And it Poured Sweet and Clear

I saw this end of the year meme over at Jeanette’s place, and decided to swipe it.

1. What did you do in 2007 that you’d never done before? Hung out with soap stars.

2. Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I don’t make New Year’s resolutions because I don’t have any desire to beat myself up over failing to stick to them.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth? In August, my niece gave birth to a beautiful baby boy named Brody Mark.

4. Did anyone close to you die? No, but I continue to mourn the loss of my brother, Mark, who died in October 2006.

5. What countries did you visit? The only countries I visited in 2007 were in books and magazines.

6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007? Money.

7. What dates from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? December 1st because that’s when I hung out with the aforementioned soap stars.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Making friends with soap stars.

9. What was your biggest failure? Not winning the lottery.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury? I continue to struggle with pain related to a herniated disc in the lumbar spine and related sciatica. The injury occurred on December 13, 2006.

11. What was the best thing you bought? Monavie! Since I started drinking the juice, I’ve noticed a renewed vitality, and my mental clarity has improved, as well. I no longer wake up at night because of acute arthritic pain in my left knee, or the excruciating leg and foot cramps that plagued me for so long.  It is also very exciting for me to have found something that relieves my Fibromyalgia symptoms after suffering for so many years. Yippee!

12. Whose behavior merited celebration? My daughters. Leigh has really stepped up, and her performance in college this year has been admirable. She is currently looking into transferring to another school for veterinary science. Rebecca has also excelled scholastically, and will be studying abroad in Australia next semester.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? George W. Bush.

14. Where did most of your money go? Mortgage payments and college tuition.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? Hanging out with soap stars! (Are you seeing a pattern here?)

16. What song will always remind you of 2007? Landslide by Stevie Nicks:

Can the child within my heart rise above
Can I sail through the changing ocean tides
Can I handle the seasons of my life
Mmm mmm I don’t know

17. Compared to this time last year, are you: a) happier or sadder? Happier
b) thinner or fatter? About the same, give or take a few pounds.
c) richer or poorer? Poorer. I lost a fair amount of income due to being out on a work-related injury.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of? Reading. I blame my obsession with knitting for that.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of? Cleaning up Penny’s messes. She refuses to be house trained.

20. How did you spend Christmas? Like this.

21. Did you fall in love in 2007? Does my crush on Hugh Laurie count?

22. What was your favorite TV program? It’s a tie between General Hospital and House, the only shows I watch regularly.

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? No, but I’m still mad at Brad Pitt.

24. What was the best book you read? See #18. I have  read some  books, but can’t think of any worth mentioning… Oh, wait! I know! Joan Didion’s The Year of Magical Thinking.

25. What was your greatest musical discovery? Raising Sand by Robert Plant and Allison Krauss

26. What did you want and get? A gift certificate for 3 one-hour massages!

27. What did you want and not get? Money.

28. What was your favorite film of this year? I haven’t seen many movies – in fact, the only one I can remember seeing at the theater is Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I didn’t do anything except turn 53 years old.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? MONEY! (Another pattern?)

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007?

Viking helmets are in.

32. What kept you sane? Getting to be insane at work.


33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? See # 21.

34. What political issue stirred you the most? The assassination of Benazir Bhutto.

35. Who did you miss? My brother, Mark.

36. Who was the best new person you met? I’ll bet you thought I was going to say soap star Bradford Anderson, didn’t you? While I am  delighted to have met him, the best new person I met in 2007 was LA. I’m also very glad to have been able to meet Mary and Joe, and my Bradford buddy, Allison. It was a very  good year for making friends.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007. I learned that it is very important to make sure there is more life in my life.

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

But now the days grow short,
I’m in the autumn of the year
And now I think of my life
as vintage wine from fine old kegs
From the brim to the dregs,
and it poured sweet and clear
It was a very good year.

I wish all of you many blessings that pour sweet and clear in the New Year, and always.

Happy 2008!

Song of the Day: It Was a Very Good Year  by Frank Sinatra

Things That Go Bump in the Night

Becca and I did end up going to see the Bronx Zoo’s Holiday Lights Friday evening, and I’m so glad we did. It was a fun thing to do, even though we got lost in the Bronx for a while. Note to self – Stick with Yahoo directions, and never use Mapquest again.

We passed these cranes on our way into the park.

Here’s an elephant.

