Get Your Ass Moving Playlist

Since I'm still suffering the effects of being a human pin cushion (still have the welts, rash, cough, and sneezing), it seemed a good time to share my Get Your Ass Moving Playlist. This list includes songs that put me in a good mood as well as those that I can't resist and feel the need to dance.

So What by Pink
I know this song is on my Fuck You playlist but the song makes me want to jump around and sing at the top of my lungs.

Happy by Sister Hazel
The title says it all. The lyrics talk about being happy with the little things in life which I believe in.

Low and Spin Me Right Round by Flo Rida
Without fail, I will dance to both of these songs even if I'm the only one on the floor. Thankfully my gals have not abandoned me to it yet, but these are my "I think I'm still 20 years old songs."

I Don't Want to Be by Gavin DeGraw
This song is about accepting yourself and ignoring others expectations of who you should be.

I Like It by Enrique Iglesias
This is my guilty pleasure. I grew up in a Cuban neighborhood in FL and have a lustful Enrique story.

Benny Goodman Band, Glenn Miller Band, and Cherry Poppin' Daddies
I love swing music. The beat, the instruments, and the dancing. I took swing dance lessons and fell in love with the genre. Unfortunately, my only competent dance partners so far have been my brother and men in their 60s. A few years ago, Peggy and I attended a big band outdoor concert, which is still one of my best memories.

Anything by the Foo Fighters
Have I mentioned that I love Dave Grohl? I prefer their older songs but will not say no to the new stuff.

So what songs make your mood perk up or causes you to get up and move?

This Job is Killing Me

Wednesday was D-day. Allergy testing was to reveal why I have been so sick the past year and the doc was going to create a treatment plan. As with any medical testing, the prep work is always a joy. For these tests, I had to quit taking a majority of my medications beginning ten days prior. Then five days before, I could not take any other meds, such as vitamins, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or heartburn reducers. Near migraines became my constant companion. The day of testing, I had to smear some anesthetic cream on my arms, in which there were instructions on properly smearing it since we only wanted to numb the top layer of skin. Then I had to wrap my arms in plastic so the cream would settle rather than evaporate or rub off against my clothing.

My appointment was for 1.5 hours then a break before consulting with the allergist. I know it will surprise everyone that it became 2.5 hours of testing followed by a consult with my allergist and the head of the allergy department. They said it was testing for eighteen allergens. No one mentioned that they did the scratch test for the initial eighteen, then based on the reactions, another twenty-six injections. If there is a reaction to a certain allergen, then more injections of that allergen and its relations. I lost count after thirty-five injections. Then the numbing cream wore off, so I felt the final seventeen injections as they were administered. Considering that I am terrified of needles, this was not a pleasant experience though my nurse was wonderful and tried to get me to focus on other things.

All those times I told James that mowing the yard made me sick, I now have proof. I'm allergic to the mold spores that are released when mowing grass, along with russian thistle and pine which are prevalent in this region. Molds are a real issue for me including one that is commonly found in paper. Then there is my extremely high numbers for both forms of dust mites. This might explain why I started to get sick when I moved into a job that requires me to do a lot of preservation work with old papers and books. My office shelves are filled with these items.

My frequent swelling was bad enough that the head of the department was called in. My doc had never seen a case like mine but thankfully the other doctor had so she had a few recommendations. I was given a Depo Medrol injection to take down the swelling, but I needed to sit for half an hour to make sure I didn't pass out. Since none of the meds or inhalers work on me, plus I'm subjected to my allergens everyday, the only solution the doc had for me is allergy shots. These have to be given for possibly years and require that I go on the same day every week. It's a big commitment but the other option is to remain sick.

2014 So Far

Mel, Becky, Mandy & Erin @ NYE

The New Year began with the gals and hubbies at an Elky Summers' performance. Erin's hubby remarked on the fact that the last time we went out for New Years, it was three years ago at the same venue for an Elky show, though Erin commented that there would not be a burlesque performance this time. The gals took this as an indication that 2014 would be a good year since we were beginning it together. This New Years Eve, we were joined by Mandy, who helped us close the bar down. Elky once again gave an outstandingly wild performance. And I showed my support by purchasing one of their newly recorded LPs which included a code to download the songs as well. It was a sweet deal!

