The Kat House » health and beauty

Return of the Sinus Infection

Tish — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 02:50:46 +0000

I’ve been extremely ill for over a week now – coughing, sneezing, aching, and just feeling terrible in nearly every way imaginable. I thought I could stick it out without a doctor visit, but it just wasn’t meant to be. I gave in and saw the doc yesterday. Diagnosis – sinus infection.

I battled chronic sinus infections for several years, but I hadn’t had one for nearly two years – until now. I can almost guarantee I brought it on myself by walking through the remains of my brother’s house just a few hours after the fire was extinguished.

Yesterday was my first visit to UT Family Physicians in Seymour. I’ve had the fortune of meeting a few great doctors in the past, but Dr. Clay Stalcup impressed me more than most. He actually sat down and discussed my medical history in great detail before assessing my current ailments. He laid out a plan for when and what I should be seeing him for and even made sure that I was seeing my other doctors on a acceptable schedule. Most doctors these days are just in a hurry to get their patients out the door, so the care that he showed was greatly appreciated. I decided right then and there that he would be my new primary care physician.

I don’t think I’ve mentioned it here before, but I have a serious fear of pills. I just can’t swallow them. No matter how hard I try, the fear of choking on them is still there. So I told the doctor, as I tell every other doctor, that if I need a prescription, please oh please don’t let it be in pill form! Dr. Stalcup wrote a prescription for amoxicillin in chewable tablets! I had no idea there were chewables available! No doctor has ever mentioned them before. I was absolutely ecstatic. I’d finally be able to take meds and get over this awful illness!

I have to eat two tablets each morning and two each night for 10 days. Given their pink color, I figured they would be strawberry flavored. I couldn’t have been more wrong. They taste more revolting than I could have ever imagined. In fact, I can think of only one thing that may taste worse – dog turds seasoned with a dash of Dis-Taste!

Pray for me.

Feeling the Rush

Tish — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 00:01:30 +0000

My CourtSouth membership is finally drawing to an end, so I recently took a look around The Rush to see just what I’ve been missing out on. As it turns out, there really is something to all the hype! I joined on the spot and am paying $11 less per month than at CourtSouth! I did, however, decide to invest in a personal trainer so that I’m more likely to achieve my fitness goals.

I just completed my first week. I saw my trainer on Tuesday, and it was far more difficult than I had imagined. By the time the session ended, I felt like I was going to vomit. Every muscle in my body ached, and it hurt just to turn the steering wheel while driving home! I was sore for two full days afterward. I worked out on my own Friday and today, and I’ll be seeing the trainer again tomorrow. If I can still move my fingers afterward, I’ll blog about it.

This is my first experience with a trainer, but it’s exactly what I need. He is tough, but not intimidating. He’s encouraging, funny, and inspirational. I have no doubts that I’ll see better results with him than I would on my own. Wish me luck! Oh, and if any of you are members of The Rush and would like to work out together from time to time, drop me a line!

A Day on the Shitter

Tish — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 02:51:48 +0000

Every life is marked by significant moments – moments of insight, moments of sudden realization, moments in which we learn valuable lessons that may not have otherwise been learned. In my 36 years, I’ve collected quite a list of these moments, but none so significant as the one I experienced yesterday.

You’ll have to trust me on this. I’ve lived to tell the tale, but you may not be so lucky. Just yesterday I discovered that Fiber One cereal was developed by Satan himself! I learned that eating two heaping bowls of it in one day is about as stupid as hitting the Krystal drive-thru after a long night of drinking. More stupid actually. Whereas the “Krystal Shits” last for a good couple of hours, the ill effects of Fiber One take a full 24 hours to subside.

It all started with a deep rumbling in my stomach. You know the type. I’m pretty sure it made the local news. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to tune in at 6:00 or 11:00 because I was otherwise engaged – on the can, if you will. It was easily the most unpleasant day of my life.

