Influenza…It bit me in the buttocks!

 

I can’t believe it! After all of my germ stopping habits I managed to get the flu! I have never had the flu in the 31 years of my short life. I have never even had a flu shot. Late last Thursday night I started feeling sick. I woke up Friday and thought, I will just sleep until I feel better and then go to work. 2 hours later I attempted to jump into the shower. I physically could not move. I don’t know what was more upsetting, missing work, feeling like a mac truck hit me, or knowing I had lost to a string of viral infections called the flu! I felt defeated, and sick. I wanted to fight but I didn’t have the strength. I think it was the same feeling Forest Gump had when he ran out the forest in the middle of Vietnam and said “Somethin’ bit me!” So I went back to bed…for 3 days. When I woke up Sunday I began to feel better. Coincidentally, Sunday was my 31st birthday. That was fun (sarcasm). Anyhow, I will fight these flu viruses and win! I can’t lie, I judged places I think I got it from. Maybe a grocery cart, or a door handle. You may be thinking, why didn’t I get the flu shot? I thought it wouldn’t work. I have this weird feeling about following popular medical vaccines and shots. Anyhow, needless to say, next year, I am getting the shot.

Those Nasty Little Things…

 

Germs. I really hate them. So much so I have made a lifelong commitment to kill as many as possible. I wasn’t really introduced into the hidden world of germs until I had my own little baby. Once that happened, germs were doomed. Let me give you a routine bathroom visit with my now 6 yr. old son. “Mom, I have to go to the bathroom.” “Do you really have to go or can you hold it?” (I would much rather him use our bathroom at home) “No, mom, I have to go right now.” “OK” I then dishearteningly look around the store that I am in and think how gross these public bathrooms are. We then began our brisk walk to the bathroom. Upon entering the bathroom I tell Christian not to touch a thing. I choose the first stall closest to the door. Statistics show that stall is actually used least and therefore has the least amount of germs. I, of course, give Christian the first stall and I take the second if it is available. After using the toilet, I have taught Christian how to flush with his foot. This is a fabulous practice. We then head to the sink where we wash our hands for 20 sec. (or the length of 1 round of ABC’s) We do that length because studies show the germs aren’t killed until after 20sec. We then get a paper towel and use it to hold the handle of the paper towel dispenser as to not pick up more germs. We go to the door feeling victorious, but wait… we use our elbows, butts, or hips to push the door open. The handles are covered with germs. If it is a door with a handle we have to turn, we use a paper towel to open it. Few, that was a chore. Here some interesting germ facts:

1. Never set your purse on your counter or table. In studies they have found urine, food, bacteria, and all sorts of gross things living on your purse. If you think about, you set your purse everywhere.

2. You should change your toothbrush every month and everytime you are sick. It doesn’t take a genious to figure that one out. If you keep your toothbrush after being sick you are just sticking those same sick germs back in your mouth…I am nausious thinking about it.

3. Your underwear aren’t as clean as you think. You should wash your underwear in a load by themselves in hot water. Otherwise, you are spreading underwear germs all over your clothes. Again, just think about it.

4. I always spray our door handles, toilet handles, fossets, cabinets, keyboards, and anything esle hands touch with Lysol at my work place. It is just a germ party. I truly believe it is one of the dirtiest places I spend my time.

5. Hotels, gross, gross, gross. First, you should through off the comfortor. They only wash it once a month, even in nice hotels. Then, get rid of the glasses in the bathroom. Chances are your maid rinsed them in the sink and didn’t use soap. eewww. You are drinking out of the same glass as about 10 + complete strangers. Spray the remote and phone with Lysol and any other handles.

5. Lastly, I highly encourage never touching grocery cart handles if at all possible. They carry bacteria like the flu, colds, disease, etc. I can’t stand touching them. EEEEEEwwwwww!

Well, this was an informative time on germs. I hope your life is changed for the better. I know I am grossed out.

Ode to Chai

For those of us who love Chai, I fear we are the only ones who will understand this blog…

Oh how I love Chai. I think about Chai a lot. I actually think I may have a fantasy relationship with Chai. Many people say it is like Christmas in a cup. What could be better?! I think it is more like taking a long soak in a tub with soft music- a glass of “sparkling cider” -I can’t hear the kids (or husband) in a cup. Recently, I have taken it upon myself to perfect the essence of Chai and create my very own Chai latte. This has been a rough journey. Many attempts have not worked and tasted like nothing better than a cup of hot, glorified milk. But wait….hope entered my life on Jan. 2, 2008. I was chatting with my local Starbucks barista trying to co-hearse her into giving me the Starbucks “secret” recipe. She told me about a store dedicated to only Chai. What’s this I ask? Am I dreaming? NO! It is true, it is called Kataluma Chai Company. So, still on my quest to save millions of dollars and make my own Chai (sorry Starbucks) I visited this almost holy place on my lunch hour. Wow! As I entered this small, quaint store I was welcomed with the smell of Chai. Already I love this place.   I gazed around and I saw Chai syrups, powders, ice cream, and every flavor of Chai. For example, I did not know “White Chocolate Chai” even existed. I began to drill the young teenage grill working there with many questions on their “recipe” for a Chai latte. I actually convinced her to give me sample so I could try it and see if i was worthy. I ended up with a few ingredients I felt like may make this perfect Chai Latte happen. This morning, I made the perfect Chai Latte! It tastes like it should and even better! I exclaimed to my husband (who rolls his eyes when I mention Chai) “This is it! I have done it! We are going to be rich! (due to a savings of $3.40 per day habit now replaced by frugalness). I would like to thank Chai for leading me down this path. Our relationship has grown and been strengthened. I will always love you Chai Latte.

New Year, New Start, New Creation

I love January 1st. It is such a great time to evaluate ones life and make a conscious effort to change for the better. I believe there are 3 areas which we must evaluate. (This is something I teach my son too!) Spiritual health, mental health, and physical health.

Most important is spiritual health. I love the verse “In Him we are a new creation, all things are made new and the old is gone.”(Neva’s translation). We get to start again, a new beginning, a second chance! I love second chances! The new year is such  great time time to search and evaluate and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal where we need to change things, sweep the house, and become a better vessel. This is such a great picture of grace, that He would allow us to do this. The really cool thing is wee don’t need a new year to evaluate. Just grace at any time and a broken heart.

Second is mental health. This will be short. What are we doing to better ourselves?  I believe Christ calls us to be our best and we should always be furthering ourselves and challenging our brains. Read more books, learn more things, meditate on His word (this takes incredible mental strength with all the distractions in this world). I notice my husband and my sister spending endless hours playing sudoku. I hate this game. It stresses me out and hurts my brain. I would rather challenge myself by figuring out how many accesories I can purchase with $50. Now, that is challenging!

The third is physical health. Oh exercise! Why do you hate me! You beckon me to put myself through pain, sweat and the feeling of throwing up. Jason and I have both vowed to be more disciplined and exercise and eat healthy this year. This is a tough one not to break. One year Jason committed to gaining weight so he would succeed. He did and was 10lbs. heavier. Go Jason! Anyways, health is huge and I believe effects every area of our lives. I used to be addicted to running. I ran 3 miles every day. Once you get to that point its great.

So, a new year, new chances, new beginnings and grace. Thanks Lord for a fresh start every morning. You rock!

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