Happy Tape

In this busy retired life of mine I try to find time each day for a little scurrying around on the web; to see what interesting, odd stuff I can read, think, or best of all, blog about. I have a little notebook of sorts that sits by my chair. I jot down sites I think will be of interest. And anyone who surfs the web knows: one site usually leads to another. The endless tumble in cyberspace.

Today I found something I am still pondering on: Happy Tape for "not-next-to-nothing" you can buy boatloads of printed and colored tape in all sizes, shapes and harmonious combos, henceforth Happy Tape.

Yesterday I was wrapping presents for Lainey's third birthday, (side note: it may well be their first package arriving at the new address in the greater Seattle area, a.k.a. Magnolia)so naturally I was using tape. I have this big honkin' tape dispenser that was my Dad's, probably even dating back to the Snyder Film Days, and yesterday I used quite a bit of tape. This behemoth unit has enough tape to last me for a long long time. Today I haven't used any tape. Prior to the birthday extravaganza I can honestly say I hadn't used tape for about 4 or 5 days, gosh maybe even longer. Why would I feel the need to have a bevy of colored tape at my disposal? Unless I just had too much money to spend and I had exhausted all other avenues to buy crap. Me, with too much money - delightful idea, but highly unlucky.

I might be extremely interested in colored and printed tape if I were a child, given the fact that tape is like an aphrodisiac to anyone under the age of about 8. It is the ultimate, instant fixer and creator for a junior citizen. A child in this age group can never have too much tape. Sadly enough, they usually have none. Unless a takeover has happened in the tape drawer. And due to their inexperienced young age it isn't too long before he or she is busted. Even today, as a mother, in some kid's room, I can find something to scrap tape off with my trusty fake fingernails.

I suppose unique, cozy boutiques would use Happy Tape. Some easy decorative accents for an ordinary box are possible. That was as far as my creativity took me. Then I went back to the Happy Tape blog site and read a little of their ideas. Guess who is on board with ideas?? Points for you in guessing Martha Stuart.



Here is from the Happy Tape blog:






A personal favorite...



Cost: the following roles will cost you $13.75 and $24.00 respectively.




Ahhh, the joy of Happy Tape.

Neti Pot

The latest trip to the doc (Wednesday) was to treat my sinusitis. Kim prescribed: 10 days of Biaxin, cough syrup and a NETI POT. My look was in the huh?? zone. She laughed and said many of her patients have used it with pleasing success. She said if I were interested I could pick one up.

That I did. Our local drugstore carries them. Bonnie, the pharmacist, said, "Kim has suggested it to others who have sinus troubles. We've sold quite a few."

For a little over $18.00 I got a fine sky blue plastic pot and fifty packets of saline solution. According to the directions this is not a new invention by any stretch of the imagination. It has been used in India for centuries and is one of the disciplines of Yoga.

Neti Flow works on the gravity flow method. It is claims to reduce or even eliminate recurring sinusitis. It is a little odd the first time you use it. I was transported back to my youth when I was learning to swim and blow water out of my nose at the same time. If you didn't do it right you were headed for that tingly, too much water feeling. But in short I did feel better after using it. Simply pour warm water into a nostril while bending over the sink. The fluid will come out of the other nostril, repeat on the other side. Tip: make sure the water is about the same as body temp.

I have also implemented the use for Carsten and Lacy who both have a nasally, allergy set of symptoms. They have been prescribed a daily lorantidine tablets to address their symptoms. The Neti seems to have been successful for Carsten, Lacy I don't know.

Just thought this Neti Pot idea was worth sharing for any allergy, rhinitis suffers or anybody with just plain stuffed, clog nasal passageways.

Sciatic Nerve Pain Strikes Again

My week from hell appears to be waning. Another blast of sciatic nerve pain almost tumbled me into the great abyss of hopelessness. Nobody was around when I kept asking for the gun, may be why I am still here. After eight days of whining, crying, massages, ice and more ibuprofen than is realistic, I think I am coming around.