After a few hours of severe gastrointestinal upset, I was pretty confident that the culprit was Fiber One. I decided to utilize the power of Google to see if anyone else had encountered the same problem. That’s when I found a very disturbing thread titled Too Much Fiber? My suspicions were confirmed by dozens of people who had posted about their experiences with Fiber One. One guy went so far as to say, “General Mills needs to consider putting a warning label on the stuff if you ask me.” I couldn’t agree more.

It’s now more than 24 hours after the Fiber One Fiasco. There were times that I thought I wouldn’t pull through the ordeal, but I’m happy to say that I’m now feeling great – and about 10 pounds lighter!

Choose Rissy Roo’s for Your Dresses and Shoes!

Tish — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 02:38:52 +0000

As I’ve mentioned here several times in the past, I never attended my high school proms. I was far too concerned with academics to worry about boys, dresses, and dancing. Everyone told me that I’d eventually regret not having gone. I wouldn’t say that I regret it, but I do think that if I had it to do all over again, I’d go. Every girl should get all dolled up and go have a little fun from time to time – especially as teenagers. Once you reach adulthood, it’s all work, mortgage payments, and dirty diapers.

Prom dresses sure have changed since I was a teen. Short dresses seem to be all the rage right now, but you wouldn’t dare wear one in the late 80s. I think the value of your dress was determined merely by how much material it contained. I’m pretty sure some of the dresses back then weighed more than the girls wearing them.

If you’re in the market for a formal gown or even just some new trendy clothing, Rissy Roo’s may be the place for you. They have a large selection of clothing for women of all ages. You can find Juniors, Missy, and Plus Size dresses as well as designer shoes and accessories. All the hottest designers are represented.

Rissy Roo’s is located in Linwood, New Jersey, so if you’re lucky enough to live nearby, you can browse the stock right on the racks. Otherwise, you can order directly from the store’s website. They have a low price guarantee, so if you happen to find the same article for a lower price elsewhere, Rissy Roo’s will match the price.

I browsed through dozens of dresses, and this red one is my favorite. If I ever do get a chance to go back in time and attend my prom, I’m taking it with me!

Sexy Spectacles

Tish — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 23:23:51 +0000

The following is a sponsored post.

I have always found glasses to be very attractive on men. Not all glasses, mind you. And certainly not all men. But in general, men in glasses appeal to me. They look intelligent. Ambitious. Sophisticated. And many of them, like my best friend, look downright sexy.

Finding a pair of glasses that not only corrects your vision, but also enhances your natural beauty doesn’t have be a costly endeavor. Zenni Optical is the perfect solution for those of us on a budget. No middlemen, no retail overhead, and virtually no advertising expenses allow Zenni to offer their inventory for very affordable prices. Glasses start at just $8 per pair!

Zenni eyeglasses are high quality, durable, safe, and comfortable. In addition to the $8 Zenni Optical Rx Eyeglasses, there are some higher end products as well. Some Zenni glasses are priced at a whopping $19 per pair! Lenses offered include single vision, sunsensor, bifocal, and progressive. You can even have your lenses tinted for only $4.95!

I am fortunate not to require prescription eyeglasses at this time. The fact that I have glaucoma, however, makes it pretty darn likely that I’ll be wearing them in the future. And personally, I don’t want to bust my Total Money Makeover budget with overpriced spectacles. You can bet I’ll be checking out Zenni Optical when the time comes. Dave Ramsey would be proud! And speaking of the very sexy Dave Ramsey, I wonder if he got his glasses at Zenni Optical?

My Dream Date

Tish — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 05:16:02 +0000

Check out this handsome guy who just can’t stop telling me how he feels about me.

Go on. Give it a try. Make your own Schick Dream Date! There are lots of faces, hair, clothing, and backgrounds to choose from, and you can even tweak them to make your dream date completely unique!

When you’re finished designing your dream date, be sure to check out the Schick Quattro for Women. I have tried practically every women’s razor on the market, and the Quattro is definitely my favorite. It has four blades, two conditioning strips, and a pivoting head. The handle is metal with beautiful pink grips – ergonomically designed and extremely comfortable! No other razor has left my legs feeling as smooth as this one.

