Yep, it’s true.
I caught the spring fever wave.
Literally…
Chills and all.
Despite my best efforts, I caught Lovee’s cold.
No kisses or hugs for over a week.
Me on one side of the house, him on the other.
And I still caught it.
Probably doing laundry and delivering meals.
Ah well, a common cold every now and then is par for the course.
I am in bed trying to get well quick quick quick…
Taking good care too.
(not really, I find myself escaping my bed, only to be brought back by a hacking cough)
Thank goodness for the pink roses from the garden.
Why must one get sick in the full bloom of spring, I ask?
My mom says oodles of folks she knows caught it too.
Curses!
🙂
You know what is really silly?
I am one of those people that wipes off the handles on grocery store carts, and carries wipes in her purse. And washes her hands the second she walks in the door. And disinfects everything including the steering wheel.
Goes to show, pointless 🙂
I think maybe I’ll live on the edge now.
What is your take on germs?
I never use that antibacterial pump stuff only because I don’t like how it feels on my hands.
But I do use antibacterial wipes and such.
Should I keep doing it, or is it fruitless?
(I have heard some folks think being exposed to germs builds your immunities?)
For now…
I am trying to do some of this.
Day dreaming.
Dreaming big.
I hope you are still doodling?
I am thinking up little faces and things I want to paint and sculpt when I feel better.
There are baskets of strawberries coming in from the garden, so I want to make this, which I saw in the May 2013 issue of Country Living…
Rustic Strawberry Galette.
Achoooooooooooooooooo!!
Hack hack hack.
Thank Goodness for mint tea.
I fill a big pot with water, about 12 cups or more.
Bring it to a boil, turn it off.
Toss in 2 cups of fresh mint leaves (no stems), steep for 10 minutes, strain, put in a tiny bit of honey or sugar, done.
Sip.
They say it’s good for a cough?
Okay well, I gotta run.
If you need me, Medusa will be over here, kleenex covered and sneezing.
Oh oh oh….
Did you happen to see the moon last night?
It was spectacular coming over the mountain.
Darn cold, I want to play!!
Last night would have been a perfect evening for sleeping under the stars.
I am listening to Stevie Nicks on repeat while looking out the window, watching the trees burst with new leaves.
Any old tricks up your sleeve for getting well quick?
Love, V
ps: Matty is feeling okay, sleeping on a little rug by my bed, not budging. Miles wants to be on my lap all day, so Lovee is in charge of keeping him entertained when he can, although he has been at work long days this week. You should hear them wrestling and playing tug of war 🙂
Aww…sweet Vanessa, I hope you feel better soon my dear!
~~Hugs,
Dena
Thank you sooo much Miss Dena, I am trying to be good (so hard to do)
🙂 So I can get better soon xoxo
Blog: http://www.aFancifulTwist.com
Website: http://www.VanessaValencia.com
In a message dated 4/26/2013 12:42:27 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time,
So sorry to hear that you’re sick. I had my cold the week before Easter. It seems like a lot of people are sick around here too.
I rarely use hand sanitizers. I’ve found that most of the people that I know who use the stuff all the time…they’re the ones who are sick a lot. A lot of people swear by EMERGEN-C. It’s a strong dose of Vitamin C and some other stuff. Some say it shortens the length of your cold. You better check the ingredients though, after having a reaction to things before!
Just make sure to get enough rest! :0)
Miss Laura, I am taking some airborne,I started it 3-4 days ago, but
I was already too late I think. Because I was walloped with one of those
horrible sore throats to begin.
Oh oh, speaking of reactions. Here is a tale for you real quick, if I
can type and cough at once….
I was at Walgreens drug store, when a woman I see around my little village
sometimes (call her blonde lady) walked in (I have never spoken to her
before). I was looking for airborne and shampoo etc – and
theblondeladyasks the sales girl what she should use for
splitting nails?
She wants a clear polish or something to protect them… so the sales lady
says, you dont need polish, you need vitamins!!!!
Then, I follow them (I know nosey, but I knew where this was going) as the
sales lady tells her she needs BIOTIN!!!!!!!!!!!!
Of course, I apologized and asked if I could put in my two cents. I
told her about my Biotin scare, and how I thought I was going to die, for real,
no joke, and I was in the hospital over it. And how2 other people I
knew had the same reaction to Biotin, but didnt realize it was the Biotin until
by coincidence I told them what had happened to me with the Biotin. Then
they stopped taking it and were cured too.
Then I toldtheblonde ladyand sales ladythat the
recommended daily dosage of Biotin, told to me by my doctor, is 150mcg, not to
exceed 300 mcg.
