I went to my first acupuncture appointment today. I got over my silliness long enough to wear black (hides everything right?) yoga pants and a lovely rayon shirt, that sort of gracefully covered all of my trouble spot. I thought I was clever and wore thigh high socks, thinking he would be working just above the knee, but he actually had several needles up and down my calves, so I had to take them off anyway. (phooey).
I was a teensy bit late, because I also had my first counseling session this morning right beforehand. Luckily they are two doors apart in the same complex. I absolutely adore my new counselor; it will be a good fit for what I need. I told her about my wonderful Chiropractor, and she said she wants to try acupuncture as well, and has been looking for someone who performs it. We hit it off really well, and realized we had gone over our allotted time.
I ended up being about 10 minutes late for the acupuncture, and then had to change into my comfy pants. So I was all wound up. He had me lay down; I was thinking he would talk me through the procedure, not so much. He went straight to putting needles in my hands and forearms, then on to my ankles, knees and calves. He hit the wrong spot in my hand at first, so it started cramping, but he moved it. So far so good, just a little zing here and there and then… He started sorting through WIRES. I asked him what they were for, he said they were to produce a mild ELECTRICAL CHARGE!!?!! I laughed nervously and said “No really, what are they for?” He said “I am not kidding.” :: GULP:: I asked if it would hurt, he said it would tingle a little.
So he put the first wire on the needles on my left arm, not bad, then on the needles in my right arm, one fell out (twice!) He talked about the Yin and Yang of the wires and all that yada yada. I said “uh huh” Like I was not a total novice at this. Then he proceeded to attach them to my legs. So far so good. At this point I asked him why Electricity was necessary, and he said it sped up the process, and helped the needles do their job more efficiently. I told him I didn’t mind staying longer WITHOUT the wires, he just laughed. THEN he turned on the juice, and said “tell me when you feel it”. At this point I was so nervous, that I was completely tense. I started to feel it really strongly in my left leg, it felt like your limbs feel when they start to fall asleep, doesn’t hurt exactly just feels strange. He left the room for about five minutes, when the needle in my right arm fell out, I called for him and he fixed it, and put it a little farther in my arm, I am not going to lie, it hurt just a bit. Then I realized that my other tender spots had gone away, and I realized I had relaxed those parts of my body. So I relaxed my right arm and the discomfort went away. I lay there for about 20 minute’s total. Did I mention that all of the wires are connected, so one false move would be kind of painful and disastrous. (That is how the needle in my arm fell out the second time.) Overall it really wasn’t bad, I have another appointment for next Saturday, and this time I will be completely prepared for what to expect. At some point he will venture over to my face, but I won’t freak out about that just yet.
There was zero bleeding, that was nice (I wore all black just in case though). I could feel the blood flowing better during the treatment. So I survived my naked knees and feet being seen by another human. And I survived needles and electricity; All without a melt down of any sort. One down five more to go.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Naked knees? Not on your life!
I had been tossing the idea of acupuncture around for a while, when I got a phone call from my friend, who after a difficult time trying to get pregnant had succeeded, and she told me it was due to acupuncture! I congratulated her, and she told me it was kind of a miracle because according to her Doctors she was in Perimenopause, and her chances of getting pregnant without IVF were slim to none. I decided then and there, that I was for sure going to try acupuncture, and see if it could help me out with any of my many ailments.
I remembered a few eons back that my insurance company used to offer a deal with participating providers for acupuncture, and general health alternatives, health clubs, yoga etc... It is not insurance exactly we just get a discount for using a participating provider. I began looking around my area for acupuncturists, and found a few but they were between 10-20 miles away. Not exactly convenient with my work and life schedule. I was hoping for something closer maybe within 5 miles or so. SO I put the idea aside for a while.
Then a few weeks ago I went to the Chiropractor, and had an adjustment done. We have been seeing this guy for about 5 years, and he is really nice, not at all like some piranha Chiropractors who try to shove all sorts of odd things down your throat, and force you to come in twice a week. No this guy is very cautious, and leaves it up to us when we want to come in for treatment. He is so good in fact, that for about 3 years I had no reason to visit him. Anyhoo, as I was leaving I remembered to get a receipt from him so I could submit it to payflex. (We are pretty new to payflex, so we never really needed a receipt before). When I got home I looked over the receipt to make sure it was ok, when I noticed that under the diagnoses codes acupuncture was listed. Now our Chiropractor does work with two other Doctors so I didn’t get too excited yet, it could be one of them who did the procedure. I decided to have my husband ask him, as he was going in for his own appointment a few days later. Sure enough this guy does acupuncture! I was so excited. I mulled over all the possible ailments I could be rid of, but then I started wondering about the price. And wondering why this guy had never mentioned that he offered other services.
