Hello from Tracy.

ice, muscle relaxers, and rest.
then once the muscle is less tender, stretching and massage.
i get neck pain-serious neck pain-a couple times a year.

Wish I was closer to get into one of those classes! I know everyone will have fun though. I can't pick up a Martha Stewart Mag without getting just tons of layout ideas!!!

Domino had some great tips for going green in your home. I read the same articles. I, too, fantasize about the lush gardens featured in MS's outdoor mag, hoping one day I'll wake up and it will magically appear.
If you have the time while in San Fran...go for a massage. And if the spa does neck adjustments. that should do the trick. In the meantime, stand in a hot shower and let it beat down on your neck to help loosen it up a bit.
Still reminiscing about your visit to VA. I'm constantly inspired by you, Ali!
Jeanette :)

Ali, another really good way to get your smile on: go outside and skip down the street. I mean, totally skip. You can't skip without smiling. And I am sure that if they did some scientific research on this we would learn that the act of skipping produces a chemical rush, a euphoric release of happy hormones.
It's great whether you do it alone or holding someone else's hand (who must also be skipping).
In fact, it even helps to watch someone skip. But doing it yourself will really make a long-term difference and get you out of that funk completely. Try it and let me know how it goes. =)

Heating pad and just RELAXING those muscles - not sitting up, straining, or leaning. Make sure you are laying down or in a position with no stress on your neck. Plus 2 ibuprofen. Usually works pretty well for me (I have worked with a lot of neck related strains and tension in my life!).
As for the HUGE outdoor garden, as much as I love that idea (I am a gardener at heart)....I just think about all the maintenance. Then I think about the garden help I'd have to hire to tend to it. Then I suddenly snap back to reality and am happy for my small patch of garden and realise that my dreams take me to other playgrounds and gardens that I can view, enjoy, and feel guilt-free about accidentally neglecting ;)
Finally, Domino puts out the most forward home decor magazine, bar none. They have an eye for detail and making things 'work' like no other. Most of the homes look lived in and cozy. They look like some place I'd like to live. Sure they can be a little pretentious (as almost all home decor magazines are), but they are not over anyone's head. This month's magazine really hits home for me, as I have always been interested in limiting my ecological footprint on this earth. It's great to see some businesses taking a serious, committed plunge into keep our earth in tact for future generationgs.

for a stiff neck... take a wet washcloth/dishtowel and wring it out so it is just damp. put it in a bowl and microwave it for 30sec-60sec. lay it on your neck AND shoulders [shoulder pain causes neck pain/stiffness] and cover it with a dry towel to keep in the heat. the moist heat will loosen and soothe the muscles.
...in fact, i'm about to do that right now!

I do really intense neckrolls (like I learned in dance when I was little) and something ALWAYS pops or cracks and I feel some relief.
Or you can just rent J for an hour ;)

Ali
Someone suggested a corn bag...you can do the same thing with rice and some flannel fabric...
Make a small tube...you decide the size...
Fill with rice and close.
Heat in the microwave for about 30 sec...don't do too much... and it's a heat pad.
Keep in the freezer and it's a cool pac.
In the mean time...one quick fix, I've used is put a wet small towel (hand towel or wash rag) in a ziplock bag and microwave for less than a minute...then wrap in another towel. It is a great quick heat pad (they did this for me when I was in the hospital for my back...don't heat it too long, because you'll burn yourself.)
Hope you feel better....advil PM is also good....FYI.
Kaylea

Hey Ali! Sorry you're under the weather. I've had a stiff neck for years following a car accident, and my old stand-by is one of those flax seed-filled neck wraps that you can stick in the microwave. You can get them at lots of different places or even make your own. I got mine from http://www.bannertherapy.com/ProductInfo.aspx?large-nelly-pack&number=90-140
That one is nice because it has some aroma-therapy stuff in it and it smells just great when you use it. Hope that helps!

one word for your neck = BIOFREEZE
i can't live w/out this stuff
www.biofreeze.com

I have some arthritis in my neck, probably from playing rugby in the day. :) So these are for serious neck pain: Chiropractor, Massage, Physical Therapy, Accupuncture...have you ever had Shiatsu? OMG, it is life-altering. I've only done it once but wow. Unlike regular massage where the practitioner applies pressure and friction, in Shiatsu they pull and stretch you. Amazing. Need to get me some of that. Also, one time I did, water massage. I can't think now what they call it...oh, that's right. Watsu. Also totally amazing. I think I need to do all of these and soon!

Ali, I am experienced in neck pain from a car accident, although maybe your neck is sore from the flu you have. Use a heat pack babe. Then when your muscles are nice and warm, turn your head slowly from one side to the other, holding for several seconds. This is a gentle neck stretch. HOpe it helps.

Chéri is learning the job of gardener & he loves it even if it's quite so hard to work by every weather out!
beautiful job!
{ThE fReNcH tOuCh}
http://prolix.typepad.fr
http://www.myspace.com/scrapbookstar

i just want to say that i LOVE watching those badge numbers go up and up!(i think i am a little addicted to it. LOL.)

Don't put more pressure on yourself than you already have. A luscious garden only comes with a fulltime commitment to working in it or full time gardeners. Plant yourself some nice patio containers that will afford you some nice cuttings and something pretty to look at.

A little Tylenol and maybe a massage for your neck might do the trick for it. Probably slept on it wrong. Maybe as you move around today it'll loosen up.
I picked up a magazine at the airport last week: House and Garden. It's all about color combinations and might be an inspiration for your scrapping and/or dream outdoor space!
Sue

I like Trader Joe's Organic Echinacea Tea when I've got a cold. Let it steep so it's nice and strong, then add honey to taste and you'll feel better in no time. For general malaise I use peppermint tea, again with a little sweetener. I like plain white sugar in this one (nothing like a little risk!) and it really seems to help.
Sorry the weather is so yucky down here for you this weekend.

Ali- Try........ BIOFREEZE...........
Tracey Odachowski let me use some last night for sore neck and shoulders and knee and it worked in minutes!!!
http://www.biofreeze.com/
hope this helps.
hugs-Peg

Whew, all these remedies! You can tell there are some crafty ladies here with all the flannel warm packs :). Don't know if it'll help the stiff neck, but I emailed you my website before - I swear by Vimmunity for cold & flu - my last "bad" cold only lasted 4 days and was far milder than they typically are. You take it as soon as you start to feel sick and it gives you a serious immune system boost. I can't even tell you how much I love this stuff. Email me if you want the link again.

This is from a family of nurses who also believe in vitamins:)
Take 1-2 liquid calcium capsules 2x a day for pulled muscles etc. Unless you have a heart problem or kidney stones this should not hurt you and will help your bones. You can get them at grocery stores, Target, etc for about $10 a bottle. The best stuff ever.
Cheryl BSN, RN and EMT