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Health & Fitness

A Bottle of Wine

As I prepare for this cold and flu season.. I have a few new things to add to the supply list!

The season is upon us. The time of colds and coughs, unexplained temperatures...and pneumonia.  Yep I said pneumonia. Who would have thought pneumonia would be among the “everyday?”

 Weird.

I spend the months of fall preparing for this time of year. Leaving the supplies of sunscreen, bug spray and band-aids reluctantly behind me.

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I’d like to think of myself as a special Op’s warrior, armed and ready to take on whatever viral and bacterial infections are secretly planning for me and my little family behind enemy lines. I’d like to think that I am prepared to protect my offspring and win this war.

 At least maybe this time…

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I stock up on Motrin and Tylenol, Vicks vapor rub and Benadryl, hot steam and cool mist vaporizers, tea and honey, ginger ale and Gatorade...Old towels and throw-up buckets are tucked into easy access areas of the house and minivan…

The one thing we have been reluctant to do is get the Flu shots over the years… My pediatrician and I have gone 'round and 'round… I’m starting to think I need to wave the white flag and admit his point has been made…maybe.

And even though I am ready, I cringe when we turn the corner after Christmas knowing that January brings such things that mothers' nightmares are made of -- bracing myself for impact.

And even though I have almost perfected this preparation -- I have learned along the way that there is no training for learning how to dodge or catch the projectile vomit of a child waking from their peaceful slumber in their bunk bed. Or knowing that when they come to my bedside in the middle of the night that I should duck and cover… I am still working on that one.

I am prepared to be the last man standing in these battles -- regardless how hard I am hit. To be honest, it can be brutal. Avoiding the spread of germs and illness in a cozy little house with six people is a tough one.

 The worst is when my husband with the iron immune system is affected. If the general goes down…I know then that the rest of us do not have a chance.

I remember being a child and having some pretty lousy bugs. I was a child with asthma, bronchitis and strep throat.  My parents, were firm believers in the use of  “natural” remedies (or was thought of as such back in the day).

My mom would force fluids on us until I thought I would float away. Bananas could refuel a body and were part of our recovery. I remember taking paregoric for upset stomach and smoking rosemary from a pipe to help heal sore throats.

Funny, how paregoric was viewed as “natural”...but regardless, it worked.

Today, you cannot get paregoric – which is self explanatory. And having your kids going into school telling their teachers that they were smoking herbal remedies from a pipe – like I did in the first grade-- would most likely be frowned upon today!!

Anyways, watching this season as my kiddos and husband catch some pretty nasty bugs I am starting to think I may need to rethink the “said” supply list and call in for some reinforcements.  It appears the ship is sinking slowly and I am the only one with a bucket – scooping out the water.  The bucket seems to be leaking -- It is not looking good.

Maybe there a number I can call?  

There should be. The service should be free – a benefit to those who have selflessly embarked on this journey and chosen to take the helm…

 It should also include a bottle of wine and a day at the spa too.

And my plan might work—having the located next to and all…

 Hmmm now for the spa...

Next year... I am working those things into my supply list…

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