wise words

"We tend to pursue happiness by trying to obtain things we lack. That's an iffy proposition, and it focuses all our attention on our own neediness. If we don't get what we want, we may end up feeling victimized, which predisposes us to anger and depression. Kindness and helpfulness, by contrast, generate positive circumstances from within. They give us a sense of efficacy we can't get from trying to control all the forces that impact our lives. Moreover, helping others tends to create one of the most powerful psychological conditions known to humankind: gratitude."

~ Martha Beck

[image source: here]

~♥~

ducks lined up at last

It has taken a long time, but I've finally gathered my health issue ducks in a row. The bursitis seems to have abated and the five PT visits have made great improvement to my right hip's comfort and range of motion. Puff tooth was extracted yesterday afternoon. I'm already beginning to feel better [although the cost of getting a dental implant is shocking!] And, I had a blood draw earlier this week to check my current thyroid hormone levels because I'm still certain that my current prescribed levoxyl is too low. I think it needs to be increased back to where it was six months ago. We'll see...hmmm, actually those results should be back. Better go call the doc's office.

Feel so ready for spring this year. How about you?

~♥~

a new old fad diet

Apparently, there's a lose-a-pound-a-day-diet people are willing to spend a lot of money for while jeopardizing their health. It sounds like medically supervised anorexia to me.

The regimen combines daily injections with a near-starvation diet, and patients, mostly women, are often enticed by promises that they can lose about a pound a day without feeling hungry. Perhaps even more seductively, they are frequently told that the hCG will prompt their bodies to carry away and metabolize fat that has been stored where they least want it — in their upper arms, bellies and thighs.

~♥~

Is physical therapy supposed to hurt?

The journey down the health status rabbit hole continues. I've gone to physical therapy twice now to address the pain in my right hip. The first was an evaluation. Some of the stuff the PT did hurt a bit at the time and I was sore the next day. This last visit was extremely painful and I was very sore for two days after. Is this normal? I'd like to feel that I'm making progress to be able to walk for exercise again but worry that this is causing more damage.

I'm going again later today. This time I'm telling her to take it easy.

~♥~

status - mojo slowly returning

It's a new dawn
It's a new day
It's a new life
For me
And I'm feeling good

~ Nina Simone

My insurance has approved more physical therapy visits! Yaay! I can sense a future with walks and hikes. The $14 dry cut, bad idea, even worse results haircut is history. After a cut & color, it feels like I'm slowly getting my mojo back.

~♥~

the true story of the $14 haircut

I'm growing out a bad haircut so that means either I spend extra time styling it in an attempt to make it look semi-decent (it never achieves decent no matter how much time is taken or the number and variety of styling appliances & products) or it's ponytail time. Just one more thing in the-not-living-my-best-life-right-at-the-moment phase I appear to be stuck in (mourning the loss of my MIL, puff tooth, bum right hip, the tragic lack of bike riding).

So, why did this happen? Well, it was one of those moments of bad judgement. I was in a conversation with a stranger (happens all the time) at the market and I noticed that I liked her hair style. Asked where she gets it cut and she told me the story of going to the cheap new place and asking for a "dry haircut." And, it was only $14! Yep, I followed her words and now have regrets. At least it wasn't a tattoo.

~♥~