Thankful Thursday | an itchy week
This week, I am thankful:
that I only got stung by one yellow jacket
Do you remember last fall when I got multiple yellow jacket stings, and my foot swelled up like I had a bad case of edema?
That time, I had to go to the doctor and get some oral steroids to bring the swelling down.
Well, last Saturday near the Sam's Club parking lot, I got a yellow jacket sting on the top of my ankle.
I immediately flashed back to last fall and felt pretty disgruntled at the prospect of reliving that whole mess again.
But my experience this time has not been quite as bad, probably owing to the fact that I got stung just once.
I used my prescription anti-itch cream (left from last time!), did faithful icing, took Benadryl, elevated it, and still it was fairly swollen and VERY itchy.
Just not as bad as last time.
I have survived this round without going to the doctor for steroids, but I think if I get another yellow jacket sting in the future, I am just going to go to the doctor and beg for mercy straight away (armed with pictures of my previously swollen feet!)
that I still have the ice packs and wrap from Zoe's wisdom teeth removal
I used these like crazy when I last had the yellow jacket stings, and they've been helpful this time around too.
The cold definitely helps to provide some itching relief; when you're numb, you can't really be itchy. 😉
that my poison ivy is getting better
I got my very first poison ivy rash ever so now I know: I am definitely sensitive to it. Oh well.
This has been uncomfortable, but not nearly as uncomfortable as my yellow jacket sting.
And while my arm looks disgusting (I will spare you the photo), the itching is subsiding.
It has been an itchy week for me!
What a good reminder to be compassionate when my future patients have itching problems; itching sounds like such a small inconvenience, but it's actually kind of awful to deal with.
for mulberries
Suddenly, they are all ripe. There are two varieties on my usual walking route, so these days I have a little snack as I walk.
that my forecast for tomorrow says, "less humid"
There's an outdoor symphony I want to go to tomorrow night, so I have been keeping an eye on the weather, and it looks like tomorrow will be more pleasant. Yay!
Maybe I will wear my blue striped dress this time.
It's a free concert, so if the weather was going to be miserably humid, I would probably just choose to stay home. 😉 No harm in losing a free ticket.
for the beautiful green in the world right now
for time to catch up on things
I did a really good job of focusing on school this past semester, but that meant that I didn't get a whole lot else done besides the necessities.
Now that school is out for the summer, though, I have started to catch up on the eleventy billion things I had put into the, "I'll do this after school" category.
And it is crazy how much stuff I can get done when I am not doing nursing school. 😉
that my workouts have felt easier this week
You know how I'm doing that month of online personal training with Ben?
Well, my first full week of workouts was a little...WHOA. I was definitely riding the struggle bus on day three.
But this week, I can already tell that I am a little stronger.
And I'm getting into the groove of the dietary adjustments too; after some analysis, we figured out that my carb intake is good, but I need to swap some of my fat calories for some protein calories.
So, I am eating less heavy cream and more cottage cheese. 😉 In fact, I ate an entire Sam's Club container of cottage cheese, on my own, over the course of a few days.
for Zoe's thoughtfulness
Yesterday, a friend of hers was having a tough time, so she dropped everything to go spend time with her friend.
And I can't remember if I told you this or not, but Zoe took an ASL class last semester so that she could learn to chat with her deaf co-worker.
It makes my heart so happy to see her thoughtfulness.
for free calls to Hawaii
I continue to be so thankful for the way long-distance calling has changed because I get to talk to Lisey all the time, and neither of us has to spend a bunch of money to do so.
We regularly have hour-long phone conversations and that would have been prohibitively expensive in the past!
Kristen, I am sorry you're dealing with both poison ivy and a bee sting reaction and I hope you recover soon.
1. I am thankful for air conditioning both in the house and car. I sleep and feel so much better than if it didn't exist.
2. I am thankful for this community and for advice on zero drop shoes that have good cushioning. I will have a pair of Escalante delivered today.
3. I am thankful for long time friends. On Tuesday I was able to spend time with one during her very busy day by running an errand with her and then eating lunch at her house.
4. I am thankful for in-laws. They treat me like family and they take very good care of our daughter when she visits them out of state.
5. I am thankful for general good health.
A yellow jacket sting and poison ivy in the same week?? That's a double whammy of itchiness, and I hope you recover from both soon, Kristen.
This week, I'm thankful for the visit from my Grad School BFF. It was a joy to have her here, to visit other old friends here in her company, and to reminisce about my DH with her. (She and he both got to grad school before I did, so she knew him longer than I did, actually!)
And I'm thankful beyond words for the life of my DH. Tuesday, in addition to being the last day of GS BFF’s visit, was the first anniversary of his death. I got good moral support all day. A widowed friend invited me and another widowed friend to dinner that evening so that “you won’t be alone tonight.” And Dr. Bestest Neighbor gave me a Jewish memorial candle, which I lighted on Tuesday at 2 pm (the hour of DH’s death). It burned till 6 pm Wednesday.
DH’s memory will always be a blessing. And I thank everyone who’s supported me through this past year, including all of you here and at the NCA.
@A. Marie, I'm glad you had a good visit at such a time.
@A. Marie, (((Hugs))). You have the most wonderful friends.
@A. Marie, Happy to hear you had such great support on your first Sadiversary (as another blogger calls it.) Caring friends are a wonderful gift.
@A. Marie,
I’m so glad you had company on that sad day!
May all the memories lighten, not sadden your heart.
1. Well, I am thankful that my husband survived an episode of hyperglycemia with blood glucose of 1174 at the highest point. He was in ICU about 48 hours and a regular room for another 72. They sent him back to the nursing home yesterday evening and we are back today at the ER with bg of 528 and hyperventilation. So, I’m being thankful where I can.
