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Blog Name: Silly Grrl

Why I adore this blog: SHE RAN AWAY AND JOINED A CIRCUS! Srsly! Not only is she an awesome web designer but a trapeze artist as well! I am encouraged by those who are able to stop their nine-to-five lives to follow their dreams. Her post on how she made the escape is one of my favorites. I also look forward to her wrap up post that introduces me to either very light-hearted posts to the serious thought-provoking posts by others. She is the type of blog I want this one to grow up to be!!

I hope you enjoy her as much as I do!!

What is that?

Well, according the US Treasury website,  Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) were created in 2003 so that individuals covered by high-deductible health plans could receive tax-preferred treatment of money saved for medical expenses.  Generally, an adult who is covered by a high-deductible health plan (and has no other first-dollar coverage) may establish an HSA.

Uh? What?

Basically, it’s all mine! Any money I deposit is tax-free (which for a single Chickie with no kid-lings, BONUS!),if I am laid-off or change jobs, it goes with me and at 65 it turns into a retirement account. I like that it keeps on building year to year…no lose it here!

I generally used a FSA (Flexible Spending Plan) which is a use it or lose it medical plan. I never really had an issue of having money left over at the end of the year. This time around, it is taking a bit more maintenance on my part. (Think, checking account with all it’s deposits and withdrawals) My employer does contribute a bit towards my account by my participation in health fares and such.

Thus far, matched with my insurance, it’s been a good choice.

In honor of Fibromyalgia Awareness Day (May 12th) – Purple Butterflies

It’s my Old Man cat’s birthday today! Old man is old!!

That’s was my cave girl growl. Scary, right?

For the last thirty days I have been in a Paleo challenge with my Soul Sista and her hubby! The goal is to integrate my eating habits to a more healthy life style. Truthfully, I was 80% Paleo and 20% not so Paleo these past thirty days. Was able to say no to Gluten on some occasions but really, can’t say bye-bye to chocolate ice cream quite yet!

Significant changes? Only three flare days total this month!!! HUGE IMPROVEMENT! I lost a total of 6.5 pounds as well. I am starting to feel the difference in the way my clothes fit, which is always exciting. Energy is up (hey, I left the house on a Sunday…three weeks in a row!) and I am feeling happy once again. Yes, I still have days of pain and days of fatigue but they are less frequent. My last doctor’s appointment went rather well. She did prescribe a new pain medication but after three very unsuccessful attempts of taking it, I will just stick with my eating healthy and using Advil.

And I have to give a shout out to the family and my Soul Sista…without their support, I’d probably be eating a Big Mac right now! I also created a support group on face book called Primal Paleo & Fibromyalgia. We are small group with a common goal of using the paleo lifestyle to help manage our fibromyalgia. Small group thus far but informative and fun!

Next month, it will be all about exercise! I will be reviewing the book I found called Exercise for Fibromyalgia! With it getting way hotter each day here in Hades, I mean, Arizona, walking will become a bit of a chore. It’s a good time to try something new.

Anyway, this months “Gotta Try It” comes from Henry Happened and her post for the Vanilla Clove Body Oil Spray.

Her instructions are in the post and I admittedly put in more clove than vanilla. Love the smell of clove. It was super easy to make! It certainly costs way less that some of the ‘fumes I have chosen in the past.

‘Nilla Clove Body Spray

As an American, I live in relative safety and don’t have to worry about going to the local market and having a bomb go off. This week showed us how quickly and swiftly our “safe” society can crumble. Now, more than ever, it just feels right to be as prepared for anything!

I am ticking off the items from the Six Sisters 72 hours kit once again this month. There wasn’t a whole bunch to put in our box. A spot of cash for the emergencies, some toilet paper (ya, kinda of a big deal even in emergencies), some soap and something to whittle away the hours when the WorldWideWeb ceases to work. I added playing cards but will be on the look out for cheap crossword or word search books.

Source: Library of Congress