AM~Erica Wants to Describe the Pain

So anyway...

If you have kept up with me the last couple of years, or a little longer, you will know I speak up about my mental health, as well as advocate for treatments, preventions, and hopefully cures.  (reminders HERE) And, even though I am better most of the time, I still have my moments. Sometimes the moments are triggered, sometimes they seem to come out of no where...

Full disclosure at this moment: I'm having one of my days. Not one of my deep dark ones, but I feel my insides feel like I'm dangling my feet over the deep, dark abyss. Trying very hard to stay on top of it. I promise. I recognize it. I want you to know that it's a good thing.

It's a day a feel bad about myself. Like I've done something really wrong. I haven't...but there's the days, the moments, you suddenly feel like the worst person on Earth. It could be stress, not sure. But I know it's there...creeping. It's uncomfortable while making it's presence known. And it's very real.

I want to make that very clear. These feelings are real & exist. And I hate it!

So, I'm putting it out there, today, for a couple of reasons:

1. I have found when I find ways to talk about it, I can keep this thing at bay. So, I'm "talking" about it.

2. This is a good opportunity to explain this invisible illness in yet another way.

Not only do I suffer from depression, but I also get migraines. Ugh. Like a lot of women, as a matter of fact. It bums me out that I'm such a statistic. But I gotta deal with it as these things come.

With my migraines, I try to catch them as early as I can. Because if one of my headaches get rolling & I don't have the chance to try to put on the brakes...the atrocious pain levels become excruciating! Every sound hurts. Every light hurts. Every thought hurts.
Sleep certainly helps in the long run. And I have to hope my nausea doesn't come to fruition...because I will be camped out on the bathroom floor with a rice pack &/or a bag of frozen veggies for my head &/or neck as I try to get comfortable enough.
You can see it in my eyes when one hits. And, when they are bad enough, the thoughts get dark...

...I want help. But not the appropriate help. I get the "suicidal migraines." These are headaches that hurt so much, and you feel you cannot bear it any longer...
For me, I will have the thought, "If I only had a gun to forcefully put a hole in my head, I might be able to relieve the pressure."
Oh man...just putting that out there is breaking my heart. But that's how great the pain can be with my migraines! And? No one doubts when I have one.

No one tells me to think more positively to get rid of it. No one tells me it's a sin that I'm suffering with a migraine.

Here's my point: I liken my migraine pain to my depression pain & beyond.

Even though my suicidal migraine thoughts are actually separate & different than my typical (I promise I'm using the word "typical" loosely), they run quite parallel.

When I have a migraine, no one questions. People want to help. People want it to go away & want to go out of their way to help with what they can. People will leave me alone when they know I need to be alone. But when the pain is so great, and I cannot think clearly any longer, any thought that already hurts can actually become harmful in thought. But I'm so wiped, I would not & could not act upon it.

When I am having a down & empty day, a day when I'm feeling sad & worthless, no one should question. The pain can become so great, I cannot think clearly any longer...and there are the times when I think there is no other way out of the abyss than thoughts of great harm...I want to relieve the pressure. Since the pain is in a different place, it could be very easy for me to act upon it.

My thoughts in my depressive & suicidal states become different. I know how I would want to relieve the pressure. But it's those factors that cannot be around within my grasp. In my lack of logic, and in a state of an off reality (because that off reality is still my reality in that moment), I want to relieve the pressure of a pain that is so great. But...sometimes I can sleep it off. Note: SOMEtimes...

I want to make it clear that not all of my episodes of either state are like this...but...they have been known to get there. Also...I am never "committed" to that! EVER! I DO NOT CHOOSE that kind of state to be in. So the fact I want out of it should say a whole lot.

This goes for anyone else who has been, or is, in that position. They are so ill, they are in a lot of pain. They want out of it. They cannot seem to find another way out. Tomorrow doesn't feel like it will help. And that's where the promise of tomorrow from supportive people come into play.

When someone is feeling so ill, how do you treat them?
If someone comes to you saying they have cancer, do you doubt them? Do you doubt their pain? Do you think it's something they choose? Or do you want to help them anyway you possibly can knowing they want it out of their body?

This week, the Senate actually got along. There was a vote for a bill, called the Clay Hunt Veterans Suicide Act, that went up for vote. It passed, overwhelmingly, 99-0. There was one vote absent, but they were a co-sponsor of the bill. You realize this was a unanimous vote...from ALL sides...right? This means so much...but it also means every person in that room understood the magnitude of this. They were affected in someway (i.e. whether losing someone they love, they know someone who suffers, they may suffer themselves). And it begins with the ones who sacrifice so much of themselves for our own freedoms...many of them suffer. The ones we owe so much to, for our freedoms being defended so fiercely, are finally getting the help they may need recognized.

