I can't remember how long exactly.

And quite honestly, I could feel these coming on for quite a while.

But now that we've reached the halfway point between $3 and $4 gas - it's official, my gas cramps have returned.

And this time, they are so severe, that I really have to watch what I eat, because the gas issue also seems to be food related.

I'm doubled over in excruciating pain as gas prices continue to climb with no apparent end in site, and in turn, continue to drive the prices of basic items like bread, milk and eggs higher as well.

The gas companies have been very sneaky about it. First they pushed the $2 mark for a while. Americans grumbled. The price fluttered around $1.99 - convincing us that it was good because it was still under $2.

Then came the break thru as prices broke that $2 barrier. First five cent increases. Then another few cents. It would go up to about $2.15, then drop back to $2.05.

Hey look, it's coming down.

Then it would dip to $1.99 and we'd all celebrate, forgetting that just months before it had been $1.50 - and for many, many years below that had been around the $1 and $1.20 mark.

But we bought into it. And in time, we began to accept gas as it jumped up and down between $2.20 and $2.30 - then increases to almost…gasp, $3.

Then finally it went over $3, up to around $3.07. Then it dropped back down underneath the $3 mark for quite a while.

Thank goodness, $2.99 gas. I never thought I'd be saying that.

But all good things must come to an end, and once again, the prices cracked that unimaginable $3 mark. And since that time they have grown about 10 cents at a time, until today we're staring at $3.50 a gallon gas, well on our way to $4.

So when do we get excited?

I'm pretty excited right now. Especially when I keep hearing reports about record profits for the oil companies. It would be more understandable if the oil companies were raising their prices to stay ahead of cost, but when I continue to hear the term record profits and corporate bonuses - well, it's time to do something.

The simple solution is to crack open America's private reserve hidden in the Alaskan frontier and stop relying so heavily on foreign oil being drilled in countries that wish us dead.

Become self reliant, tell the Middle East oil nations we don't need your crude anymore, and watch them take a financial flush.

I joked with a cashier in town earlier this week, you should stick somebody out by the pump and have them point a gun at you so when you pay for your fuel, at least you get the real feeling of an armed robbery.

I'm just curious to see how much longer this will go on before some real solutions are sought and reached.

Is $4 the magic number? I guess we'll find out soon - it won't be long now.