This is a close-up of a camel.

White-faced monkeys

These sheep in the petting zoo area cracked me up because they came running and jumped onto the fence when they saw us heading in their direction. I guess they were expecting a handout.

This is an ice carving in progress. Your guess is as good as mine as to what it’s supposed to be.

The pictures didn’t come out very well because I couldn’t figure out how to set my camera for night photos. Oh well, I still had a good time. And I scored a candy apple, which is always a special treat for me.

Moving right along to “things that go bump in the night.” I had a weird experience a few evenings ago. My sister and daughter were witnesses, otherwise I might doubt my own eyes and ears.

Michele and I were sitting in the family room, and Rebecca was coming down the stairs from the upper floor of our house. Suddenly, we heard the sound of shattering glass. Rebecca and I checked all the rooms on the upstairs level. Then we checked the main level. When we didn’t find anything, we went down to the basement.

There, at the foot of the stairs, we found the remains of a vintage mason jar. The jar didn’t belong to me, but I did notice it when we first moved into the house. It was on a shelf on the far side of the basement – nowhere near the stairs.

After puzzling over the situation for a while, my sister and I shrugged it off as just one of those things. We went back upstairs, leaving Rebecca behind to get her clothes from the dryer.

A few minutes later, while I was typing something on the computer for my mother, I heard the sound of four, distinct footsteps coming up the basement stairs. In a shaky voice, Michele asked, “What was that??”  I replied, “It must be Rebecca.” Michele said, “Rebecca is right here!” I turned around and saw Rebecca standing there, with wide eyes and a face drained of blood.

Even though we were all pretty freaked out at that point, we went to the door that leads to the basement stairs, and opened it. There was nothing there.

Shortly after that, Rebecca left for work, and Michele had to leave soon afterwards. Being here alone for the half hour or so before Daniel got home was pretty spooky.

I’m still not sure what to think about the eerie episode. This house is ninety-nine years old. Could it be that we have a poltergeist in residence? Who ya gonna call?

Song of the Day: Ghostbusters  by Ray Parker Jr.

Picture Perfect

It’s time for the Christmas 2007 recap. The day started with the gift-opening extravaganza. Ellie couldn’t to wait to see what was in her stocking.

Penny was more reserved, and had to sniff things out before she showed any enthusiasm.

Here’s a shot of Rebecca with a gag gift. (She loves pigs and soccer, so I couldn’t resist getting her this t-shirt from Piggly Wiggly.)

Although she doesn’t look too thrilled, these Ugg boots were on Leigh’s wish list. (In her defense, she was tired from having to get up early to go walk the dogs that were being boarded at the veterinary clinic where she works.)

The girls were well taken care of in the gift department. Daniel and I didn’t do so bad, either. One of the presents Daniel received was an electronic keyboard package similar to this one. Since he moved here, he hasn’t been able to play the piano, and he was really itching to tickle the ivories.

I got what I asked for – a gift certificate for three massages. Yay! Among other things, I was also given The Police 2CD anthology. The accompanying card from Daniel said, “I’ll be wrapped around your finger.” I thought that was so cute.

After the presents were opened, I cooked the traditional french toast breakfast. Then we got ready to go my sister’s house. When we arrived, I stood in awe before the mounds of festively wrapped boxes, bags, and baskets. It was truly a sight to behold.

It reminded me of the family gatherings we used to have at my parents’ house. Bear in mind that my parents had six children, and most of us have spouses and/or children of our own. That makes for a pretty large gathering.

I had such a nice day. It was a very Merry Christmas, indeed. I’ll let the pictures tell the story.

Here’s a shot of me with my niece, Kristen.

After that photo was taken, Kristen took over my camera. Here are some of the results.

It’s too bad this photo of Leigh came out so dark. She looked really pretty.

This one of Rebecca came out better.

The two Stephanies. How cool that we were wearing red and green! (The other Stephanie, by the way, is my brother, Frank’s, wife, and Kristen the photographer’s mother.)

Kristen captured this cute moment between her sister, Rachel, and grandpa.

Uncle Mike is chillin’.

After that, the photos got kind of silly.

That last one is representative of how we all felt by the end of the day – stuffed to the gills. There was way  too much food. But we enjoyed every bite, and, more importantly, we enjoyed being together. And that’s what matters most.