(Read about it HERE)

It's a huge & important step toward the fight for suicide prevention...and mental illness. And I'm so proud of the Senate for allowing it to start there.

The Clay Hunt Veterans Suicide Act is now on it's way to the White House. And it's exciting! And moving. We have to start somewhere...so why not with our veterans? At least! But I think it should grow from here. And we are on the way to diminishing this ugly thing of mental illness using suicide to take lives.

It is still a touchy subject for many. I have had several come to me, in absolute confidence, about their situation: whether for themselves or about a loved one. I will never breach that trust. It's hard to talk about. But it shouldn't be.

I'm not ashamed when I have a migraine. Why should I be ashamed when I am having an episode of depression...and maybe even thoughts of life escape? It means I'm ill.

Are you ashamed when you have a cold? Allergies? Sinus flair up? The flu? Announcing we have strep throat? When your child has chicken pox?
We put it all out there on social media & in our circles...so why can't we talk about the mental illness with the same amount of ease?

So I'm trying. Today I'm feeling under the weather. I'm down. I have an illness kicking up. And I'm talking about it. Because I know it's one of the remedies that works...for me.

And I will be OK.

Stay tuned...

God Bless, AM~Erica

AM~Erica Hopes to Join in the Super Bro HarBowl

So anyway...

I'm trying to get on the mend. However, I DO FEEL YUCKY-YUCK WITH THIS JUNKY-JUNK. I've decided that these next few days, I should turn this nasty strep stuff into a spectacle & call myself...
Cruddy Ew-Ew. (See what I did there?)

All of this came in bad timing, too. I know, I know...when does it ever? But this is for really-realz, yo!

Unless you have lived under a rock...you should know that today is Super Bowl Sunday! And this chic LOVES ME SOME FOOTBALL! (Blame my hubby.)

The last few years, we've just watched with just our family. Seriously...just the hubby, the kiddos, and moi inhaling some wings, nachos, and other tailgating fair while watching the game...well, usually just the commercials. But, if you know me, I wanted to have something bigger one of these days...

Things have been really crazy around here...more than just the sicky stuffs, too. So, we didn't get to plan a get together like I/we had hoped. However, we have a little bit of family coming over...mostly since they won't get to watch at their place. So they get to catch the event & we get to have people over! Woot! We were planning who was bringing what for quite a tailgating spread.

And then...strep happened! GRRRRRRR!!!!!!!

I am really bummed that I couldn't stay for worship last weekend since I hit an exhaustion wall with my cold...then this strep thing hit...and I am contagious until I've had antibiotics set in for 24 hours. Well, this means missing worship for the 2nd week. This bums me out to no end. Seriously. I enjoy going to church. However, I will have antibiotics set in for over 24 hours by the time guests come.

Now, I gotta be a slave driver for everyone else to clean. And a lot needs to be done! Since I've been ill for the last 2+ weeks, I couldn't get a whole lot done. *sigh*

In the meantime, I am hoping to to get to a spot that I can enjoy some of the food, watch a game between the leadership of brothers, and...the commercials!

So...I want to put out a little poll for y'all to join in on. You can just put your answers in the comments, below, here on the post. Are you ready?

Who will be victorious in Super Bowl XLVII?

~ Baltimore Ravens

~ San Fran 49ers

~ Coach Harbaugh

~ New Orleans

~ The commercials

~ I don't care since I don't watch

~ other

OK...off to continue to get well for company. Hope you all have a blessed Sunday! Enjoy the game festivities, whatever it is you're doing!

Stay tuned...

God Bless, AM~Erica (aka "Cruddy Ew-Ew")

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AM~Erica Would Love to Know WhoDunnit

So anyway...

I finally found a little umph to UPDATE YOU ABOUT MY CONDITION.

I made it thru Lil Guy's game. He did really well. And I was barely hanging in there. I really needed to go get checked out...

So...off I went after the game. I waited nearly an hour for my turn...and I probably dozed off & on. Being curled up in the uncomfortable chair I had taken over. I think there was only one well person waiting, for whatever reason. I say that since he sat there using his jacket as a mouth shield. I was entertained...but on the inside. I didn't feel well enough to openly laugh...or I might have.

I must've lost track of where we were in patient order...and I didn't feel like getting up & checking. I was too curled up in my uncomfortable check...but I was surprised I had already been called back. But I was thankful...

