TLC is a requirement not an option 5

Make no mistake -- the most important relationship in your life is the one you have with yourself. So today, don't be shy about putting yourself first. Lavish some time on yourself and give yourself some tender loving care. Don't forget to consciously thank the universe for giving you the choices it's given you. Every single one of them has taught you more about how strong and amazing you are.

Guess I did that - in a way. It wasn't much of a choice, though I guess I could have chosen to keep working and ignore the pain in my back....no, no I couldn't. So I gave myself an ice pack and a movie and stayed in bed all afternoon.

Not sure what my choices are - or have been - but I'm pretty happy with the Universe. I know I taunt.... but it's because I love. Please keep that in mind next time I start screaming or whining. I'm really pretty pretty happy. And amazing. Not so sure about strong.

How can you dream if you're wide awake? 0

Dreams are for sleeping and usually for keeping to yourself. However, you may find that sharing some of your most unusual ideas and flights of fancy with someone will help you find ways to make at least one of them a reality. (Detroit News)

I see a few problems here. A) All of my ideas are unusual. B) I didn't discuss any ideas with anyone today. C) I'm not that good at keeping my thoughts to myself. And D) I haven't been SLEEPING!

This horoscope totally does not apply to me. It's like the opposite of me. Really, Universe, if you want me sharing dreams I need to get over this back pain so I can sleep. Is that too much to ask?

The mysterious allure of a good night's rest 7

You'll be drawn to the mysterious and metaphysical as the Sun and Mercury travel through Scorpio. You'll also contemplate new dreams or a favorite fantasy under the optimistic Aries Moon.

If my bed is mysterious and metaphysical then this 'scope is dead on. I still have trouble sleeping because of back issues. I'm feeling better during the day but sleeping gets painful, especially when I move at all so I end up waking up at least 10 times a night and, lately, getting up WAY earlier than I would like. Thank God for Ambien because there are some nights that my body just knows that it will start hurting an hour after I lay down and I won't even be able to get to sleep. I kept trying to nap today but it didn't really take. And with the time change, I am at a severe sleep deficit.

I am contemplating my favorite fantasy that involves no back pain and everyone else in my family putting their own frickin' dishes in the dishwasher. Is that really too much to ask?

The (not so) great pretender 8

Keep in mind that there's no need to pretend that you are feeling lighthearted if you're not. Hang in there for a couple more days until this dark cloud passes.

Oh, thank God because if this pain (i.e. dark cloud) doesn't pass I don't know what I'm doing to do. Couldn't even bend down to kiss Son good night and as I shut out his light he said with a worried tone "Mom, make sure someone tells me if you die."

Terrific. Now I'm scaring my children.

Back to physical therapy next week for sure.

Thursday - Out of commision 0

Your organizational skills will be put to the test as you strive to create more space and freedom of movement at work and at home.

NO freedom of movement for me today. Last night I fell asleep on the couch watching Sex and the City and when I woke up I could barely move. The pain was so bad I couldn't sleep. It took me 29 minutes to walk down the stairs for pain meds and I knew there was no way I'd make it back up the stairs without screaming or crying so I stretched out on the couch where Husband found me at 6:30 AM and helped me back upstairs to bed.

By then the pain was so bad I couldn't even turn my head without shooting, stabbing pain down my back and legs. Son had to fetch me water and turn the lamp on for me. Luckily, Jill came by to drop off stuff for the garage sale and she went and picked up my meds and set out lunch for Son. Another great friend, Sue, took Son in the afternoon to play with her son and fed him dinner. I am so lucky to have such great friends, but can't believe the PAIN. And I don't even know what I did! How does a 20-minute nap (even in the wrong position) warrant this kind of pain?

And how could the Universe not foresee this? How about a little warning?