So there you have it – my photo review of Christmas 2007. FYI: I’ve already started shopping for Christmas 2008. There are some good sales out there, people! Take advantage of them!

I have a busy day ahead of me, so I’d better go get showered and dressed. This evening, Rebecca and I are supposed to go to the Bronx Zoo’s Holiday Lights Unfortunately, the weather forecast calls for showers and then steady rain. I guess we’ll have to play it by ear.

Song of the Day: Photograph by Nickelback

Have a Holly Jolly Christmas

Santa Claus was here!

As on most mornings, I’m the first one up.  Also, as on most mornings, one of the first things I did was to sit with a cup of coffee and Sarah Ban Breathnach’s book, Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy.  Today, when I glanced at the title of the book, the lyrics “O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy, O tidings of comfort and joy” ran through my head.

In today’s essay, Breathnach quotes Dickens: “Oh, would that Christmas lasted the whole year, as it ought. Would that the spirit of Christmas could live within our hearts every day of the year.”

Breathnach writes, “But what is the Christmas spirit?…Perhaps the Christmas spirit is our souls’ knowledge that things, no matter how beautiful, are only things; that we were created not only always to do, but sometimes simply to be” (emphasis mine).

Ms. Breathnach ends with a wish for all of us: “that behind the toys, tinsel, carols, cards, and convivial chaos, there will come a moment of quiet reflection and peace.”

That’s why I get up so early.  Before I start my day in earnest, I need these moments of quiet reflection and peace.  I need to simply be, not do.

Today, and always, I wish you moments of quiet reflection and peace.  I wish you comfort and joy. I wish you a very Merry Christmas.

Song of the Day:  Happy Christmas  by John Lennon

What’s comin’ will come, an’ we’ll meet it when it does

The title of this entry is a quote from Rubeus Hagrid, the gentle giant from the Harry Potter books. As you will see, I owe Hagrid a debt of gratitude.

A few entries ago, I wrote about my school’s Twenty-Five Books campaign. I mentioned that, on Thursday, we were supposed to wear something that represents punctuation.

Here’s what I came up with.

Friday was “Dress Like a Literary Character” day. I dressed up as the aforementioned Rubeus Hagrid. My costume consisted of pants tucked into boots, a fleecy shirt (large enough to stuff with a pillow), a vest, and a belt (long enough to buckle over the pillow-enhanced shirt). I hung pouches from the belt, and stuck a unicorn ornament into one of them to represent Hagrid’s professorship at Hogwarts, where he teaches the class, Care of Magical Creatures.

I also wore a full-length fur coat (by the end of the day, it felt like that thing weighed fifty pounds!), and carried Rebecca’s Ron Weasley doll. A wild wig and a beard completed my costume.

Walking into work dressed like that was an exercise in courage.

I wish I had photos of the expressions on people’s faces when they saw me. No one knew who I was until they heard my voice. During homeroom, a boy was visibly startled when I greeted him by name. When he finally recognized me, he burst out laughing and said he thought I was “just some crazy Substitute Teacher.” Well, he got the crazy part right…

Some of the reactions were unexpected. I got hugs from students and staff, alike. The young man who told me I was “officially official” when I dressed up as Flavor Flav on Halloween, threw his arms around me and said, “Miss, you are awesome.”

Some people (especially students) recognized me as Hagrid, while others did not. One co-worker thought I was Rasputin. Another guessed Chewbacca. Ha ha!

By now, you must be wondering what I looked like, so I’ll put an end to the suspense.

Here’s a photo of Robbie Coltrane as Hagrid.

And this is me as Hagrid.

Here’s a shot of me with the librarian, who was dressed as Tom Sawyer.

Man, was my outfit uncomfortable. I felt the weight of the fur coat in my neck and back. And it was hot. My hair was plastered to my head under the scratchy wig. Furthermore, I was constantly plucking mustache and beard hair out of my mouth. I could hardly wait for the dismissal bell.

The last two periods of the day were devoted to a pep rally in the gym. Those of us in costume had to participate in a parade. Judges voted for the student and staff member with the most creative costume. The prize for each winner was a $100 gift certificate to Barnes & Noble.

Guess which staff member won the contest? Yep. Yours truly. The winning student was dressed as Hermione Granger. How perfect is that? Putting the two of us together made for some good photo opportunities. Bulbs were flashing all over the place.

