You know that old expression, "When Mama ain't happy, ain't NOBODY happy"?
I think there's something to it.
I've not been feeling great. Either Christmas allergies have kicked in or I've caught Natalie's cold. My throat hurts, and I'm tired and congested and cranky.
Sarah's been whiny and emotional and somewhat cranky today.
Natalie's been whiny and weepy and irritable as well. (She's also on Benadryl, which doesn't do anything good for her disposition).
Coincidence? Maybe not. Maybe my bad mood is rubbing off on them, and I need to watch it, sore throat and all.
Natalie is sleeping and Sarah is reading, so I think I'm going to read and relax and try to soothe my throat with hot beverages. Hopefully that will put us all in a better mood.
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Monday, December 17, 2012
Natalie-isms
I know I've been quiet here for a few days. I wrote an entry about Friday's horrific events, but I just couldn't bring myself to post it. There just aren't any words that could possibly be adequate.
Natalie's got some sort of cold; she's sounded horrible the last couple of days. I'm sorry that she's sick, but I have to admit that her croaks and squeaks have been kind of funny to hear. I keep meaning to restock our supply of elderberry syrup and pick up some children's chewable zinc, but I've not had a chance to do either yet.
I do have a couple of funny stories though. Natalie discovered for the first time that some public restrooms use hand dryers rather than paper towels. Now when Sarah was Natalie's age, the hand dryer scared her silly. Natalie found it delightful. She couldn't stop giggling. She positioned herself so that it would blow her hair as well. She had a great time!
After letting out a string of sneezes, Natalie exclaimed, "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to curse!" She got that particular line from a movie preview on a DVD we own. The scene shows the woman "squawking" then apologizing for cursing. I'm not sure why Natalie associated sneezes with squawks, but it still amused me.
I'm off to bed (after finishing my hot tea and gargling with saltwater. I hate sore throats!).
Natalie's got some sort of cold; she's sounded horrible the last couple of days. I'm sorry that she's sick, but I have to admit that her croaks and squeaks have been kind of funny to hear. I keep meaning to restock our supply of elderberry syrup and pick up some children's chewable zinc, but I've not had a chance to do either yet.
I do have a couple of funny stories though. Natalie discovered for the first time that some public restrooms use hand dryers rather than paper towels. Now when Sarah was Natalie's age, the hand dryer scared her silly. Natalie found it delightful. She couldn't stop giggling. She positioned herself so that it would blow her hair as well. She had a great time!
After letting out a string of sneezes, Natalie exclaimed, "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to curse!" She got that particular line from a movie preview on a DVD we own. The scene shows the woman "squawking" then apologizing for cursing. I'm not sure why Natalie associated sneezes with squawks, but it still amused me.
I'm off to bed (after finishing my hot tea and gargling with saltwater. I hate sore throats!).
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
busy nights
Nelson had a basketball game yesterday evening, and his parents and the girls went along to watch/cheer (I'll leave you to figure out who did what). I had a ladies event at church. We ate and chatted and had a white elephant gift exchange. However, I think the "white elephant" idea was lost on some; there were some NICE gifts! And I came home with a $10 Walmart gift card--score!!! :)
Tonight was Nelson's parents' anniversary. So they took US out for supper! :-D Hey, it's a great gig if you can get it. I thoroughly enjoyed my steak and chocolate brownie. A big thank you and wishes for many, many more years together to them.
Tomorrow Nelson has another game. Eventually we might get a chance to catch our breath this week. ;) We're usually not busy at all, but the last few weeks have had a lot going on. I'm not used to it!
On a completely unrelated note, the previous post was about migraines and what health practitioners people found useful. I got to thinking about a book I had read on migraines and some of the recommendations it contained. I also thought of my own plan to incorporate more yoga into my life. I got the idea of searching for specific poses or routines for migraines.
Obviously, a lot of articles I found were generic "studies show that yoga is beneficial for migraine sufferers." Yeah, thanks--I want details. But I did eventually find specific recommendations. One particular pose that showed up over and over again was "legs up the wall." It's basically exactly what it sounds like. You lie on the floor on your back and place your legs on the wall, forming a ninety degree angle.
I tried it. We have hardwood floors. It isn't very comfortable. Next time I'll remember to use my yoga mat. And a pillow underneath my head. I think that's allowed. At least it should be.
Have a good night. :)
Tonight was Nelson's parents' anniversary. So they took US out for supper! :-D Hey, it's a great gig if you can get it. I thoroughly enjoyed my steak and chocolate brownie. A big thank you and wishes for many, many more years together to them.
Tomorrow Nelson has another game. Eventually we might get a chance to catch our breath this week. ;) We're usually not busy at all, but the last few weeks have had a lot going on. I'm not used to it!
