I know why people with chronic pain are crazy

I've been battling (self diagnosed) plantar fasciitis in my left foot for about 18 months now. I've read all about the "treatment" modalities which basically only work if you can be confined to traction in your bed for six months. Here's what they say:

NEVER go barefoot or wear flip flops

Spell out the alphabet with your foot before you get out of bed

Heat your heel first thing in the morning

Do calf stretches 3-4 times a day

Do not run

Always wear a shoe that supports your arch (as soon as you get out of bed)
Ice your foot at night right before bed (then hop on one foot into bed)
Wear a night splint or soft cast to bed

Massage the heel

Take ibuprofen as necessary to reduce inflammation

Foot Wakers

Admittedly, I've only followed a few of these guidelines and sporadically at best. So maybe it's not surprising that this nagging pain keeps getting worse and worse. Anyway, I tell every medical professional or running expert that I meet about this problem in the hopes that they are hiding the key piece of information that will lead me to tranquil healing. So I was excited when this neuromuscular therapist told me about "foot wakers," massaging spheres with knobs to loosen up the fascia in your foot. I was immediately turned off when I found out that they cost $60 a pair. Crazy Brian. Then, I went home and googled these suckers. What? This is what all the hype is about? I think I've seen those in the pet toy aisle.

So I gave up and decided my feet would forever be "asleep" because I refuse to pay $60 for "wakers." But today, my foot pain woes found hope in the laundry aisle at CVS. These little dryer balls are perfect for rolling around under my heel and cost a mere $3. That's more like it. And that's how I outsmart the ridiculous  medical community, of which I am a part.

Care Packages for Me?

He is the sweetest. But I already knew that. I'm just frequently reminded of how incredible he is when he does things like send me care packages to thank me for all the care packages that I send to him. Today I received a package full of fun things that are perfect for me - a collection of hand made soaps, a baking cookbook, four beach themed cookie cutters, a stainless steel pineapple corer, mint lip balm, a t-shirt from Afghanistan, a bathing suit tote bag and Harley Davidson sweatpants. How was he able to put all of this together? Your guess is as good as mine. I though he was busy flying a fighter jet. Apparently, he dabbles in "too good to be true gift giving" as well.

Under The Same Big Sky

The latest from my love affair with Animoto videos. These pictures and videos are from the day Will left Italy for Afghanistan. When I pony up the $3 it costs to make a longer cut, I can add more video of his jet's take off. Enjoy!

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

Summer Soundtrack

The name of my blog is not just a snappy title - I really feel like I should have a soundtrack playing in the background of everything I do. I usually put a line from a current song on my soundtrack in the title of this blog. I love listening tosongs that describe my life or just have fun beats to dance to even if they are obscene (i.e. "It wasn't me" circa 2001 which ended up on my first cell phone's voicemail.) Sometimes I think," if my life were a movie, what song would be playing right now?" And then I listen to it. Over and over again. 

Will and I have used music a lot in our relationship to communicate how we feel and to remind us of fun times we've spent together. We get to tell each other how we feel everyday, but it's always fun to see which songs each of us put to those feelings. When we listen to each other's mixes, the songs have so much more meaning because we know that the other specifically chose that song. Sometimes they are mushy love songs and sometimes they are tributes to the Greats who have provided for hours of dance parties at bars all over the world! This month we were both making mixes for each other at the same time without knowing it. Here are our July playlists:

Will's Playlist
Wonderful Tonight - Eric Clapton
I Just Died In Your Arms Tonight - Foreigner
Hold my Hand - Hootie
Why They Call it Falling - Lee Ann Womack
My Baby Loves Me - Martina McBride
I'd do Anything For Love - Meatloaf
Never Gonna Be Alone - Nickelback
Be Here To Love Me - Nora Jones
God Must Have Spent A Little More Time On You - NSYNC
That's When I Love You - Phil Vasser
You Had Me From Hello - Kenny Chesney
True - Ryan Cabrera
Dreaming Of You - Selena

Lindsey's Playlist
Come Home – One Republic feat. Sara Bareillis
Signed, Sealed Delivered I’m Yours – Stevie Wonder
Gimme That Girl – Joe Nichols
Everlasting Love – Howard Jones
Legs – ZZ Top
Love Like Crazy – Lee Brice
Thinking of You (Live) – Katy Perry
With Every Beat of My Heart – Taylor Dane
The Way You Make Me Feel – Michael Jackson
All Night Long (Live) – Jason Mraz
Someday We’ll Be Together – Diana Ross
Free Fallin (Live) – John Mayer
I Wanna Dance With Somebody – Whitney Houston
Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now – Starship
Best is Yet To Come – Howard Fishman

Two Months

It's been two months since Will left Italy for his tour in Afghanistan. We have just over two more months to go before he returns. Luckily, Skype comes through to save the day. It's hard enough being apart for this long and honestly, I can't imagine how much harder it would be if I couldn't at least see him regularly. Recently, Will found a place on base that has skype set up on five desktop computers. Our time is limited to twenty minutes and sometimes there is a line of others waiting to call their loved ones but so far it has worked out great for us. They also installed higher speed internet in the tents where he sleeps so hopefully in the next few days he'll be able to instant message via skype and email from his room. Anyway, check out this picture of my handsome man. You'd be upset if you didn't get to see this face everyday too. Even with the mustache! I hit the jackpot and you better believe I know it. I am so head over heels in love with him. It's a great excuse for any absent minded things I do for the next few months!

skype love

Eight Weeks

It's been eight long weeks since Will left for "summer break." We are almost half way through this deployment now. We've had trouble skyping lately because the internet connection over there is slow and doesn't allow his laptop to connect very easily. This has been problematic because he is growing a mustache that he desperately wants to shave but I won't let him until I see it! He threatened to take pictures on his camera which I probably wouldn't see until he came home, so that he could sleep through the night without it tickling his face. Luckily, he found a place on base with Skype already set up on desktop computers so while I was at the beach this weekend, I got to see his handsome face. With his blond mustache and headset now he looks like Goose trying to sell me a shamwow. Doesn't matter - just like Meg Ryan I think he is a big stud no matter what kind of hair he has and as long as I get to see his face every now and then, I'm a very happy girl.

My biggest obstacle this week is trying to figure out how to ship bagels and cream cheese overseas...(shhh it's a surprise so hopefully he won't read this until after they arrive). Any ideas? I've looked into insulated cooler boxes with gel packs but I'm afraid that bagels from a shop will go bad without preservatives even in a cold cooler case. He's just a big bagel and cream cheese fanatic and misses them so much. In fact, while walking by Bodo's one day, we found out that we've each had the same order for years - salt bagel with lite veggie. Maybe I'll just give it a whirl and see what happens.

The days keep passing and for that I am grateful. Will still has his sense of humor and makes me laugh every night. He's also taking classes toward his master's degree and has finished one already. Who knew you could fight a war and get an education at the same time! Our kids will really have no excuses.