Walking to the center of the gym to receive my prize with the sound of cheers ringing in my ears made all the embarrassment, sweat and discomfort worth it. The $100 gift card to Barnes & Noble helped, too.

Song of the Day: Follow the Spiders  by Harry and the Potters

Holiday Heartache

My father dropped in unexpectedly yesterday. He wanted to show me a couple of photos he received in a Christmas card from my brother Frank, and his wife, Stephanie. The photos were of their daughters.

I looked at the first one, and commented on how pretty Kristen looked. I moved on to the second one, then looked again with widening eyes and dropping jaw. Rachel looks just like Rebecca did at that age.

My dad laughed at my double-take, and told me about his own reaction when he saw the picture of Rachel. He thought to himself, “Why did they send me a picture of Rebecca when she was a little girl?” According to my father, my grandmother reacted pretty much the same way.

Rebecca came into the room, and we showed her the photos. When she didn’t say anything other than “awww, how cute,” we asked her if Rachel reminded her of anybody. She said, “Me.” Honestly, the resemblance is uncanny.

While we were talking, I mentioned to my father that I had paid a visit to my niece, Meaghan, on Wednesday. I told him that, much to my disappointment, baby Brody was asleep for the entire visit. I then showed him a picture Meaghan had given me of Brody and his sister, Lilliana.

My father teared up. Brody is my brother’s grandson. Mark never got to see him.

My father and I then talked about Mark, and how much we miss him. We cried together.

This is a bit off topic, but relevant. I am an empath. Empaths are very sensitive to the feelings of others. I just recently discovered that my daughter, Rebecca, shares this trait. This revelation came to me in St. Patrick’s Cathedral the other day.

As we were walking up a side aisle, I experienced a tugging sensation (mental, not physical), and looked to my right. A nun was deep in prayer. The pain I felt coming from her took my breath away. Not physical pain, but emotional or spiritual pain. I didn’t say anything to Rebecca, and we continued on our way around the cathedral.

Then we came upon an altar dedicated to Mary. My eyes were immediately drawn to a kneeling man who had his face buried in his hands. His pain was almost palpable. It made my knees buckle. I had to get away. Before I could make a move, Rebecca said, “That man’s pain is getting to me.”

I looked at her in shock, and asked if she had had any other experiences like that during our time in the cathedral. She answered, “Well… there was a nun back there…” It was then that I knew. Like mother, like daughter.

Anyway, what I’m getting at is that my father’s pain was suffocating me. I couldn’t stand it. Having to experience my own pain is bad enough but when I have to take on the pain of others, as well, it can be too much.

Song of the Day: Everybody Hurts  by R.E.M.

Christmas in New York

Rebecca and I had a great time in NYC on Tuesday. After watching the kaleidoscope show at Grand Central Station, we walked up 5th Avenue. We made stops in Sephora, Saks, and St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

On our way to see the tree at Rockefeller Center, we walked through what I call the “Alley of Angels.”

We had an “awwww” moment when we came upon a father holding his laughing baby high in the air, à la Rafiki with Simba’s son in The Lion King, or Kunte Kinte’s father in Roots.  Everyone around was smiling at this precious moment. It was truly heartwarming.
The tree, as always, is spectacular.

Rebecca wanted to go ice skating, but I haven’t been on ice skates in many years, and I was afraid of what a fall might do to my back. It’s just as well because LA tells me the fee is pretty steep.

Speaking of my back, oddly enough, it didn’t bother me at all, even though I was on my feet for hours. Typically, the longer I’m on my feet, the shorter the length of my stride becomes. I always end up limping, and in a great deal of pain.

However, despite the amount of walking I did on Tuesday, I felt fine. And, to my amazement, I found that I was walking fast.  People usually have to slow down to accommodate me, but, on Tuesday, my 21 year old daughter had to quicken her pace to match mine.

Go me!

Song of the Day: A New York Christmas   by Rob Thomas

Read to Succeed

Today kicks off the “Twenty Five Books” campaign at the school where I work. Everyone will be asked to read twenty five books between now and June. Lists will be posted in homerooms for us to keep track of every book we, and if applicable, our students read over the next six months.

Each day, students and staff are supposed to wear something related to reading. Today, it’s sweat pants and sweatshirts. Dressing comfortably is supposed to indicate that reading is a leisurely activity, not just something you have to do in school.

