Symptoms of Sinusitis

Also titled

"Things You Find Yourself Asking…Yourself…When You Are Dealing With

The After-Effects Of The Stinking Flu."

(Pun totally intended!)

  • is the diaper just wet?
  • is it time for a new bath towel?(same question about the dish towel/dish cloth)
  • is the milk/juice still good?
  • do i have coffee breath?
  • do i have bad breath? (not the same as coffee breath!)
  • is it time to clean the bird cage?
  • that gas was silent, but was it deadly?
  • are isaac's clothes wet because of his slobbery toy, or is it something more? (same question about his bed pads)
  • should i use the Lysol before I leave the bathroom?
  • do my shoes/feet stink?
  • does the garbage need to go out?
  • Is the "cheater" plug between the water distiller and the extension chord melting? (don't EVEN let my dad know that is a legitimate question – Yikes!)
  • do Isaac's feet stink?
  • is it time to wash the dog's rug?
  • did I brush Isaac's teeth this morning?
  • does the house smell like last night's supper?

I know I take my ability to smell for granted. 

I also know that a good house-keeping schedule and proper grooming habits take care of most of these issues. 

However, when you are stopped dead in your tracks by the nasty flu, and the ability to smell is taken from you suddenly, it can really throw a kink into your day.

Laura, you have my sincerest sympathies (despite the humorous post)! 

And if this doesn't clear up soon for me, I might need you to give me a few pointers. 😉

Well, that's it for me…

Smell ya later…

I can only hope!!!

Alesha

 

Today’s Necessities

Some things seem really important to me today:

  • oil of oregano
  • the neti pot
  • barley
  • veggie juice
  • tissues
  • honey, vinegar and hot water
  • vitamin C

Yeah…I have caught a cold or a sinus infection or something!  I woke up hardly able to swallow.  That has gotten better as I have been on fluids this morning, and so I will keep hydrating and hope that helps.

My special honey/vinegar drink is fabulous for a sore throat.  Here's the recipe:

  1. 1 cup hot water
  2. 1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  3. 1 Tablespoon honey (I tend to be quite generous with the honey)

Mix that all together and sip on it through the day.  It tastes great and makes a sore throat feel so much better.

Our choir cantata is on Sunday night.  I would really love to feel all better by then. 🙂

If you think to pray for me, thank you!

Alesha

Managing My Mondays

Hmph!

I did not do much "managing" yesterday…the day sort of just ran away from me!

And it was Monday…

All.  Day.  Long.

(Eventually I headed to bed – out of sheer self-preservation.)

~~~~~

Today is looking a little better.

I am hopeful, any way! 🙂

~~~~~

I would appreciate your prayers:  yesterday, our truck died.  My dad tried to resurrect it, but was unsuccessful.  Today it was towed to Johnny's Automotive and Tire Service where we are hoping they can perform their usual miracles.

The real issue at hand, though, is that we are in need of a "new" vehicle.  Isaac is almost too big for Doug to get him into his special carseat in the backseat of our Explorer.  He's just so long now, and of course, can't help with the process at all.

We could use a vehicle that we can roll Isaac's wheelchair up into, with him safely strapped in the chair.  That would be a real blessing to us.

We have felt for months now that our getting a new vehicle was a true "need."  However, since God has promised to supply our needs, and He has not yet supplied a new vehicle, I guess it really isn't a true need…Yet!

However, since the towtruck arrived this morning to take Bessie to the truck hospital, I do believe that day is fast approaching!

If you think of it, we would really appreciate your prayers for a vehicle for Isaac.

Blessings to you today,

Alesha

P.S.  It is super cold here today!  We actually had to bring in the plants last night, so they wouldn't freeze!  It actually feels like Christmas outside!  Yay!

 

 

 

Happy Tuesday

Good morning, friends!

Isaac'c cough is still quite formidable, but he is definitely feeling better!  Praise the Lord for that!  Yesterday, he had lots of giggles and belly laughs, and was content and happy all day.  That is such a blessing to see after so many days of his being miserable with fever.

Doug and I both feel like we are trying to fight something off, so we are being faithful to drink our veggie juice and to take our vitamins, and we're also avoiding sugar.  We know those things will help.  I am using my netipot, too, but Doug is just not as fond of that device as I am. 😉

(Well, to be completely honest, I am having a little bit of sugar.  Doug found my favorite seasonal creamer at the grocery store last week — "Gingerbread Latte".  Oooooo…I just love that flavor!)

The flowers in yesterday's blog were from my sweet husband over the weekend.  They are still so pretty today.  I appreciated them so much, and am realizing again, just how important beauty is to us as women. 

I forget how it lifts my spirit sometimes just to look at something gorgeous.  Since I am inside most of the time, I miss so much of the beauty of nature.  Now that it is cooling off some here, maybe I will be able to get outside more often.

We have an unexpected "day off" today, as we decided to not take Isaac to therapy today.  Our caregiver doesn't come on Tuesdays, so that makes it "just us three" here today.  Maybe we can mark something off the never-ending "honey-do" list today! :)  Or maybe we can just watch a movie or play a game — we definitely want to do something "fun" on this impromptu holiday. 🙂

Well, I suppose that is all I have to say this morning.  I hope you have a good day.

