It seems that my plan of laying like broccoli for the bulk of the weekend has paid of in that, while I still feel like crud on a cracker, the nastiness has limited itself to my sinuses and has not (as of yet) traveled south to my poor weary bronchial tubes.

Work today was rough. On the way home I stopped at the supermarket to pick up a few things and picked up some over-the-counter meds for myself – a super duper expectorant to loosen up the gunk in my sinuses and a nasal decongestant spray so I could actually breathe.

I came home, dosed myself, heated up dinner for the family and some soup for myself and we all settled down and watched Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.

The combination of meds, hot soup, time with my girls, and some good giggles seems to have worked wonders and I think I may actually beat this bug without needing to go to the Doctor or go on another round of super-duper antibiotics.

Which means that things are looking promising for the coming weekend and another try for a make-up birthday for Gamer Dude. Huzzah!

Off to spend some time with him, some ice cream, and slightly more adult TV viewing.

Blessings

Mama Kelly

Written by Mama KellyTags:family, illness, life

Well, the plan for today was to spend the day enjoying sunny skies and doing something that involved us being out and about. This was to be followed by dinner out at a local restaurant as part of Mr Grumpy’s birthday gift to Gamer Dude.

Unfortunately, yesterday found me waking up feeling particularly cruddy, after a week of feeling really run down. By the evening I knew that I was dealing with yet another sinus infection.

As a result all of our plans for this weekend are put on hold until next Saturday when I will hopefully be able to do things like breathe normally, cease making embarrassing snorting sounds, and actually taste the food I am eating.

In the meantime, Miss Artistic is being picked up from the first of a series of 8 90 minute art classes and Princess Nature has to be brought to her 2nd flute lesson.

As for myself, I am off to resume my usual once-a-week cooking. This week’s menu includes my famous cream of tomato soup, baked chicken thighs (with defrosted sausage-apple stuffing and garlic mashed potatoes from Thanksgiving), and pork chops (not sure how I’m preparing these yet).

Health & happiness to you and yours.

Blessings
Mama Kelly

Written by Mama KellyTags:family, illness, life

As I am still down for the count with a nasty upper respiratory bug – one that includes a diagnosis of both a sinus infection and bronchitis (as well as a delightful fever) I thought I would post the recipe for something my late grandmother used to make for me when I was young.

1/2 cup fresh squeezed (and strained) lemon juice
1/2 cup honey
1 shot whiskey, brandy, honey liquor etc.

In a small saucepan heat honey and lemon juice together until it blends into an even syrup consistency.

Pour honey-lemon mixture into a heat proof mug.

Add 1 shot of liquor and stir well to incorporate.

Take by teaspoons as needed to soothe a painful sore throat and/or to control a dry cough.

Note: This is a family recipe and is posted for informational and entertainment purposes only. This is not intended to treat any particular illness. Please consult your own medical professional to get an accurate diagnosis and to determine the safety of this “home remedy” for your own situation.

Caution: Alcohol should not be used by children, pregnant women, or those for whom it may aggravate a chronic health condition.

Written by Mama KellyTags:cold, flu, health, illness, recipe

The last few days have been rather ho-hum.  I worked 12-7:15 (no lunch) on Sunday and from 8-5 today so I’m 2 days down out of 6.  Both girls had to go to Doctor appointments today, with Hubby since I had to work.

Princess Nibbles, developed a sore throat and fever over the weekend. As of this morning she had a temperature of 102 on my trusty glass thermometer (call me silly but I still consider it the gold standard over a digital) and so was home from school AGAIN. Her rapid test came back negative for strep but frankly I’m expecting a call tomorrow with a different result from the 24 hour culture. The thing that seems to have her the most miserable is a headache. Luckily (?) we did the meningitis thing a couple of years ago so I know what to watch for and this isn’t it.

Miss Artistic fell hard on her knees 2 weeks ago on the ice and theyve been hurting ever since. I decided it was time to get them checked even though there was no obvious swelling, heat or any other worrisome signs. Doctor feels she probably bruised the bone, wants her on Advil round the clock for a couple of days, and is letting her miss ONE day of gym.

