Happy New Year Tomorrow

I remember the pure joy of ringing in the new year. Especially when single and on the prowl or with a new boyfriend (or new husband) and cherishing that midnight lip lock!! I even remember celebrating midnight when I was a kid during one of my parent's big parties. It was so much fun sneaking into the kitchen to see if there was still a few drops of margaritas clinging to the sides of the blender!

It is 11:00pm EST. I have not been awake at midnight to "ring in the new year" in 5 years. Yes, 5 years! My youngest is 3.5, so I was lame about New Year's Eve before having kids. But I was soooo not lame in many other ways - so hush (okay, I was really going to type BITE ME)!

This year's Plan #1:
This year I was going to head to a dear friend's house and get in the spirit (if you know what I mean). Alas, my 1yo began puking last night. She stopped this morning after being up 4 times last night and covering us both with (well, I won't go into details). Poor little thing. It was so sad to watch. However, I decided it best to keep our germs to ourselves and forego the party.

Plan #2:
I was exhausted from being up all night. So at 6pm I headed out to get a triple shot latte!!! That should do the trick and keep me awake when the clock strikes 12!
Ate dinner.
Baby down at 7:30pm.
Hubby let me squeeze in a workout in our garage gym.
Toddler down at 8:30pm (with hubby who was supposed to stay up, drink wine, and play Scrabble - which we used to enjoy playing years ago).
Hubby fell asleep with toddler.

And here I sit with some dark chocolate (thanks Brae) and red wine (really, really good red wine - thanks Amy).
I began working on my laptop because my work has been piling up.
Chocolate is gone.
Wine is gone.
House is quiet.
My mind is quiet.
My heart is full and thankful for all the love I share.
Should I watch a movie?
Should I read?
Should I sanitize this germ-ridden house?

Nope, I'm heading to bed.
Signing off at 11:12 pm EST.
Happy New Year to someone somewhere OR everyone everywhere.
I will go kiss my kids and husband on the forehead while they sleep. (or maybe not - it might wake them!!!!)
Silence is truly golden!

Here's to a fabulous 2008!!!! This year is going to truly ROCK!

Gettin' Back in the Groove Post Holiday

So how did everyone do? I know we haven't made it past New Year's Eve yet, but most of the holiday eating-season is behind us. Wow. I, for one, am glad it's done! I am so tired of massive meals! I'm sure I'm like a lot of people who have to do multiple-celebrations...you know, one with the parents, one with the step-mom and dad, step-dad and mom, step-grandparent and other, um, grandparent....you get the point. My kids are over-gifted, I'm over stuffed and in need of some veggies!

I've somehow managed to keep up some running during the past week. Leading up to Christmas was hard because of all the errands but once we got to the big day, getting out for a run was a huge stress reliever for me. I got in my longest run ever just before the holiday of 10 miles! I'm pretty pumped about that one still. I think knowing that I was able to do that helped me stay active through the following week and was able to do another 10 mile run and then some. I'm still amazed at what getting out for a run can do for me mentally, not just physically. I truly am a better wife and mother if I'm able to get that me-time in especially knowing that it is time spent making myself better physically and working for that big overall half marathon goal. I think that is something that some day, my kids will be proud of. Happy New Year to you all!!

Space Coast Half

Although I trained for and ran a marathon last January, and although I have kept up a somewhat respectable training routine since then, I completed my first official half-marathon last month. I was timid, mostly because my left foot had been aching; a mysterious soreness that seems to alternate between my plantar and my achilles. Basically, I feared that a long run at race pace might knock me out of the sport for a while. No one has ever confused me for being Kenyan, so it wasn't a huge shift to slow to a 12 minute mile.

I drove up to Cocoa for a warm Florida race that unveiled a new theme this year: Space. From the countdown of the Space Shuttle on the jumbotron at the start, to the alien costumes running past me, the excitement was in the air. I even saw dolphins twice along the Indian River route. Without the lust for a PR, I was able to pay attention to the moment and really enjoy running for running's sake. After feeling fine at the turn-around, I started to pick it up a bit. By the last 5K, I was full of energy and inspiration. I was passing people left and right, even skipping my intervals with little effort. All was well, I had made up lots of time and was ending up a little faster than predicted.

When I came around the corner of the public park, the crowd went wild. Not only did I have the regular race photographers snapping away, I had video cameras surrounding me. People were clapping and yelling "Looking good!" I felt like a million bucks....until I heard a bicycle approaching from behind and a man yelling "Get out of the way!!!!!"