On a completely unrelated note, the previous post was about migraines and what health practitioners people found useful. I got to thinking about a book I had read on migraines and some of the recommendations it contained. I also thought of my own plan to incorporate more yoga into my life. I got the idea of searching for specific poses or routines for migraines.
Obviously, a lot of articles I found were generic "studies show that yoga is beneficial for migraine sufferers." Yeah, thanks--I want details. But I did eventually find specific recommendations. One particular pose that showed up over and over again was "legs up the wall." It's basically exactly what it sounds like. You lie on the floor on your back and place your legs on the wall, forming a ninety degree angle.
I tried it. We have hardwood floors. It isn't very comfortable. Next time I'll remember to use my yoga mat. And a pillow underneath my head. I think that's allowed. At least it should be.
Have a good night. :)
Monday, December 10, 2012
an interesting poll on migraines...
Well, interesting to me, anyway--it may not be so to anyone else!
Anyway, the poll was about which health professional were the most helpful when it came to combating migraines. After all, if you're going to try to see a pro to address your headaches, why not better the odds by at least starting with the ones who have already proven themselves?
I honestly found the results fascinating. Some pros ranked higher than I would have expected--others scored lower than I would have thought. Each responder could choose up to three, but they were to focus on who helped them the most. Others also may have proven beneficial, but this was about who was helping the most.
Headache specialists far and away outranked anyone else--it wasn't even close. No surprise there--go to the expert, the one who has dedicated himself to the latest in research and so forth. Next was family doctor; this did surprise me a bit. I wouldn't have thought the family doctor would rate that highly. On the other hand, for many this is going to be the only person they have to work with, so upon reflection that does make sense.
Complimentary medicine came in next, which again did not strike me as odd. We migraine sufferers will often try about anything, and some CAM practices have proven very helpful for migraine.
"Other specialist," "quack," and "chiropractor" were pretty much tied. The "quack" category amused me because it's a term that could mean a hundred different things to a hundred different people. Still, many people are clearly getting some sort of relief from their quacks. Heck, I'd join the pond myself if I thought a quack could help! ;) I would have liked to see "other specialist" and "quack" a bit better defined though.
Coming in last were mental health practitioners (HA! It's NOT all in our heads!) and physiotherapists. Dentists, nurses, and OB/GYNs did not get any votes. However, this doesn't mean they aren't helpful--just that they aren't the most helpful. I'd actually have to mention my OB/GYN though--he was the only who started me on a daily magnesium regimen, and boy has that been helpful!
Anyway, if you want to see the nifty graph with all of these lovely results, you can find it here.
On a lark, I did a quick search, and there are several headache specialists in my area. Maybe one day... :)
Anyway, the poll was about which health professional were the most helpful when it came to combating migraines. After all, if you're going to try to see a pro to address your headaches, why not better the odds by at least starting with the ones who have already proven themselves?
I honestly found the results fascinating. Some pros ranked higher than I would have expected--others scored lower than I would have thought. Each responder could choose up to three, but they were to focus on who helped them the most. Others also may have proven beneficial, but this was about who was helping the most.
Headache specialists far and away outranked anyone else--it wasn't even close. No surprise there--go to the expert, the one who has dedicated himself to the latest in research and so forth. Next was family doctor; this did surprise me a bit. I wouldn't have thought the family doctor would rate that highly. On the other hand, for many this is going to be the only person they have to work with, so upon reflection that does make sense.
Complimentary medicine came in next, which again did not strike me as odd. We migraine sufferers will often try about anything, and some CAM practices have proven very helpful for migraine.
"Other specialist," "quack," and "chiropractor" were pretty much tied. The "quack" category amused me because it's a term that could mean a hundred different things to a hundred different people. Still, many people are clearly getting some sort of relief from their quacks. Heck, I'd join the pond myself if I thought a quack could help! ;) I would have liked to see "other specialist" and "quack" a bit better defined though.
Coming in last were mental health practitioners (HA! It's NOT all in our heads!) and physiotherapists. Dentists, nurses, and OB/GYNs did not get any votes. However, this doesn't mean they aren't helpful--just that they aren't the most helpful. I'd actually have to mention my OB/GYN though--he was the only who started me on a daily magnesium regimen, and boy has that been helpful!
Anyway, if you want to see the nifty graph with all of these lovely results, you can find it here.
On a lark, I did a quick search, and there are several headache specialists in my area. Maybe one day... :)
Sunday, December 9, 2012
the gospel according to Natalie
Nelson had to finish up a couple of things after the service this morning at church. As we waited for him, Natalie grabbed my Bible and opened it to "read" it.