2. Thankful always for my dear children who have stood beside us through this.
3. Thankful for my 18 year old granddaughter who willingly comes and sits by his bedside and elicited the only response we got from him when he was nearly unconscious: she said she loved him and gave him a kiss and he said he loved her too.
That’s all now.
Oh my goodness; I learned about DKA and HHNS this past semester, and I was shocked to learn how high blood sugars can go!
I hope the fluid-insulin-electrolyte protocol helps to get him regulated.
@JD, your #1 sounds terrifying. I'm glad, though, that you too are getting good support.
@JD, oh my! Will keep him in my prayers. That's a crazy high number!
@A. Marie, the life of your DH, and your love for each other, shines its own light, which I'm grateful you share with us.
JD - you too, and I'm thankful your husband is being cared for and hope those numbers quickly stabilize
@JD,
Thinking of you and your DH. Sending thoughts of strength and healing.
@JD, Prayers going up for you and your DH and all your family, esp. your sweet granddaughter. Hope things get better very soon.
I am so happy that you were surrounded by good company on a hard day!
@A. Marie, A year already! Sending good wishes to you at this time. I felt like I knew him as you allowed us to travel his rough journey with you. He was a remarkable guy.
@JD, Thinking of you and your DH during this stressful situation.
@A. Marie, I have thought of you often over the past year and have prayed you always have people around you to encourage you as you walk through your deep loss.
I’m glad you have such devoted friends!
@A. Marie, I'm glad you had such good friends to support you.
@A. Marie,
What a wonderful week for you....and I'm so glad for all the moral support surrounding you on the anniversary of your DH's death. He is always with you, in thought and spirit. Hugs to you.
When my skin plays up I feel like I could rip it off, just to stop the itching. It’s actually made me cry multiple times. I take melt in the mouth antihistamines so they work quicker.
I am thankful:
- that though I’m ill, it’s in a nice house with quiet garden to aid recovery.
- that my partner is loving and caring.
- that my mum recovered well from her first cataract surgery.
- that peonies are in season.
- for my inexpensive milk frother that also looks cool in black and gold.
Aww, poor you with the sting and the poison ive! If you are not sensitive to aluminum (I get hard swollen lymph glands from it.), secret extra strength deodorant will dry up a poison ivy rash practically overnight. For the sting, I got nothing but Benadryl. 🙁 I hope you feel better soon!
@Becca, Thanks for the tip about Secret Extra Strong. Didn't know that!
Oh, and Kristen, I forgot to say I hope you feel better STAT.
Oooh, good to know!
@Kristen, my former dermatologist also talked of a deodorant use for poison ivy - I believe it was Right Guard spray (yeah, I'm dating myself). Perhaps I'll remember the ingredient he said might help with the itch.
BUT.. I expect you to *not* read about another bout of "ivy" from you. You know what it looks like and I suspect you know how you came in contact with it.
As somebody who reacts to most things by itchy rashes, I'm terribly sorry you had a double dose.
This week I'm thankful:
*for rain.
*that I was blessed with my children. They give me much joy.
*for a fun Bible study on Monday.
*for a friend who called yesterday. It had been awhile.
*that the meals are sort of planned for today. Surprise soup for supper!
Ow, on the itchy week, Kristen! I am very allergic to poison ivy and do yardwork covered up from the neck down.
This week I am thankful to have finished my duties as administrator of my late brother's estate, which makes mecso thankful to have that pile of files permanently off my desk. My desk is a writing table where I sew as well, so it's wonderful to reclaim my space. Also thankful for a lovely afternoon spent with my former college room mate -- we have been friends for 41 years, for the first cherry tomatoes, cukes and peppers from our tiny garden, and my sweet family.
That does sound like a miserably itchy week. And yet, you persevered with your workouts! Yay, you!
Thankfuls:
--It feels like a lot of things are broken right now (most notably my dishwasher, BOO), so I'll be thankful that my washing machine is still working. Also, my new car. Everything works in it and on it, including the A/C and the CD player. This makes the prospect of a hundred-mile drive in hundred-degree heat (today) not so daunting.
--That even in a hot spell, it still gets cool enough overnight here that I can drink my hot coffee in the morning without sweating. That was not the case in New York in the summer, and I don't like iced coffee, so I do still always appreciate our cooler summer mornings. Hooray, high altitude!
--For a friend who has had some similar parenting struggles to mine recently and can commiserate with me. She and her daughters were here for a tea party on Tuesday, and we had a chance to talk without kids around while they played afterwards.
--That my daughter is starting to read simple chapter books. She doesn't read as much as her brothers do yet, but she will sometimes read her books (The Clementine series by Sara Pennypacker seems to be very good--sort of like the Ramona books but shorter) when they're reading. The other alternative is coming to me to ask me to play or tell me she's bored because they won't play, so I appreciate those short periods of time when she reads too.
--That my body is stronger and healthier. This turned out to be a challenging year in a lot of ways, so I'm glad I already had healthier habits started when the challenges started. I don't know that I would have been able to focus on lifestyle changes when everything got harder, but I know for sure that being healthier has been a benefit to me in dealing with these things, mentally and emotionally as much as physically.
@kristin @ going country, Three cheers for cool mornings! Morning walks have been moved up to 5 a.m. to take advantage of overnight lows. By 7 it's already too late. ;-{
Agreed on that last one!!
Yesterday I walked under our mulberry tree that was already dropping berries and I thought, "Wait! I haven't seen any mulberry pictures from Kristen yet!" So I was delighted to see your picture today. We had mulberry oatmeal this morning.
Seeing thoughtfulness in your kids is such a wonderful thing. 🙂
This week I'm thankful:
* that our first week of summer is going so well. I've been asking my kids to be more active in being helpful around the house - each morning we've tackled cleaning a room together, they've helped me unpack after a swimming trip, sorting laundry, stuff like that. They're helping with great attitudes!
