Aleve is my new best friend

Neck pain is really a pain in the neck. It would get a little better, then it would get worse, then it would ease up, then it would be bad again. It was never exactly the same. Sometimes it was achey, sometimes it felt inflamed. I think the achiness came about because my left arm and shoulder finally became tense and exhausted from trying to find just the right position that might actually ease the pain. It was like trying to fine tune a radio station, or finding a single pixel on a computer screen that you need to click on to get to the next screen of a game. You know it's there somewhere, if you just keep trying. But it sure is exhausting trying to get to that point.

Last night I took my first ever Aleve. I've only ever taken ibuprofen for cramps, or Tylenol for headaches or other miscellaneous pain. Tylenol usually kicks butt for me. Not this time. I was alternating between Tylenol and ibuprofen, and getting only some relief, none of which lasted any reasonable length of time. So I sent Leo out for Aleve last night. I don't know if this is a side effect or if it just works REALLY well, but I slept better last night than I have slept in MONTHS. I think the problem was that the pain in the neck was causing my arm and shoulder to be tense and achey, and the pain there made the neck tense and continued to be sore, and so on. I finally got some real relief, was able to rest, and this morning, while the pain was not (and still is not) completely gone, I feel like I can function now. For the past four days I have been a non-functioning blob. Today, I feel like a new woman.

About a half hour ago I noticed some snow flurries outside, and it's picked up a great deal already. We're supposed to get 4-8 inches before morning. I usually love snow, but this year had been dreading it. But this snow is nice, big soft white flakes. Even though it's very cold right now, I'm hoping it will be above freezing tomorrow so Audrey and Leo can build a snowman. Stuff won't stick together if it's too cold. She may even get to experience her first snow day. I was supposed to take Aislinn to her one-year well-baby visit tomorrow, but decided it would be wise to reschedule it. I drive out of town to get to this guy because he's so cool about some of the less-mainstream parenting choices we make. But I'm not driving out of town for anyone tomorrow.