My glands were so swollen, I could hardly talk. The gal I was talking to was concerned I couldn't breathe. But it just hurt that bad to get words out.

Now...before we go any further...I have to share a concern I had:
When I was in the 8th grade, I came down with a form of mono. Yuck. And I will say it's the worst sore throat I've ever endured in my life! But, as I thought back, the doctor never said how long it might take to heal or the amount of downtime. I remember heading back to school after staying home for 2 days. I know there were several others who had mono that had to be home for weeks...even months. I guess I was just REALLY tough! Amm-i-rite? No? All I know is that I had a "form of mono". We were told it was called Monospot. However...when I did some research on it (cuz we didn't have those means back in '88) I found that Monospot was followed up by the word "test". So...it's a monospot test to check for mononucleosis! *face palm*

I tell you all of that to tell you this: I was very concerned my mono had flared back up. The swollen & painful glands (although...not like I had experienced during my 8th grade year), the being oh-so-rundown...I was worried. I was actually hoping that my cold decided to rise up & rebel against me.

So I sat in the room trying my hardest to answer questions. And I had a migraine flaring up, too. Ugh.

That gal swabbed my throat. She thought I might have a fever, but I didn't have much of one at all. While the strep swab test was processing, I brought up the mono thing. She said it crossed her mind, too...and wanted to test for it. *gulp* (ouch)

Well...the swab came back positive. *sigh* But in all my efforts to do a good job keeping any sickness at bay (which I was doing a pretty good job), I had come into contact with someone who had strep. Bleh. So...who was it? Just as I was getting my cold wrapped up, my immunity system decided to open the door to allow in a new villain. Grrrr...

Oh...and that testing for mono thing? Nothing much came up. Why did nothing much come up? We couldn't get enough blood flowing for the test. Ugh! Another weird thing: I'm what is considered, in the medical world, as a "gusher." There is generally absolutely no problem drawing blood from me...sometimes I give extra. Not by choice, but by nature. However...this was the 2nd time EVER there were issues. The other time was the sickest I have ever been with a kidney infection. That's a whole story by itself...

So...there's still the chance that stupid mono stuff might be flared up. But the biggest thing was the sneaky strep. *sigh*

I got penicillin to try to kill this stuff off...after just one dose...much of the swelling has gone down, I broke any fever I had...and I can swallow! And more rest...not like I didn't get over 24 hours worth in a 36-48 hour period.

Now I just need to get my full 24 hours in of antibiotics so we can be OK with people coming over for the Super Bowl. Just won't be quite ready for church in the morning...*sigh*

So the question is still out there...
Who was it that gave me this stuff? Who was it? Was it you?

And don't worry...I'm taking care of myself.

*psst* Hey...was it you? Just wondering...*ahem*

Stay tuned...

God Bless, AM~Erica

AM~Erica Got Jinxed

So anyway...

Here I've been working so hard to TRY TO STAY WELL, but ended up with a little bit of YUCKY STUFF THAT TOOK OVER anyway. But I was feeling better, just a bit rundown. Mostly.

After discussing this very thing with my hubby on the phone Thursday, we talked about how good I feel, but just do an activity or 2 & then I'm completely rundown.

Now then...when I get a cold, it usually hangs on for 3-6 weeks. No matter what I do (meds, soups, rest, drinking more, ANYTHING). So since I was trying to stay on top of everything, I wondered if I usually got rundown with a cold & just never really knew it. Because I get M-I-S-E-R-A-B-L-E! From not seeing straight, to blowing my nose until it probably looks like Voldy's, coughing up a lung & then the other...hardcore, to full head....it's awful! So being rundown might be in there, but I'm pretty consumed by everything else to notice. Amm-i-rite? Maybe?

So, in the last couple of weeks, I have been hitting immunity fighting big time! All while getting extra rest if needed.

Now then...Friday is my day off from social media. Many of you know that. It's my hubby's day off, too (from work, so he works in the social media break, too). Friday is OUR day! We usually do our grocery shopping, but usually try to go grab breakfast or lunch...and it's our date day while the kiddos are at school...

Now, a couple of years ago, I got hit with a yucky thing...dizziness! And...it was on a Friday! It was horrible! But hubby took such good care of me. He even went to the store by himself. And he took me to Urgent Care. I could not move. Well...I could...just not in a straight line & being nauseous from it. Turned out to be some crazy ear infection. Yeah...weird things usually like to attach themselves to me.

