Exercise: Powerful arms

I have been doing arm exercises for a while. I love the idea of wearing sleeveless shirts and dresses and show toned, sculpted arms. However, I find myself starring at that hanging area on the back of my arms (you know, the triceps). I am starting to see some progress. There are several exercises you can try. My favorite this month is the triceps extensions. I am working on this muscle confusion thing, where I do 100 with a 3 pound dumbbell. It is working, and I feel sexier already.
Keep in mind, I live in an island that sports 90 degree weather 350 days a year. Have to look good too, it is not all about the health you know. Well, I have to run, we have a thunderstorm and I have no battery for this computer. Keep trying.

Nutrition: Stay away from sodas

I am now in a dilemma. I love a certain coffee colored soda. I am 40 years old. I heard that soda eats up your bones. Now I have noticed two things:
If I drink soda before I go to sleep, I wake up with a backache
If I don't drink soda for a day, I wake up with minor pain.
That is not my only concern. My thumbs are hurting like a 90 year old with arthritis pain. Now I am scared. I don't want to get arthritis. I don't want to walk like an 80 year old person. My only logical escape is to knock soda out of my diet. This is not about the sugar or the calories, this has to do with my desperate attempt to keep my bones healthy.
Does this make any sense? If someone knows a nutritionist that can either confirm or deny my suspicion, please let me know. Thanks. Keep trying.

Ramblings: Happiness is not on a meal or on a bottle

Today I found happiness while reading an art magazine. I used to love to draw when I was young. It made the time fly even at the worst of times (when someone died or things were bad). I have abandoned my thrills after a certain age. I no longer go to museums or mix colors or paint or draw. I've been meaning to, but life keeps getting in the way.
But today I decided to read the current issue of an art magazine, and I have kept that grin on my face for most of the day. It was like rediscovering an old flame or reaquainting myself with an old friend. It felt good and comfortable. I want to explore that feeling for a little longer.
Eating has never been something that makes me happy for hours, specially if it was something "bad" for me. Drinking has never had a great effect on me, and pills have never delivered on the promisse of joy I've expected. So maybe the solution is to look for that thing that makes you happy and hold on to it for dear life, specially when life gets in the way.
Keep trying.