores. I "pay" my children, in marbles, for various things and then eventually they can exchange it for real money!

From a Christian stand point, ONE problem with this system is that it almost can create an attitude of "good works" get you to Heaven. However, Darren and I remind the kids daily that good works do NOT get you into Heaven.  

"For by grace you have been saved, through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God not a result of works, so that no one may boast." Ephesians 2:8

Finally, there is ONLY ONE RULE to this incentive program and that is, "You may NOT tell me you did some kind deed, in hopes of gaining a marble." In other words, do not ask for a marble.

Supplies Needed:

Glass or Plastic Jars: I bought mine at the Dollar Tree.  Last time, I allowed the kids to decorate their jars, but this time, I desired for the jars to blend in with my kitchen decor.

Marbles or Pebbles: I chose marbles for Lilah and rocks for the boys.

As I'm looking at these photos and thinking about the newest addition to our marble jar experiment, I realize now, it would be cool to have one more variety of colored marbles (basically each child should have their own color). As the kids "pay" each other or as marbles are removed from ONE jar and added to another, the jars will disclose HOW the marbles were awarded. Note to self... 

A counter space or designated area to store the jars! I would make certain that the jars are visible to their eyes, but BEWARE, little, untrustworthy children may try to sneak marbles/pebbles into their own jars when they haven't earned them! If I see that happen, the jar gets emptied completely.

It's NO surprise who's marble jar is ALMOST filled up, for the second time, in three months!

2nd place...

3rd place... I think I am harder on him! LOL! He's older therefore expectations are higher.

PS.  When I look back at older posts, I am so embarrassed.  My writing skills and posting skills are definitely NOT where they are today! LOL! I guess over time everyone should be improving, not digressing.