After having OUR HOUSE TAKEN OVER for a while...our Fridays were very difficult. We worked stuff in...but it wasn't the same. However...we finally fully got our Friday's back about 3 weeks ago! WoooOOOOOooooooo!!!! (that's me doing the wave)

And since we finally got our Friday's fully back, we haven't been able to do a whole lot. *sigh*

Since I've been fighting this weird junky-junk, it kicked in hard last Friday. Figures. So...I slept a lot. We didn't even make it to the store. I had to muster up energy (which I haven't had a lot of) to piece together a few smaller trips thru the week. Not fun. When I took my daughter to her 2nd PLAYWRIGHT ROUNDTABLE, it's done at the famous Crown Center. Did I walk around & shop? Nope. Did I sit & have something to drink? Nope. I went to my car in the car garage...and slept. I slept at Crown Center for an hour & a half. Yeah...it was that bad.

So, back to Thursday's convo with the hubby. He talked about how good I sounded & I brought up I felt pretty good until a did an activity or 2...and then it wiped me out. But it was the longest I felt good...
I paused & told him that I'd hoped I didn't jinx myself...
Enter Thursday night: my glands began to swell. Are you kidding me? Ugh! They were so sore & tender. I was hoping I'd just sleep it off & be better in the morning (after some vitamin C & cough drop, of course).

When I tried to get around on Friday...oh, it was U-G-L-Y! I was totally rundown & my throat glands were so swollen. *sigh*

For the 2nd Friday in a row, I was down-&-out for the count. We got to the store, but a different location...and I was not hungry. I couldn't even get groceries in the trunk without banging my head on it. Hubby just told me I needed to be done & get in the car...I wasn't even allowed to take the groceries in.

We put the cold stuffs away...and then he made me go to bed. I had already taken an hour & a half nap that morning after the kiddos left. We had to work in a quick meeting that we HAD to do...then got home & went back to bed just before 3:30. Ummm...I slept until 9:45! I got something to drink, but wasn't with it...and went back to bed.

I slept thru the night, even. I forced myself to get up this morning so I could get ready for LIL GUY'S BASKETBALL GAME since I have to take him. I'm not dead...so I'm not missing it. But, I will be going to Urgent Care to see what the deal is. I'm still swollen. I still have no appetite. I'm still rundown. This can't be good.

Not even MY HEALING SOUPS helped!

So...let's see how this goes...and I hope to find some energy to update you all. OK?

Stay tuned...

God Bless, AM~Erica

AM~Erica Can Eat Some Interesting Stuff

So anyway...

Even though I'm STILL TRYING TO GET WELL, there's these things living in the house that think that I still need to act like a mom. *sigh* It's a good thing I love my kids...or they'd be on their own trying to find their way around the house & out the door early in the mornings. Yeah...I don't think they'd be able to do it just yet.

But, I have tried to make sure they stay healthy or get them back on the path of GETTING & STAYING WELL. They may not like it, but I do it! Cuz I'm still The Mom!

While doing Super Mom duties, Lil Guy has decided that he wants to start taking lunch to school again. He hasn't done this for quite some time, so of course he would pick a time I'm feeling all crummy to pick this back up...but it's fine...IT'S FINE!

As I was finding out what he wanted in his lunch, he told me he wanted a sandwich with ham & turkey with some [turkey] pepperoni, cheese, mayo, BBQ sauce, ketchup & lettuce. That's a good sandwich choice! So I started making it. We have shredded lettuce that I've used, so I tossed some on the sandwich when a piece dropped off the bread onto the counter. I picked it up & ate it..cuz...yum...then it triggered a memory:

*DOO-Doo-doo, DOO-Doo-doo, DOO-Doo-doo...* 

(Imagine Wayne's World style flashback)

Back in high school, I had some weird habits. But what teenager doesn't have weird habits? Amm-i-rite?

I do enjoy breakfast. I could eat breakfast at any point of the day. But there's something that was in my teenaged brain...you know the one with the frontal lobes shut off...that made me start digging for a different breakfast. For quite some time, I ate a sandwich for breakfast. Not a breakfast sandwich on a biscuit or English muffin with sausage & egg. Nope, not for me. Instead...I did this:

I toasted 2 slices of bread, put on some mayo, cheese & lettuce. That's it. Nothing extravagant or anything, but it was what it was. A total BLT, but minus the B...and, well, the T.

Imagine my sandwich looking something like this...but for real.

Just popping that little piece of shredded lettuce in my mouth this morning while making a sandwich with the bread, cheese & mayo involved, too, totally threw my brain back to the early 90's. Weird how we do that.