The trouble came out of nowhere, the shooting pain with no position of comfort whether it be lying down, sitting or walking. I quickly hit for the sick bed as I could hardly stand up, but not before grabbing my trusty Rubbermaid ice packs - which by the way, I am actually wearing out. Have you ever heard of such a thing?? No beer or cooler was involved. (I told you - the great abyss!)

Ron was on winter hiatus to Arizona and not to return until Thursday. I was left to the care and comfort of three self indulgent children who have about as much sympathy built into their psyche as a pack of L.A. gang members. It is quite hard to manage a house, children and of course, the never ending mess while fading into the white sheets and massive piles of pillows.

Sciatic nerve pain sucks!

I did implement massage therapy, which was successful for me before, that would be the August adventure. I cannot do a chiropractor/bone crusher. Admittedly I did try in August but when she dropped the middle of the table and I knew some part of my body was going down that far I thought,

“Hell no, this ain’t for me.”

I hadn’t voiced those words yet to my gal, but when she said you’ll need to come back in a few days (sure baby – now you want to fix what you just wrecked and I can pay to boot!) but first wanted me to see her sister, a massage therapist, to warm up my muscles before she contorts me into pretzel formation. I did as I was told, but left her in the dust.

How little I know. I thought a massage was a Valentine gift, or an indulgence of some sort. Danielle, my gal now- and the chiropractor’s sister, said in reality very few of her clients visit for fun. I guess when I didn’t have any problems I took little notice of that segment of the medical world.

Massage, in the depths of sciatic pain, loosens the tight inflamed muscles that are wrapped around the sciatic nerves and increases blood flow to the area. It isn’t an instant fix, but I believe it expedites the relief process. She told me the stretching exercises I needed to do, and ice every hour. The ice, in itself, is a lifesaver for the chilling process almost deadens the pain.

Ron came back on Thursday, after I drove to Bismarck to meet his plane – that trip nearly did me in- and he has been helpful when I have my crashing moments. I still have low endurance, especially when standing and walking, On Sunday, Valentine’s Day, I hit a low with situational depression. My world was a mess, I was an awful mother, I missed my mom, (she was the only one who would have understood) I cried and wanted to know what was my purpose in this world. In short, I was mess. What a Valentine’s treat for Ron.

I also endured that grueling week, a cut and color the day before Ron came back. I am truly my mother’s daughter. She would be so proud. Nothing short of death, stops a hair appointment.

My practicioner who helped me in August feels I should come in for a MRI to further explore what is going on. The x-ray back then revealed nothing with the bone setup, so on to the next phase. In my reading, a variety of triggers are possible for these flare-ups: from no known reason; some bad moves, to pinching of the disc, with recurrences probable (yippee). I do plan to pursue further for some possible explanations. Twice, in the parameters of six months, is enough for me to take it to the next level.

A side note: After the pain subsided to a functional level I went to our local clinic to find out I had sinusitis, fever, sore throat and swollen glands. This was in full sail last week but the sciatic pain cancelled out any thoughts of other maladies. I couldn’t understand why I had a continuous headache, day after day, with all the ibuprofen on board. Now I know why.

Ga Ga

The Grammy's are over and I must confess I wasn't an ardent viewer. The TV was on but to sit and watch it, no - I can't say that I did.

Beyonce was interviewed on 60 minutes, the hour prior to the Grammy's, which was enjoyable. She is a self-professed good girl, but appears to make lots of money and capture awards from looking provocative and alluring, hmmmm.

The one that interests me (sort of) is Lady GaGa. I don't really like her music, though I can say I don't know much of what it sounds like; remember I like talk radio.

I spotted this photo of her. So much going on: her wacky outfit, the amazed old mafia looking has been holding her hand, and then she looks so grumpy. What about the poor sap who had to sit behind that headgear? He should have gotten his money back or least a half price ticket. Judging from the look in his eyes, he knew he was in for a long night.



The following photo just plain irritates me: I can't get my hair to do what I want it to do and she manages this?