The end.....of an era....

It's the ONLY thing I have known for so long.....

but I must bid adeu to.....

DORITOS!

People.....I turned 40...yes, 40.....a few months ago. I estimated that over the years, I have eaten approximately 3,800 bags of those delicious orangey triangles.

THREE THOUSAND, EIGHT HUNDRED BAGS

I can only imagine what my insides look like. My veins are probably coated with that cheesy goodness.

I'm not talking about the lunch size bags either....I am talking about the regular size bags. I used to be a "bag a day" person, but I am down to about a 1/2 bag now....but added a 1/2 bag of M&M's to the mix....yes, the big bags....not the little bag from the vending machine.

I realized I don't want to die when I'm 52, so I have taken the first step - I met with a personal trainer! I'm not saying that Doritos are killing me, but seeing that THEY are the staple of my diet, I am going to assume that they can't be as good for me as something called "broccoli" or "salad" might be.

I will keep you posted as to where I'm going and what I'm doing as soon as I make my first appointment!

I'm excited ya'll!

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I'm nervous already. HOW CAN I GIVE UP 1 OF MY TRUE LOVES? Doritos have been with me my whole life! Cookouts, parties, job changes, boyfriend breakups, vacations, roadtrips, even when I had my son - right there in the delivery room I had a bag of Doritos.

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Alllllllllright......I can't do it. I will cut down. I will ask my trainer dude what my daily allotment is for Doritos and will cherish every chip that passes my lips. If only they made Doritos light. How can I deprive myself of something so sinfully delicious?

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I will cut down...I promise. But due to the recession and not wasting anything, I will be finishing the bags I have. It's the right thing to do. Why let those little guys go to waste. An ear of corn waited it's whole life to become a famous Doritos....I can't let it down and not appreciate the sacrifice it made to make me happy.

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.I just re-read this.....I am insane.

Still not sure if it's a cold, flu or H1N1?

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN COLD, SEASONAL FLU & H1N1 SYMPTOMS

FEVER
Fever is rare with a cold.
Fever is common with the seasonal flu.
Fever is usually present with H1N1 in up to 80% of all flu cases. A temperature of 101°

COUGHING
A hacking, productive (mucus-producing) cough is often present with a cold.
A dry and hacking cough is often present with the seasonal flu.
A non-productive (non-mucus producing) cough is usually present with H1N1 (sometimes referred to as dry cough).*

ACHES
Slight body aches and pains can be part of a cold.
Moderate body aches are common with the seasonal flu.
Severe aches and pains are common with H1N1.*

STUFFY NOSE
Stuffy nose is commonly present with a cold and typically resolves spontaneously within a week.
A runny nose is commonly present with the seasonal flu.
Stuffy nose is not commonly present with H1N1.

CHILLS
Chills are uncommon with a cold.
Chills are mild to moderate with the seasonal flu.
60% of people who have H1N1 experience chills.

TIREDNESS
Tiredness is fairly mild with a cold.
Tiredness is moderate and more likely referred to as a lack of energy with the seasonal flu.
Tiredness is moderate to severe with H1N1.*

SNEEZING
Sneezing is commonly present with a cold
Sneezing is common present with the seasonal flu.
Sneezing is not common with H1N1.

SUDDEN SYMPTOMS
Cold symptoms tend to develop over a few days.
Symptoms tend to develop over a few days and include flushed face, loss of appetite, dizziness and/or vomiting/nausea. Symptoms usually last 4-7 days, depending on the individual. Diarrhea is common.
H1N1 has a rapid onset within 3-6 hours. H1N1 hits hard and includes sudden symptoms like high fever, aches and pains. Symptoms usually last 4-7 days, depending on the individual. Diarrhea is common.

HEADACHE
A headache is fairly uncommon with a cold.
A headache is fairly common with the seasonal flu.
A headache is very common with H1N1 and present in 80% of cases.*

SORE THROAT
Sore throat is commonly present with a cold.
Sore throat is commonly present with the seasonal flu.
Sore throat is not commonly present with H1N1.

CHEST DISCOMFORT
Chest discomfort is mild to moderate with a cold.
Chest discomfort is moderate with the seasonal flu. If it turns severe seek medical attention immediately!
Chest discomfort is often severe with H1N1.

Be Grateful for Your Challenges!

My Auntie Suse sent me this email this morning and I thought I would repost it to you!

People with clutter sometimes see their life challenges as unique and especially difficult. It's not true, but I understand why they reach that conclusion. Clutter is isolating, physically as well as socially. Much effort is expended hiding the clutter from others to the extent that the cluttered lifestyle prevents a person from developing close relationships.

If you can't have people over to your house, if you can't really talk about your life with your co-workers, if you don't have close friendships, you won't see that everyone has challenges to overcome. Not only will you have a lopsided view of your life as compared to everyone else's, but you'll miss out on the benefits of sharing your life with others, allowing them to provide support when you need it and giving your support in return. It's a two-way street that makes life richer, more enjoyable and much more manageable. Let's use the analogy of seeing the glass half empty or half full. Do you see everyone else's glass as overflowing while your glass has a hole in the bottom?

Louise Hay, motivational speaker, author, and founder of Hay House Publishing, promotes a uniquely positive approach to life. She, like many others, talks about the value of gratitude. But she is the only person I have ever heard recommend being thankful for your bills! Her reason is valid and worth considering. She says to be grateful for your bills because they represent others' trust in you. Other people have extended credit to you, provided services or products in exchange for your promise to pay them in the future. The bills are your opportunity to make good on your promise to pay for things you have already received such as electricity, phone service, a roof over your head, that wonderful restaurant meal, or your new shoes. Since we'll be celebrating Thanksgiving soon, this month's newsletter is about transforming complaints and challenges into opportunities for growth and gratitude.

Be grateful for your challenges. They make you stronger, more resilient and adaptive.
Be grateful for cloudy days. They help you appreciate the sunshine.
Be grateful for crabby people. They provide an opportunity to be kind.
Be grateful for the flu. It encourages people to wash their hands.
Be grateful for chilly fall days. They help our bodies prepare for winter.
Be grateful for your spouse or partner. They remind you that your way is not the only way.
Be grateful for your clutter. It gives you a reason to change your ways.
Be grateful for difficult relatives. They help you appreciate your friends.
Be grateful for the snow. It cleans the pollutants from the air.
Be grateful for the people who drive slowly in front of you. They provide an opportunity to look around and appreciate the beauty of the season.
Be grateful for demanding children. They remind us to give them the attention they deserve.
Be grateful for junk mail. (If you think of one for this, let me know!)
Be grateful for those who promote conflict. They strengthen our resolve to find a peaceful resolution.
Be grateful for your mistakes. They are opportunities to learn and grow.
Be grateful for people who are different. They remind us to celebrate our diversity as we strive to appreciate our similarities.
Be grateful for people who are negative. They make it easier to see positive alternatives.
Be grateful for your full calendar. It means that others value your time and ability.
Be grateful for economic constraints. They remind us that what is truly important in life can't be purchased.
Be grateful for your life today. It represents your choices thus far.
Be grateful for this list. It has come to an end!