* for friends that can join us at the park or the pool.
* that my garden is growing pretty well overall.
* that the birds seem to not be eating our strawberries anymore.
* for access to audiobooks.
* for a chance to have a long talk with a friend on Monday.
* for all of my husband's amazing skills. Each summer we've replaced windows and siding on one side of the house (to spread out the cost) and he does all the work himself. I got a new kitchen window last weekend! And a cable snapped on one of our van doors on Monday, but since the same cable snapped on the other van door this fall (apparently we have reached the lifespan of those types of cables!) I know that he will already know how to fix it and I didn't stress when it happened.
Whatsapp when my daughter studied in Spain was wonderful. So much better than the old Skype when her sister was in the UK for school a decade earlier, but that was better than paying old long distance fees. I hope you are wasp free and poison ivy free the rest of the summer. Itching is not fun.
Zoe has a kind heart. We used to have a mulberry tree on a path in Charleston we walked, but I haven't seen any in our new location. When I finally get to my permanent home I plan to plant one.
The best for itching...benadryl has a spray anti-itch spray. The walmart brand works just as well. I use the cortisone cream the doctor gives me then spray the area with that spray...works great. I get hives and poison ivy a lot. Also, the tecnu wash has helped cut down on how often I get poison ivy. I always wash my arms with it whenever I've done lawn work. I used to keep a little poison ivy all summer, but now just get a touch every now and then.
Oooh, the spray sounds like a wonderful idea!
@Kristen, Agreed - Tecnu is a life saver! I've accidently pulled poison ivy with bare hands (yes, I should have had gloves, let alone, looked first) and didn't breakout because I used Tecnu. I always have it on hand.
forgot my thankful list on my other post.
#1) thankful again that my kids live nearby and we can just go to a random movie on a whim together or have dinner.
#2) thankful to see the orthopedist again today and praying he orders a MRI or something to find out what I've done to my arm that has hurt for two months now (been xrayed twice and no break).
#3) thankful that a friend has been in town this week and I have been able to spend time with her.
#4) my mom recently started on another new medicine (a few weeks ago we found one for a MUCH lower price), but one medicine was still going to be almost $600/month. The doctor gave her one month free and a coupon for one month. In the time we had we filled out the extensive application for help from the company (though she didn't meet the qualifications it said online). It was a LARGE packet of stuff, but we sent it off anyways. Yesterday they called and said they will be mailing her meds to her house for FREE every 90 days!! What an answer to prayer! We were hoping maybe just a coupon for a lower copay or something. Never expected that being she didn't meet the qualifications.
#5) school is out, traffic is better, things just move slower 🙂
@Marlena, what good news about your mom's medicine! It proves the idiom "It never hurts to ask". I hope you get answers about your arm soon.
Im so thankful to be done with school this year. I love my students and my colleagues, but there were some distinctly hard challenges that made the close of this year very unpleasant. I’m glad for the break I get now.
Kristen, so sorry to hear about your itchy happenings. Itchy is definitely no fun!
Zoe might enjoy “Sue Thomas, F.B.Eye” which is an old show based on the life of the real Sue Thomas who was deaf and worked for the FBI. It has helped me with “reading” ASL, as I can sign better than understand, especially when someone signs fast.
Thankful for….
* My sweet hubby who makes my morning cup of tea without fail.
* I get to watch two of our granddaughters this morning. They are (usually!) a lot of fun at ages 4 and 8.
* For supportive friends who are there to lend a hand, pray, offer moral support or whatever is needed.
* For the opportunity to go a couple places this summer that are new to us… not big trips, but just to see new places and enjoy each other’s company.
Thanks for reminding me to go check our mulberry bushes today! We have three pounds in the freezer but more can't hurt. There's a bush by the post office and when I walk there from the library I just grab a little snack.
I'm thankful Clark waited until nearly 6 am to wake me for his morning treat. He was very polite and just kept touching me with a paw and mewing now and then. Some mornings it's 5 am so I got an extra hour.
Thankful for the big rain we got last night; we collect rainwater and got almost more than we can store!
I'm thankful that my youngest was brave enough to try chicken shawarma (I did not make it spicy, which helped) and he had two helpings! Getting the Selective Eater to try new foods is dicey, but I didn't have to make a pot of mac and cheese for him.
Thankful for my faith, my family and DS's continued healing.
@Karen A.,
Good for Clark!!! Such a hood kitty.
@Bee, It made up for him escaping into the garage the other day when we were bringing in groceries. He does not understand why we won't let him go in that part of the house--isn't it just a big room he has yet to explore??
Yellow jackets are bad news. I carry epipens for such creatures. And poison ivy at the same time. You have my prayers and sympathies.
They are the WORST.
Strictly speaking, you DID have a bad case of edema. Why do the yellow jackets love you so much?? When I see their little homes pop up around my house I murder them all. Yellow jackets sting for zero good reason. Like you, I am happy the humidity is going down. Ill take dry heat any day. I am thankful this week for:
*a haircut which added more bounce to my hair and some relief to my sweaty neck!
*a son who is going to help me flip my mattress - its is waaay to heavy for me to go it alone
*mango chamoy sherbet - I just discovered this and I kind of love it
*two more days off this week, a day and a half around Father's Day, and at least two scheduled mental health days for July and August. Which doesn't sound like a lot, but amounts to three full weeks of vacay for the summer. (:
Haha, yes, that is true. I should have said something like chronic edema! 😉
@Gina from The Cannary Family,
Mango chamoy sherbet? Tell me more! I love pretty much anything mango-flavored.
Itching seems to be the common theme lately for many of us, including me too this week. Thank God for medication (prescription & over the counter).