Thirty-three year old, Ezekiel Ruto, was hurtling towards me and quite possibly would have mowed me over had the "Lead Runner" biker not come through. Ezekiel was completing the full marathon just about the time I was finishing the half. Still, it was a great race. And basking in the winner's glory for 25 seconds was nice, too.

Truth is out-- laundry is bad for your knees

Hello Running Mommies! I'm at the tail end of caring for my sick family. Two straight nights of my 4-year old vomiting, even my baby vomited once and my usually energetic husband spent the day in bed. Me-- I do not have the good luck to get a day in bed. How pathetic am I that I'm jealous of a sick person :)
I was carrying a load of laundry up from the basement and somehow twisted to get up the stairs and hurt my left knee. It really hurts. I've never really hurt anything before (except broken leg/arm as a kid). I know my side of the family is expecting this. I keep showing them Runners World articles that emphatically deny knee problems have to go with running. I'm healing and trying not to eat all the stuff that comes with the season. I must make a New Years resolution to give up laundry. Merry Christmas Ladies!!

The Wrath of the Cookie Recipient!

Ok people! Those loved ones that sent us the two HUGE boxes of gourmet (size of your head) cookies? Yeah, you! I love you, but you are apparently trying to fatten me up before my 1/2 marathon training. Seriously - I won't even be able to run up the stairs of my house by the end of this week!

I WILL find a way to retaliate! I WILL get my revenge!

I WILL....ok, I WILL eat another cookie!

Dang it!

Happy Happy & Merry Merry!

Packing up the computer on this end as there's a move afoot in my world (thankfully not ON FOOT although that would at least mean I was exercising through the holidays!).


have a great holiday.

stay safe.


And ENJOY everyone and everything to its fullest.

Life is too short not to.


Carla

Tracking Workouts

I found a new site today, Buckeye Outdoors, that allows you to track all your workouts in one handy-dandy place. I just joined so I'm still feeling my way around, but so far, it seems pretty cool! It is super easy to add workouts and then it tracks your weekly and monthly totals included calories burned. There are also a lot of different training plans on there if you have a long term goal such as a half or full marathon, 10k or a strength training goal. Anyone else use a site like this to keep you on track with your goals?

Classy Mommy Giveaway: Angelina Ballerina: A Star Collection DVD Box Set

Thanks to Hit Entertainment and Fox for offering this charming girly DVD giveaway!Almost every little girl adores Angelina the Ballerina!



This box set of 3 DVD's is super with many of your favorite Angelina adventures. Mackenzie at age 2 is totally an Angelina fan - along with being fascinated by cousin Henry too!

Win it! Enter by the end of the day on 12/19/07. Click here for entry details.

You Have The Power

Two articles caught my eye in today's paper. First off, smack dab on the front page AT THE TOP, was an article about the rising cost of groceries and how in the (near) future the cost of cooking at home would be equal to the cost of eating out. Not to mention the cost of oil and the cost of driving to the grocery store to pay those higher prices. That, my friends, is the most ludicrous thing I have ever heard. Secondly, the need for ethanol is causing an increase in chemical run-offs into the Mississippi which then runs-off into the Gulf causing a "Dead Zone" where sea life basically suffocates which then causes the people who make their livings from fishing have to go farther and farther out. Using more fuel.
My question is: When will enough be enough?
Really. When I look at our society, I see a bunch of yapping dogs chasing their own tails.

Life is so much more than this rudimentary nonsense and you don't have to live like a hamster in a wheel. It's in your power, it's in all of our powers.

Walk. Run. Garden. Cook. Live.

The dots above will link you to a related article.




Walk. Run. Garden. Cook. Live.

Holiday Baking

Are you guys baking for the holidays? I am a horrible baker. Horrible! But! I am thrilled to say that I have found the perfect no-bake holiday treat! It's perfect for me because as I said, it's no-bake and from what I can tell so far (and I've made a few batches!) it's impossible to screw up. I'm willing to bet that I'm the last mom on earth to have heard of this so bear with me if you've been making this up for years, I'm just so stinkin' excited!

No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars
1 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1 1/2 cup crushed vanilla wafer cookies (about 45)
1 lb powder sugar
1 cup melted butter
12 ounces milk chocolate chips

Mix peanut butter, sugar, wafers and melted butter together. Press into a 9x13 dish.
Melt chocolate over a double broiler or in the microwave. Spread chocolate over peanut butter mixture. Cover and chill for 2 hours.

