Stuff and Things 7/3

1. I wrote a few weeks ago about how I was very on the fence about a second puppy because once you're used to having a dog (albeit a high-maintenance one: Scout), a new puppy is ridiculously time-consuming.

However, Jett is getting better!  We're down to about one accident in the house a day.  He comes when called.  And he's taken a particular liking to me.  He sleeps on my legs.  If I'm in bed or on the couch, he must be next to me.  If I'm cooking or doing dishes, he lays at my feet.  When I was painting the living room last weekend, he was right there beside me.  

Since he's listening better and all these days, I definitely don't mind him.  He's pretty cute.

And the nice thing about him is that he's incredibly independent.  He barely notices when we leave the house.  Another reason why this clingy behavior of late is odd.  

2. Since Kevin Bacon has been around lately, and I spent most of that time annoyed at the county for shutting down our road for filming, I feel like I missed my opportunity to ask about what's happening with Joe Carroll these days on The Following.

3.  Sometimes I have breakfast in hand by 5:30am and sometimes I'm not hungry at all until 11am.  I don't understand this.

4.  I stopped going to acupuncture appointments when I left Missouri and I have no desire to really start up again.  The reasons are several, but after I wrote a post about how I was trying it out, I figured it was worth letting you know that I think I'm done with it.  It wasn't relaxing and it actually hurt a lot of the time.  I figure that means the acupuncturist was doing it wrong or I'm even more messed up than I previously thought.  Either way, oh well.

5.  I'm taking a blog leave of absence for the next few days.  Usually I don't post on the weekends, but I still read and sometimes write.  There's some undesirable army stuff happening next week so we're going to take this four-day weekend to finish house-related tasks (ha ha "finish") and spend time together.

6.  I think it's time to get out of the army.

Stuff and Things 5/22

+I have been pulled headfirst into the world of Gossip Girl.  Good Lord.  Where have I been for the last 7 years?

Actually, I try to avoid the WB/CW like the plague because that's the network that totes stuff like The Vampire Diaries (or am I missing out on that too?) and other overdramatic shows directed at the under-17 crowd.

But when Scott was in Colorado last weekend, I started watching on Netflix.  I'm already just about finished with season 2.  That's …several episodes in less than a week.  And I have a job, guys.

I find it fascinating and the acting, I think, is actually really good.

My favorite?

However, as someone warned me on Twitter, you've got to watch in small doses.  It messes with your mind.  The dramatics, the clothing, the now-ancient cell phones.  (I saw my cell phone from 2006 AND the one from 2008.  Fun!)  However, it was very hard to go back to my plebeian lifestyle after a weekend of Gossip Girl, popcorn, and wine.  It actually felt difficult and unfair.  That's a sign that maybe I need to take a break from the show.

+However, the week wasn't all non-glamourous un-fun.  I got to go to the Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum on a field trip!  The third time for me.

+Acupuncture hurt this week.  Last week, I didn't feel a thing and it was wonderfully relaxing.  This week, ugh.  The doctor said that means it's working, especially in certain spots that seem to be extra tender. I was exhausted afterward. It's a frustrating process.  She also told me to stay away from cold stuff (beverages).  Not sure how I feel about that.  It's iced coffee season.

+And that's all I have today.  Sorry for the weak post.

+Tomorrow I have "before" pictures from our new house in Colorado.  Exciting stuff!

Trying acupuncture

I tried acupuncture for the same reason I bought an Erin Condren planner.  It seems that everyone else was doing it.  However, I don't know if acupuncture is something that's for everyone.

Taking random pictures on a sunny day IS for everyone.

I tried it because I have a health concern and I've read that acupuncture is very reliable as an alternative treatment.  I mean, why not?  I found a place nearby with a certified doctor of traditional Chinese medicine and made an appointment.

I want to reap the benefits of acupuncture.  I want to like it.  I want to see results (see: How long does it take to see results?) Heck, I don't even mind paying for it.  What I don't like is lying on a table for 45 minutes with needles in my skin.

Here is the most important piece of advice I have for you: if you mind needles, at all, don't consider acupuncture as a means of treating anything.

I really thought about backing out the entire time I was in there, but I know that the benefits are greater than whatever weird issue I have with needles.  I don't like needles, but I'm not terrified of them either.  On a scale of 1 to 10, I'm probably a 5 when it comes to being uncomfortable around needles.  For example, when I have blood taken, I can't watch at all, or I'll start to gag (That sounds like a 5, right?).

So they put the needles in at certain points called meridians and the goal is for the needles to stimulate energy and promote healing to organs along the meridians.  I do believe this can, and will, work.  However, I don't care what people say, you can feel the needles.  She put in 12.  Two in my forehead, one in each ear cartilage, two in each hand, one in each leg, one near each big toe.  I couldn't feel the ones in my forehead or toes at all.  The ones in my hands bugged me the most.  Of course, I don't know what this means.

I think, when we get to Colorado, I'll find an acupuncturist who explains things really well.  The lady I went to here was very nice and all, but didn't explain much during the treatment.  She did a very extensive overview of what acupuncture would entail, but I think she was trying to let me relax during the actual treatment.  Also, I'd like to know what her observations are…what does she think the problem could be, etc.

Which brings me to my second piece of advice for you:  if you are antsy and have trouble sitting still, acupuncture may not be for you.  You can't move at all.  You just have to lay there.  I don't know who has time in their schedule to lay on a table in a doctor's office for 50 minutes twice a week, but I don't have that kind of time right now.  I also didn't find it to be particularly relaxing.  The acupuncturist dimmed the lights (which I appreciated) and would come back in every ten minutes to stimulate the needles.  This means they wiggle the needles to make them pinch a bit.  Not a super pleasant feeling.

The doctor wants me to come in twice a week for three months.  I can't commit to that for a couple of reasons:  That's $100 a week.  I don't have that kind of time.  We're moving in four weeks.  The thought of having to do it again makes me sigh.  But…the benefits are what I'm after.

As for side effects, acupuncture is pretty safe.  Here is a list of potential negative side effects.  I will say that I had muscle soreness in my left thigh the day after.  It lasted about 24 hours.  It felt like I'd been doing way too many lunges.  It's odd that this didn't happen with my right one.  Also, I had the acupuncture on Thursday evening.  On Friday morning, I had to have blood drawn at the hospital.  Usually, my veins are hard to find and the lab tech often has to call in a second person to try it.  And I always, always feel a pinch when the needle goes in and out of my arm.  On this day, she got it on the first try and I didn't even feel the needle go in or come out.  Since acupuncture is supposed to open up the organs and flow of blood throughout the body, perhaps that was a positive side effect?

Eh. I'll probably go back this week.

Have you tried acupuncture?