Thankful that teen (new) college tour went well. I was really impressed that teen had so many good questions that asked about programs/classes. College was very informative & happy took time to give individual appointment for us. Teen knows few others going to that college & possibly more incoming students also.
Thankful that teen hung out with friends after school on last day school. I had asked teen if was going to & kept being told no, just coming home. I said just let me know if that changes. I was so glad to get text saying hanging out with friends from teen. They even hit a yard sale (that I stopped at later).
Thankful that I bought some clearance flowers earlier this week. I planted them as fill in where I want a larger flower bed. After getting plants in ground & some water they are already starting to look good. Looking at different store this weekend for more clearance (perennial) flowers to fill in more around existing plants.
Thankful for my family (in Florida) who send me packages of items they find. My Aunt has already packed up my grandparents photos of my grandpa's WW2 military with him & grandma to send with my dad when comes to visit later in summer. My dad is also bringing his Vietnam military photos of himself for me (to keep). We are trying to plan to find military PX to try to (re)order my grandpa's & dad's military metals (which we don't have). I had asked for them to make display on wall of our family.
Thankful for the fact that the latest round of storms mostly missed us (no hail, strong winds) but did get strong rainfall.
Thankful teen calmly listened & quickly adjusted driving when come into strong rainfall (could not see 5 feet in front of you) while driving on highway. Usually teen complains & says not supposed to use flashers while driving & we get into whole lecture of using flashers while driving information. I calmly gave instructions to teen when strong rain hit us & teen calmly & quickly adjusted driving. Thank God because loaded semi was behind us (somewhere) & no one could sed road.
Thankful teen trying to keep me on the frugal side of food. Teen was hungry while out & insisted that we wait until got home to make food. Though need to use free bonus giftcards before expire in month.
Thankful my garden(s) are growing nicely. I had to google why my potato plants are starting to flower (didn't recall happening in past when I grew at old house). I will have to cut the flowers off carefully without breaking more of the actual green part of plants (about 3+' tall) before the flowers turn into berries which are not safe to eat.
Thankful for the shared wisdom of all of you & Kristen on this wonderful site.
Have great weekend! 🙂
@Regina, are you talking about potato plants that you dig up when the plants die off in order to harvest potatoes? For as long as I can remember, grandparents grew potatoes (as do I) and we never worry about the flowers. Which never turn into berries.
Both poison & sting reactions get worse if they happen again. Daughter who is now very allergic to poison ivy, sumac, etc. washes with Dial anti-bacterial soap after any possible exposure which really helps cut back breakouts.
Thankful for:
MO home to return to since AR place isn't finished.
Faithful friends to visit with.
Grands who keep me moving.
Medications that cut back on symptoms for Husband's Parkinsons.
That after 3 surgeries and 1.5 years I feel really good and can essentially do whatever I wish.
I received a card from a graduating senior telling me how much I meant to her. She wrote that my class was her favorite and so fun. She said I was kind, with a positive energy. She said I was beautiful with a brilliant smile.
I am grateful and humbled. My challenge now is to practice believing all those things about myself. I know that is what God wants me to do.
Awwww, what a lovely encouragement!
@mary ann, do you have plans for your retirement? I think you must be a remarkable teacher and can imagine you working (volunteering) for an adult literacy program, or maybe tutoring kids who need extra help.
Those yellow jackets are pesky little buggers for sure. I live in the country and there are tons of bugs just waiting to say hello here so I'm diligent about applying deep woods off when I'm outside. Spearmint and eucalyptus oil works also most bugs hate the smell. At least you had a cuddle buddy at your service. Feel better!
This week's thankful's:
Daughter is coming home for two weeks this Saturday! It's been over a year (she's in the army) since I was able to hug that girl so I'm beyond excited.
For the sunny weather..lately it's been cold, gloomy and pouring rain but yesterday the sun came out and it's warm. Dragging daughter to the coast so we can dance with the sand fleas.
For hummingbirds...we've got three feeders and there are at least 8 hummers who constantly visit. Their fun to watch. When it's time for a feeder refill they actually hover very close watching us.
For coffee...because...coffee.
@April, Be sure and thank your darling daughter for me, for her service to our country. She is very much appreciated.
@Fru-gal Lisa,
Of course!
I tell her everytime someone says to thank her....it means so much...alot of the soldiers she works with and knows don't get alot of support which is wrong I think...my husband and I are sort of adopted parents for alot of them...it's the obnoxious amount of cookies I send I'm sure...
I plan on hugging the heck out of her non stop....so I'll pass it on mid hug.
Best.
@April, Please tell all the young soldiers she's with that we love and respect them for the sacrifices they are making in order to keep us free. I wish I could send every one of them a hug and a nice cool ice cream cone today! (Assuming they are in a hot weather area; otherwise, make it a nice hot cup of cocoa.)
Hi Kristen—so sorry you’ve had a rough go of it :(!
I’m interested in potentially doing the same online health coaching, but want to have a better idea of relative cost before I reach out (don’t want to waste his time if it’s totally unattainable!). Would you be willing to share the approx cost? Thanks!
1. So thankful to see 90% of our pictures and curtains getting hung so our house now looks like our home rather than a location we are squatting in. It is a huge relief to someone like me who struggles when I am not able for whatever reason to cultivate a home environment that my husband and son have become accustomed to. This can happen on vacation or when an old toilet floods your home and forces you to move out for 5 months. There are always silver linings of course but I am a homebody so this area is a challenge for me.
2. For soft rain falling outside my window right now watering my newly planted flowers and a candle burning in the background. So soothing and calming.
3. For our comfortable bed. What a gift to crawl into clean sheets and quilts in a comfortable bed at night! There are so many who sleep in less favorable conditions and we are so blessed to have the opposite experience.
