Winter weather saga continues

Crazy, whacky weather. Last night, we had strong thunderstorms that caused the lights to flicker a bit. Thankfully, they didn’t go out. Then this morning, as I was heading out the door at 5 AM to go to work, I nearly did the splits on the front porch. Ice! And, my truck door was nearly frozen shut so I had to really yank on it to get it open.

This afternoon, it warmed into the 50s, which was pleasant enough. Now, tonight, it’s already 32 degrees and dropping under a clear sky.

Tomorrow afternoon, though, will bring the biggest change and I’m not looking forward to it at all. We are predicted to receive ice, sleet, and freezing rain, and it looks like this time it will actually hit. A week or so ago it was predicted but stayed too warm and it turned out to be just a little rain. This time around, though, there is supposed to be maybe 1/2 inch accumulation of ice. Not real thick ice, but certainly hazardous if you’re driving.

I’m really hoping this is the final throes of winter before spring-like weather finally arrives. Depending on the timing of this winter storm, I may not be able to get to work for a day. I’m sure one day will be it, but I can’t really afford to miss work, what with rising gas prices and all.

Son has been battling the flu but seems to be getting better. He is eating and tonight we have white bean soup, potatoes, and onion rolls. He didn’t overeat, but he did eat a satisfactory amount. When I had the flu, as I was actually getting over it, I lost my appetite for about 3 days. Only after stern words from Son did I force myself to eat, and that helped me get even better. It seemed like nothing I ate had any taste to it, but I guess I really did need to get some food into me.

Technorati Tags: weather,health

President’s Day 2013

The weekend was pretty peaceful, as things usually go around here. I got the crocheted dishcloths done for Younger Daughter, and I started on some for myself. They are really wonderful for washing dishes and scrubbing stubborn, stuck-on foods off the dishes.

I went to work at 5:45 this morning, feeling fairly well-rested. Except for a trip to Big Town to pick Son up (he texted me saying he was quite sick), the rest of the weekend was good.

This afternoon, after I’d returned home from work, I finished fixing the chicken noodle soup that I’d started last night in the crock pot. It was made with one of our home grown chickens that we had in the freezer, so I wanted to be sure it was very tender, which it was.

About the time we finally sat down to eat, it started pouring rain, thundering, and lightning. The lights flickered but the power did stay on, thank goodness. It was raining so hard that the large solid glass windows on the front of the house looked like wall fountains from our perspective. I’m just glad the downpour and storm didn’t begin until well after I’d arrived home.

I brought home some electrolyte beverages for Son, since he now seems to have the full-blown flu. I’d picked up orange juice for him yesterday and he’s been sipping on that, too. But today the bug attacked his tummy which meant he lost everything he’d tried to eat during the day. He did eat a good supper of the chicken noodle soup, though, and so far it has stayed down alright. I can hear him sneezing his head off in the next room even now, though. I just hope I don’t catch it again! I also hope he can get some rest.

Technorati Tags: flu,illness,storm

October almost over

After last week's mini vacation, which you can read a daily account of at Sixty Something, my Sis' blog, it was back to work as usual. I've had to go in at very early hours lately, but at least so far, not for opening. That would mean being there by 4 AM.

Not much in the way of adventures going on here, unless you count being bitten by a squirrel that had dived in the drive-through window Friday night at work. Saturday morning, the scamp was still in the store. He had come from someone's vehicle and was apparently a pet, but a very adventurous one. After trying to catch him Friday night, with no luck, it was left to us to capture the beastie on Saturday.

At one point, I did actually catch him and tried to throw him into the live trap the fire department had left for that purpose. The little demon latched onto my left hand, at the knuckle, and clawed me while I had a-hold of him. The trap, however, was set so tight that he dived right back out of it without being caught. In the meantime, my hand was bleeding and my supervisor told me to go to the ER.

There, I was assured that squirrels do not carry rabies but I needed good wound treatment and antibiotics anyway. The doctor's real concern was whether the squirrel had broken or cracked my knuckle. He determined it had not, but said it can easily happen since squirrels crack hard nuts "for a living", as he put it. They prescribed the antibiotics and some pain relievers. I went back to work with my hand all bandaged up.

After work, I headed to a pharmacy and got the prescriptions filled. The ER visit and the prescriptions are both covered by workman's comp, thank goodness, since the meds alone were almost $60.

Other than my knuckle being sore and a little swollen for a couple of days, it's healing nicely and there is now only a little swelling left. It could have been much worse.

