While I was appreciating the warm weather we have been having (and the sunshine when I get out of work now) I am equally amused and gleeful by this blast of cold air we are having! I am pretty sure this will be our last hit of semi-winter weather so I am fully embracing it (and have my flannel winter PJ bottoms on tonight for the occasion)! My sister and Justin got home from Ireland yesterday so we all went out for Mexican food in Queens – and I admit it was pretty tasty, even if I protested initially. Then Vanessa showed me all the beautiful, amazing photos they took while there, as well as some great videos!
Now it’s time to turn my attention once again to creative projects. I will also share a current fixation on Audrey Niffenegger, the extremely talented author of The Time Traveler’s Wifeand several ‘art books’. I have to seek out her graphic novels now, as I am sad to see she has yet to write a second novel.
One final thing, to potentially amuse you and have some fun with:
Here’s a little Springtime Wellness Wednesday info! While this information may be a bit belated for our readers in the South, it still remains relevant for all who suffer from seasonal allergies – hay fever. (Or allergic rhinitis, as we call it in the “biz”). Each spring, as those beautiful trees and flowers bloom, seasonal allergies threaten the well-being of many a soul across the globe. Blooming trees (in early spring) and grasses (in late spring) cast their pollen into the wind, leaving many of us at the mercy of our very own immune responses – nasal congestion, unrelenting sneezing, runny noses, and watery/itchy eyes. And if that’s not enough, there are some unfortunates who suffer even more (sometimes for weeks) and develop severe headache, facial pain/swelling, altered sense of smell/taste, insomnia, irritability, or extreme fatigue. And it’s important to remember these spring allergic woes can also be triggered by increases in indoor and outdoor mold growth from the extra rain this time of year, as well as dust mites that may be kicked up from spring cleaning. Aside from being a perfect nuisance, seasonal allergic symptoms can cause considerable embarrassment and even hinder performance at school or work.
But relief is on the way. There are several treatments you can try on your own:
Antihistamines are good for sneezing, itching and runny nose; they are less effective for nasal congestion. Older over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamines like diphenhydramine (Benadryl®) or chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton®) cause drowsiness and shouldn’t be used while driving. I would instead recommend the newer OTC preparations loratadine (Claritin®) or cetirizine (Zyrtec®), as these won’t leave you as tired. The generic store brand of antihistamines (and really most other OTC medicines) is less expensive and just as effective as the brand name.
Nasal decongestants are available alone or in combination with antihistamines and can be used orally or nasally. Oral decongestants include pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine, under various brand names. These oral drugs generally last longer (up to 12-24 hours), but can elevate blood pressure; you should not use these if you have high blood pressure. Oral decongestants also tend to cause dehydration, so you should increase daily water/fluid intake by 50% or more when using these. Common nasal decongestant sprays are oxymetazoline (Afrin®) and phenylephrine (Neo-Synephrine®). These provide rapid but short-lived relief, and your nose can actually get “hooked” on them if used for more than 3 days. In this instance, the nasal lining swells even more than when the nasal spray was first started – “rebound congestion.”
If these OTC measures aren’t cutting it, you should consult your doctor, especially if you have severe or persistent symptoms, side effects from OTC medications, or associated skin rash or possible asthma (wheezing). Your doctor can prescribe several other medications, including prescription-strength oral antihistamines or nasal steroid sprays (the most effective type of medication for seasonal allergies). For very severe or resistant cases, you may be referred to an allergy specialist for desensitization therapy (“allergy shots”).
If necessary, here are some simple measures that can help prevent springtime suffering:
Keeping doors and windows closed will stop pollen and mold from coming in (screens won’t filter pollen)
Stay indoors when it’s windy or in the morning when pollen counts are generally highest
Keep car windows up and use the A/C (sure…spend even more on gas!)
Take a shower, wash your hair, and change your clothes before bed or if you’re coming inside after being outdoors for a while. Pollen accumulates easily on clothes and hair
Bathe pets if they’re coming in from outdoors (pollen collects on them too!)
Wash bedding at least weekly with hot water
Vacuum at least twice weekly
Change filters in A/C units monthly
Sleep with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter in your room
Should you have any specific questions about conquering your rhinorrhea, I will gladly respond.
To update in a perhaps not amazing way – I bought new rollerblades today and met up with my cousin and he and I rollerbladed around central park and down to Battery Park! It was tough for me but really fun! WOoOoOosh!
We then watched some new music videos on his laptop before meeting a friend for dinner! Now I am back in Queens to play with the pups and look forward to tomorrow which might entail shopping or a picnic in a park if the weather isnt raining too bad.
Ahhhhh to have familia and friends:)
The happiness is good!
Sometimes finding it is difficult in it’s own right, but today my goal is to go with the flow, however it presents itself. Anyone might have guessed I am fond of random trivia but today my google homepage decided to become an igoogle homepage, and Igoogle informed me that the food of the day is onions! Who even knew there was a food of the day? Apparently onions have been “revered throughout time” for being both tastey and medicinal. Therefore, when I went to get my lunch, I helped myself to a heapin helpin’ of purple onions. Woe betide the next producer that comes in to work with me!
