Day 25: Heating Pads

Heating Pads are a necessity at my house.  I've suffered from migraines since I was 8 years old.  My migraines trigger back and neck pain.  I take over-the-counter and prescription medicine to combat my headaches, but that medicine doesn't always help right away (if it helps at all...sleep is actually one of the best medicines for me).  Years ago, I learned heating pads ease the tension in my head and neck when I have a headache.  I think heat helps keep my mind on something other than the headache (plus I love being warm).  I usually use  herbal heating pads with rice or grains that heat up easily in the microwave (2-3 minutes).  I also have chemical heating pads (you pop a little disk and the liquid becomes a hard gel) that stay warm for about an hour, but you can't reheat them easily (they turn back into liquid by boiling them in hot water).  Every few years, I buy new heating pads at the San Diego County Fair (great deals). I also love massages using heating pads...it relaxes me so much.

Today was a really long day at work (11 hours, including a manager's meeting).  I was feeling good until I started driving home.  I decided to eat something and lay down, but my headache kept getting worse.  Around 8PM, I took some of my prescription medicine (I use Imitrex because it works for me, but I try not to take it often since it makes me really tired) and heated up a heating pad.  I felt really sick, but just having the heating pad on my head makes me feel like my headache is getting better. 

Apparently, I could also use my heating pad during Yoga...



Day 21: Rain

San Diego is known for it's absolutely gorgeous weather.  Most days the past few weeks have  been in the 70s and it's seemed more like summer than winter.  Today was a major exception, since when I walked out of the temple rain was falling.  Rain is a normal January occurance, but has been noticably absent this year.  Today, I am thankful for the rainfall, so hopefully we aren't stuck in another drought this year.

I love rain! Especially, when I can stay at home snuggled in my bed and just chill.  I love the smell of rain...everything smells so clean after a good rain.  Rain also gives San Diego some of the most beautiful sunsets.  My friends have been posting pictures all week.  I also love rain when my car is dirty (which it is right now).  I feel like I have a few more weeks until I need a wash now :)  What I dislike (hate is a strong word) about rain is having to drive in it.  San Diegans don't know how to drive correctly in rain because we don't need to often enough.  The drivers slow down, stop, speed, etc, so accidents occur all over the county. 

P.S.  My new nephew is named Boyd Mason Keller.  Boyd after Stuart's Paternal Grandfather, Mason is my mom's maiden name...family names all around. 

Day 13: Hilarious Coworkers

Today, I've had a hard time narrowing down what to write about. 

I spend 45-55 hours at work each week, so I am extremely grateful for hilarious coworkers.  I work with Sentek coworkers, government clients, and other contractors (BAH, CSA, Intellisolutions, etc).  My current work environment consists of a large cubicle with 5 men....needless to say I hear surprising things each and every day. 

One of my coworkers, Julius, is slightly obsessed with bacon.  He talks about bacon daily.  You may ask "how does someone talk about bacon every day?" Well, it's actually quite easy when we egg him on every day (we all love how obsessed he is).  I've visited Denny's with him for Baconmania, seen him eat multiple bacon burgers, and continue to try to persuade him to try the Bacon brownies at Slater's 50/50.

Then there is Brian, who is one of the smallest men I know (5 ft 6 in, 120 lbs wet), but can eat more than 3 men.  This afternoon, my boss (Tom), Justine (a fellow manager), and I threw a Thank You Lunch  for our employees. Brian ate a stacked 1/2 pound hamburger and probably a pound of potato chips.

My boss, Tom, or Clubber (his call sign from the Navy...he was an aviator and a retired Naval Captain) is a joy to work for.  Whenever we meet, he cracks me up because he seems constantly amazed by Justine and I (we are pretty amazing).  He is the classic Harley rider, gun toting, Republican and totally reminds me of my dad. 

I am really lucky to work with great people.