Is it a Sinus Infection or Not?

Over a month ago I went to the doctor because I thought I had a sinus infect and an ear infection. I had neither, although my sinuses were full of junk and my ear was full of fluid. I got a steroid shot that got me all better in about 24 hours. About 2 weeks later I went back to the doctor for the same thing and she determined it must be allergies which is why it came back.  Today I really want to go back to the doctor (or to a different one?) to find out if it really is just allergies or if I do have some sort of sinus infection. I hate being all congested and the sinus pressure is INSANE. The cough and sore throat aren't too great either. If it really is just allergies then I would love medicine that actually helps, but maybe I just haven't been on my Singulair long enough to help it get better? I'd rather not be sick still when we head away for Christmas!

On a much happier note... Since we are traveling for Christmas there were a few gifts we wanted to open early and not take. The other day Chris had me open one of those gifts... one that is a solid 6 pounds and would've made keeping within the weight limit for our baggage tricky. It is an item I have been wanting for a while now. The Complete Americas Test Kitchen TV Show Cookbook 2001-2012. I've been flipping through it since Friday and am so excited to come back from our trip so I can try some of the recipes. I would've made something this week before we go, but we've got some perishable items that need to be eaten first. I love the tips they give, the pictures, the recommendations for kitchen appliances and tools, as well as some brand recommendations for food items. The things I have had out of that cookbook have been incredible, and I'm excited for even more successes!

They Came!

Mom, Dad & Brad came to visit last week. It was rad to have them here! We got to do some touristy stuff that I hadn't done (ok, so the Alamo was the only one I had seen). I didn't take a TON of pictures, but here are some of the pictures I did take! They didn't get added in the proper order, but oh well!

The last full day they were here we went bowling! 

We went down to The Riverwalk, went on a riverboat tour to see the lights! The orange hood is Brad's head, sorry :)

One of the very first things we did was take them to Rudys, which is our favorite (also the only one I've been to) BBQ here in Texas! I didn't take a picture of the food, but here is the trash... all the brisket, sausage, ribs, creamed corn and coleslaw is gone!

I didn't have pictures from The Alamo, or us watching the BYU v. Hawaii game, or going to church, or the other food we ate... I know Mom had a bunch more pictures that she took--of the steakhouse we went to, of us celebrating her bowling score at Dairy Queen (had to get some "medicine"), and possibly other stuff? I just don't remember!

It was a blast to have them here, and we hope to see them again soon!