Technorati Tags: work,health

Rainy Monday

Rainy days and Mondays....You know the rest. It's really dark today and continues to rain. Not a hard heavy rain - just light and sometimes sprinkling. It's really not a bad thing but the darkness makes me want to hibernate.

Last winter I plugged a fluorescent light in near where I usually sit and turned it on. I must say, it did help with the doldrums a bit, having that wide spectrum light near me. It looks like I need to turn it on again until the sunny days return.

Didn't get a lot done this morning. I looked up things like kombucha and kefir and how to use them. A friend has some kombucha babies to give away and I think I'll try it. It's a sort of fermented sweet tea that's healthful for the body. I have kefir grains in the fridge, but they've been in there so long I don't even know if they are still viable. I'll put them in some milk to see if I get any results. You can do a web search for both of these things, if you're curious about them.

I was off work today so really it was a good time to get a lot done. I pulled myself together, at a mid-morning breakfast, and started to work bagging up stuff to give to the donation box near where I work. I really am wanting to cull a lot of things from my small home, so I need to be ruthless about it. I already know I have a ton of clothes I'll probably never wear again. They are in fair shape and someone else can get good use from them. They include several coats and jackets, only a couple of which I really wear anymore.

Today I did get a closet pretty well cleaned out except for the floor of it. It's amazing how many clothes can accumulate! I got three bags of clothes out to donate to the charity box, plus threw several things away that no one would ever want, even for rags. (Polyester stuff that won't absorb.)

I picked up the kombucha this afternoon and got a batch started. Can't wait to try it out! The very nice lady, who is a homeschooler I've known for a long time, gave me two "babies". I've read the "sponge" can be dried and used for dog snacks, so if I create more of them I know I can at least use them for that.

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Sick weather

Such strange weather lately. First, it's cold enough at night to cause a frost. Then it's hot enough in the afternoon to make me want to run the air conditioner (which I refused to do anyway). One day, it's severe thunderstorms. Another day, the northern lights are showing just after sundown.

It's foggy. It's clear. There's pollen abounding, or the air is ok after a strong rain. Cold to hot. Hot to cold.

It's no wonder several people I work with are sick. One of the managers keeps on working even though I swear she has pneumonia. Her cough is so deep and coarse, and her voice is getting raspy. She has run a low fever, too, but most of her problem seems to be with her lungs. I feel so bad for her, but she feels she must work in order to keep her bills paid. I know that feeling.

I think that's why she can't seem to shake whatever this is. She just can't get enough rest.

Some others have kids who have a tummy bug. Thankfully, they aren't bringing their kids around work. I use enough hand sanitizer I could probably give people operations!

Technorati Tags: illness,weather

Took a fall

I fell at work last week. I came out of the walk-in cooler, hit a wet spot in the floor, and down I went! Thankfully, only me ego was bruised. It could have been a lot worse.

I was walking around funny the next day. I really got stiff and sore after falling. After all, I'm no spring chicken. I worried a bit that I might have done damage to an already bad disk in my back, but apparently I didn't, thank goodness. I'd really hate to think I needed to try and get SSDI right now, so I try to take care of myself every way I can. I need a real income for awhile longer!

Technorati Tags: health

Food food food

After eating Christmas baked goods and drinking delicious but calorie laden winter beverages, I can already see that I'm going to need to exert more willpower to keep from putting on a lot of weight. I don't want to get diet pills for an after-Christmas gift!

It's hard, when all the goodies are being passed around, to forego the tasty treats. The best thing for me is just to not have them, or very many of them, at home to start with. And, to avoid places where I might be tempted to indulge in them more than I should.

Eating is really a very social event, don't you think? I eat a lot less when I'm alone because I eat only for sustenance. But in a gathering, I tend to eat more. I think others do this as well. It's just really hard to get the right balance when there are trays and trays of tasty goodies, and a crowd of people loading their plates while chit-chatting.

Technorati Tags: food,eating

Still not well

Ugh. Still not feeling well and still achy all over. I took a hot shower -- so hot I could barely stand it but any lower temperature felt absolutely chilly to me. My bath scrunchie felt like sandpaper on my skin. Must be the fever causing that discomfort.

I did eat chicken noodles earlier today, but other than juice and tea, haven't had anything else in my stomach. It's like I say, "My tummy is hungry but my mouth doesn't want to eat." Maybe I'll drop a few pounds or learn more about how to do that through better nutrition. In the meantime, even my hair hurts right now and I just want to sleep for days...or at least overnight.