They both looked at the hair skin and nail pills at the store and
gasped. They were 2500 and 5000 mcg. Some twice a day!!!! Wholey
Moley!
Then the blonde lady thanked me profusely, and said she puts Biotin on her
horses hooves, externally.
I told her the only way to know what she is missing, and why her nails are
splitting is to get a blood test before taking anything.
She thanked me over and over and said, get this, that she has just had open
heart surgery, and that if she had had the same reaction to Biotin as me, it
really would have killed her.
Can you believe it??
The sales lady looked at me like I was an obnoxious nosy twit from
hell.
But the blonde lady realized it was silly to take a supplement that you
dont know if you need.
And she was thankful.
I hope I helped her a little?
Anyhow… I have not had any reaction to the airborne in a bad way, thank
heavens ;)))
Thanks for the Emergen-C tip, I will look it up for sure.
Love, V
Blog: http://www.aFancifulTwist.com
Website: http://www.VanessaValencia.com
In a message dated 4/26/2013 12:51:44 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time,
I like how you followed them through the store!!! :0)
That was smart of you though. We should use our experiences (good & bad) to help other people.
Wouldn’t you have liked it if someone was there to warn you about the dosage before you took it?
The employee should have been grateful too, it’s not like she was loosing a commission from the lady not buying it.
V
Don’t worry too much about the sales lady’s reaction…it happens to me too only in the Home Improvement Stores…(worked in one for 15 years what do you expect . lOL) If i know something i like to share… 🙂 Good for you! and the blonde lady!
On germs…..I try to walk the middle of the road……we take our shoes off at the door….I don’t go crazy with anti bacterial stuff….go around the house once a week wiping door handles and knobs…..I don’t know i think it builds a healthy immune system when you are exposed to some germs…we don’t even take the flu shot…..and i know this is inviting dissaster but we have not had a bout of the flu in YEARS…..I try not to invite germs and bugs in but neither do i try going overboard to protect myself from them….Now my daughter and her hubby are of a totally different frame of mind and anti bacterial everything…so who knows..
I tend to think back and remember you know we used to eat mudpies as kids… well some of us….and here we are giving our kids antibacterial wipes everytime we turn around… Either way you take good care! Don’t pass it back to Lovee…. I finsihed another drawing and posted it if you want to take a peek! Hugs! deb
Colds are not fun. I do wash my hands but, more importantly, I try to not touch my hands to my face (nose, eyes, and mouth). If I feel something coming on, I take echinacea/goldenseal and drink LOTS of water and get enough sleep. I also never go to bed with a dirty mouth – brush and gargle before sleeping. It doesn’t allow bacteria to fester overnight. I haven’t gotten a cold in years .
Lately, I’ve been using TJ’s vitamin C crystals in my water. I can’t tell you if it works for colds, but it sure gives you a lift.
I hope you feel better soon! 🙂
Carmen, all great tips for sure. I had not had a cold for 5 years,
and then I got the real horrid flu last year from my dad, and now this year a
cold from Lovee, darn double darn 😉 I agree with mouth
washing/teeth.floss etctoo, I cant sleep without doing it, if by
accident/rarely I fall asleep without, I always wake up in the middle of the
night with a nightmare and have to go do the tooth stuff.
Vitamin C crystals, I want some, must look into it 🙂
Blog: http://www.aFancifulTwist.com
Website: http://www.VanessaValencia.com
In a message dated 4/26/2013 2:11:06 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time,
Wow Vanessa, you probably did save that women’s life! Truly you were an angel! I have heard from one of my friends that emergent-C is good stuff too. Now don’t laugh but I usually take Halls Defense Vitamin C supplement drops when I start to feel my systems seem low or if I am around someone who is sick. I pop them into my purse and take them with me everywhere. Could be all in my head, “But” they taste good too!
I too was like you and still a bit germ freaked! I make sure everyone washes there hands as soon as they come in the house, oops, I mean the (my family) not visitors.;) I totally agree with Carmen. I will have to check out the C crystals too!
Feel better soon V. I cant wait to hear about your strawberry baking! Yummo!<3
Get well soon, sweetie pie!
I hate Spring and Summer colds! Boo! I hope you get to feeling better soon!!! I like to take Echinacea and Goldenseal capsules when I feel I might be getting sick… and lots of vitamin C from fresh fruits and veggies. ^-^
I like Elderberries too… yay, superfood! =D
I know that with Matty as your nurse, you’re sure to get better in no time! ^-^
And sleeeeeeeeeeep, sleep, sleep! It will let your body send all the energy to getting better. ^-^
XOXO
I’m so sorry you got the cold! My mom used to give us a tablespoon of sugar and bourbon. If it doesn’t knock out the cold, it might help you sleep. 🙂
feel better super soon!
love & blessings
~*~
BOURBON!! Shazam! what was I thinking? must get on this asap 😉
Blog: http://www.aFancifulTwist.com
Website: http://www.VanessaValencia.com
In a message dated 4/26/2013 4:39:22 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time,
Looks like your are doing what needs to be done to get well – rest and the other things. That is a gorgeous last photo. And I agree that too much sanitation doesn’t help build up immunities.