I called my insurance company to see how their little savings program worked, and to see if my Doctor was a participating member. They told me he wasn’t but gave me the names of a few places close by that were willing to take 20% less than what they usually charged. I called them to get a price, and with our discount it was going to be $32. Not bad, but then I might get stuck with one of the wacky type Chiropractors. So I called my Chiropractor, and asked him what he charged out of the gate, and his regular price was $30. I told him it sounded like a good deal, and made the first appointment for this coming Saturday. I asked him where exactly the needles would go, and he said he would start simply, using just a few needles, in a few key points in the inside of my elbow area and above the knee. This is when I started to freak out just a little. It has been approximately 16 years since anyone other than my husband and GYNO, have been near my knees. I don’t wear shorts, and at the pool wear a full swim suit cover. I have always detested my knees, and to have some one look at them and above them just terrifies me, not to mention it means I have to shave above them!
I realize that he is a Doctor, and I have been going there for half a decade, and really he isn’t going to give a rats patoot about mine or anyone else’s knees, but still, no one sees me without long sleeves, and long pants, or if I am brave enough to wear a skirt, then I have opaque tights on.
I think going to any kind of Doctor where I have to show any kind of skin, is right up there with public pooping. (By this of course I mean pooping in a public restroom, not pooping in the presence of the actual public). So in preparation for my surely humiliating experience, I have been doing Pilates religiously, and then this week I started yoga again. Is it helping? Well kind of, I feel stronger, am it getting rid of the dimples and bumps? Not so much. I asked the Doctor what I should wear to the appointment, and he suggested sweats and a t-shirt. Double gasp! Wearing sweats in public? I may as well go naked! I own a few pair of sweat pants, I use them mainly to exercise in, and sleep in. To actually leave the house in a pair? Well that would be mortifying. I favor the yoga pant style, but they tend to be thin and clingy, not a good combination for an out of shape housewife such as myself. The other thicker pair I own have a small hole in the crotch, so not appropriate for public consumption.
So I hauled my husband to the mall with me on Monday to look for a pair that maybe wouldn’t look horrible. That is an oxy moron after all they are sweats. But we looked at several stores, and I couldn’t even find one pair I would wear even to a gym. Did I mention that before I get acupuncture, I have my very first counseling appointment, just down the complex from my Chiro? Yes, right before, as in I would have to actually wear the sweats to not just one office but two! And actual people would see me, and wonder why at 10:00 in the morning I couldn’t bother to put on something appropriate. And being my first appointment with my counselor, I want to make a good first impression. So I found a long sleeved shirt that is flexible and still cute, and a pair of loose dress pants that can be pulled above my knee.
I realize I should maybe have trepidation about the needles, but I don’t, not even a little bit. I am more scared of having my body seen, and if I look cute. Yes I am vain, and self conscious. I will be the first to admit it, and yes I am neurotic (did I mention the counselor?) But I have my principles. And for me, fashion will always come before function.
I remembered a few eons back that my insurance company used to offer a deal with participating providers for acupuncture, and general health alternatives, health clubs, yoga etc... It is not insurance exactly we just get a discount for using a participating provider. I began looking around my area for acupuncturists, and found a few but they were between 10-20 miles away. Not exactly convenient with my work and life schedule. I was hoping for something closer maybe within 5 miles or so. SO I put the idea aside for a while.
Then a few weeks ago I went to the Chiropractor, and had an adjustment done. We have been seeing this guy for about 5 years, and he is really nice, not at all like some piranha Chiropractors who try to shove all sorts of odd things down your throat, and force you to come in twice a week. No this guy is very cautious, and leaves it up to us when we want to come in for treatment. He is so good in fact, that for about 3 years I had no reason to visit him. Anyhoo, as I was leaving I remembered to get a receipt from him so I could submit it to payflex. (We are pretty new to payflex, so we never really needed a receipt before). When I got home I looked over the receipt to make sure it was ok, when I noticed that under the diagnoses codes acupuncture was listed. Now our Chiropractor does work with two other Doctors so I didn’t get too excited yet, it could be one of them who did the procedure. I decided to have my husband ask him, as he was going in for his own appointment a few days later. Sure enough this guy does acupuncture! I was so excited. I mulled over all the possible ailments I could be rid of, but then I started wondering about the price. And wondering why this guy had never mentioned that he offered other services.