I won’t be participating today because I’m playing hooky and going to New York City with Rebecca. I really enjoy going to the city during the holidays, or any other time, actually. (LeAnn, you are mistaken in thinking that I don’t like to go into the city. I love it. But, because of my health, not to mention the expense, I’m not able to go as often as I’d like. These trips take a lot out of me, physically and financially. Fortunately, I’ve feeling pretty peppy lately, and am ready to do lots of walking!)

Our plans are to see the Kaleidoscope Light Show at Grand Central Station, the tree at Rockefeller Center, the windows at Saks, (you might have to click the start button on that video clip) and a visit to St. Patrick’s Cathedral. (Rebecca has never been there!) Other than that, we are just going to go where our feet lead us. I’m very much looking forward to this trip.

Back to the reading campaign. Tomorrow is “Wear Your Favorite Literary Quote” Day. I don’t have a favorite quote, but there is one that sticks in my mind, so that’s the one I am going to use. It’s the first sentence of Back When We Were Grownups, by Ann Tyler: “Once upon a time, there was a woman who discovered that she had turned into the wrong person.”

That quote really resonates with me. In fact, I once wrote an entry around it, but that was back in the Diary-X days, so I can’t link to it. However, I did recycle some of into this entry at DiaryLand.

On Thursday, we are supposed to wear something that represents punctuation. I’d like to be a question mark, but don’t have any idea how to go about doing that, so I probably won’t participate that day.

On Friday, the week’s activities will culminate in a pep rally. We are supposed to dress up as one of our favorite literary characters. At first, I was going to be Moby Dick, but I couldn’t come up with a decent costume.

After considering many other possibilities, I finally decided to be Rubeus Hagrid from the Harry Potter series. I couldn’t afford this mask, so I got this wig and beard, instead.

I have to go get ready for my day in New York City, but before I leave, I want to leave you with this link to a cute article Bradford Anderson sent me. I took special note of the reporter declaring, “I was looking better, my skin began to glow…” (Remember my co-worker’s comment about me “glowing?” Maybe it’s true!)

Song of the Day: Everyday I Write the Book by Elvis Costello

Fruit Loop

It wasn’t my intention to post another MonaVie entry so soon, but a lot of questions were raised in the comments section, and I would like to address them.

LeAnn wrote: “The GH stars can’t be in it for the money so they must believe in it.” Good point. At the meeting I attended, Steve Burton said that he earns a very good salary as an actor on General Hospital, and he didn’t get into MonaVie for the money. He really believes in the product. Not only do he and his wife drink it, but their children do, as well.

Whatdayisit observes, “if you are ‘glowing’ and get a comment from someone who sees you nearly every day…that is huge!” I couldn’t agree more! Compliments like that are always well received, but even moreso at my age!

Carol says “I have been leery of stuff like that” (in reference to pyramid-type schemes). Me, too!

Jim remarks, “What works, works.” Amen to that.

This from LA: “As Sheryl Crow says, ‘If it makes you happy, it can’t be that bad.’” That works for me!

Pam asks, “Have you heard of the Lyrica they are advertising for fibromyalgia?”

I’ve been taking Lyrica for months. It makes me really dizzy. (No wisecracks, please.) At first, I was really hopeful that it would help, but, until I started drinking the Monavie, I was still having some pretty stupefying Fibro-flareups.

Sasha wonders if Monavie will end up being toxic. Considering what the ingredients are, I kind of doubt that.

