Hydrate. Expectorate.

Ok. An admission. For the past three days I've been pouring salt water up my nose. Yup. Up my nose. And wow! WOW! I've never felt so good.

Here's the scoop: while sniffling up in Seattle over the holiday break, Kell's kind (and convincing) uncle persuaded me that the neti pot might be just the solution to my serious ever-present sinus congestion. And what'd'ya know!? I tried it and, get this, actually breathed through my nose ALL NIGHT. We're talkin' BOTH NOSTRILS! I wouldn't kid about this, folks. It's a miracle.

Now, I won't lie friends, 'tis mildly embarrassing to discuss such personal matters in such a public forum. But this water-up-the-nose bit has changed my world and I'd feel horrible not sharing this information with you because I know some of you need to embrace the neti pot just as desperately as I did.

I know, you're thinking "Yeah...I've heard of that whole deal...but I'm just not so sure." Well, friends, I'm here to assure you that you'll be sure. I'd heard from two ear/nose/throat docs, as well as my long-time pulmonologist that this practice might be my ticket to sinus salvation but I just couldn't bring myself to do it until this weekend. And boy am I grateful that I finally got the guts. I promise, it's not nearly as gross as it seems in your imagination. In fact, it's kind of relaxing. Crazy? Perhaps. Awesome? Absolutely. So to continue the theme of "thankfulness"... a huge thanks to our Seattle family for strong-arming me into open airways.

Now you try it! (P.S. The key is to buffer the solution with a bit of baking soda. Or, you can just purchase the pot with the nifty pre-mixed packets.)

Now enough of that serious stuff. Below is a most-hilarious clip of me "mastering" my little bro's trumpet on my recent trip to Salt Lake (where I proudly watched him rock the orchestra pit in the school play.) You'll hear Matthew in the background whistling the notes that he wants me to hit. Try as I might, I'd have sooner burst a lung than been able to play his key. Lots of fun, just the same though. Enjoy!