But it doesn't stop there. It was my high school brain & teenage problem solving (scary sounding...I realize this) that led me to one of my very favorite snackage that I still enjoy to this day. It's one of those things that you might need to tilt your head & squint to figure out...but don't knock it til you try it!

Are you ready to find out?

Brace yourselves...

It's odd & delicious...

I do love me some carrots and caramel! Seriously! I'm not kidding! I keep baby carrots on hand with some caramel sauce cups. Portion controlled deliciousness!

You might want to know where that comes from, right? I didn't just create it in my teenaged brain...remember? I said there was "problem solving" involved...

My mom taught 1st grade for close to a million years. OK, not that long...but a really long time. I know she taught several of you, too. So those of you who were ever in her class, or had another 1st grade teacher at her school, probably did a Johnny Appleseed lesson. It usually culminated with carmel apples.

I looked forward to that section ending, cuz I knew the lazy cooker would be coming home with leftover melted caramel & maybe some leftover apple slices, too. YUM-MY!

However, this one year...the lazy cooker made it back home...with only reminisces of caramel caked to the sides & bottom. *sigh* Little heathens ate it all...or some of the adults couldn't help themselves either. Barbarians, I tell ya! And there was not a single apple slice left either. I. Was. Not. Happy.

However...I did notice that my mom brought home some carrot sticks. You know...little, mini scraping rods...perfect for scraping caramel traces off the sides of a lazy cooker...

So...I picked up a carrot, reached into the inside of the lazy cooker & began to scrape off the melted caramel onto my newfound tool. After several delicious takes of it...I decided to try something...scrape the caramel & BITE it off the carrot.

You know what? It was SO good!!! So...I finished the carrot sticks AND cleaned the melted caramel from the lazy cooker. AND? I found me a new snack.

Go ahead...go try it! Seriously!

Once you do...let me know what you think. Then, you can thank me for giving you the head's up.

Just FYI...my kiddos love it now, too.

I'm sure I have other weird things I eat. Teen Boy makes a thing of finding the weirdest soda suicides ever...and strangely brags about it. Pretty sure Teen Girl has weird things too...we just never see them.

For a while, Lil Guy was putting mayo on his brats & hot dogs.

I know other family members who have weird food stuffs, too.
(I really don't want to discuss the potato chips with scrambled eggs & mayo thing.)

Keep in mind...there were no pregnancy cravings involved in ANY of these.

So...anyone else? What's some of your food likings that would make people question what you eat? Go ahead! Share with the class in the comment section, here on the blog. How did it begin? We could start a whole new culinary revolution!

Stay tuned...

God Bless, AM~Erica

AM~Erica is Kickin' This Crud Where it Counts

So anyway...

I'm still fighting this stuff. Though I'm not as QUARANTINED AS I WAS, I'm still keeping my distance the best I can...and trying to take it easy...while fighting this stuff as hard as I can!

Of course, I've already been TAKING STEPS TO STAY WELL, but this stuff caught me anyway. So I am trying to drown this junk in vitamin C & antioxidents.

I have also been introduced to Zicam. So, it has been added to the regimen.

So, on top of the tea (which now as Airborne added to it...) and the immunity smoothie, I've been drinking water, getting rest, and taking to the Zicam.

However, now Teen Boy has gotten this coldy junk. He's not as prepared as I am...and I've already told him that he will not like me by the end of today with all the stuff I'm gonna make him do & take. He doesn't like any of it...but...TOO BAD! We are getting rid of this!!

So, I have decided we are taking hold of the the chicken & noodles kick. Tonight will be chicken & noodles in the lazy cooker...but I also made some chicken noodle soup designed to help kick this crud where it counts!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Lemon Herb Rainbow Chicken Noodle Soup with Green Tea

2 lb boneless/skinless chicken breast, cooked & shredded
1/2 C lemon juice
80 oz chicken broth
4 C brewed green tea (yes! Green Tea)
1 C celery, chopped
1/4 sweet onion, chopped
1 C carrot, shredded
2 C finely chopped spinach or kale (or other dark leafy greens)
** other vegetables, fresh or frozen - (i.e. bell peppers - all colors, chopped; corn kernels; peas, shelled; butternut or any other squash, chopped; etc.) - the more color, the better...this is the "rainbow"
1 T salt (any)
Ground black pepper, to taste
3 T ground ginger
1/4 C parsley
3 T oregano
3 T basil
2 T thyme
2 T garlic powder
2 T cumin
1 bag whole wheat egg noodles


Pour lemon juice, chicken broth & green tea into a large pot. Bring to a boil.

