Rule #1: When you are a Mom, never, never, never throw up into your own car. Ask me how I know this.... It will be awhile before the smell is completely gone (sigh).
Rule #2: Always keep a trash can near the potty. You WILL need it!
Rule #3: Keep a few gallons of Gator-Ade in the house just in case. Once you can keep it down for more than 20 minutes, it will help you to feel much better...
Rule #4: If you are going to share your viral good fortune, try to spread it around so that you never have more people vomiting with diarrhea than you have bathrooms at one time.
Rule #5: Remember that you are a Mommy first and a teacher second. Don't feel guilty that you have to take all but one day off a week in order to deal with sick kiddos. Well, try not to anyway.
Rule #6: Be eternally grateful that when hubby gets sick that he can be left alone at home to recuperate without your presence.
Rule #7: Remember that viruses don't respond to antibiotics, so don't go running to the doctor's office. If you can keep everyone hydrated (if you don't know how to tell, check the internet or ask a doctor or nurse) then it will pass in time.
Rule #8: Be glad you married a fabulous chemist who just happened to have industrial carpet spot remover in his truck. Now that is love! Be glad that he is willing to share the scrub up duties.
Rule #9: Disinfect everything in the house, hard surfaces, etc. Use 1 Tablespoon bleach in every dishwasher load or sinkful of dishes washed. I wouldn't use it with every load, but I do when I want to kill germs on glassware and dishes that sick folks have used. Wash clothes in hot water during this time.
Rule #10: Remind kiddos to wash hands after going to the potty or eating. Make sure they have loads of hand sanitizer around in classrooms, bathrooms, etc. to use additionally or if washing is not convenient.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
A Late Post: DS is 11!!!
Due to a nasty, nasty (did I mention NASTY?) bout of stomach flu, I have failed to post anything. But, on February 23rd, my baby boy turned 11. Wow!
He has had a scaled down birthday so far due to the illness, but we are finally getting back into the swing of things and the celebration will continue...
He has had a scaled down birthday so far due to the illness, but we are finally getting back into the swing of things and the celebration will continue...
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Never a dull moment...
I survived the root canal, and although my mouth is rather tender, I am fine. The dentist I saw was really wonderful and kind and that helped an awful lot!
Of course, this morning, while I am still under the influence of major pain killers, DS10 runs in screaming that our cat is dying. Have I mentioned that he is inclined toward fits of melodrama??? The cat was, indeed, very sick and needed to go to the vet. I was unable to drive anywhere, so I had to call Granny to the rescue!
Of course, throughout the ordeal, I am seriously dunder-headed and DS1o is concerned that he is going to die of rabies because the cat scratched him and was drooling a lot. Does the fun never end?
This was doubly traumatic due to the fact that our beloved cat, Diana, died less than a week ago. So, off we go to the vet where we learn that our little kitty has rambunctiously bitten a light cord and burned the crud out of the inside of her little, tender mouth! Ugh!
Of course this wound was infected and she was running a massive fever. She got a shot of antibiotics and we will be giving her medicine by mouth for a week. We also now own our very own large animal syringe (sans needles) so that I can drizzle gatorade down her throat so she won't get dehydrated (since that is the biggest risk to her right now).
At least she will be okay (we hope and pray). Glad we are on vacation this week!
Of course, this morning, while I am still under the influence of major pain killers, DS10 runs in screaming that our cat is dying. Have I mentioned that he is inclined toward fits of melodrama??? The cat was, indeed, very sick and needed to go to the vet. I was unable to drive anywhere, so I had to call Granny to the rescue!
Of course, throughout the ordeal, I am seriously dunder-headed and DS1o is concerned that he is going to die of rabies because the cat scratched him and was drooling a lot. Does the fun never end?
This was doubly traumatic due to the fact that our beloved cat, Diana, died less than a week ago. So, off we go to the vet where we learn that our little kitty has rambunctiously bitten a light cord and burned the crud out of the inside of her little, tender mouth! Ugh!
Of course this wound was infected and she was running a massive fever. She got a shot of antibiotics and we will be giving her medicine by mouth for a week. We also now own our very own large animal syringe (sans needles) so that I can drizzle gatorade down her throat so she won't get dehydrated (since that is the biggest risk to her right now).
At least she will be okay (we hope and pray). Glad we are on vacation this week!
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Tomorrow is the day...
Tomorrow, I go to see the dentist to do my root canal. I sure hope that I like this new dentist (my regular dentist no longer does root canals). I am sure he wouldn't recommend someone who wasn't fabulous, but I am not crazy about dental procedures anyway.
It will be interesting, especially paying for it since I have no dental insurance. Not frugal at all, huh? But, I will make the best of it as I can. Maybe I can get some good painkillers.... Then I might not care so much!
It will be interesting, especially paying for it since I have no dental insurance. Not frugal at all, huh? But, I will make the best of it as I can. Maybe I can get some good painkillers.... Then I might not care so much!