What else will make Friday fun? Well, I get to continue puppysitting which is always a plus! I also brought a few art supplies with me to my sister’s so this weekend (if it indeed does rain as the forecast predicts) may find me learning to crochet or paint with watercolors. Also – Friday means new movies come out so I am fairly excited about that. If you are in New York and looking for inspiration, my friend Phil suggested this nifty Free Art Walk event which sounds like a lot of fun.
Dia dhuit (Hello!) from Ireland! I am starting where Janice left off regarding the kindness of strangers. I’ve learned through my last year and a half of flying in and out of NYC that it’s unusual to sit next to a chatty, social person. Yesterday, when I boarded my overnight flight to Dublin, I thought the same rule applied. A few minutes into our 45-minute pre-takeoff taxi, a hand came into my field of vision holding a pack of lifesavers. In a lovely Irish accent, the woman to my left said, “Take a couple, it’s going to be a long time before we get off the ground.” I was stunned! I smiled at her and laughingly exclaimed that New Yorkers weren’t usually that nice. She continued to offer candy to Justin and his mother who are accompanying me on the trip. The lady and I spent quite a while throughout the flight chitchatting about her family, about Irish weather, and about what to see and do.
After experiencing my uplifting interaction with the Irish woman on my flight over here, I have decided that I am going to make more of an effort in my day-to-day life to be friendlier, more outgoing, and more sharing in New York City. It’ll be my attempt to “bring southern hospitality to New York.” This is definitely a test! I am hoping it will be openly received! Wish me luck. :)
I certainly hope those of you using this Thursday as your crafty day are enjoying your talents – it is certainly the nicest night we have had here in New York in a while – cool, clear weather abounds :) I myself am puppy sitting in Queens and find myself more apt to take a page out of the puppies’ book: Sprawling out in front of the fan and watching some TV. Ahhh relaxation, escapism, pop culture. Sometimes you just have to accept that you’ve had a rough week and it’s time to unwind and revel in the ability to simultaneously tune in and tune out. I thank the glory of mass media. Sometimes even intellect and creativity need a little R & R.
Now I will try that advice Ness gave in her previous post about the candle, and get a semi-decent night’s sleep. Sweet dreams to you, and shalom :)
I just had to share how things can turn out so much better than they look in the morning. I am in Lubbock working. When we (my compadre and I) were checking, once again, this morning we were told there were no rooms available for tonight. (This whole area has been booked and overbooked because of some UIL competitions). The very nice young man at the desk said he would do all the magic he could and give us a call. Well, sure enough he did call to say he had managed to get us a room. The really lucky part was that when we got back to the hotel this evening people were coming in from all directions and there was much drinking and partying going on. It turned out that this evening was a grand re-opening after a remodel. There were all kinds of yummy party foods, fruit and petit fours along with wine, beer and an open bar. There was even a band out by the pool playing a great mix of music. It was a lot of fun for a couple of hours. Just what we needed after the stresses of the past couple of days of bad storms for driving and wondering where we’d rest our weary heads at night. So, it never hurts to throw yourself on the mercy (kindness :) of strangers and just keep a positive thought that things will work out. Have a great night!
What makes you happy? We’ll be finding out in our video series! Introducing our first video where you tell us what floats your boat.
Nature, birds chirping, the great outdoors, and being with friends, sharing in the good times – what’s not to like!? I whole-heartedly agree, Olivia! :)
Want to know more about Olivia? You can visit her blog.
If your day was anything like mine or Val!’s, it’s definitely time to de-stress. Since Wellness Wednesday is winding down, it’s also an appropriate day for the topic. Follow along with me here – we can do this exercise together. It will work best if you’re in a private place, alone. :)
Tips to relieve stress:
Light a couple of candles and turn the lights down a bit. Place the candles around your room. Mine are vanilla, but any pleasant aroma will do.
I can’t quite explain what kept me in a good mood today. I ate my breakfast on the front stoop and made a point of basking in the sunshine. I also wore a sundress which was great – to buy one new article of clothing (and at $7 no less!) can really be perk-inspiring – to help usher in the new spring weather. And some negative things occurred today which normally would probably turn my mood gloomy, but somehow I was able to keep my head up. I honestly think supportive family and friends (even if it is just a text message to tell you to “smile” or a whole chat dialogue explaining that everyone makes mistakes) is a huge cornerstone of strength. Also, if you find your mind buzzing – why not go in for a hug from a loved one? You might be amazed at how simple, physical contact can be entirely comforting.
Speaking ofcomforting, I lit a candle and made myself and said loved one comfort food for dinner – and while I would have preferred also cooking for my sister and her boyfriend and having a big familial love-in, I definitely am counting my blessings. Which reminds me: a coworker’s cover band is playing and a former coworker is going – excited that I said I would go. While it would be easy to just lay around and not go (it was very hard to make myself get out of here the last time) it is important to support your friends, and sometimes it feels so much better to be out among happy people once you’re there. So, if you’re stressed, go ahead and feel stressed, but get out there! – You will rejoice, I guar-aun-teee.
I certainly hope those of you using this Thursday as your crafty day are enjoying your talents – it is certainly the nicest night we have had here in New York in a while – cool, clear weather abounds :) I myself am puppy sitting in Queens and find myself more apt to take a page out of the puppies’ book:
If your day was anything like mine or Val!’s, it’s definitely time to de-stress. Since Wellness Wednesday is winding down, it’s also an appropriate day for the topic. Follow along with me here – we can do this exercise together. It will work best if you’re in a private place, alone. :)