I am completely relaxed.

Do you have any recurring injuries? I honestly don't, but I get this nagging soreness in my right shoulder. I don't consider it a recurring injury because there isn't any pain, and it goes away for weeks on end. But it always comes back and it usually does so after a hard day's work at the gym. That's why I think it has everything to do with the muscles and tendons surrounding my rotator cuff and not my rotator cuff itself. So I dig in there as best I can in a mad attempt to loosen things up and I stretch it out over and over, but I can only do so much. A professional masseuse I am not—but Jason's aunt Cindy is! And she's a good one, too.

Let's back up for a second. Exactly one month ago today, I turned a very magical 30 years of age. In honor of this, my in-laws gifted me an hour-long massage with Cindy. Oh yes, was I ever excited. This would be (believe it or not) my first massage ever. Yes...EVER. The only snag in the plan is that Cindy isn't in my hometown. And so, since we'd be heading her way for Christmas, I got on her calendar. And I have no regrets about that. Absolutely no regrets.

It's safe to say that I'm hooked on massages. Geeze, did she work me! And it felt so good. Especially on that wicked right shoulder I told you about. Soft music, essential oils, comfortable blankets, dark lighting...the perfect recipe for a mid-afternoon nap. And yet, I couldn't fall asleep. It's not that I couldn't relax, I was just completely interested in everything that she was doing. So many tricks to getting this muscle or that one to relax! She does this thing where she puts one hand on my foot and the other on my hand, pressing down ever so gently to the point where it totally and completely relaxes that side of my body. I don't know if that's the reaction I'm supposed to have, but that's what happened. She stretched me out a little too, which felt lovely. Lucky for me, one hour turned into almost two. I walked out of her office feeling like Jell-O. Unlucky for me, I apparently have some nasty knots in my right shoulder that still need some kneading. SIGH...guess I'll have to get another massage at some point. Woe is me. Hopefully it can be with Cindy.

Aunt Cindy, not Cindi-Lou Who.

Cutest cartoon character ever, right? It's Christmas Eve. Have you watched "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" yet? Or maybe you prefer "It's a Wonderful Life." Regardless, I hope your holiday is off to a magical start. May your family surround you, may the spirit of giving inspire you. And remember, Santa really likes cookies with sprinkles. (Don't forget to leave a carrot out for Rudolph.)

Question: Ever get a massage? Tell me about it.

REMINDER! Don't forget to enter my Me & Goji giveaway! You just might win a cereal capsule containing the ingredients of your choice. (Contest ends at midnight EST on Friday, December 24, 2010).