Awww my little sweetie.. I hop you feel better!
p.s you can deal with Lovee when your well LOL LOL LOL
hop????? hope!!!
I hope you feel better soon, Lady V. The best remedy for sick days is have favorite pieces of candy/chocolate near by and watch old movies.
Shell, I love your plan 😉
Blog: http://www.aFancifulTwist.com
Website: http://www.VanessaValencia.com
In a message dated 4/26/2013 7:43:37 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time,
Oh phooey, that is so lousy that you got sick! : |
I was going to suggest Emergen-C, too, but with the same caution that someone else mentioned: check all the ingredients first. I swear by it – it’s a mega-dose of Vitamin C with a bunch of B vitamins to pep you up. I have always found that a packet gives me a pop of energy to get through the day, plus the Vit. C really does seem to help speed recovery. But I am a little worried about all the B vitamins after your biotin scare. (How great of you to go up to that woman in the store and share your experience – she could have gotten in real trouble if it weren’t for you!)
Also, keep on drinking lots of hot tea, just like you already are – the warmth and steam and extra fluids always help. Plus, tea is just plain wonderful.
And hey, so is bourbon – whoever suggested that is a GENIUS! Maybe you should just go ahead and put bourbon in your tea… ; ) What could be better?
Take care and rest up, and feel better soon, Vanessa!
I too hate germs…eeeuuuu! I wipe off the cart handles in the stores with wipes, wash my hands a gazillion times during the day (I work in a daycare center), I don’t touch anything I don’t have to touch in the ladies room and use a paper towel to open the door to get out. I wash my hands before I use the bathroom as well as after. Is that crazy? I still got a bad cold this year.. Go figure that one out!
I hope that you feel better soon. When you have a bad cold the sun is your best friend. Wear a hat but sit in the sun for a little while and smell the fresh after.
I hope everyone else is feeling better also.
Rest, rest, rest, and drink more of your tea! Do you add honey and fresh lemon? For some reason, I crave egg drop soup when I am sick. I tried my best to fend off the germs, too. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t. 🙁 I sprayed Lysol on everything in the house, used wipes at work, and used gel on my hands. Then I was sick for nearly two weeks. So we see how that worked out! But it is best to keep things clean, in any event. Rest up and get well soon, dear friend. Time for you to receive loving care from Mister Lovee (the worse part is definitely no hugs and kisses).
So very sorry you got the crud V 🙁 Paul has had it for the last two days also…I am keeping my distance LOL Here is a quick hot drink that I use and it helps us so much.
Wellness Elixir (from dailyom.com)
Simmer 3 sliced lemons, one teaspoon freshly grated ginger(I use the powder), one clove minced garlic and one quarter teaspoon cayenne pepper in 5 cups of water until the lemons are soft and pale. Strain a portion into a mug and add honey by tablespoons until you can tolerate the taste.
Drinking this potent mixture of antibacterial,antiviral and antifungal ingredients 3 times a day can ensure your symptoms don’t progress into a full-blown illness.
I use a lot of honey 🙂 I got this recipe several years ago and still use it when someone feels a bug coming on.
Love you girlie!
Deb
I found the direct link if you would like it…
http://www.dailyom.com/articles/2006/5954.html
Awwwww, bummer. I hope you feel better soon. {{HUGS}}
BTW, I do the same thing: obsessive hand washing, etc. and I never use the antibacterial soap or gels either. I hope it’s working (*crosses fingers*) because I rarely get sick.
Miss Deb, OMG! This is the recipe Lovee makes, only without the
cayenne. We both smell Lovely, not 😉
In fact, I saw him slicing up some fresh ginger for my own garlic tea honey
ginger. It does work I agree for sure!! I think I am going to try
yours with the cayenne and lemon too. I normally make myself a lemon
ginger honey tea – but Lovee does the fresh garlic thing too. He makes it
almost like a soup, but its tea. I think I need some, this cough is
kicking my tooshie…… xoxo
Blog: http://www.aFancifulTwist.com
Website: http://www.VanessaValencia.com
In a message dated 4/27/2013 9:49:39 A.M. US Mountain Standard Time,
Oh Vanessa, I hope you are feeling better as I write this. I was thinking as I read this – I didn’t have one cold all winter! I didn’t catch the flu when my daughter had it and I was taking care of her for days. I wonder if it’s because I started drinking kefir and kombucha. I did research on it because I’ve always had gut issues and landed in the hospital last fall with a volvulus (twisted colon!). I’ve been making kefir and kombucha at home because it’s the best way to have it. They are loaded with probiotics. I just wonder if that’s why I’ve been better. Usually I get three colds each winter. I’ve been very busy and have not thought about it until just now. Hmmmmm. You might want to do some research on it. I got my kombucha set-up from kombuchacamp.com and my kefir grains from culturesforhealth.com Rest is also very important. Feel better!