I called my insurance company to see how their little savings program worked, and to see if my Doctor was a participating member. They told me he wasn’t but gave me the names of a few places close by that were willing to take 20% less than what they usually charged. I called them to get a price, and with our discount it was going to be $32. Not bad, but then I might get stuck with one of the wacky type Chiropractors. So I called my Chiropractor, and asked him what he charged out of the gate, and his regular price was $30. I told him it sounded like a good deal, and made the first appointment for this coming Saturday. I asked him where exactly the needles would go, and he said he would start simply, using just a few needles, in a few key points in the inside of my elbow area and above the knee. This is when I started to freak out just a little. It has been approximately 16 years since anyone other than my husband and GYNO, have been near my knees. I don’t wear shorts, and at the pool wear a full swim suit cover. I have always detested my knees, and to have some one look at them and above them just terrifies me, not to mention it means I have to shave above them!
I realize that he is a Doctor, and I have been going there for half a decade, and really he isn’t going to give a rats patoot about mine or anyone else’s knees, but still, no one sees me without long sleeves, and long pants, or if I am brave enough to wear a skirt, then I have opaque tights on.
I think going to any kind of Doctor where I have to show any kind of skin, is right up there with public pooping. (By this of course I mean pooping in a public restroom, not pooping in the presence of the actual public). So in preparation for my surely humiliating experience, I have been doing Pilates religiously, and then this week I started yoga again. Is it helping? Well kind of, I feel stronger, am it getting rid of the dimples and bumps? Not so much. I asked the Doctor what I should wear to the appointment, and he suggested sweats and a t-shirt. Double gasp! Wearing sweats in public? I may as well go naked! I own a few pair of sweat pants, I use them mainly to exercise in, and sleep in. To actually leave the house in a pair? Well that would be mortifying. I favor the yoga pant style, but they tend to be thin and clingy, not a good combination for an out of shape housewife such as myself. The other thicker pair I own have a small hole in the crotch, so not appropriate for public consumption.
So I hauled my husband to the mall with me on Monday to look for a pair that maybe wouldn’t look horrible. That is an oxy moron after all they are sweats. But we looked at several stores, and I couldn’t even find one pair I would wear even to a gym. Did I mention that before I get acupuncture, I have my very first counseling appointment, just down the complex from my Chiro? Yes, right before, as in I would have to actually wear the sweats to not just one office but two! And actual people would see me, and wonder why at 10:00 in the morning I couldn’t bother to put on something appropriate. And being my first appointment with my counselor, I want to make a good first impression. So I found a long sleeved shirt that is flexible and still cute, and a pair of loose dress pants that can be pulled above my knee.
I realize I should maybe have trepidation about the needles, but I don’t, not even a little bit. I am more scared of having my body seen, and if I look cute. Yes I am vain, and self conscious. I will be the first to admit it, and yes I am neurotic (did I mention the counselor?) But I have my principles. And for me, fashion will always come before function.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Mad libs and Microsoft
I tried microsoft office 2007 about 3 years ago, and absolutely loved it, and of course have lusted after it ever since. The price is a definite turn off however (between $195 for the most basic to nearly $500 for the bells and whistles). I had been saving up for it and had hoped that by last Christmas I would be able to buy it so I could do my Annual family newsletter. Alas December 1st came and went and I was running out of time, and short on funds. So I looked around online and found that I could download another 3-4 month trial. I did and was able to get my newsletter out in the nick of time. Then one of the blogs I follow had a commercial made by microsoft about Microsoft office 2010. I was intrigued and watched their little commercial many, many times before finally noticing a little logo on the bottom about downloading their beta version.
Of course I clicked on the link and immediately signed up for the Beta version. And really, I must admit that I wasn't even sure what Beta even meant, but who cared. I asked my husband later,who explained to me that I was basically one of the first to try it, and it would likely mean that they would want feedback from little old me.
I never really believed him, but then today as I was shutting down my last blog post that I had pre-written using office 2010, a little correspondance popped up asking if they could send bits and pieces of my writing to microsoft for analysis of how I used grammar check and spell check, and punctuation check ( Ok really, I am not sure if it is even called punctuation check but it sounded good). So this is my long way of telling a short story and that is this...