I tried napping today, but wound up receiving countless text messages on my phone, and that kept waking me up. I only responded to two of them, so if any of you texted me, don't think I'm being mean. I just didn't feel up to using the phone much today.

Technorati Tags: health,sick

Sick day at home

I've spent my day off just trying to feel better. I woke up this morning headache-y and really just achy all over. Coughing. Sneezing. Sore throat. It felt worse than a regular cold, but not exactly like the flu.

Son felt my forehead and said I was hot. I figured I had fever just from the way I felt.

I took vitamins, drank hot tea with honey in it, and lots of juice all day long. (Son went to the store and got me several varieties of juice in bottles so I could take my pick as I felt like drinking it.) I also ate some home made chicken noodles this afternoon, leftover from yesterday.

At some point this afternoon, I broke a sweat so I think the fever is gone now. I'm still aching a bit but at least my skin doesn't feel touchy. I'll get a hot shower in a bit and consume more juice and more vitamin C, Echinacea, and Zinc before I head to bed.

I have to get up early in the morning to go to work. Bleah!

Technorati Tags: health,sick

Watching my weight again

I feel like I'm gaining weight, which means I need to cut back on portions again. I think I've let myself slip in that area. But I don't want to look like I've been taking ghr1000 with a big weight gain, so I begin today.

I work tonight and the temptation for more fattening foods is always there. However, there are also better choices -- salad, yogurt parfaits, grilled chicken. All I have to do is make the choice since no one is putting a gun to my head to make me eat a fattening sandwich or fries, right?

I'll let you know how this "new leaf" works out for me. It's so much easier at home to watch my calorie intake than it is at work, but I'm only at home a couple days a week!

Technorati Tags: weight loss

Weary

I think I need to up my vitamin intake. It seems like I can't get enough sleep, I don't have enough energy for both work and home duties, and I just don't have the get-up-and-go I need. When people I work with say they have a second job, I am always in awe, because there is no way I could work two jobs.

All this is showing on my face, too, and I've even looked at eye wrinkle cream reviews to see if there's any help for a tired looking countenance. I don't think there is, other than more nutritional support. When I go in to work, people will say "You look tired". Gee, thanks. That's just what I needed to hear!

I'm not sick. I feel well enough. I'm just weary all the time.

Technorati Tags: health

I'm steamed!

I love steamed rice and steamed vegetables, as just about anyone can tell you. So, for my lunch yesterday, I used my steamer. Note to self: Do not try to move the lid of the steamer by hand.

Yes, I scalded my thumb trying to open the steamer without using a kitchen tool. Not smart at all. Even more stupid was the fact that after I had it open and decided everything was done, I reached over it to unplug it. So, I got a scald mark on my arm!

I've always said that I'm dangerous to myself in the kitchen! So, it looks like I'm going to be checking out skin care product reviews to see what I can use to soothe these burns. They aren't deep burns but they are uncomfortable.

You'd think I would be smarter than this at my age!

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Sleep irregularities

I truly wish I slept better. It's always on again off again, and I wake up at odd hours. I don't want to take medicine to make me sleep but I wonder about the melatonin benefits I might get from a more natural sleep aid.

Maybe it's just my age and my work schedule. Sometimes I work very early, sometimes very late. I can't seem to get into a regular sleep routine if my work schedule is up and down. So, I'm going to be looking for a job where I'll have more regular hours. I really hope I find one like that. There are a few openings around here locally that I'll be checking on.

Of course, if it's my age, there's not a lot I can do about that. Like they say, "It is what it is."

Technorati Tags: sleep

On the mend

I'm feeling a lot better but I still have head and chest congestion, which results in a lot of coughing and sneezing. At least I'm not experiencing the hot to cold to hot feelings I had a couple of days ago. I'm on the mend.

I think I've taken everything in my repertoire of home remedies -- vitamin C, echinacea, zinc, mullein, hot teas with honey, water with lemon -- you name it, I've been downing it. I probably would have tried a natural acne treatment if I thought that would knock out the germs that caused my illness.

I know it had to be bad. When I got to work yesterday evening, I received a lot of comments from co-workers. "Are you ok?" "You look tired." "Are you sick?" Gee, thanks guys. I already felt pretty puny, but the comments didn't actually help me feel any better at all!

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Ugh, I hate being sick

I am supposed to be going on a trout fishing trip with my Sis, Mom, and Brother-in-Law, starting Monday after we get paid. If I'm not a lot better, and at least not contagious, by then, it looks like I'll spend my vacation days right here at home!