* Açai berry – The most important ingredient in Mona Vie Active Juice. The Açai berry is filled with phytonutrients, antioxidants, and trace minerals.
* Pomegranate – Another powerful ingredient in Mona Vie Active that is rich in antioxidants and phytonutrients.
* White Grape – An ingredient in Mona Vie Active that is thought to increase heart health and antioxidants.
* Nashi Pear – An apple shaped fruit that is grown in Asia and included in the ingredient list of Mona Vie Active. It is a superb source of dietary fiber, high in vitamins and minerals including the B-complex group.
* Acerola – A fruit found in Mona Vie Active, it is shaped like a cherry and is rich in antioxidants, vitamin C and many more essential minerals.
* Pear – An excellent source of fiber. The pear found in Mona Vie Active is rich in protein and vitamins.
* Aronia – Another important ingredient in Mona Vie Active, it is a berry that is filled with anthocyanins and flavonoids higher even than cranberries.
* Purple Grape – Similar to white grape it is a substantial supplier of cardioprotective enzymes. It is also a key component in Mona Vie Active.
* Cranberry – A wonderful feature of Mona Vie Active, it is an ideal balance of proteins, anthocyanins, and flavonoids.
* Passion Fruit – An ingredient in Mona Vie Active, it is an excellent source of fiber and a super combination of Vitamins A and C.
* Banana – A wonderful supplier of potassium and another feature found in Mona Vie Active.
* Apricot – Full of Vitamin C and dietary fiber, it will be found in Mona Vie Active as well.
* Prune – A vital feature of Mona Vie Active. It is proven to help reduce cholesterol. It may also be an excellent source of antioxidants and perhaps contributes to bone health.
* Kiwi – A fruit included in Mona Vie Active, it is grown in New Zealand and full of Vitamin C, essential minerals like copper, magnesium, and manganese.
* Blueberry – A rich source of anthocyanins and a wonderful element of Mona Vie Active. The U.S. Agricultural Research Service conducted research that points to the possibility that they contain chemicals that decrease the growth of cervical and breast cancer cells.
* Bilberry – It contains an innate fusion of phytochemical glycosides called Cyanidin, Delphinidin, and Malvidin. As an ingredient in Mona Vie Active, it is believed to possess beneficial properties that positively affect the eyes as well as the circulatory system.
* Camu Camu – Found on a bush in the Amazon Rain Forest, it is another fruit found in Mona Vie Active. It is known to have anti-depressant and anti-viral properties.
*Wolfberry – Found in North West China, as an ingredient in Mona Vie Active, it contains many amino acids and 21 trace minerals.
* Lychee – Another ingredient in Mona Vie Active, it can be found in Southern China. It contains high levels of Vitamin C, Potassium, and other nutrients.

Monavie Active also contains the following:

Esterified Fatty Acids – lubricates the body’s cells and revitalizes the membranes that cushion bones and joints.

Gluclosamine – restores flexibility and is the natural building block of healthy cartilage.

According to this site, “Sodium Benzoate is the preservative used in MonaVie. Once the bottle is opened, the fruit mixture would be an ideal medium for pathological organisms were it not for an insignificant and harmless addition of 0.1% sodium benzoate. Foods containing this preservative are much healthier than non-preservative foods since harmful microorganism growth are inhibited, food oxidation is prevented, and food nutrients are preserved. Sodium benzoate is completely out of the system within ten hours of consumption. The limit of sodium benzoate in foods is not because of its toxicity or potential ill effects; rather, it is a taste issue — levels higher than 0.1% will leave an unacceptable aftertaste.”

And that is definitely enough of that.

By the way, we had a two hour delay.  I love these leisurely mornings!  Still, I have to hurry up and get in the shower to avoid a conflict with other members of the family who need to use it, too.  Have a good day!

Song of the Day: Put the Lime in the Coconut by Harry Nilsson

Mind Over Matter

After I posted the Monavie entry, a reader brought up the possibility that my mind might have convinced my body that the juice is living up to its hype.

First, let me say that I’m all for the placebo effect. Anything that causes a decrease in pain and/or an increase in energy is okay with me. However, I really don’t think this is a case of my mind tricking my body. Past experiences show that my body isn’t easily fooled.

A few years ago, I started seeing a new neurologist for my scary headaches. There was something about this guy that made me feel hopeful for the first time in a very long time. To make a long story short, he prescribed medication, and I was on it for quite a while.

At one point during the medication trial, I had been scary headache-free for a few months. I was ecstatic. I really believed that the meds had done the trick. I was certain that the reign of terror had finally come to an end.

I was wrong. The scary headaches came back. With a vengeance.

Apparently, my mind doesn’t seem to have much influence over my body.

Another thing I’d like to mention is the fact that it didn’t dawn on me that my new burst of energy had anything to do with MonaVie until my co-worker made that comment about my appearance. It was only then that something clicked in my brain and I made the connection. Prior to that, I hadn’t given MonaVie much thought at all.

For the record, the cynic in me is alive and well. I’m still not convinced that MonaVie is responsible for the recent spike in my energy level. However, I am willing to consider that it might be a factor. You never know.

Song of the Day: Mind Over Matter  by Ice-T