Friday, September 18, 2009

School, Sniffles, & Sunshine

Last week I began to feel a head/chest cold coming on, but just as I thought it was going to pass, it hit me full force this week. And then E caught the sneezies and runny nose too. As a result, we had somewhat of a hazy lazy week. Thankfully, J just ordered Netflix, so I was able to stream some education films that go along with what we've been studying. We continued watching "Meerkat Manor" and also found a film about coral reefs. The boys spent some time each day working on writing and reading and did some nature study and sketches. We also enjoyed looking through our South Africa books. For the most part though the boys just played, played, and played some more, while I tried to rest and take it easy. We also spent a lot of time in the backyard soaking up the last of the summer rays, and enjoyed the gorgeous weather we had in abundance this week! I am looking forward to "Family Film Night" this evening, which we are going to try to incorporate back into our lives again now that the nights are becoming cooler. On the menu this evening is "Swiss Family Robinson".

I am also hoping to catch up on a lot of much needed sleep this weekend. :) I am still trying to find a good balance between homeschooling and housework and am finding myself to be completely exhausted by the end of the week. My poor immune system has been trying to work overtime. I realize that I need to start slowing down a bit and taking better care of myself, so that I can try to prevent sickness before it actually happens. Easier said than done when you're a busy mom though!








I personally can not take cold medicine. It makes me feel completely whacked out. Like I'm on speed, but in a sleepy trance at the same time. In my opinion, the best way to fight off a cold is by using natural remedies in combination with Mucinex. ;) Below is my prescription for feeling better quickly..

Plenty of sunshine, fresh air, rest, and relaxation..





Fresh healthy food and LOTS of orange juice and water. Espresso and Rice Dream. Eh.. or maybe not. :) And exercise (in light moderation).. It was so sweet of the boys to leave me a small section of the rug to do yoga on this morning, wasn't it?





Does anyone have any other good remedies or preventative suggestions to add to my list? I would love to hear what helps you to feel better!

Also, "Corner View" started back up this week and it completely slipped my mind, so I plan to do a double post next Wednesday. Hope you are all doing well and that you have a fun and relaxing weekend!

I'll keep my X's and O's to myself this week so I don't pass along my germs to you, Erin
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16 comments:

  1. LisaSeptember 18, 2009 at 3:48 PM

    HA! I missed cornerview this week too. The aches and pains of bad germs are hitting as well. Started with Rain, then Dave, and now Fauna and I aren't feeling too hot. We have been drinking a lot of thyme, sage, peppermint and ginger tea. Very yummy and so warming inside.

    This Ohio weather has been WONDERFUL!!!! Pure bliss really! We do the educational shows and lots of quiet reading when we are all sick. It's quite peaceful really.

    Get that much needed sleep and feel better.

    lisa

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  2. WendySeptember 18, 2009 at 5:54 PM

    It looks like quite a bit happened, despite you not feeling well!

    When the cold season comes, I start making sure we are all getting plenty of orange juice and/or vitamin C. Oh, and tea, as Lisa suggested, is a great way to keep you healthy.

    Or, if you're sick, good as a cleansing fluid!

    Feel better soon. I hope you get all the rest you need this weekend.

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  3. really.trulySeptember 18, 2009 at 5:56 PM

    Garlic, zinc and tea.....my favorite rememdies! Did I mention garlic ;)

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  4. pink and green mama MaryLeaSeptember 18, 2009 at 6:20 PM

    We're all sick here too. I'm with you in the Mucinex (during the day) camp. I just have to remember to keep drinking enough fluids with it.
    I cheat and do a half dose of benadryl at night to dry me up and knock me out. Again...lots of water.

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  5. MandySeptember 18, 2009 at 6:44 PM

    we do a lot of different things around here... but lately my new thing is vitamin d. none of us are getting enough and that can make us sick. we also do colloidal silver. hope you are feeling better soon. and yes, it was very kind of your kiddos to leave you a corner of the rug for yoga. i don't get much of the rug for my yoga these days either.

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  6. MadelineSeptember 18, 2009 at 7:59 PM

    I can't take cold medicine either...not even mucinex. I load up on garlic tablets, Vitamin C, and Zicam (Zinc). I also drink warm lemon honey water, and lots of chamomile tea. Hope y'all feel better soon!

