I’m on day 5,013 of the headache from hell & like Mooch…I’ve been crashing out on the couch a lot.

It’s always in the same spot….the same intense, piercing pain.

I wake up with it. I go to bed with it.

I’ve taken Advil almost religiously…even tried a Sudaphed something-or-other tonight thinking it might be sinus pressure.

It’s not.

And now I can’t even turn my head slightly to the right without wincing in pain.

Like the puppy, I’ve been grunting all the time.

[ggrrrhhh....ggggrrrrhhhh.....ggggrrrrhhhhh]

I’m to the point where I’m contemplating going in to see the f light doc about it…but if I get air & water one more time, I think my head will explode.

I can just see the Morning Calm headlines now (the base newspaper):

‘ARMY WIFE’S HEAD EXPLODES AT TMC – DOCTOR’S CITE FAULTY AIR TANK’

TMC – Troop Medical Center: Our one-stop shop for all our air & IV fluid needs.

But before I go crash again…I wanted to thank Karen for her insight on the inner workings of the military shopping system.

While it’s nice to know our extra pennies at the PX are being fed back into MWR unfortunately it doesn’t make surviving for 2 & a half years from one & only one store more fulfilling.

Could you do it?…And I’m not just talking shopping at Wal-Mart or Target for 2 & a half years straight.

(Shoot, having to choose between those two would make my head explode!)

Think smaller – much smaller. In fact, I can’t even think of an example to give you from back home.

The honest truth (in my humble, little-bitty nobody opinion) is that even when we were stationed in the states, I never shopped at the PX.

While the prices may be lower on some things, the affordable quality & variety is just not there. Our options are mainly Dollar-General-esque items or a few top of the line, name brands. There’s no middle ground for us middle ranks.

I mean really…where on earth would I wear this lovely bright red, mustard orange & avacado green leopard print peasant skirt?

But enough said…I could go on & on…it’s easy to complain when you’re homesick for an American shopping mall, with clothes to fit your Amazonian-Texas girl frame or shoes for your size 15 husband.

(Can’t imagine what life must’ve been like for the guys before Zappo’s.)

But I do appreciate the insight…I just wish I could appreciate it from back home.