Pencil Thin

My husband laughs because I put on makeup to go virtually everywhere including the gym. This isn’t to say that I go all out with that night on the town look but I do apply some makeup. I am just not one of those women who has crystal clear and beautiful skin that looks good all on its own. I just feel better about myself when I help nature out even just a little. I don’t think it is all that funny to wear makeup to the gym. It isn’t like I am putting on an evening gown or cufflinks. There are some people who come to the gym looking more like they are headed to an awards banquet than to hit the treadmill. What is a little lipstick and blush in the big scheme of things?

I woke up this morning feeling like someone drove over me. There isn’t a part of my body that isn’t aching. It is almost like a slept on one of those plasma tv lifts or a pile of rocks instead of my own bed. My suspicion is that it has something to do with the recent drop in the temperature. It has been fairly warm here this winter which is unusual but the cold has finally started to settle in. My husband was kind enough to remind me that I turned 37 last week and am just getting “old”. He seems to forget that he is the same age as me. I will have to remember to tell him that he is getting “old” the next time his body hurts after his weekly basketball game!

My secret wish this Christmas is for a peaceful neighborhood for my children to grow up in. This of course would mean several people in the neighborhood would either move away or head off to drug rehab. I hate to think this way about people but neighborhood has changed dramatically in the last couple years. Change is often a good and wonderful thing but so far I have yet to see evidence of that in this situation. In the meantime I am working diligently to be able to move away and maybe leave my worries behind.

I was watching an advertisement the other day for hoodia and tried to think of anyone I know that has used it. I really don’t think that anyone in my immediate circle has ever tried this to help them loose weight. Oprah Winfrey is reportedly a fan of it which makes me think that this product might just be worth checking out. It would be great to hear from someone out there who is using the product successfully. If you or someone close to you has lost weight by taking hoodia let me know okay? I am always looking for new ways to improve my fitness regime.

Thanksgiving is always a big fuss for my family. Every year we enjoy getting together for a meal and to enjoy each others company. The only uncomfortable part of the day is when the time to discuss Christmas gift exchanges rolls around. It seems like everyone has a different idea of how we should exchange gifts each year. Most of us want to draw a single name but others would prefer everyone get each other a gift. When it comes to actually making a list of gift ideas it is like pulling teeth. No one can agree on a price range for the exchange. This makes it really tough when one person thinks that a good range is somewhere in the neighborhood of ebel watches and someone else suggests the price of a couple cups of Starbucks coffee.

There is this kink in my shoulder that no amount of stretching seems to relax. One side of my neck feels like a fiber cable that someone has practiced tying knots with. I have tried different pillows and sleeping positions but nothing seems to help. I even introduced a few strengthening exercises into my workouts but to no avail. So do you think I need to see a chiropractor or what? I might even try acupuncture if I thought it would rid me of this lopsided feeling I always seem to have lately. Little tiny needles don’t scare me at all but the thought of strange chiropractor hands on me does weird me out just a bit.

Have you ever woken up and felt like someone drove over you in the night? That is what my body has been feeling like lately. I don’t know if I need to check out different furniture stores for a new mattress or if the problem is my pillow. Our mattress is only about 5 years old so I don’t really think it is the problem. After trying an endless array of pillows I am hesitant to invest in yet another new pillow that I am going to hate. It would be nice to wake up and not feel like a 90 year old with aches and pains from head to toe.

Eggs are a great source of protein and offer endless meal option. This is one of my favorite ways to get a big batch of eggs cooked up in the morning without having to stand over the stove.

Oven-Scrambled Eggs

(6- 12 servings)
I enjoyed making this recipe for company – it was low stress and easy.
Just remember to set a timer to remind you to stir the eggs every few minutes.

12 eggs
3/4 cup skim or 1% low-fat milk
1 teaspoon salt, optional
1/4 teaspoon pepper, optional

In large bowl, beat together eggs and milk with salt and pepper, if desired, until blended. Pour egg mixture into lightly greased 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking pan. Place in preheated 350° F oven. As mixture begins to set, after about 7 minutes, pull out oven rack and gently draw an inverted pancake turner completely across bottom and sides of pan, forming large, soft curds. Continue baking. Repeat drawing a few more times until eggs are thickened and no visible liquid egg remains, about 12 to 15 minutes more. Do not stir constantly.

Should I take a decongestant or an antihistamine?

This depends on your symptoms. If you have nasal or sinus congestion, then a decongestant can be helpful. If you have drainage — either a runny nose or postnasal drip or itchy watery eyes — then an antihistamine may be helpful. Over-the-counter antihistamines often make people drowsy; decongestants can make people hyper or keep them awake. Antihistamines can make secretions thick, which can be a problem for people with asthma. Keep in mind that both these medications may interact with other drugs you may be taking for conditions such as heart disease, and they may worsen some conditions. Discuss with your doctor or pharmacist which cold medication may be best for you.

My cold seems to have settled in my chest. Breathing is a challenge today and all I seem to do is cough. I seriously feel like everything is swollen and congested that not even fiber optic cables could fit down my throat. At least this winter I can take cold medicine which I could not do for the last two years. It certainly makes a difference to be able to get some pseudoephedrine into my system. I am seriously loving being able Nyquil once again after a very long hiatus. I just wish I could shake this feeling that there is a brick on my chest.

This Halloween was not kind to me. It was my turn to take my older son out door to door while my husband stayed home and handed out candy. The weather seemed perfect but somehow I managed to come home with a big bad cold. Being a mom and a work at home mom with many commitments it has been tough trying to get things done. I keep reminding myself that feeling like I am knocking on death’s door is not an excuse to slack off. Hopefully, I can shake this over the weekend before someone looks into getting a term life insurance quote for me. A nap and some vitamin C might do me a world of good if I could just find the time.