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  7. MystikMommaSeptember 19, 2009 at 11:06 AM

    Thoughts on housework and homeschooling...last year I didn't feel like either of those tasks were done well. However, this year, I have a really great outline for school the boys assisted me in creating. I feel as if we have something reasonable to follow and it flows when we need it too so that helps out with being flexible.

    Housework, well once a week we attempt to do the basics and once a month we do the deep clean. It isn't as clean as some homes, but cleaner than others, so I will take it.

    Stuff to keep your immune system working well...
    Oregano Oil or capsules is very good. Also taking a couple droppers of Colloidal Silver is good. Going to sleep with socks on to cover your eucalyptus oil cream slathered feet is good too.

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  8. Sherry GannSeptember 19, 2009 at 5:55 PM

    Oh, Erin...so sorry to hear you're feelin' yucky. I don't have any advice, but I'm learning lots from the comments here. What the heck is colloidal silver?! I'll have to ask Mandy about that one.

    I did want to say that it sounds like you have really gotten off to an amazingly smooth start on the homeschool front. :)

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  9. dongdongSeptember 19, 2009 at 8:14 PM

    HI, Erin

    We do coffee enema here... didn't think I would do it at first, but works great.

    take it easy...happy weekend!

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  10. CateSeptember 19, 2009 at 8:26 PM

    rest up, and we'll see you in the next corner view. your kids are so delish btw. and yes, very sweet of them to save mom a corner for yoga.

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  11. Elizabeth PrataSeptember 20, 2009 at 6:17 PM

    Erin, have you heard about the Neti pot? It is an aladdin lamp looking pot, into which you put warm water and nasal salt. You tilt your head with your ear parallel to the floor (over a sink) and pour the water into one nostril (keeping mouth slightly open). Then repeat with other nostril and more water and salt. Then (gross) lean over the sink and blow thru both nostrils. IT ALL COMES OUT! Even if your sinuses are packed way up high. Then blow with tissue as regular.

    I like this method because it is completely safe, it is healthy, organic, uses no drugs, has no adverse side effects, and can be repeated as often as you want. It is not gross to pour the water through the nostrils while tilted sideways, you do not even feel it. It goes into one and out the other. It always makes me feel better. Being a substitute teacher, I am exposed to many gems and colds at school. Last year, I only missed one day of work. One caution: make sure to use nasal salt, it has no iodine and is not caustic, and melts into the water more completely. Can be found at any drug store! My ex-yoga instructor told me about it.

    If you google Neti Pot there is a short youtube vid that demonstrates it.

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  12. AnonymousSeptember 20, 2009 at 10:37 PM

    Thanks for the lovely comments! Your blog is lovely too! Are they your legs? jealous!!!! I just spray tanned mine in hope that it would give they illusion of 'slim' lol See ya round the 'haircut!'
    Megs x

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  13. ErinSeptember 21, 2009 at 6:13 AM

    Thank you all for your natural remedy suggestions! I am still feeling under the weather, so it seems we're going to have a rainy rest up week. Hopefully I can find enough to keep the boys busy and maybe this extra down time will give me a chance to catch up on all of your blogs! :)

    Elizabeth, my husband is actually a big believer in the Neti pot so I tried it once awhile back after his suggestion. I don't know what happened, all I can think is that I squeezed the bottle too hard and forced it through too fast, but my nose and sinuses burned for days afterward. I'll have to try it again and do it a little slower this time.. or maybe even invest in a real Neti pot that doesn't involve squeezing a bottle at all. :)

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  14. A Cuban In LondonSeptember 21, 2009 at 7:07 AM

    Think me simple-minded but what first struck me from your post was that you used 'somewhat' instead of 'kind of'. You're one of a kind, a dying breed, if you like. I loved the photos and the atmosphere and wish you better with that cold.

    Greetings from London.

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  15. janeSeptember 21, 2009 at 12:40 PM

    hope you are feeling better! besos!

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  16. StephanieSeptember 21, 2009 at 7:46 PM

    It's Monday, so I hope you're feeling mucho better!!

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