Oh. My. Gosh. It is so rich and so good you will not believe it! I am cutting them into little triangles and packing them up for last minute neighbor gifts. And I think I'll need to add a bit of extra cardio to combat all the sampling I'm doing!

To Cross Train or Not To Cross Train,

There shouldn't be a question.

This piece was written on spec & ended up more just being a personal kick in the pants.

Im in a huge workout rut.

And it's the holiday-food-treats time of year to boot.

All that to say FEEL free to skim---I just thought Id share in case anyone else needs some CROSS TRAINING ENCOURAGEMENT.




Even when working full time as a personal trainer, I was the queen of do as I say and not as I do.

"You must cross train!" I would admonish a client.

"You can not whine about plateauing," I would tease another. "Have you done any form of cardio this month other than the treadmill??"

I would cajole and chastise-while all the while hiding my own dirty little secret: my stationary bike. Each morning I would climb on the bike and pedal away for 40 minutes while watching TV.

Morning after morning.


For years. Still.

And now I have plateaued.


I knew I needed to change up my cardiovascular routine. And recently. FINALLY. I decided to put myself out there and try something really different.

So I tried NIA.

NIA is a unique combination of modern dance, martial arts, yoga and African dance.


I have to admit that I have preconceived notions regarding "holistic" exercise. While I have shed the '70's no pain no gain mantra but the notion of flapping my arms and chanting my way to a size 8 still gave me pause.

From my first step into the NIA studio I knew this surely wasn't my old stand by Powerhouse Gym. A pungent aroma of patchouli incense filled my nose (!) and various candles and weavings filled the studio's waiting area.

At this point I had to squelch my instinct to turn and run (pun intended). I had the sudden fear that even with the sense of open-mindedness the NIA studio had so painstakingly created, I would do something "wrong."

Something not laidback enough.


Arriving early I had the opportunity to meet the (male) instructor and chat with a few other class members. Can I say that I was surprised how normal (read: like me) they all were? I don't know what I was expecting-but these people did not embody it. We all talked for a bit and after hearing the word dance and free form tossed about repeatedly, I decided to grab my hand weights and make a beeline for the back for the room.

My new vantage point gave me a great view of a rather large painting in the front of the room. The painting was of a naked woman dancing. This woman was naked and voluptuous and frolicking and HAPPY.

That figure seemed to follow the NIA theme: love who you are and the health will follow.


Loving who you are or not, I had wrestled with what exactly one wears to a NIA class. Gym shorts and a t-shirt? A unitard? Flowing pants? Tie-dyes? Robes? In a word: YES.

Unlike many gyms where there is inevitably a "cool" uniform (and usually a mandatory perfect body to be placed in it) at NIA anything goes.

Literally.


No one in the room either appeared interested in what the other people were wearing or seemed to feel uncomfortable with how much or how little he had on. Big women in little outfits, little men in long flowing outfits-if ever there was a workout filled with unconditional positive regard NIA is it.

And then the dancing began. Just like that. The instructor turned on George Michael and we were off.

The notion of NIA lost me a tad here. I wasn't sure exactly what our goal was, what muscles we were going to work, and in what order we were going to attack them.

I soon realized I was thinking inside the box in a room filled with people who hadn't seen the box's interior in a while.
I needed to loosen up not only my cervical spine-but my mind as well.

The class quickly progressed. We were encouraged to dance what we were feeling.
Me? Im someone who inevitable claps off the beat when music is playing! I wasn't quite sure how to display through dance my feeling of wanting to crawl and hide in a closet.

So I just wiggled my hips a bit.

And waved my hands.

And tried not to look in the mirror.

Eventually, I recognized that there were a few steps that we did simultaneously. Although I also recognized that my classmates whooped and kicked and fluidly moved their arms in a way I had yet to master.

When the instructor encouraged us to imprint these routines with our own creative stamp-I didn't even know where to begin. It was all slightly embarrassing and it was all very amazing.

I might have been focusing on my jerky movements and off rhythm stumbles-but no one else was.