It's only Friday, so maybe by the end of the weekend I'll be well enough to make the trip. I suppose that even if I missed the first day I could still head up there the next day, as long as I don't have this bug. I really don't want it to spread to my family, especially Mom. She just doesn't need this at all since she only recently got better from a long bout of feeling ill and not eating.

Anyway, I'm trying everything in my supplements basket to get better!!

Technorati Tags: health

Caught a bug

I've been pretty sick the past couple of days. It started with sneezing and coughing the day before yesterday. By yesterday morning, I was congested in my sinuses and was coughing like crazy, so some of that fell into my chest, I guess. I've had very low energy and either feel like I'm burning hot or freezing cold. Plus, I'm just plain achy all over.

I take my vitamins that are good for healing and colds. I also drink mint tea to help relieve congestion. I searched the web for some other solutions and came across best-acnetreatments.net. Not exactly sure why that one popped up, considering my symptoms.

I don't like to take over the counter drugs other than plain aspirin. So many of those have things in them that tend to increase blood pressure or they make you too drowsy to function. I don't like those kinds of side effects.

Anyway, I still have to go to work tonight so I'm taking care of myself today, resting, drinking water or tea, and staying inside. Well, I wouldn't want to go outside dressed in a pink fuzzy bathrobe and socks!

Technorati Tags: sick,flu,cold

Sis lays a good table

I was so glad I could spend a couple of days at Mom's, visiting her. I'll be heading to the Capitol City to camp with them for Monday and Tuesday, too.

It's for sure, Sis knows how to treat guests. Good food, quiet entertainment, movies, sometimes puzzles or card games...visitors are treated very well at her house.

Son went with me for a few hours on Thursday, then he headed back home again. Still, while he was there we enjoyed fresh garden veggies and dishes that are economical and heart healthy. Sis has turned her restricted diet into something really special. I don't think anyone can say her food is bland, being seasoned with plenty of fresh herbs.

Of course, if you're not accustomed to really fresh veggies and fruits, that stuff will act like a colon cleanse on you! I eat enough of those kinds of things that it doesn't have a real strong effect on me, but there are still certain side effects associated with so much roughage.

Technorati Tags: cooking,health

Sweat

It's summer, for sure, even though it's still officially spring. The heat we've been experiencing lately is more like summer heat. Highs up in the mid to upper 90s. Still, I like being outside as much as possible. I just have to be careful to come inside and cool off periodically and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.

I find that sweating isn't my enemy. It's ok to sweat a little and get rid of some toxins in the body. You may even get rid of blackheads provided you keep your skin clean by washing your face during the day.

It's when you're working outside and you stop sweating that you're in trouble. Sweating cools the skin. You may be in for heat exhaustion or heat stroke if you don't drink plenty of fluids and help your body produce sweat.

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Update and jelly

I'm feeling a bit better. Maybe sleeping nearly 36 hours had something to do with that, I don't know. I woke up every so often, as those on FB know, but mostly I was asleep since I got home from work Tuesday night.

Today was payday, so I collected my paycheck, went to the bank, then picked up a few things in Town. Most importantly, I picked up canning supplies so I can make some apple mint jelly. My apple mint has grown abundantly and I might as well use it in delicious jelly. Since jelly isn't a big deal to make, I should be able to get several half-pint jars worked up in no time. I was wanting the 4 ounce jars, but couldn't find them without going to Big Town, which I wasn't in the mood for. The half-pints will be nice, though, for using here or for gifts.

Apple mint jelly is delicious with meat dishes, but it's just as good on fresh buttered bread or toast, or on yeast rolls. It's a delicate flavor so it doesn't overpower other things you're eating.

The sun is now shining beautifully outside, which makes me want to go out and play in the dirt. However, I don't want to overdo it, so I'll just take it easy this afternoon. I have to work in the morning so I don't want the crud to kick me again.

Technorati Tags: gardening,health,cooking

The crud report

I'm still not feeling well. I slept late today, but I think I'm actually worse. My voice is really raspy not when I talk to Dog, though she doesn't seem to care.

There are so many things I want to do today and tomorrow. I'm off work and it seems like a prime opportunity to get more yard work and clean up done. But, after just a few minutes of activity I'm feeling cruddy and sneezing more.

I have some chicken so I think I'll make some chicken soup and see if that makes me feel better. I've got to do something. Not being productive at home, especially outside, just makes me feel worse!

Technorati Tags: health