4. For a friend who came to clean out some overgrown flower beds in our yard that I just cannot get to before an event at the end of the month. This was a huge blessing to me since my husband is struggling through an issue with his big tow, he is not able to help as much and my load is heavy. This was a great help to me.
5. Coffee, good friends, workouts to burn off stress, a healthy body & so much light at the end of the tunnel.
Happy Thursday my friends!!!!
So glad you are feeling at home now!
I hope your itchiness eases soon! And I hope those yellow jackets leave you alone for the rest of the summer!
My son just left for his last day of school. He had a really good school year and I’m just so thankful to have a happy kid.
Last weekend I was able to go out for dinner with friends (our schedules finally matched!). We spent hours catching up and having the best time. Each time we were asked what we were celebrating we just said “all the things!”
While I was out with friends my husband and son had “Dude Night.” My husband created “Dude Night” as a special time for the two of them where he teaches my son how to cook something and then they watch a “guy” movie. My son looks forward to this each month and has a list of things he wants to cook and movies he wants to watch.
The emergency vet sent me the paw print they made after we had to put our dog down. I’m so thankful they sent it to me so I didn’t have to go back to pick it up.
@Geneva,
First, I'm sorry for the loss of your beloved pet. So nice that vets got the extra mile when we need it most.
Second, I love that your husband and son have "dude night". That's so cool and a great way for them to bond!
@Geneva, Sorry about your dog. It is so hard. Hoping you find comfort in knowing you have a kind vet.
As someone who has suffered from chronic hives, I that being itchy is miserable.
- I'm thankful that I could take off work to keep our grandson yesterday. A day filled with baby snuggles and baby smiles was good for my soul.
- I'm thankful that I love the darker color paint we chose for a few rooms in the new house. The decorator was less than enthusiastic about our choice. Apparently, most people are averse to bold colors.
- I'm thankful that we finally gave up on finding a white refrigerator. The appliances at the new house are all white. I had no idea that white frigs are out of style. The salesmen at the appliance store told us we were shopping for a unicorn. We finally decided to break down and go with a stainless-steel finish since it was $500 cheaper than the white one and could be delivered in a week, instead of in 3 months.
- I'm thankful that DH has been moving stuff to the new house this week without my help. I'm not sure why but my foot is swollen and painful. DH insists that I just rest for now.
- I'm thankful that our orthopedic clinic has an urgent care. The earliest appointment available with my orthopedist was over 10 days from now. Not looking forward to the wait at the urgent care, but better than waiting so long to find out what is wrong with my foot.
@Beverly, your salesman lied. While white might be "out of style", I've never had a problem buying them. AND not waiting 3 months. IMHO, a sales job to sell what isn't selling at the moment per his management.
I am very frequently itchy. It's a stress thing with me and also an allergy thing: often the only allergy symptom I have is itching. That's why I love to get my body brushed during massages.
what do I feel grateful for now?
1. Garden is going gangbusters but not even flowers on my tomato plants yet.
2. I can be helpful to people, like allowing my org lady (whose washer is broken) to use my washer/dryer.
3. I may finally be having some good rental money coming in. I need it, with $1000 a month for my health insurance, $870 a month on my "budget" heating oil plan, etc etc everything is so expensive.
4. I miss my mom so much but at least I had a really good mother.
5. I finally unwrapped Lamp Number 367 I recently bought and the glass shade is even prettier than I expected.
6. The puppies are so cute and having so much fun together. One had to go to the vet yesterday for more puppy shots and the other whimpered and cried most of the time.
Itching is just so so terrible!!
That's a lot of itchiness to contend with, and you are right, itching (which you now know as pruritis, haha) is miserable. Feel better!
So much gratefulness this past week. My daughter graduated last Thursday and we had her open house on Saturday. Both events went well. My son was able to be home for all of the celebrations. I had plenty of food for the open house and was able to dispatch the leftovers effectively. The decorations all stayed up through the open house (the photo banner of her school pictures fell off the wall 10 minutes after the open house was officially over). I had AMAZING helpers who assisted me with pulling this off. My daughter started working on thank-you notes today without reminders from me. Family and friends who live a considerable distance away made it a priority to attend the open house. My own family was helpful and good-natured through all of the preparation and cleaning up. I'm sure there's more, but today my heart is happily full.
also, every summer I got poison ivy on my eyelids as well as arms, etc. I am a chronic eye rubber and poison ivy on your lids really stinks. I would have to put an ice cube over each eye in the morning just to reduce the swelling enough to see. Ugh, poison ivy.
Luckily I am practiced enough in wearing gloves at the hospital, so I remembered to take them off before I touched myself. So I didn't wipe sweat off my brow or adjust my glasses or anything with my gloves on.
Having it on the eyes sounds horrible!
@Kristen, Yeah, I felt like I should have someone yelling UNCLEAN! in front of me.
I am grateful for all the green, too! Things to remember when July and August start fading it all out.
I am thankful I live in a small town. This morning I saw a short video of our Sheriff's department in their patrol cars, herding some truant cows out of a residential section and back home. Where else could I get such smiles over cop cars?
I am thankful that I finally got all my bins of Christmas decorations off the sun porch and into the shed. (Also thankful that last fall, I downsized a lot of Halloween decorations so there is now room in said shed for the other seasonal bins.) Now I get to sit out on the porch in my glider, in the mornings, with a cup of coffee, birdsong in my ears and have my morning prayer time.
I am thankful for a clear skin check. It's been almost 3 years since I had a really deep basal cell carcinoma literally scooped out of my back, and later, some pre-cancerous cells frozen off. I'm down to annual visits now. Yay!
I am grateful for and to our local rescue squad. Enough said.