1st 2014 pic of James and Mel

Hubby and I spent the New Year removing the holiday decorations and enjoying our annual HIMYM viewing marathon. During the holiday season, I have a tradition of watching It's a Wonderful Life on Christmas Eve, followed by While You Were Sleeping and Sleepless in Seattle on Christmas Day. Though James abandons me to watch these alone because he deems it inhumane torture to remain in the room, I have my reasons for this tradition. This year was the first time that I did not watch these movies. In a compromise with James over the holiday week, we watched the final four Harry Potter movies instead.

Bartle playing in the snow

This winter has been the snowiest and coldest winter we've experienced since moving up north, so it was shocking to suddenly find ourselves with 8-12 more inches of blowing snow while enduring multiple subzero days. When the high for the day is -16 then add in the wind chill, it equals freezing. The snow was pretty to watch though as it began to pile up, I became concerned about Bartle. As much as he loves playing in the snow, both of his back knees pop out of joint in cold weather and he becomes immobilized until the joint slips back into place. (No, I can't manage to do it myself.) I've had to carry him a few times already this winter. This made me a bit worried about him getting stuck while playing in a snowbank because it might terrify him. So before the snow became too deep, we spent Sunday afternoon playing outside. It is moments like this when Bartle acts like such a pup that make me smile. He was jumping and diving into the snow and though it was torture cleaning him afterwards, he is so worth it.

Snowy week

Because of the amounts of snow and subzero temps, we had three snow days from work. For my FL pals, this is not like a hurricane day. We don't remain huddled inside because there is work to be done during that time. So in subzero temps, I began the process of shoveling my driveway. After a few straining muscles, I decided the drive didn't really need clearing, just remove enough to get my car out. I always forget how wide and long my driveway is until I'm clearing it. When you add in the fact that it took two levels of snow for me to reach the ground and then I had to wade through the snow to dump the shovel in the yard, after 45 minutes, I had only cleared around my garage door. While taking a break, I was pleasantly surprised as my neighbor came over with his snow blower and cleared my driveway.

A major disappointment with the snow storm was that no one got to see my dramatic change. I have been itching for months to do something different with my hair. Say goodbye to the straight blondish length in the NYE pics. I have a much shorter, darker, and more natural (i.e. wavy-curl) hairstyle. It always amazes me whenever I go shorter that the most frequent comment I receive is that I look years younger but I'll take the compliment. And I know, I'm such a tease to comment on the hair and not provide a pic, but I truly hate selfies.

2013 In Review

2013 flew by way too quickly and life is quite different as we start 2014. When I set my 2013 Goals, I knew there were a great many demands on my time as I was beginning my new position at work, with FGS, and the conference, along with being a new homeowner, yet I wanted to maintain my friendships and make time for myself.

My goals for 2013 were :

1. Dedicate 10 minutes a day to a workout or stretching routine
2. Dedicate an hour a day to myself
3. Establish a routine to handle my condition
4. Spend more time with Erin's children 

Sorry to say, I did not accomplish any of them. Workouts are infrequent, time to myself seems impossible, and I spent one day with Erin's children. And at my recent six month evaluation, the doc told me that we needed to formulate a new plan for handling my condition since establishing, much less maintaining, a routine is a near impossibility for me.

Though I did not accomplish any of these 2013 goals, there are many aspects of my life that have made me proud.
1. Managed not to totally screw up any of my new responsibilities.
2. Have been given further responsibilities since I've proven myself more than capable.
3. Maintained those friendships that mean the most and learned to shrug off those who were negative influences in my life.
4. Gained a better understanding of my relationships and where they fit in my life.
5. Lost myself then found myself again.
6. Began a journey of acceptance of myself: pre-2000, past, present, and future.
7. Learning to balance everything.

I've decided not to set goals for 2014 because this year is looking as busy as last year and I'm sure I'll stumble along the way but I'm also sure that with the help of my loved ones and friends, I'll make it through.