"This says Jesus," she informed me.
"Oh? What does it say about Him?"
"He died and then was alive and then they put Him in a stable!" she proudly proclaimed.
"This says Jesus," she informed me.
"Oh? What does it say about Him?"
"He died and then was alive and then they put Him in a stable!" she proudly proclaimed.
Saturday, December 8, 2012
Friday night and Saturday morning
After the excitement of The Nutcracker yesterday morning, we had another activity last night. The nearby state park was having a celebration with Santa, crafts, music, face painting, and refreshments. It was free! So we took the girls and Nelson's parents and had a grand old time. Our tree is now sporting a couple of new ornaments that Sarah and Natalie made last night. :)
In addition to the morning ballet and the evening at the park, I had an afternoon activity. I was feeling pretty tired while at the park, and I drank a Mountain Dew just to try to stay awake until bedtime. It didn't really work. We got home just after 8:00, and by 9:00 I was dozing off in my chair.
So Nelson graciously decided to let me sleep in this morning. Well, he tried to anyway. But while he was in the bathroom, Natalie sneaked downstairs.
"Mama? Are you awake?"
"No," I grumbled in response.
"I want you, Mama," she insisted.
"I'm sleeping," I replied.
"Well...can I have the iPad?" she inquired.
"If I give you the iPad, will you let me sleep?"
"Yes!" she proclaimed. "The iPad is your only hope for me to leave you alone!"
Sigh.
Sarah and Natalie had a birthday party at a local gymnastics place today. Nelson took them though, so you'll have to hassle him for pictures. ;)
In addition to the morning ballet and the evening at the park, I had an afternoon activity. I was feeling pretty tired while at the park, and I drank a Mountain Dew just to try to stay awake until bedtime. It didn't really work. We got home just after 8:00, and by 9:00 I was dozing off in my chair.
So Nelson graciously decided to let me sleep in this morning. Well, he tried to anyway. But while he was in the bathroom, Natalie sneaked downstairs.
"Mama? Are you awake?"
"No," I grumbled in response.
"I want you, Mama," she insisted.
"I'm sleeping," I replied.
"Well...can I have the iPad?" she inquired.
"If I give you the iPad, will you let me sleep?"
"Yes!" she proclaimed. "The iPad is your only hope for me to leave you alone!"
Sigh.
Sarah and Natalie had a birthday party at a local gymnastics place today. Nelson took them though, so you'll have to hassle him for pictures. ;)
Friday, December 7, 2012
The Nutcracker
I took the girls to the Intercity Ballet performance of The Nutcracker today. We had been planning this for awhile now. I knew Sarah would love it, but I wasn't sure how Natalie would do. It's a long time for a three-year-old to have to sit still and be quiet. Still, she begged to go, so I reserved three seats.
Both girls loved it. They loved the pretty dresses, the dancing, and the various special effects (there were quite a few of those, actually). The "snow" inside the auditorium was especially a big hit. ;)
Natalie is now begging to be in the ballet.
I enjoyed the performance as well, although I admit the excitement and wonder of the girls was my favorite part. Because this morning performance is designed for school children, the audience was encouraged to clap and laugh and generally express their enjoyment and appreciation. Sarah and Natalie had no problem with those instructions. ;)
Interestingly, the Intercity Ballet is something of a cooperative effort of several dance studios in northeast Tennessee and southwest Virginia and--wait for it--San Diego, California.
Wait, what?
San Diego, California.
I'm still scratching my head over that one. I mean, northeast Tennessee and southwest Virginia make perfect sense, but San Diego?
Apparently, Clara herself was on loan from San Diego. And apparently, dancers from here sometimes go there to perform.
That's just weird.
But it was a lovely show, and I'm glad we went.
Both girls loved it. They loved the pretty dresses, the dancing, and the various special effects (there were quite a few of those, actually). The "snow" inside the auditorium was especially a big hit. ;)
Natalie is now begging to be in the ballet.
I enjoyed the performance as well, although I admit the excitement and wonder of the girls was my favorite part. Because this morning performance is designed for school children, the audience was encouraged to clap and laugh and generally express their enjoyment and appreciation. Sarah and Natalie had no problem with those instructions. ;)
Interestingly, the Intercity Ballet is something of a cooperative effort of several dance studios in northeast Tennessee and southwest Virginia and--wait for it--San Diego, California.
Wait, what?
San Diego, California.
I'm still scratching my head over that one. I mean, northeast Tennessee and southwest Virginia make perfect sense, but San Diego?
Apparently, Clara herself was on loan from San Diego. And apparently, dancers from here sometimes go there to perform.
That's just weird.
But it was a lovely show, and I'm glad we went.
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