My mom gave me this orchid for my birthday last week. I’m enjoying it a lot – since the three that I have at home haven’t bloomed in a LONG time.
all dried up
It’s the last day of my work’s holiday shut-down. On one hand, I’m feeling really blessed that I got to enjoy 10 days of no work. I have gotten rather used to the easy going pace but now need to step it up. We enjoyed on last hike yesterday and noted the reservoir is noticeably lacking water in spite of the recent rains we’ve had.
It was supposed to rain again today. However, my rain chains have yet to see a drop of it. Perhaps they will see some tomorrow.
Here’s Looking at You
I’ve no idea if anyone is out there lurking in the blogosphere anymore.
If you are out there, please give me a sign (read: leave a comment).
Assuming that someone is out there reading… THIS post if for you, for you are a rarity among the FB, IG, Twitter -exclusive followers. It is folks such as yourself who keep the blogosphere from dying off all together. Keep doing what you’re doing!!!
Happy New Year!!
For the first time ever, or for as long as I can remember, I spent the arrival of the new year alone. All three of my sons were out and about doing their thing. Even YaYa was out celebrating the arrival of 2015 with his girlfriend. It was kind of weird.
TheMAN and I had a great last day of the year. We kicked off the day with our usual yoga practice, spent some time with our families getting things in order for the end-of-year, then went over to the coast for a hike at the Land of the Buddha and a NYE Candlelight Yoga & Music Class. It was a perfect way to finish off 2015.
At the end of the day (and end of the year), I had no complaints. The alone time allowed me to reflect on the passing year. I watched the NYE show, bopped around to the music, and counted down as the ball dropped. I even woke up theMAN for a New Year’s kiss.
If I were to be completely honest, I would have to say that I spent more than a few moments in tearful fear that something awful might happen to one of my sons. While I am used to BoBo being out of sight, this is the first time that YaYa is out of reach at the New Year.
There were several moments throughout the day where I was sick with worry. So I didn’t get too mad when he arrived home with the bottom part of his car dragging on the road. My son was safe and sound. It was all I could do not to give him a tearful hug. I was supposed to be mad, you know. [Read more…]
Pneumonia: It happens
These days, when folks get sick, the norm is to continue keeping on with life-as-it-were until one is no longer able. I don’t believe in following along with norm in this regard. For the benefit of getting healthy, and for protecting the rest from falling ill, I believe it is right to stay home and get well.
Not everyone agrees with me — especially when grades are at risk.
YaYa just got his two lowest grades up to an acceptable level, when illness got the best of him. On Monday, I sent him to school anyway, urging him to try to get through the day. I told him, “…just call me to pick you up, if it gets too bad.” By the time I took my phone out of airplane-mode, after my morning yoga practice, there was a call from the school.
At that point, his lungs were clear and his temperature was normal. The worst was yet to come, and I intended to do what I could to minimize it. He needed to get back to school ASAP. Immediately, I started pushing the fluids, medicating him with expectorants & the like, demanded deep breathing & coughing, and began percussion of his back & chest (just to be sure). Each day, however, I watched the progression of his illness. His temperature slowly climbed, and additional symptoms presented.
He did his best to keep up with school work, but was missing the teachings and in-class work. The number of tests he would have to make up was growing as well. I began feeling the pressure to get him back in school ASAP.
Mid-week, each evening, we would plan for him to return to school… and each morning, the plan would be abandoned. My values of health & wellness competed with the virtues of keeping up with a rigorous academic load. I wondered if I was doing my son any favors by giving in to his insistence that he could not go to school.
By the week’s end, the mucous had settled into his chest. The first hint of it, when he woke me up late last night to request some chest percussion (a process of opening up his airways which he resists, complaining that it is too painful). By morning, I wasn’t surprised to hear the change in lung sounds — and later the diagnosis of pneumonia.
Once again, we have a Z-Pak (antibiotic: zithromax) to help his body fight off the infection. He should be able to return to school on Monday. Then we can all breath easy.