Thankful for a plumber's snake. At midnight. And that I know how to use it. Also enough said.
Kudos for Zoey taking the sign language course and also being there when her friend needed her! Too few people in this world are all that thoughtful these days, and it is wonderful to hear examples of goodness.
1. Today is the 80th anniversary of D-day, the "beginning of the end" of World War II. I am thankful beyond words for those brave soldiers who risked -- and in thousands of cases, gave up -- their lives to the cause of freedom. As Tom Hanks said today, Americans were not in the war to gain land or money; they fought the war because it was the right thing to do. And, as has been noted by many, the Allied soldiers, sailors and airmen saved the world. These folks were truly the greatest generation, and they came back from the war and went on with their lives rather matter-of-factly, as if they didn't do anything all that special. We owe them the biggest debt of gratitude ever for their sacrifices, second only to that of Jesus Christ.
And on a related note, I want to publicly express my outrage and disgust at Google. Sure, they put up a doodle on this day -- commemorating some obscure writer. They could've just as easily celebrated the author on any other day! They shamefully chose to ignore the meaning of D-day (which IMHO should be a national holiday). I looked it up and Google has a long history of this. One D-day they honored the inventor of the expresso machine. Is that guy more important than the brave soldiers of World War II who defeated the Nazis and the Japanese (they committed atrocious war crimes, as well). IMO, I believe anyone who habitually ignores D-day is, in effect, implying that Google's owners support Hitler's side of World War II. Really? (Do you think Hitler and his successors in a Third Reich would let you celebrate gay authors? Do you think Hitler/Nazis would give you freedom of expression, or freedom to run your business/website as you see fit? Do you think Hitler's Nazis would let you live if you were a non-white? Jew? A person who opposed his hateful policies? What about it, Google?) I am going to stop using Google and start using Bing or Duck Duck Go or another ---any other -- search engine. I invite others to do the same and post all over the internet why you're boycotting Google. OK, end of soapbox.
2. Thankful for air conditioning.
3. Thankful that my electricity did not go off during recent storms.
4. Thankful for rain -- I haven't had to put the sprinkler on all season.
5. Thankful that Tuesday's visit to the neuro doctor went well. The doctor actually took all the time in the world to sit there and thoroughly explain what is going on with my head -- and why he thinks it is normal. Our visit was not rushed and I was treated with respect.
@Fru-gal Lisa, In addition to "Saving Private Ryan," "Band of Brothers" also portrays D-Day (as well as the Battle of the Bulge, etc). Highly recommended.
@Fru-gal Lisa, Also--I don't think most people know about Unit 731, where the Japanese performed horrific human experimentation, including vivisection. People of a sensitive nature, don't look it up.
@Rose, @Fru-gal Lisa. The Longest Day is a GREAT old movie about D Day....highly recommend!
While I'm at it--The Best Years of Our Lives, which came out in 1946, is a titanic achievement. It doesn't sugarcoat the problems returning soldiers had integrating to postwar life. It's a knockout. Heartily recommended.
@Rose, My Navy veteran dad served in the "Pacific theater," as they called it, during World War II and he was full of stories about the many cruel and inhuman acts that the Japanese committed. One of his childhood friends suffered at the hands of the Japanese and he was always telling us about his pal Roland, and about many, many other cases. The Japanese sneak attack on Pearl Harbor was down and dirty and totally uncalled for. For this blog, I focused my comments on Hitler due to D-day being in the "European theater", but I am fully aware of the horrors committed by those following Emperor Hirohito. Yes, there are many fine World War II movies -- they were popular for decades -- and I've watched many of them, often with my parents, who would then tell me more about what everyone went through. But movies do not do justice to the actual events.
@Fru-gal Lisa, and everyone reading this blog should remember this and vote for the persons most dedicated to preserving democracy AND honoring those who served. Whether captured or not. Too few walk the walk, fake bone spurs included.
Sorry, I come from a long line of coming to the US in the mid 1600s and fighting in the Revolutionary War. And while perhaps not direct line, every war after that, up until WWII. Even WWII we were farming to feed and working in munition arsenals (my great-grandparents were 60, 60+ years old working in the arsenal). My FIL received a Purple Heart at Iwo Jima. Great-uncle at the Battle of the Bulge. Great-uncle at the liberation of Dachau.
@Rose - The Best of Years of Our Lives is a good, yet depressing movie. While I think the US had no business in the Korean, Vietnam, and every war since, I do think returning vets should receive support and service. At least by the time 'Nam had returning soldiers, their jobs were protected.
@Rose,
Both are phenomenal. I need to re-watch Band of Brothers.
Aw, double whammy, Kristen! I spent the last 2 months seeking out queen yellow jackets and gleefully murdering them! I have an essential oil spray that I make (witch hazel based, ratio is 10 parts witch hazel to essential oil) that I put in a little squirt bottle with 5 drops eucalyptus, 5 drops peppermint, 5 drops citronella and 5 drops lavender. Shake well and spritz. I have not been stung or bit since using this combo for 10 years.
If you know that you've been exposed to poison ivy, wash the exposed area with dawn liquid (I use foam) with cold to tepid water. This time of year I get poison oak, right now it is flowering and very dangerous. I am so sorry for your suffering!
Thankful for youtube, teaching me how to fix/maintain equipment on the farm.
Thankful for my sweet friends rallying around our newest widow as she prepares to move 175 miles away from us.
Thankful for a sweet visit for my mom and her childhood bestie who is moving 2600 miles away.
Thankful my newest kitties are fully integrated into the family and the big Maine Coon has chosen my mom as his human.
Thankful to the garden growing and the puppy keeping the quail from eating the corn plantings.
