Thank you for the kind words, and the (lovely, but unnecessary) encouragement to Snarf Chocolate For All I’m Worth. All except, well, CAROL at She Lives. Carol is just so up front and straightforward and honest and healthy, and had to go and tell me that all that sugar would cause me to be less able to handle stress.
And ya know what? She’s right. And I thought about her words of wisdom. Carol’s a dear friend – and is truly wise. Her counsel should probably be considered, so I considered it. And…. then I decided I didn’t care and went and ate two chocolate COVERED oreos for breakfast. Yes. Breakfast. Uh huh, I really did.
And then what happened? My jaw (TMJ) started aching in such a way that makes eating anything very difficult. It does that only in times of extreme stress. (Probably it is my body’s personal defense mechanism to PREVENT me from my self destructive chocolate therapy approach. stupid body.)
So now I am not eating chocolate. Or much of anything. Because I can hardly OPEN MY MOUTH, YALL. Thanks for all of your prayers, except you, Carol, who must be somehow responsible. (And if you’re not responsible for it, I know you’re at least happy about my involuntary chocolate fast.)
(OH MY GOSH. I just went to Carol’s and she has a LOVELY post that mentions me in the kindest of terms. I’m such a pouty friend. I really do love you, Carol!)
Two-tone neck gives it away. Antlers are...
3:28 pm
Ok, now you have my condolences. I’m so sorry. I’ll eat some chocolate FOR you.
4:14 pm
eep I hope your mouth feels better soon!
5:44 pm
I bet if you mixed some of those treats on your counter in with some ice cream and milk you could make a shake and then DRINK you some chocolate. No chewing required. Seriously, I hope you get some stress relief soon…
6:05 pm
Man that stinks. I went to a conference last year with a lady who could never eat chocolate. She couldn’t eat a lot of stuff b/c she had some stomach thing. It made me sad. Ske was skinny but still, how sad is that. So I decided then that I would be thankful that I could eat it, and have a taste occasionally. You’ve once again made me thankful. Hope your lack of chocolate/stress thing ends soon!
8:25 pm
Feel better soon!
Mary, fellow chocoholic
8:54 pm
I’m sooooo praying for you friend! Really hoping that things calm down and all stress is removed ASAP.
9:27 pm
Jaw massage. It actually works. My TMJ was so bad about 8 years ago I had to go to physical therapy, and basically all they did was massage every conceivable part of my jaw and neck. It REALLY worked, so go for it!
9:46 pm
Awww. TMJ sucks. I wore a mouth piece that made me look like a football player for a couple of years. I hope yours is better soon.
10:45 pm
I love you too, Kelsey. And no, I didn’t pray anything about you and chocolate. I just prayed for you because…and I’m going to keep praying for you. I may just sic my prayer group on you. None of them blog, so you can post about ‘em next time your jaw locks up and they’ll never know.
I’m just loving Spring!!!!
12:02 am
I came back tonight to let you know I was thinking of you and found this… aaahhh.. not sure if it’s good or bad. Good because of all the unneeded calories you’ll be avoiding! and bad because… well… OUCH! Hang in there!! Continuing to pray…
2:24 am
No more stress and much more chocolate be upon you.
6:11 am
Okay, lady. I haven’t read the comments and don’t know if anyone has suggested this.
I had HORRIBLE TMJ after a tough year in Korea, and plunked immediately into a class where I was expected to learn Russian in a year. Talk about stress…
My TEETH even started to hurt bad. One dentist thought my cavity needed to be replaced, did that twice. No kidding, nightmare city. The next dentist wanted to do a root canal. Huh? The third dentist (I skipped out on the root canal, saw another dentist as soon as we moved) told me the pain was from me clenching my teeth, probably at night. One of the tendons in my mouth was four times thicker than normal. Even I could see it in the X-ray.
For a buck something he said I could wear a sport mouth guard (shaped for my teeth) at home each night, and my jaws would relax. I did it, it was awkward at first. But after a few nights I found relief! I’ve used the guard a few more times through the years, and it’s even helped take away tension headaches as they were hitting me hard.
Don’t know if this will help you, but you might want to try it. I used a cheap sport mouth guard. I think there are more expensive things in the pharmacy section of drug stores, now.
Ooooh… stress…. I hear screaming kids and it’s only 7:11 a.m…..
6:29 am
Put the chocolate (not cookies has to be just chocolate) in your mouth and let it melt. No chewing!
Or, you could try chaotic mom’s suggestion. She seems to know what she’s talking about.
mmmmchocmmmlatmmm
6:44 am
don’t you just love it when people are right? errrr, lol
here’s wishes and prayers that you feel better soon!
9:29 am
The next health report will say “Chocolate causes TNJ” Ayyy Yiii Yiii!
Hope your pain goes away soon. And in the meantime, you can get that chocolate in by making a milkshake!
10:26 am
Oh Wow! I soo relate to the stupid body comment! (See my Monday Blog). Remember when we were kids and we could eat lots of candy and it didn’t phase us? Now if I eat a little bit I have a mental breakdown! Not to mention that if I eat too much chocolate or anything with caffeine that my breasts (yes Breasts!) start aching! Is that such a jip or what? I would hate it if my jaw did that! OOWWW! Maybe it’s the caffeine on you as well? Except yours is the jaw! Well, as your holding your aching jaw, I will sympathize by holding my breasts!
Actually it will be my back this week! Ugh! Stupid body! Love your blog!
10:49 am
So sorry about the pain, HM!
My advice? One giant mocha latte sipped slowly by the fire.
Bless you
12:52 pm
gah!! i’m so sorry! whatever is stressing you, i sure hope it resolves itself or you resolve it, whichever. you’ll be in my thoughts and prayers.
1:37 pm
So sorry that you stressing out… I’ll pray about whatever it is you are going through.
In the mean time, let me help you out as a good friend should and do. Send all your Ghiradelli brownies to me and I will take care of them for you. Remember this will probably hurt me more than it will hurt you… Friends eat other friend’s chocolate when necessary.
1:46 pm
Hi again! Just wanted to let you know that I have a new blog started because I can not get into gigglin and screamin! Hope you come see it soon! Oh, and I put your link on there too!
2:39 pm
Oooh, don’t get mad at me Kelsey, but Carol’s right! Chocolate = caffeine plus sugar = more stress. Ask me how I know.
It’s a vicious cycle! Praying for you…….
2:41 pm
Geesh, is that what this TMJ I have has been trying to tell me all these years?
Naaaaaaaaah–
Hope your jaws get feeling better!
7:18 pm
I am so sorry to hear you are so stressed. (I am afraid I am sort of allergic to chocolate, so i don’t usually allow myself to give in to the chocolate urge too much. But it is my 9 yr anniversary today so I will indulge at dinner tonight!) I hope you are soon able to enjoy a bit of chocolate – and MOST of all that your stress subsides.
Thanks sooo much for the link in your blog roll – as a newbie it is very exciting!!
I had fun today following the indie virus links that i found after clicking on Carol’s link in your post.
thanks