Check out NIA, try a new class at your gym, run outside if you typically use the treadmill---remember, variety is the spice of life! (And it also helps tighten up your glutes…)

Ear Problems

I'm sending out a big fat S.O.S for ear bud ideas. I am so over my iPod ear buds flying out of my ears while running so I have decided it's time for a change sisters! I know, I'm a wee bit dramatic today over the ear bud issue. Please tell me I don't have some kind of weird ear issue but I really think I do! I can't get them to stay in to save my life...or my run as it so happens! I've tried the ear wrap things too but apparently I have child-like ears because they are too big!! Help! What to do to keep my music playing during these long runs?

Dire Warning!

Oh, gosh! I hope I'm not too late. I just wanted to warn everybody about the danger of performing The Rat Pack's Greatest Christmas for your child(ren) while wearing socks on the tiles of your kitchen floor! I won't go into any greater details, just know that you've been warned!

C'mon cold weather! I'm ready for ya!

So I went out today (in Nashville's 78 degree weather - what the heck is up with that!) and purchased some cold weather running gear. I was literally giddy over it as I feel that I am truly committed to running this darn half marathon in April. I'm excited about it! I'm excited about the training process. Craziness!

Now if I can just find the evil person that created those mint chocolate covered Oreos and beat him/her to a pulp then I will be at peace.

Running as a Lifestyle

Well, I'll mention this on my personal blog, but since seeMOMMYrun probably gets a teeny-tiny bit more traffic than my blog does (hee-hee-hee-ha-ha-ha-ho...ho...ahem) I'll blog about it here, too.
(What Stephanie??? Would you get to the point! As my husband would say.)
Hopefully you can tell from my high spirits that I went for a run. How far I went is not nearly as important as where I went. I ran to the library for the 10:05 Lapsit with my little baby buddy boy. He had a great time and so did I. It's so fun to watch the little tykes. And then I ran back home.
So my point is that running is a lifestyle: I hate cars. I mean, obviously they are a necessary evil but, ultimately, I have a choice in the matter. If that means my life moves at a speed that is less than 70 MPH, then that's just the way it is.
Of course, I'm more self-conscious of my Ped lifestyle here than I was in that other country I used to live in and that's because, as Trice commented, that country is full of active walkers. But I imagine I'll get over it. Then I'll be running to the grocery store and to the post office and anywhere else that I am required to be.
Otherwise, I'll just stay home.

Mommy running in the cold

It is that time of year again when it is oh so much easier to stay inside than get out and run, but if you can just squeeze in a little one it will make this whole season so much more pleasant. All those relatives that come visiting make great baby-sitters for you to get out and get a run in. Christmas Day too!

Good that You're doing That

Once I was running up my old German village's hill as one of the villages old timers was hobbling down on thick ankles. As we passed, our eyes met and she nodded with approval.
"Gut das du machst das." She said.

"You're doing a good thing."

The image is emblazoned in my mind

In case you're like I am...

and still planning your christmas gifts (no such luck with Hanukkah this year as it was too early. I had to have that stuff organized and bought before thanksgiving!) I found two online that I adore.

Not exactly running related (or so they think :)) but I tweaked them a smidge and made em 100% running treats.

the first? silly but fun. check out www.myjones.com

Im a huge fan of My Jones soda and at that site they'll slap ANY PICTURE you choose on a case of your favorite flavor.
One special runningwoman in my life is receiving a case of her favorite sugarfree flavor with a photo of her finishing a race plastered on the front.

feeling more serious? check this site out:
www.fineartprintingny.com

My words wont do his work justice but, essentially, he tweaks your photos (read: polishes & perfects) and then amazingly mats, frames and sends.


Different fabulous running friend is getting a black and white pic of her finishing her first marathon so she can hang it in her living room (figured out who you are yet? please to pretend to be surprised!)

just some ideas from a woman who CAN NOT believe how quickly december is FLYING past!!

Run Indoors or Out?

This morning, I'm pacing around the house trying to decide what to do about my run. It's cold outside but the snow has stopped and so has that rain/sleet crap that we had yesterday. From my window, it looks like the sidewalks are all clear but I have no idea what some of the paths look like. I desperately want to run outside and not on the treadmill. I've been trying to get along with that thing, but seriously, it is hard to run indoors! Anyway, back to my problem: it's really cold which I can deal with but I have this crazy fear that is taking over about slipping and taking a bad fall that could mess with my half-marathon training and I just can't get past it. So I'm weighing that fear with the fact that if I run inside today, no way will I be able to get a 'long run' in which I really need to do.