I am glad to see Chiquita has learned nursing skills from you and is helping you feel better ❤️
Hi! So sorry to hear it’s been an itchy week! When my oldest stepped on a bee, our NP suggested using vagicaine as it has aloe and a numbing agent. It’s been in my first aid kit ever since. The Target brand one is only a couple dollars and is definitely worth it! When I renewed my Wilderness First Aid this year, the instructor suggested Zanfel for poison oak/ivy. It’s WAY more than a couple dollars (here in California it’s about $40) but it’s very effective for poison oak/ivy!
Ooo! Ooo! I have something for you about yellowjacket stings!
It works for scorpion stings, yellowjacket stings, wasp stings -- everything I think! It's MEAT TENDERIZER, like Adolph's Meat Tenderizer.
I learned this years ago while working in the ER and coming in for work one night just after a scorpion sting. SO PAINFUL! An ER tech went to their little cupboard, got out the little container of Adolphs, put about a half teaspoon in a little cup and added about a teaspoon of water, dissolved that. Then soaked a little gauze sponge in it and taped it to my sting. In FIVE MINUTES it was alllllll over! No pain, no swelling, it was like it never happened. That enzyme just eats up the venom. Such a miracle! I've used this many times since then, and always keep meat tenderizer in my cupboard at home, even though I'm a vegetarian!
Ooh! I will buy some of this and keep it handy in case I get another sting. Thank you!
@Anne, yellowjackets are wasps.
@Anne, I've heard about it but have (thankfully) never had a need to use it.
So sorry you are itching. But thank g-d you don't have school. I am thankful my 13 yr old son got an invitation to attend a tour of Bard High School in NYC. Never heard of it. We toured it I love it. The principal is a real mensch. If my son gets in, when he graduates, he will have 60 college credits and an AA degree. 75% of the teachers hold PHD degrees and chemistry is taught by chemical engineers. My son wants to have combined ME, EE. The school starts late because it is a mile from the nearest subway station. Well, the bus got us to the school from Stuy Town in 15 minutes. School starts at 9am. Hello extra sleep. Middle school started at 8:10am. It was all the way on the West side of Manhattan and we live on the East Side. He will take the same bus he took to middle school only in the opposite direction.
My m-i-l finally bought a new car. A 2024 Subaru Forrester. I have not seen it yet. But she bought it outright. Her mechanic said she had to replace the old one. He had been saying that for over ten years. In my family of origin they bout new cars every two years. Don't know if they had loans. They were very secretive.
My dad left everything to his second wife. I didn't get a dime. She left everything to charity so I wasn't even allowed to know how much there was. All the time she kept telling me I would get it when she passed. I was not notified she passed until 3 months afterward. But I am so grateful that I teach my son everything I know about finance and that he will have a great start in life.
@Anita Isaac, Bard is a wonderful school! I am hoping hard your boy gets in.
We are having grand weather this week. Warm but ight not humid! (?) I have been later yet than last year at getting things planted. Still have some milkweed, rhubarb and hollyhocks to plant. Did harvest one small head of broccoli and a BUNCH of garlic scapes. Thankful for the weather.
Was able to spend time with my Lil Bro (he's 58) on Sunday and Monday. His best friend's visitation and funeral were those days. Neither one of us have SO's so it's nice to support one another. His final comment was, "You didn't have to be here. But I'm glad you were." We have siblings in between us, but he and I do enjoy each other's company.
My first return to 2-10 shift from 10-6 shift went swimmingly. My coworkers went out of their way to make it easier. I am painfully aware they will not be able to do that all of the time but they still offered their assistance for the future. Also set out expectations to the staff I was in charge of and they were all very understanding and did a stellar job! I am also aware that the change will be nothing but good for my circadian rhythm.
I am abundantly thankful that the Lidocaine and Marcaine injection I had to my right knee was successful. It is so nice to be able to get around without the nagging pain. In fact, I have felt better than I have for a while, not so much fatigue. Some ability to tackle chores. Makes daily life a lot less depressing.
A.Marie, so glad you were with friends for this anniversary. We do appreciate the love you have had. Frugal-Lisa, thank you for pointing out the lack of sensitivity on Google's part and the attention to the commemoration of a painful day in our history. Kristen? I guess it's good your histamine reaction is intact. Yellow jackets need to know their place! (I went to ER after being stung twice. As it turned out, my sister was more helpful (LPN) than the hospital, but as she kept reminding me, she was glad I "walked in" rather than the alternative. However, now, I just try to keep diphenhydramine on hand.) Make sure you either throw your gloves away, or wash them that you used when pulling/hauling stuff.)
I get tickled at the mulberry stories. And have to wrap my head around people planting the trees on purpose. I was indoctrinated as a small child to consider them trash fruit. My Mom did not want us eating them because they were "wormy." My Dad did not like them because they made the chickens poop purple and we went barefooted all during the summer. Plus, there must be a fruiting tree in my current neighborhood as I am cutting tree sprouts out in lots of places.
Try a slice of fresh onion over the yellow jacket sting. It works really well on a new sting, just make sure it covers the whole area as there sometimes a second sting close by. I usually leave it on about an hour. It's worth a try even if the sting isn't as new. SM
My husband is allergic to bee/yellow jacket stings. We found that if we could get meat tenderizer on the sting pretty quickly it would neutralize the bee venom with the enzymes in the tenderizer. We keep a bottle in our first aid kit. Just add a bit of water to make a paste. We discovered this when we were visiting the county extension office and one of the kids got stung as we walked down the walkway into the office. It helps with having less itching. Watch for swelling in the airway. By the way we always found yellow jackets to be more aggressive in the fall.
What I am thankful for this week - one more day of driving the grandkids to and from school tomorrow. Then school is out for the summer. I am ready.
That the weather is very nice today. No rain and it is going to be warmer than the 60 it was over the weekend.
