My second country-spanning trip with T went wonderfully. He is getting to be a regular jet-setting toddler. I use the word toddler because that is what he is doing...toddling. He's turning corners and maneuvering quite well, but still crawls part-time. Anyway, our visit was full of good homemade food and cuz-company. Theo got a good introduction to his cousins whom he has not spent time with beforehand...I knew a fly-by would not quite do it so we went for a week and got the full taste of the Vest household. It was busy for him to say the least, and exciting. I'll just say that he doubled his solid food intake per meal. Wow, talk about a workout! Overall it was relaxing and enjoyable. We look forward to seeing them this next weekend as they swing by Indiana on their own road trip around the country. I hope the Vest kids know how special they are. I can already foresee a glimpse of the amazing adults they will become. I applaud Jason and Heather for raising three (and surely more) wonderful and loving beings that will contribute significantly to this world and to those around them in their own unique ways. Not saying that 3 are not a handful, but they are the kind of parents you want to have a big family.
Well, we are back and Derek has been busy. While we were gone he replaced our LR carpet with wood flooring and it is so incredibly nice on the eyes and my sinuses. Once we have the room set up I will post pics of his hard work. Although he will sigh and tell you the horrid details of the heat index and hard work if asked, I think he is secretly satisfied that he created a beautiful space that has changed the way we see our living space and habits. I hope we can keep it simple and open, even with a child. Thank you Derek for doing it and doing it while I was NOT there! Bravo!
I hope to see more friends and family soon. The coming holiday (to blow things up for America!!!), birthdays, and a wedding will keep our summer full of good company. See you soon!
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Things that make me sick...a reflection
This is why I am anal about sweeping, dusting, washing and drying bedding and pillows on HOT, and sanitizing surfaces with peroxide. Since I've been doing it I have not had one sinus infection or even a bout of mouth breathing (which I grew up doing) unless I spend a lot of time at Half Price Books or any other dusty environment. Imagine a person who has a peanut allergy ....would you kiss them after eating a PB&J or slip a reese cup into their child's hand? Just because it won't send me to the hospital doesn't mean others shouldn't take it seriously....in other words don't touch me if you've gotten into dust! And if your house is dusty don't be offended if I don't stay long. It's not you, it's me. Seriously, I still love ya. Most people don't even think about it, but I have to. So yes, as Derek likes to point out, I live in a bubble. I am particular. Sure, it may seem obnoxious to people who have not experienced advanced and chronic allergies. But the difference to me is not feeling like a sleepy, oxygen-deprived, heavy cemented head of pained blaaah. It's worth it. And it helps that, as I speak, a robot doing the sweeping bit. I just need one that can dust as well....come on IRobot, where's my Rosie??
http://www.webmd.com/allergies/features/6-daily-habits-that-may-make-you-sick
#3 Sleeping With Pillows and a Mattress
The average person sheds about 1.5 million skin cells per hour and perspires one quart every day even while doing nothing, says Tierno. The skin cells accumulate in our pillows and mattresses and dust mites grow and settle. If that's not gross enough for you, Tierno explains that a mattress doubles in weight every 10 years because of the accumulation of human hair, bodily secretions, animal hair and dander, fungal mold and spores, bacteria, chemicals, dust, lint, fibers, dust mites, insect parts, and a variety of particulates, including dust mite feces. After five years, 10% of the weight of a pillow is dust mites. This is what you're inhaling while you sleep. "What you're sleeping on can exacerbate your allergies or your asthma," says Tierno.
#1 Using a Sponge
The dirtiest room in everybody's home is the kitchen, says Phillip Tierno, PhD, director of clinical microbiology and diagnostic immunology at the New York University Langone Medical Center and author of The Secret Life of Germs. "That's because we deal with dead animal carcasses on our countertops and in the sink." Raw meat can carry E. coli and salmonella, among other viruses and bacteria.
Most people clean their countertops and table after a meal with the one tool found in almost all kitchens: the sponge. In addition to sopping up liquids and other messes, the kitchen sponge commonly carries E. coli and fecal bacteria, as well as many other microbes. "It's the single dirtiest thing in your kitchen, along with a dishrag," says Tierno. Ironically, the more you attempt to clean your countertops with a sponge, the more germs you're spreading around. "People leave [the sponge] growing and it becomes teaming with [millions of] bacteria, and that can make you sick and become a reservoir of other organisms that you cross-contaminate your countertops with, your refrigerator, and other appliances in the kitchen," Tierno explains.
http://www.webmd.com/allergies/features/6-daily-habits-that-may-make-you-sick
#3 Sleeping With Pillows and a Mattress
The average person sheds about 1.5 million skin cells per hour and perspires one quart every day even while doing nothing, says Tierno. The skin cells accumulate in our pillows and mattresses and dust mites grow and settle. If that's not gross enough for you, Tierno explains that a mattress doubles in weight every 10 years because of the accumulation of human hair, bodily secretions, animal hair and dander, fungal mold and spores, bacteria, chemicals, dust, lint, fibers, dust mites, insect parts, and a variety of particulates, including dust mite feces. After five years, 10% of the weight of a pillow is dust mites. This is what you're inhaling while you sleep. "What you're sleeping on can exacerbate your allergies or your asthma," says Tierno.
#1 Using a Sponge
The dirtiest room in everybody's home is the kitchen, says Phillip Tierno, PhD, director of clinical microbiology and diagnostic immunology at the New York University Langone Medical Center and author of The Secret Life of Germs. "That's because we deal with dead animal carcasses on our countertops and in the sink." Raw meat can carry E. coli and salmonella, among other viruses and bacteria.
Most people clean their countertops and table after a meal with the one tool found in almost all kitchens: the sponge. In addition to sopping up liquids and other messes, the kitchen sponge commonly carries E. coli and fecal bacteria, as well as many other microbes. "It's the single dirtiest thing in your kitchen, along with a dishrag," says Tierno. Ironically, the more you attempt to clean your countertops with a sponge, the more germs you're spreading around. "People leave [the sponge] growing and it becomes teaming with [millions of] bacteria, and that can make you sick and become a reservoir of other organisms that you cross-contaminate your countertops with, your refrigerator, and other appliances in the kitchen," Tierno explains.
Monday, June 8, 2009
here comes trouble
I just watched Theo take 5 steady steps!!! He just won't do it with the video camera going....
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