Once boiling, turn heat down to mid-hi heat. Put in the shredded chicken (I put the chicken breasts in my lazy cooker in the morning so it would be cooked thru & easy to shred by the time I made the soup) into the broth.

Begin adding the vegetables plus the herbs & seasonings to the soup. Continue to let boil on mid-hi heat.

Then add the noodles. Make sure they are tender.

Begin testing the soup's broth to make sure seasonings are to your liking; adjust as necessary.

Let simmer.

Serve.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This soup is PACKED with the good for you stuffs! And, it was pretty good. I toned down the amount of lemon juice...I used about 2 cups of it...and it was REALLY strong! Didn't need quite that much.

We are gonna get rid of this stuff as best & as quickly as we possibly can. I shall be a warrior thru it all!

Ruh-roh...looks like Teen Girl may have the beginnings of her fight starting. The war is on...

Zicam & soup, anyone? Stay well, my friends...

OK, that wore me out...I should go back to bed...
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...

Stay tuned...

God Bless, AM~Erica

The Quasi-Quarantine of AM~Erica

So anyway...

Here I'd worked so hard to stress to everyone about HOW TO STAY WELL, and to keep myself accountable...but alas...I have been hit by something nasty.

With all the weird stuff going around right now, it could be anything! However, I am still taking my wellness post to heart & doing as much as I can to cut this icky stuff short!

With the coughing that started...it was eventually joined in by my nose taking up running & picking up sneezing along the way, as well as a not-migraine headache (I usually don't get not-migraines much anymore...I could probably count on 1 hand how many times in the last few years & still have phalanges left over)...and then...and THEN...I was just run down. This lack-of-energy thing is way tiring.

My hubby has been really good about making sure I'm taken care of. He made me go to bed. I would have resisted, but I didn't have the energy...

And, since I'M PRETTY SURE I'M A DISNEY PRINCESS, this girl had to take on Aurora's role...and just sleep. And my Prince Charming (yes, I am still talking about my hubby) would come check on me.

Now, Friday is our usual day of the week to spend time together. It's hubby's day off & we can get our weekly grocery shopping done & anything else we might want or need to squeeze in. It's like a morning & afternoon long date day...that just happens to include grocery shopping. Ummmm...we are more than into Saturday now...and we don't have much food in the house. Why? I couldn't even handle the umph of grocery shopping! Ugh.

So...today...since I've already stated that I WILL NOT MISS ANYTHING MY KIDDOS DO unless you physically make me...or it had better me something really big...or my own death to make me miss it, I was feeling pretty OK this morning while getting Lil Guy ready for his basketball game. However...as the morning went...and the game went...the more I was running out of steam quickly. If I could've slept in the chair I was sitting in during the game...I might have. That, my friends, is not a good sign.

I had more to do today. Like helping a fantastic couple get set up for their 50th wedding anniversary festivities of vow renewal & reception. I was even planning what to wear...but I was sequestered back to bed by Prince Charming...and more sleep I got. Before I knew it...my hubby was changed & leaving. I said I'd get around to meet him there for at least the ceremony...but he informed me that I shouldn't be around the public. *sigh* I feel so bad for feeling so bad. I didn't even have the energy to argue about it. That's how you know how zapped I am.

So I am quasi-quarantined. But I don't even have the gusto to go anywhere. I will help put together a mini list for a few things we desperately need...but other than that...don't count on a whole lot from me.

And with that...I'm going to hang out in my tower with my symptoms: Coughy, Snotty, Poundy, Sneezy, Sleepy... See? Just like a Disney Princess! And the Web Doc told me it could be a cold...so I could self-medicate & just get Dopey. *shrugs*

That's right...superheros show up in my fairy tales. What?

Well...I do have a handsome Prince Charming to sweep me off my feet...and make me sleep this stuff off.

A lesson I learned: total lack of motivation feels way more productive than total lack of energy.

OK...This Snow White is gonna trap herself in her Rapunzel tower & totally pull an Aurora. No energy for the Cinderella stuff...

Stay tuned...(and stay well...)

God Bless, AM~Erica

AM~Erica is Working Toward Staying Well

So anyway...

If you are unaware, maybe because you live under a rock or in an actual cave, you will probably know that there is major-crazy buzz around the flu season this time around. However, if you do live under that rock...I guess you are well, anyway...