Another frugal remedy...
With the seasons changing in the deep South, we have highly variable weather which can reek havoc on my poor sinuses. I use a nasal irrigation system to clear out the excess mucous, etc. to try and ward off sinus infections and just keep myself feeling comfortable. And that is frugal in itsself to keep from needing more prescriptions.
However, sometimes that isn't enough. So, on those nights, I resort to the ever present (in our home, anyway) rice sock. It is exactly what it sounds like, a sock filled with uncooked white rice and tied with a tight knot in the top. It's a perfect use for those tacky old socks from the 80s--hehehe. As a matter of fact, there is a rice sock made from a fuschia and burgundy argyle from my high school years around here. It's cheerful and I won't mind if it eventually goes to the great sock heaven in the sky.
Basically, I take a rice sock, place it dry in the microwave for one and a half minutes and then take it with me to bed. Once all snuggled into the bed, I place it over my forehead, directly over the sinuses and rest. The heat is so soothing and it helps to force my painful sinuses to drain and relieve the pressure.
Rice socks are also wonderful for strained muscles and lower back pain.
My kids use them as bed warmers by their feet in the winter so they aren't getting into a cold bed.
Many years ago, my friend Bev gave us a rice sock with a cute little flannel cover to keep it clean. She also put bits of cloves and cinnamon sticks in the rice, so it smells good when heated. We used that one to death! Mine aren't nearly as sophisticated or pretty, but they are so functional!
Warning: if you singe the rice by leaving it in the microwave for too long, it will pick up a bizarre, burnt popcorn smell. At that point--start over with another sock without a mate.
These make great gifts if you are crafty. I have seen wonderful plans on the internet, including some that look like red hot water bottles. Very cute. Place in basket with a "get well soon" theme with some homemade soup, tissues, and a good book to read while recuperating.
However, sometimes that isn't enough. So, on those nights, I resort to the ever present (in our home, anyway) rice sock. It is exactly what it sounds like, a sock filled with uncooked white rice and tied with a tight knot in the top. It's a perfect use for those tacky old socks from the 80s--hehehe. As a matter of fact, there is a rice sock made from a fuschia and burgundy argyle from my high school years around here. It's cheerful and I won't mind if it eventually goes to the great sock heaven in the sky.
Basically, I take a rice sock, place it dry in the microwave for one and a half minutes and then take it with me to bed. Once all snuggled into the bed, I place it over my forehead, directly over the sinuses and rest. The heat is so soothing and it helps to force my painful sinuses to drain and relieve the pressure.
Rice socks are also wonderful for strained muscles and lower back pain.
My kids use them as bed warmers by their feet in the winter so they aren't getting into a cold bed.
Many years ago, my friend Bev gave us a rice sock with a cute little flannel cover to keep it clean. She also put bits of cloves and cinnamon sticks in the rice, so it smells good when heated. We used that one to death! Mine aren't nearly as sophisticated or pretty, but they are so functional!
Warning: if you singe the rice by leaving it in the microwave for too long, it will pick up a bizarre, burnt popcorn smell. At that point--start over with another sock without a mate.
These make great gifts if you are crafty. I have seen wonderful plans on the internet, including some that look like red hot water bottles. Very cute. Place in basket with a "get well soon" theme with some homemade soup, tissues, and a good book to read while recuperating.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Physical Therapy Continues
I continue to be really thrilled with the level of care that we are receiving at Progressive Sports Therapy in McDonough, GA. DS12 is very comfortable there and works hard to please his therapist who praises him lavishly. It's wonderful how the therapist works to make sure that he is both physically and emotionally safe there.
I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this facility at all.
I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this facility at all.
Happy Valentine's Day!!!
The holiday has been pretty low-key around here. We've been showering lots of extra love on our remaining kitty, Delilah, and she is loving all of the extra attention.
But, she still goes to Diana's favorite nap spots and looks for her and cries. Last night, she took Diana's spot on the bottom of our bed, but cried before she went to sleep. Today, she seems a bit better. So sad.
Hubby gave me a movie on dvd that I have wanted to see for some time. We're about to watch that one tonight. He then took the boys out for a special day with Daddy. They had lunch together and went to see a movie (Mall Cop). The boys were so excited and so was I! I got to read for awhile, do a little around the house, take a nap, and enjoy the quiet for awhile, knowing that the boys were having a great time. Love that!
But, she still goes to Diana's favorite nap spots and looks for her and cries. Last night, she took Diana's spot on the bottom of our bed, but cried before she went to sleep. Today, she seems a bit better. So sad.
Hubby gave me a movie on dvd that I have wanted to see for some time. We're about to watch that one tonight. He then took the boys out for a special day with Daddy. They had lunch together and went to see a movie (Mall Cop). The boys were so excited and so was I! I got to read for awhile, do a little around the house, take a nap, and enjoy the quiet for awhile, knowing that the boys were having a great time. Love that!
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