How boring am I? Who spends their Saturday morning obsessing about things like this? Maybe I should just have another cup of coffee and look out the window later. Please tell me some of you have some treadmill tips for me! How, how, how do you do it?!

starting with me

I started that blog. All the names I wanted were taken. Out of desperation I came of with mojojavajo.blogspot.com. I'm hoping that keeping an online journal will keep me motivated!

Road Trip!

Ah - the glory of the open road - yeah, right! The girls, my father and I took an 8 hour road trip to Mississippi this past week. What is it about a road trip that gets us all excited? I mean, it is hours and hours of time in an enclosed space - hmmm...might be a great idea for a reality show. Nope - Mtv's Road Rules already has that covered, but that is with all scantily clad 20-somethings. I could DEFINITELY put on a new twist...30-somethings with children and attitude...yep - I'm going to the networks with this idea!

Road trips in college meant great times listening to "mixed tapes" (I'm dating myself), eating fast food and telling your life story to your traveling buddies (typically a bunch of girlfriends). Now road trips take on a whole new meaning. Shoot - it takes more time for me to plan a road trip with my twins than to actually complete the road trip. My, my...these times they are a-changin'.

And speaking of roads...I'm just about ready to start the 12-week Hal Higdon 1/2 marathon training program that I have been staring at on the inside of my kitchen cabinet. Starting the first week of January it will be exactly 12 weeks til the Music City Marathon. Yeehaw!

Lunge Mommy Lunge

Subtitle: this post is so trite--but since Ive only just experienced it please to indulge me.

Im not great about making myself do things that I dont like to do.

In the exercise/diet realm anyway. Im fully aware (*sigh*) that as an adult my life shall be crammed with doing stuff I dont r-e-a-l-l-y want to do, however, I shall spareth you THAT rant.

I definitely cling to the notion of consistency with my workouts (as in if I do it 6 days a week for YEARS then it mightcould be ok that I am not good about mixing it up).

In a really obvious way.

Im certain that the people who are at the gym the same time I am in the mornings could tell you precisely which machines Im going to do in what order once they know the body part Im lifting/if Im there to do cardio.

today? I MIXED IT UP AND BIT AND MAN DID IT FEEL FANTASTIC.

It was leg day (extensions, inner/outer, seated ham, prone ham and DONE) and something possessed me at the end to throw in a few sets of lunges.

The exercise of champions and one which I detest.

You know what? it felt really really good.

I may do nothing else today to challenge myself but as of 8 am I already had.

what did you do today that challenged the way you think or work out?
That scared you just a little bit but you did it anyway?

APROPOS!

This morning as I was doing my usual penance of exercising the dog (she's fine once she gets her exercise, but gosh does she tug that leash until I let her run free) two young XCountry runners whizzed by me, their coach trailing behind on his bike. They looked so strong and determined. And they were FAST. I'm guessing they were the top runners.
I got to get this bod back and between the workout regimens in Men's Health Ultimate Dumbbell workout and my Complete Book of Running and Fitness, I should be able to do it.
I'm going to follow our little world's lead and blog about my training. As soon as I come up with a catchy little name.
Those young men inspired me. Thanks to the universe for sending me that message.

The Body I was Given

It's not a fact that I am necessarily proud of, but here it is: I have flat feet. Wait. The disappointing news doesn't end there. My right leg kicks out behind me, something my Xcountry coach brought to my attention in high school. (Man, I would love to still be on a Xcountry team...with a kick-ass triathlete coach and his running gear sponsored sidekick...I used to be one mean and lean little mama.) He didn't know how to fix it, so we just kind of let it be. Now, some twenty years later, the back of my right leg is crawling with spider veins. And sometimes the leg, I don't know, just goes weird on me and I can feel myself limping. When that happens then the front of my right foot joins in on the fun and starts aching, too.


And you all thought I was perfect :)

Mommy lost that loving feeling.

I'm at the gym getting ready to take my own advice and run/walk and get some speed back. Well the gym has all these TVs lined up, but I need an FM tuner to hear them. I thought ok, I'll join this century and get an MP3 player/FM tuner. I tried Napster, Itunes, etc.. and could not get any songs I liked and gave up. Then I ran for 40 minutes and it was awful. I was fiddling with the damn player and almost fell several times. I probably should have thrown the thing away, but I was determined not to be beaten by technology. It was ok and I finished the workout. I'm going to beat this. My kids are getting Ipod nanos for Christmas-- how wll I ever get them loaded up? Have I mentioned what a great bunch of people contribute to this blog? I've never written one never mind read one and this just makes my day.