My take on germs is this…
I have an auto-immune. When I get sick, I tend to get sicker and stay sick longer than other people. Then I often get complications. I am not a disinfect-er but I am a stickler about never sharing food or touching the hands of my sick family…of course, I cannot help but hug them or comfort them a bit when they are sick, but I am careful. I have been known to leave church after the meet and greet time to wash my hands when people look sick. I feel so rude, but I can’t risk it.
I think you have to decide for yourself if it is worth it. I kind of think staying well has more to do with your immune system and whether or not it is in a good place or not. Lack of sleep, allergies and menstruation all seem to affect mine. Also, I tend to indulge in sleep when I feel tired and I rest after a particularly hard day or before one if I know ahead of time. I prevent allergies from getting out of hand (this seems to be key for me) by treating them ahead of time rather than waiting until I have an attack because, really, I like to be well and fully present as much as possible.
Oh…and when I get sick. I don’t try to tough it out. I rest and take care of myself. this seems to help a lot for me. Also lots of vitamin D.
Mermaid hair strewn about,
Fluish, bluish, in and out.
Oh me, oh my,
Fluish, bluish, in and out.
My bed is strewn,
At half past noon..
With light and night with a big fat moon.
Indigo sky shazam there’s roodle,
Put it all down ya get a doodle.
Sugar mountain, I gotta run,
Wishing you love and a lotta of fun.
Singing, ringing lots of rest,
Strawberry galette its the best.
Rockin and sockin,
The best socks around, always
Dancin to the music sound.
Across the waves of moon light,
Wishing you a magical stary night.
GG Pinkster
Stinky that you are under the weather, hoping the worst passes quickly.
I am not big on all this constant hand washing. If I am home I don’t wash them much unless I am actually dirty from something. I don’t make my kids wash their hands before they eat, especially if we’re home all day. If we are in the woods touching nature stuff, bugs, dirt, plants, we don’t wash before eating. Unless it’s mud or pond scum type stuff. We are rarely sick. Don’t know if it has anything to to with washing/not washing.
The only time I feel filthy and we all wash hands as soon as we get home is after grocery shopping. All kinds of nasty there.
For colds, loads of raw garlic, water, and Vitamin C kicks it for me. Also for congestion before bed…if you have a white pine tree, steep it’s needles in hot water (like tea) in a big pot and breath is in with a towel over your head, like a facial steam. Drinking it is helpful too. Oh, for sinus the neti pot keeps away infection. Hope you feel better already!
Get well soon, V.
Oh Vanessa, that last photo is fantastical!!! It’s like a postcard from some magical place far better than Disneyland! Oh to see through your eyes. What a delight it is.
Love the little photos of The Mister in the background of your shots! A little more of the Mystery Man revealed 🙂
Regarding your cold; do not use agents that will dry out your sinuses or you will end up with a sinus infection. When I was teaching preschool I was constantly getting sick from The Littles. Best combination I found Mucinex Fast Max for severe congestion & cold (thins mucus) and Afrin Extra Moisturizing Nasal spray. This was after trying countless natural remedies. As for the hand wipes, YES! I would even wear surgical gloves at school if I was with the toddlers and they all had nasty noses!
Feel well soon, my Magical Muse.
**blows germ-free kisses** Deb
Soooooooo sorry you are not feeling well, Vanessala! I really, really dislike colds. At the first sign of a cold, I start taking Cold-Eeze as directed. My hubby and I both think that it may reduce our symptoms and make the cold shorter, at least some of the time.
That rustic strawberry galette (not familiar with that term!) looks really good. Be sure to let us seeeee if you end up making it! Oh, and mint tea is one of my favorites.
I really love that last photo in the moonlight!
Get better, sweet lady! I’m glad Matty seems to be doing OK!
I think I have actually become immune to germs simply by ingesting lots of them. I do wash my hands fairly frequently, but I also put things in my mouth that other people have touched, which ought to cancel that out. I don’t worry about door handles. And yet, somehow, although every one of my friends has caught this coughing ick, I’m still in perfect health. Maybe I’m just magical. Feel better soon!