How About a Little Pampering?

Tish — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 01:47:47 +0000

The following is a sponsored post.

Being the girly girl I am, I love going to the salon and spa. My favorite service is waxing, which hurts like the devil but leaves me feeling oh so soft, smooth, and pretty afterwards. My aesthetician is Mindy. I’ve been seeing her for several years, and to tell you the truth, I’m more committed to her than I’ve ever been to any man in my life. She makes my eyebrows look fabulous!

Most women will agree that finding that perfect salon and spa is right up there with finding the perfect mate. We put a lot of trust in those who tend to our beauty needs, and we are certainly willing to pay top dollar for top quality. But if we’re lucky, we don’t have to.

If any of you live in Arizona, I just found a Scottsdale day spa worth visiting. Sami Tailyr’s Salon and Day Spa is a retreat for hard working women who want upscale pampering at reasonable prices. Services offered include hair, nails, massage, facials, waxing, makeup, permanent cosmetics, and airbrush tanning. Business hours are Monday – Thursday from 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM and Friday – Saturday from 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM.

If you need a little more convincing to give them a try, check out these new client specials.

Buy one half hour massage and get the next half hour free.
Buy one facial and get the next at half price.
Buy a pedicure and get half off a manicure.
Buy a color or highlight and get a free haircut.
Buy a session of airbrush tanning and get a body scrub for free.

If I lived in the vicinity, I’d be really tempted to get highlights and a free haircut. That special alone is a savings of $30!

Sami Tailyr’s also offers a full line of professional hair and skin care products for sale. Gift certificates are available and can be purchased and printed or emailed directly from the website. And I don’t know a woman alive who wouldn’t appreciate such a gift.

Healing Waters

Tish — Sat, 31 May 2008 20:44:09 +0000

The following is a sponsored post.

There are few things in life that I enjoy more than a long, hot bath. I take at least one each night, and sometimes two or three. Of course, the water goes cold way too soon, and there’s just not enough room to really stretch out and fully enjoy the experience. Maybe one day I’ll invest in a hot tub.

Having pioneered the hot tub industry, it’s no surprise that Jacuzzi manufactures perhaps the best hot tub on the market. They make both portable and in-ground hot tubs complete with all sorts of cool options – even an iPod docking station! Despite the many cool features of their hot tubs, Jacuzzi’s main focus is on improving health and lifestyles through the healing power of hydrotherapy.

Hydrotherapy involves the use of water to soothe pains and treat diseases. Its use dates back thousands of years, having been recorded in Egyptian, Greek, and Roman civilizations. Whereas ancient people had to seek out water that naturally springs from the earth, we can now experience those same healing effects in the convenience of our own homes. Hydrotherapy has been shown to improve circulation, decrease joint pain, and accelerate the body’s natural healing processes.

Hot tubs work by using heated water under pressure from jets to alleviate muscle tightness caused by stress and anxiety. The jets offer a variety of massage types, making the hot tub experience not only therapeutic, but also relaxing and enjoyable. I could use some relaxation and joy in my life, so perhaps one of these days I’ll enclose my back patio and purchase a hot tub. And once I do, you guys may never hear from me again – at least not until waterproof laptops are available.

Perfume and Lingerie

Tish — Sun, 04 May 2008 01:32:20 +0000

I’m a huge fan of perfume. I have bottles upon bottles in my collection, and choosing one each morning always puts me in a great mood. My favorites are Happy and Happy Heart by Clinique, and Wink by Avon. I also have several amazing perfumes by Victoria’s Secret. When I pass by that store in the mall, I just can’t resist stopping in to check out the new scents – and of course, the sexy lingerie!

10 Super Foods in One Small Supplement

Tish — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 22:21:05 +0000

Want a skinny, soft, youthful, and blemish free body? You can now get all that and more in one supplement. Leptovox is all natural and includes all 10 “super foods” recommended by dermatologist Dr. Nicholas Perricone, author of several books on weight loss and skin care. Leptovox is being used to manage weight, lose weight, fight the signs of aging, and improve skin condition.