But, for everyone else, schools have closed due to the outbreak being near epidimic levels, hospitals are overflowing...and there are even M*A*S*H-like tent cities set up outside of the ER's specifically for those who have the flu or flu-like symptoms. There was news that a restaurant in Springfield, MO closed down due to the virus.

Flu tent outside of an ER in Philadelphia to help keep the virus out of the hospital

A set up of famous fictional M*A*S*H unit 4077

I'm gonna make something clear: IT'S A VIRUS! Or at least one of a few. So, sadly...when you go to the doctor or the hospital because it's so bad, they are probably going to give you IV fluids. If Tamiflu is working for you (for any of you who have needed to try to take it), then that's good. However, I am wondering how many of you out there got the flu vaccine, and still got sick!

Some of you reading this may be shocked & mortified, and others will completely agree with me...but...
our family does not get the flu vaccine. Because...guess what...it's based on the previous flu strands. And? There is ALWAYS the "new strand of flu" that could not be included in it. And? There is another virus going around that is flu-LIKE...it is NOT the flu! So, the vaccine & Tamiflu ain't gonna touch it, people.

I have no idea what my affinity is about going to the doctor, but I just get so bothered to have to pay anything to go & have them shrug & say there's nothing they can do...then wish me luck.

So, there's some things that many of us...OK...well...ALL of us should be doing to help ourselves & others. Some of it just makes sense (I've decided not to call it "common sense" any longer...more on that in a future post), but there are many who are too prideful & over-confident to keep up on some practices...

One of the biggest things to do? WASH YOUR HANDS! A lot...a WHOLE lot. Then carry lotion so viruses to sneak into the cracks of over-dried hands. And try to avoid a lot of handshaking, high-fives, cheek-kissing, etc. Maybe we should just be like Howie Mandel for a while & just fist-bump people. Oh, and we could learn from what children are taught when washing their hands: sing a 20-second song (even if it's just in your head). It's been brought up to use the "Alphabet Song", "Twinkle-Twinkle, Little Star", or "Baa-Baa, Black Sheep". (Actually, all 3 of those are the same tune...so multi-task & simplify by washing hands while humming 3 songs at once. You'll be an amazing party trick.) You can carry hand sanitizer, too...but do not become a slave to it! Only use it when needed only when there is no soap & water combo to get a hold of. A certain amount of germ exposure helps build immunity. Don't forget it!

Oh, and please...PLEASE...cover your face/mouth/nose when coughing or sneezing. The best place? In the crook of your elbow or into a tissue. Please do not do it in your hands or just out in the open! *shivers* I'm getting grossed out just thinking about it. The crook of your arm won't have as much contact with things nearly as often as your hands, and you can throw away the tissue that caught your nasty germs-in-flight. Don't let fly everywhere. No need to have your nasty nose &/or spit particles attach themselves to the 3 people across the room, as well as anyone in between that flight pattern. *shivers*

Lots of water! Keep hydrated, folks. And, if you have already lost serious hydration & that flu-y stuff has already taken you over, get some Gatorade or Pedialite down you. Get those electrolites going again. Yes, there is the salts & sugars in them, but your body will need a little extra sumpin'-sumpin' to get back on track!

Also, continue taking in Vitamin C to boost the immunity stuff in your body. Make all those stuffs (yes, I'm using technical terms...so sorry if you can't keep up) into little fighting ninjas!

Now then...there is an old wives' tale that chicken noodle soup can help you in getting well. What's one of the first things people want you to do when you get sick? Yep! Have some chicken (noodle) soup! As I have come across some different research on this, it turns out this is true! There are natural antibodies that happen when homemade chicken (noodle) soup is made. So, not only is it soothing...but it is building up those little ninjas, too!

When that throat is scratchy, sore &/or tingly...I have a really awesome tea that I make. Here's what it is:

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Throat-Soothing Tea

2 parts lemon juice

1 part water

2-3 T honey

¼ t salt

1 lemon-honey cough drop or throat lozenge (I use Halls)

1 black tea bag

1 green tea bag

1 Throat Coat tea bag

1 t ginger

Fill a microwaveable mug with the lemon juice & water.Add the cough drop or throat lozenge along with the green & black tea bags.Heat up the liquid for about 2 minutes, on high, then let rest for about 1 moreminute. Take out of the microwave, remove the tea bags, then replace them withthe Throat Coat tea bag, and let stand, covered for about 15-20 minutes. Afterthat time, uncover, remove the tea bag, then add the honey, ginger & salt.Stir well & make sure the cough drop/lozenge is dissolving.