That my grandson is doing very well with his driving. He now has enough hours in to take the drivers test.
That I have been able to make it to the gym consistently. My balance has improved as I recover From hip replacement.
The garden is growing and for fresh from the field strawberries.
I’m thankful for good health including strength and energy to keep up with all of life’s demands and needs. At my age, I don’t take any of this stamina for granted.
I’m thankful for all the gorgeous hydrangeas I’m seeing in our neighborhood and further afield. In our own yard, our hydrangeas aren’t looking too vibrant but I’m glad I can see the flowers blooming well elsewhere… they’re some of my favorite flowers.
As always, I’m thankful for good relationships with family and friends.
Sorry about the poison ivy. I could pull it out by the roots until I was about 40 and bam! Now, I can't even look at it with about breaking out. BTW be careful around Virginia Creeper. Not everyone is allergic, but it does bother some like poison ivy.
I'm sorry you're dealing with itchiness! I had a horrible case of poison ivy 2 years ago...after not having had it for years. I guess I am susceptible after all!
1 -I am thankful that after trimming bushes last weekend, I have NOT broken out with poison ivy like happened 2 years ago! Ugh! I wore long sleeves, gloves and long pants, and while it was really hot, it was worth it in the end.
2‐ I am thankful for our friend group that started years ago. We only get together a couple of times a year, but we have a lot of fun enjoying each others' company!
3- I'm thankful that my BIL who was battling lymphoma, has had a second clear PET scan and remains in complete remission!
4- I'm thankful for 1.4" of rain that we got last night. The farmer in me remains in tune with the weather even though it doesn't impact our likelihood like it used to
5-I'm thankful for the air conditioner in our bedroom. I usually try to stall my husband as long as possible each spring, because I prefer hearing the birds sing outside our windows! But it sure is nice to be able to sleep comfortably when the humidity rises!
1. I'm thankful I got to see Lauren Graham, who starred in my favourite TV show! It was such a fun evening. I made friends with fellow fans in the queue outside and it was such a nice atmosphere. A lot of us took the tube (underground afterwards) and talked about how wonderful the event was!
2. I'm thankful that I got to go home for a week and see my family. I had a really wonderful day out with my mother and sister before the Lauren Graham event (they declined to attend lol).
3. I'm thankful to have such fun coworkers.
4. I'm thankful good weather this week.
5. Even though it's been a great week, it's been busy, and I'm thankful that it's nearly the weekend where I can have some alone time!
I am VERY sensitive to poison ivy and finally found a way to stop the itching completely a few years ago. I've since used this trick on bug bites and any posion ivy/sumac/oak rashes I get and it works like a charm every time: put the hottest water you can stand on the itchy spots, for as long as you can stand. For me, this looks like 1-2 seconds of very hot water from the shower or kitchen sink on the rash or bug bite. It's one second of intense itching from the hote water, then like magic- no itching for up to 8 hours. I just repeat when the itch comes back. I had terrible, all-over-my-body case of poison sumac a few years ago and this trick gave me instant relief in 8 hour increments. I don't dread getting a mosquito bite or poison ivy now, which makes enjoying my garden and outdoor walks much easier.
Our power was out from 7:30 last night until 7:30 this morning, and yesterday was the first really hot day we've had this year. Therefore, today I am EXTREMELY GRATEFUL for:
Electricity!
Air Conditioning!
A working landline!
A working cellphone!
The internet!
Those hardworking and exhausted SCE employees who busted their donkeys to get power restored to our entire town and the next one down the hill AND the next one after that.
That's wonderful that you and Lisey have a close relationship with one another. I hope that one day my girls and I would be like that.
I'm thankful for ...
1) Windy days to fly kites with my girls.
2) A fun time together with family at the amusement park.
3) My youngest still loves to hang out with me.
4) The "I love you's" from my youngest.
5) The way the light sparkles from the tree branches on a windy day.
Poison oak veteran here. My sympathies! Lots of things sound mild until you are the one afflicted. Itching can make you crazy. Cool showers help, and clean towels.
Thankful for fireflies tonight! They are lovely.
Thankful for my sewing machine. It gives me so much service, and so much pleasure.
Thankful for my husband's sweet disposition.
Thankful for my friends and fellow volunteers at the soup kitchen. We have a good time and share a lot more than cooking chores.
And I'm thankful for my piano teacher, who gets credit for my improving musical skills.
I appreciate your lovely attitude about itching! Itchiness relief is high on my thankful list today as well (well, technically it's Friday since it's past midnight, but I need to count my blessings!).
I'm thankful to God:
1. For access to medicine and professionals who have studied hard and so sacrificially so that they can help others. My oldest had a pretty wild allergic reaction that needed help this week. Even when it's time-consuming and frustrating to access, I'm so grateful for them, especially in emergencies!
2. For a 16-foot trailer piled 8 feet high with perfect fruits and veggies that our local food bank asked us to help distribute this week. We got to enjoy some too and are grateful!
3. That my husband needed to take a short trip for work, and they asked me to accompany him on their dime as well (a first). We will be within a few miles of a family member who is on hospice and were able to move our flights to accommodate a visit with him.
4. That my husband's work is also finally hiring him the help that he's been asking for for 2 years!
5. Summer break is almost here for us! We home educate, and the past few years have been more year-round due to some wonderful (but time-consuming) extra curricular opportunities. Mama needs a break too!
6. For the chance to try a new mattress that may be magic for the aches. Fingers crossed!
Try putting some vinegar on your itchy bug bits, it works.
Apologies if someone else has covered this (I'm a few days behind in my blog reading and not much of a commentor), but wanted to raise the possibility of seeing an allergist about your yellow jacket reaction. That seems like quite a response from one sting!