On SEP 11, 2001 I was at the gym and the TVs played the tragedy over and over. I had earphones then and unfortunately could not stop listening/watching. I think I'm feeling pressure not to miss thew news. Since then I've read the entire 9-11 Congressional report and just about every book written on the subject. I still cannot believe it happened.

Im in love.

please not to tell my husband.

with these: http://tufortee.com

and not for my daughter.

You might not know this about me unless you roll with me in real life but I ADORE SKULLS.

Any kind and no Im not sure why.

From the Pirates of the Caribbean vergingonscary ones to the silly, girly pinkbowed kind.

Love.

It's going to be a struggle but Im going to TRY and not request a woman-sized version of their black skully thermal top.


Maybe.


Regardless there are a few little ones in my life who are DEFINITELY getting these for Hanukkah.

if youre still shopping definitely check them out and, by means of disclosure, Im definitely not getting paid for my love.

:)

Classy Mommy Giveaway: Box Set of Barney DVD's

2 lucky readers will win the recently released DVD box set titled, Barney: The Imagination Collection. This is a super collection! Thanks to Hit Entertainment and Fox for sponsoring this giveaway! Value of $30. On sale at Amazon right now!

know my daughter adores Barney. I have to admit as a parent, I find many characters are not always as amusing and as a household rule we are strict about limiting TV time to a minimum. However, I adore how my daughter sings the Barney song again and again and sweetly says, "I love you, You love me, We're a happy family". So, Barney is a winner in our house!

Click here for contest entry details.

Mommy at the gym and not the road

It is December! 24 more days till the big day. My children are so happy and trying so hard to peek. I usually find this time of year as an essential time to work out and remain sane. When I lived in NY I had to go to the gym because 26 inches of snow kept me inside. When I lived in TX-- 110 degrees kept me inside. During those times I ran on the treadmill, did the elyptical, and in TX I always went to a BodyPump class twice a week. I like the gym, but then moved to KY when the weather is almost always conducive to running outside and I never run inside. What happened was that I got slower. On the treadmill I always had the speed at 7.5 or 8 and ran for 40 minutes. Now I'm outside having a grand old time, but my speed has slipped drmatically. I was forced to the gym because of pouring rain last Monday and loved my time on the treadmill. I walked at 3.8 for 10 minutes, ran at 7.0 for 10 minutes, walked at 3.8 for 10 minutes, ran at 7.0 for 10 minutes and finished walking at 3.8 for 5 minutes. I'll get back to running the whole thing for 40 minutes, but this way I know I'm doing it and truly we can really do almost anything for 10 minutes. I think I'll break down and buy an MP3 player and keep going to the gym for a while. Speed means longer distance in the same time. I once ran 12 miles on a treadmill while training for the Houston Marathon. It was pouring out and I was too frightened to miss a run on the training schedule. It was hell.

Flu shot for KIDS???

Not sure how I feel about the flu shot for kids....this is the second time my little girl has gotten very sick after the flu shot. Now I know that when they inject the flu shot they are giving you the live virus....(did you know this) it is in order for our body to create antigens to fight the virus if ever exposed again. So LIVE virus means YES you can get sick from the flu shot (especially if your immune system is already DOWN). my 3 1/2 year old had hers ONLY because she goes to daycare and around other KIDS, otherwise I wouldn't get her one. WHY do I feel this way...MAYBE because I went ALL my infant/adolescent years WITHOUT it and I am still here! I have gotten the flu 4 times in my life....Twice was after I received the Flu SHOT....HMMMM what does this mean?
The Center for Disease Control is ONLY predicting the strain of FLU that will come around each year...you could still get exposed to another strain and be DOWN with the flu.....so WHY get a FLU shot?
My little girl got PNEMONIA this time.....it started like this....low fever within the 24 hours following the FLU shot......2-3 days following a dry cough....then about a week later still coughing and a running nose....10 days later deep cough followed by HIGH fever, vomiting for 12 hours, then "crackling" in her chest.....a call to the doctor and then a rush visit to the MED CHECK b/c it was Thanksgiving....she has pnemonia.....
She is better now but I am seriously debating whether or not NEXT year I will get in the flu shot.
What are your thoughts?