Alesha

 

Just the Two of Us

I spent the day with my hubby today.  He was manning a booth at an educational conference, and I was able to go along with him.

What a blessing to leave my house, very calm and not worried, knowing that Isaac would be cared for so well! 

I am so grateful for our caregiver!!!

It was fun to see what my hubby does when he attends these conferences, and to help him out (a little) at his booth.  I was also able to connect with a few old friends I had not seen in person for quite a while.  It's encouraging to see that they are still involved in Christian education, teaching children about the Lord!

Doug and I had a lovely lunch, although we will probably not choose to return to that particular chain restaurant.  We were just not impressed, even though they sent us out the door with free muffins because it was our first visit there!  We were, however, together, and that was the important focus of this day.

Our gorgeous fall weather has finally arrived – which means the temps are in the low-80s during the day; and I am looking forward to a good weekend.

Blessings to you,

Alesha

P.S. I am planning to have a big sale in my jewelry shop in the month of November…be sure to stay tuned for the details! 🙂

Less is More

I looked to see if I had any new pictures downloaded since my last post…and to this blogger's utter shame, I do not!

How embarrassing!

😉

So, with no pictures, I'll have to work really hard to make this interesting, won't I?

We are all doing well, but not great.  Doug is still fighting an eye infection, and Isaac and I are both still having sinus issues.  Isaac isn't sleeping well, either, so…well, you know…hyper, overstimulated boy and tired mama and daddy.

We have made some changes to his feeding schedule lately, and to our utter delight, it has gone really well.  We are feeding him fewer times during the day, with more formula at each feeding.  He seems to be more satisfied between feedings this way, and we are really pleased.

~~~~~~~~~~~

I have an internet friend who is traveling halfway across the nation today to meet and adopt a little girl she has been praying about for many, many months.  That is so exciting!  This little one has many special needs, and I am so thrilled to see her find a forever home with an experienced former nurse and mom who already has two other special needs children besides.  What a joyful home this special one will be coming back too. 🙂

~~~~~~~~~~~

On a sadder note, we have more friends who are facing very serious battles with cancer right now – people our own age, and also folks who have been mentors and friends to us over the years. 

I really want to just lay right down in the floor and throw a temper tantrum about it.  I know that is such an immature thing to want to do.  I trust in my sovereign God – I truly do.  But for ME, for my friends' families, I am so sad to lose more precious people to this disease.

I read the following quote this week and it helped me:

"Do not be afraid to suffer.  Do not be afraid to be overthrown.  It is by being cast down and not destroyed, it is by being shaken to pieces, and the pieces torn to shreds, that men become men of might…" ~Beecher

I don't think I'm there yet.  I am still quite afraid to suffer too much.  However, I do want to learn to trust my Saviour more.  I do want to learn more of His power, and to see it used in my life; and it seems the two work together:

Phillipians 3:[8] Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
[9] And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
[10] That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

Yep – there seems to be a pattern there: 

  • less of me, more of Him;
  • less comfort, more knowledge of Him;
  • less of my control, more of His power.

I'm so grateful that He is willing to let me continue to "grow up" in Him.  I do feel like such a "brat" some days – and a spoiled rotten one, at that.  I thank God that He is a good and patient Father to me!

~~~~~~~~~~~

Now, on a lighter note, Doug has been asked to help with our church's senior citizen's ministry.  He is extremely excited about that.  He will be working with an incredible saint of God who has just gone  – successfully, I might add – through his own battle with cancer.  Doug knows there is much to be learned from this seasoned pastor, and he is eager for the opportunity.

It makes me very happy to see my husband's gifts recognized and encouraged.

Yep…makes me proud and humbled all at the same time.

🙂

Our God is a good God (just in case you needed to be reminded.)

Thanks for reading,

Alesha

 

Catching Up, Sort Of…

We are still alive and kicking, down here in hot, still-feels-like-summer Florida!  I just wanted to let you know, in case you were, you know…wondering!

It takes up a lot of my time when I am helping someone learn how our household operates, and when I am teaching them about Isaac.

Our caregiver is working out better than I ever imagined!  It is taking some getting used to, though, having someone else in the house with us.  I have a hard time focusing on my blog, any way.  Some days I feel so anti-social because I just don't have the energy to keep up a running dialogue; but really, I don't think she expects that any ways.

Doug is still fighting off a cold, or allergies, or something.  Isaac and I got rid of the fever and cold, but are still having some coughing and stuffy noses.  It's like the allergens jumped on us after our cold, and we just can't get back to "normal".

Ike had his second week of riding, and just loved it!  We are so excited that he is being able to enjoy this activity again.

Sorry I wasn't able to post a "Creative Spark Friday" post over on my jewelry blog, if you are keeping up with that.  I had the "spark".  I felt the inspiration.  I just didn't have the time to make it happen.  I hope to catch up with it some time this week.

Well, I guess that's it from our house.  I'm praying that it finds everybody doing well at your house.

Blessings,

Alesha