Drink it until gone. An occasional gargle with it before you swallow, as itcools to just above luke-warm, is recommended.

Make this upon the onset of a scratchy or sore throat. Repeatseveral times through the 1^st couple of days, then back off to 1-2times for a couple of days after that.

** It is not meant to be delicious!! It's not bad, but it isintense & strong! Brace yourself, but it works.

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One of the things that is an old wives tale is about cutting up onions & putting them around your house to ward off flu and illness. I had seen this around so much lately, I thought I'd look into it. Ummm...please don't do it! First, an onion is not a sponge...it is full of juices that have already been given rights to reside in those oniony pores. And viruses are not going to cling to the onions...they are passed around thru contact. Unless you are breathing ON the onion...it's not gonna work. And? The smell is so strong! You're just gonna make everyone cry...or sicker the next day due to the overwhelming odor. If there's gonna be a smell of onion in my house, they had better be cooking! That smell is amazing! And...if you're gonna cut up onions to help with the flu, put 'em in your homemade soup. If there ends up being a Great Onion Shortage of 2013, it had better be because they were being used to make soup...not to be left out to dry up & just get gross, as well as bringing a different bacteria of mold & such into your home...making people sicker. Maybe?

And? STAY HOME! Fever? Coughing? Nausea? Sniffles? No one else wants. And you're not just giving it to other students or coworkers...they are taking it to their other jobs, families, stores. See how this works?

If you are smart enough to stay home, get rest! Your body needs to just close off the rest of the world to concentrate on getting better & fighting this junk! But, if you can't sleep...or your body is taking a break from sleeping, it has been suggested that you watch comedy, play board games, and/or drink hot chocolate. Why? These things keep your brain active (so a different kind of workout), plus laughing gets your feel-goods going, and the warmth, chocolate & sugar (minimal) of the cocoa gets those feel-goods moving, too. Oh...and steam! Let the steam from a hot bath or shower help loosen things up. Plus...a good bath or shower usually helps make you feel better, anyway.

Now then...if you are well & just want or need to keep up your immunity...here's some stuff for you to try:

Continue to wash hands. See above. This cannot be stressed enough.

Keep taking Vitamin C. See above.

Drink water. Keep hydrated. Actual water...not just the other drinks that have water in them. WATER!

Oh...and you're supposed to exercise. Guess I should try to do this again. I just haven't gotten there. But still, exercise & stuff. Cuz it's good for you anyway.

Take your vitamins! TAKE 'EM!

Oh...and keep feeding yourself healthy stuffs! Fruits, veggies, soups, balanced meals...and some people do the smoothie thing. I have an immunity smoothie that I have from time to time. I would make sure to inhale it before volunteering at Lil Guy's school. Here's how to make it:

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Sweet & Tart Immunity Smoothie 

(aka to my kiddos - blood punch)

Orange Juice

1 bottle DanActive immunity yogurt smoothie (I like Strawberry Banana or the mixed berries)

1/2 - 1 packet Crystal Light Cherry Pomegranate (this used to be under the "immunity" & "antioxidant" label)

Add a little OJ at the bottom of the glass
Add the Crystal Light powder
Stir very well
Pour the DanActive into a juice glass
Fill the rest of the glass with OJ
Stir well again

** It's really sweet & tart...and looks like blood punch. But I really like it!!!

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I'm also all about lots of color in dishes & meals...like multi-colored pasta, lots of veggies...I love color anyway & sure love it within my food, too. And more than just M&M's & Skittles. I use a 15-bean mix for my ham & beans, and I love using all the bell pepper colors when making dirty rice, and I love using squash & root veggie mixes with my pasta, or a beautiful stir fry with a lot of color...even a really good fruit salad with lots of berries is fantastic. Froot Loops totally count too, right? No? Although, I do see chocolate & coffee as vegetable based...cuz, you know...they come from beans! Duh! Oh...and wine comes from grapes. Hey! Those things do have their own health benefits, too, you know...
Can you totally feel the antioxidants working just by reading all of that?

People...what it comes down to is a matter of taking care of yourselves. Please! It's considered the worst flu season in years! (I know, I know...when isn't it, right?) But there have seriously been places closing. Churches have been handling services differently. Not sure how host/hostesses & door greeters are gonna handle their jobs soon. There is a Wally-World close by that has their cashiers wearing gloves. Seriously. i'm guessing masks might be next?

Aye-yi-yi!

Stay healthy, people. Take the extra measures. It won't hurt your ego or confidence if you're doing this stuff to be healthy.

Stay tuned...

God Bless, AM~Erica