As I was proofreading what was on there, and making sure I wasn't about to send anything embarrassing about myself or others (I had an option of deleting any lines I was not comfortable with sharing, such as things that don't make it to the blogs), I realized that it was a collection of snippets from all of my writing, and the way it read reminded me of mad libs. It went something like this...
I bought a satin taffeta for the jacket; it was the closest color and weight of the dress. The second
Which of course was amazing
then you cream together the butter and sugar until light and creamy, then add in your eggs and
and you have a space room
Melt Butter, add sugar and stir. Add milk and stir till warm not hot. Add marshmallows and stir till
I am finding that I am much more present in my choices when I shop. Each time something catches my
“Global bizarre” area, and had to have them. It took me a few more years to use them in the living
far away. It is unlikely that I would drive that far again for the tasty treat. So… this year I want to try my
religiously prompt payments, of more than the minimum, with astronomical interest rates. I have a
response from my husband. I was not looking for anything big, just a “You smell nice”. Or, some other
and digging into my creative side. Or that perhaps after years, and years of excavation, I have found the
tapioca and rice. It weighs a good 2 pounds, and cost over $7! But, if I think of what a Doctor visit costs
The whole thing gave me a good laugh. Hopefully they don't think I am a crazy person over at Microsoft, and really if they do oh well. Sending it off was such a small price to pay for the use of their lovely office program.
Of course I clicked on the link and immediately signed up for the Beta version. And really, I must admit that I wasn't even sure what Beta even meant, but who cared. I asked my husband later,who explained to me that I was basically one of the first to try it, and it would likely mean that they would want feedback from little old me.
I never really believed him, but then today as I was shutting down my last blog post that I had pre-written using office 2010, a little correspondance popped up asking if they could send bits and pieces of my writing to microsoft for analysis of how I used grammar check and spell check, and punctuation check ( Ok really, I am not sure if it is even called punctuation check but it sounded good). So this is my long way of telling a short story and that is this...
As I was proofreading what was on there, and making sure I wasn't about to send anything embarrassing about myself or others (I had an option of deleting any lines I was not comfortable with sharing, such as things that don't make it to the blogs), I realized that it was a collection of snippets from all of my writing, and the way it read reminded me of mad libs. It went something like this...
I bought a satin taffeta for the jacket; it was the closest color and weight of the dress. The second
Which of course was amazing
then you cream together the butter and sugar until light and creamy, then add in your eggs and
and you have a space room
Melt Butter, add sugar and stir. Add milk and stir till warm not hot. Add marshmallows and stir till
I am finding that I am much more present in my choices when I shop. Each time something catches my
“Global bizarre” area, and had to have them. It took me a few more years to use them in the living
far away. It is unlikely that I would drive that far again for the tasty treat. So… this year I want to try my
religiously prompt payments, of more than the minimum, with astronomical interest rates. I have a
response from my husband. I was not looking for anything big, just a “You smell nice”. Or, some other
and digging into my creative side. Or that perhaps after years, and years of excavation, I have found the
tapioca and rice. It weighs a good 2 pounds, and cost over $7! But, if I think of what a Doctor visit costs
The whole thing gave me a good laugh. Hopefully they don't think I am a crazy person over at Microsoft, and really if they do oh well. Sending it off was such a small price to pay for the use of their lovely office program.
Valentines and what not
So for today, I made my traditional Heart shaped sugar cookies for my kids and the families I work for. I make a Kool-Aid flavored buttercream frosting to top them, and then add valentine jimmies or mini conversation candies, and it is the one day each year I actually use Kool-Aid for anything. I am actually making a pitcher of it for this afternoon’s party as well. I also made truffles (a more grownup treat for the parents), well I made the recipe, they are as we speak, cooling in the fridge so I can shape them at naptime and roll them in either powdered sugar or cocoa powder. I got the recipe from THIS wonderful calendar. I have been buying the calendar for years, and she includes some fun recipes. The truffle recipe was actually on my kids "teen" calendar for February, I got a veggie bean burrito recipe, still good, just not quite as amazing as truffles.
Truffles:
3 C semi sweet chocolate chips
1 Can (14 oz or thereabouts) of sweetened condensed milk
I T vanilla (I did not add this, because I plum forgot)
Powdered sugar or cocoa for coating.
Melt chocolate chips and condensed milk together over medium heat until melted, stirring constantly. Remove from heat, add vanilla. transfer to a bowl cover and refrigerate for 2-3 hours. Then shape into balls and roll in sugar or cocoa powder. Store in tightly covered container in the fridge. Makes 6 dozen.