After a warm spell on Friday, which had me nearly skipping with anticipation of Spring, we are back into frigid temperatures. And all of this up and down with the temperature and humidity is wrecking havoc with my sinuses. I’ve had a near constant headache for about 10 days and I’m getting cranky.

In other news ….

I have no class this week or next due to a planned absence of my professor and spring break. I am hoping to make use of my extra time to rest, relax, and do LOTS of homework. Of course I also intend to blog and to write more reviews on Epinions.

I managed to get another 3 reviews uploaded and so I am 1/2 way to my first $10 reward.

On Maryjanice Davidson’s “Jennifer Scales And The Ancient Furnace”  Undead and Unwed author ventures into teen fiction with Weredragons

On Charlaine Harris’ “Dead Until Dark” Charlaine Harris’ Southern Vampire books inspire HBO series “True Blood”

On Allison DuBois’ “We Are Their Heaven: Why the Dead Never Leave Us”  Allison Dubois, author, medium and inspiration for NBC series

Enjoy!

Blessings

Mama Kelly

Written by Mama KellyTags:book review, books, family, illness, sinus infection, sinusitis

Woke up this morning very grateful for having a doctor’s appointment and already having “called out” of work as I hacked and sputtered my way into busting a blood vessel and coughing up blood. Yay!

I am already back from the doctor and the official word is that I have a bad case of bronchitis (apparantly I am just “this side” of pneumonia) and have a sinus infection to boot. Guess its a good thing that I went. I have ’scripts for antibiotics and more coedine cough syrup and was told to take my over-the-counter claritin and to do the rest/plenty-of-fluids dance. Before I left the office I got a shot in the butt.

He had wanted to write me out till at least Friday but I can’t afford the time off so I’m just going to take today and tomorrow and rest as much as possible.

Blessings

Mama Kelly

Written by Mama KellyTags:illness, sinusitis

Well this time last week I came down with a sinus infection. One that I hoped would resolve without having to go to the doctor. This morning it became apparant that it had entered the realm of bronchitis — ah I love to cough up multicolors — and would need me to give up the idea of trying to fight it on my own.

I woke up this morning at 3:30 choking and sputtering and never got back to sleep. I had hubby drive me to work as between exhaustion and (leftover) coedine cough syrup I didn’t trust myself on the road. My doctor couldn’t see me today and so I have to go tomorrow (and get a note to miss work) and fully expect to come home with meds.

I hate bronchitis! I have a predisposition to it, in that I have been getting it since at least the age of 6 months. The inability to lay down all the way and breathe properly …. waking up gasping …. spending 30 minutes or so hanging over the sink trying to clear the gunk out of my bronchial tubes. The one blessing is that, unlike when I was a kid, I don’t run high fevers when I get this anymore.

I am also having my usual abdominal pain and intestinal issues and so overall I feel like crud on a cracker.

__________

My visit with Lady Rose was very nice, despite my being ill. I am happy to say that she enjoyed the soup I prepared for her. And her hubby came by to drop off their little girl and brought me soup HE made for ME. It was quite yummy!!!

Lady Rose also surpised my girls with a belated/early bday gift for each of them involving attending a concert with her and her daughter next month. Needless to say jumping and screeching was their response to this news. Hubby will drop them off at Lady Rose’s, hang out with her hubby, and bring them home. I am unable to take any time off to accomodate the schedule and I guess this is a bright side to his being on Full Disability.

__________

My daughter’s “date” went well. They went to see Flushed Away and sat alone 2 rows in front of his mom and baby brother. He didn’t try to hold her hand or put his arm around her, but he did hold doors open for her and walked her to the front door from their car when they returned home.

They have plans to attend an upcoming School Social soon.

So my daughter considers him to be her first “official boyfriend”.

I am so NOT ready for this.

Well that’s it in a nutshell

Blessings to all

Mama Kelly

Written by Mama KellyTags:illness, kids, sinusitis