I look forward to the yearly traditions, as it is usually the extent of the valentine celebrations around here. But this year, my hubby and I are actually going out for the big day to a real live, make-a-reservation-restaurant! We have been together for 15 years, and have never once made a reservation to go anywhere. I am very excited; I really hope it lives up to the hype. I was so hoping it was a fancy place, but found out yesterday that there isn't really a dress code (well they want you to wear clothing). Oh well I will still get all gussied up, even if the rest of the world is casual. I have a wrap dress that has been begging to be worn since I got it in December.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
RIP microwave, RIP.
I was making lunch for my little people last week, and decided to try giving the baby I tend some bite sized veggies to try (she is learning to feed herself). I popped some frozen veggies on a plate and put them in the microwave. Within seconds I was hearing a zapping noise, and seeing arcs of light. I stopped the microwave and inspected the inside for bits of food that may have fallen off the turn table (sometimes stray food has gotten zapped by our crazy microwave). I didn’t see much, but decided to do a quick microwave wipe down just to make sure it was going to operate properly. I got it all cleaned out and set about trying to warm up the veggies again. Again within seconds like beams from the mother ship, I heard the zapping and saw arcing. I opened the microwave and found blackened carrots, and part of my microwave door had melted! I also noticed tiny burns all over on the inside of my microwave, as though it had been attacking itself for a while now.
I realized that our microwave had bitten the dust. I have never been particularly fond of it, it came with our house, and we have used it even though it has little power and heats everything unevenly. The kicker is, that last summer in an attempt to revamp our kitchen and finally get our fridge in there, we had gotten an over the stove microwave that had a vent hood that needed no outside venting . (This is good because we just re-roofed our house 5 years ago, and I really didn’t want to have to mess with putting a vent on our roof). We got it home thinking it would be just a few weeks until we could install it (we just needed to build a wall, and move a gas line and add some electrical), we thought so anyway. After looking into what was required to install a microwave that size, we realized that it would also include adding an additional breaker, and since our tiny breaker box (only has 6) could not hold another one we would have to install a new breaker box, which unfortunately according to code, would require a complete rewiring of our house.. We ended up abandoning the idea entirely, because we want to sell the house and not put too much more money into it.
So here I am trying to stay on track with my budget, I have no usable microwave, and a completely brand new unusable over the stove microwave in the garage. The good thing is, since I have made my “Become financially free” declaration, I have decided that we can live without a microwave, we barely used it anyway. And when the time comes that we have saved up enough money, we plan on getting a microwave toaster oven combination anyway to save on space. The old me would have probably gone out and bought a new microwave with a credit card, but I now weigh the cost of the interest, and how much this goal means to me, and have realized that I can make this sacrifice for now. Yes, some days it does feel as though the Universe is out to get me, but really I think it is just a test to see how serious I am about eliminating the burdens.
I realized that our microwave had bitten the dust. I have never been particularly fond of it, it came with our house, and we have used it even though it has little power and heats everything unevenly. The kicker is, that last summer in an attempt to revamp our kitchen and finally get our fridge in there, we had gotten an over the stove microwave that had a vent hood that needed no outside venting . (This is good because we just re-roofed our house 5 years ago, and I really didn’t want to have to mess with putting a vent on our roof). We got it home thinking it would be just a few weeks until we could install it (we just needed to build a wall, and move a gas line and add some electrical), we thought so anyway. After looking into what was required to install a microwave that size, we realized that it would also include adding an additional breaker, and since our tiny breaker box (only has 6) could not hold another one we would have to install a new breaker box, which unfortunately according to code, would require a complete rewiring of our house.. We ended up abandoning the idea entirely, because we want to sell the house and not put too much more money into it.
So here I am trying to stay on track with my budget, I have no usable microwave, and a completely brand new unusable over the stove microwave in the garage. The good thing is, since I have made my “Become financially free” declaration, I have decided that we can live without a microwave, we barely used it anyway. And when the time comes that we have saved up enough money, we plan on getting a microwave toaster oven combination anyway to save on space. The old me would have probably gone out and bought a new microwave with a credit card, but I now weigh the cost of the interest, and how much this goal means to me, and have realized that I can make this sacrifice for now. Yes, some days it does feel as though the Universe is out to get me, but really I think it is just a test to see how serious I am about eliminating the burdens.
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