Beautiful Christmas present we received from my husband’s assistant. It’s of my son and DIL on their wedding day this Fall.
Our Christmas didn’t go as expected. I got sick. I’m still sick. I have a headache, low-grade fever, congestion and cough. I am miserable.
I called our friends we were supposed to join for prime rib dinner along with their four kids, spouses and sister and husband. I could barely squeak out my words and ended in a coughing fit.
No, they didn’t want me around.
So far, my husband is fine. Knock on wood.
My daughter was exposed to COVID her last day at work before her break. She was supposed to spend Christmas with her brother and sister-in-law (photo above.) She instead had to isolate.
My son and his wife stayed home alone for Christmas, because she is halfway through chemo and did not want to catch any bugs. It would delay her treatment if she did. I’m not sure that went over well with other family members, but their priority is her health.
All in all it was a sad little Christmas.
Here are few highlights from staying in bed:
Christmas Eve I watched “Meet Me in St. Louis” after my son said he introduced it to his wife for the first time. I love that movie. There’s one point in the movie where the husband comes home with a lavender tin of chocolates and the wife says “Oh! Louis and Sherry!” That was a chocolate and ice cream company that one of my husband’s clients owned. I had the lavender tin on a shelf in my kitchen in Palm Springs, because it’s so pretty.
Once when my aunt was visiting us in Palm Springs, my son asked if she wanted to watch TV with him. He was five or six years old. He turned on “Meet Me in St. Louis.” She was pleasantly surprised because she thought she’d be watching Barney.
I finished reading a book “Bees Don’t Get Arthritis” by Fred Malone, copyright 1974. A friend loaned it to me in August and called to ask when she could get it back. It’s interesting about how many doctors from the 1930s on treated arthritis with bee venom or honey with pretty good results. Many doctors tried to get it approved as a legitimate treatment after having held trials, but somehow it never made it mainstream. Maybe big pharma doesn’t want something so simple?
I watched the mini-series “Black Cake.” I have one episode left. It’s very good but doesn’t follow the book exactly. I wrote a review of the book HERE. It hasn’t added things, but the TV version put more emphasis on things than I felt was necessary from the book.
I finished Lisa See’s “Peony in Love” which I’ve struggled with. The ending picked up. Then I started reading this one:
Because I’m not feeling that well, I put down the book above and used Audible to start Ann Patchet’s “Tom Lake.” I’m really enjoying it and I can lay in bed and listen.
What were some highlights of your Christmas?
How do you decide if you have a cold, flu or COVID — besides testing for COVID?
Have you been sick this winter?
Oh so sorry you’ve been ill….but your choice of movie and book distractions sounds first rate. Hoping you’re feeling better every day. 🥰❤️🥰
Thank you! When I finally stopped trying to keep moving and decided to rest, I was able to enjoy the movie and books.
🥰❤️🥰
💕
Horrible cold. When I’m sick I care less about what I have and focus on getting better. Christmas was challenging at points. I hope you’re feeling better!!
I finally got the message to rest and get better. I expect it to be instantly, but it takes time. I hope you feel better too.
I hope you’re feeling better soon EA! I’m a bit stunned that family would be critical of son/DIL staying home. It seems so obvious that was the best choice to me, but then I don’t always understand the POV of some folks who seem to put their wishes above the safety of others…
I had Christmas dinner with my son/DIL and her parents. It was lovely to see and be with all of them but also the first time I have been with Dale (FIL) since his dementia diagnosis. It was very, very hard to witness the changes so a rather somber holiday.
I agree with you about some not understanding why m son and DIL are being so careful. I’m glad you got to spend Christmas with your son and DIL, but sorry about the FIL.
With my son and DIL, it’s not about them going out. It’s about the people coming in. My son is stringent about them not flying in from out of town, hanging out in nightclubs, etc.
I can absolutely see how they have more control in their choices of where to go, who to be around– or not, but yes, they have little control over what others do at any given moment. I am still rather taken back that people don’t get that.
I’m so sorry you’re sick! I’m not sure how to tell the different ailments apart without testing for Covid, but the couple times I’ve had Covid, I felt something more- not sure how to explain it- maybe just a depth to the symptoms that felt like more than a usual cold or flu. I am praying you get better soon! And I will be praying your daughter doesn’t get sick too. I’m already praying for your son and DIL. 🤍
Thank you for your prayers. When I had Covid in March, I had the worst sore throat of my life. I don’t have that now.
So sad 😞 hoping you will better. Anita
Thank you!
I hope you get better soon.
Thank you. I am slowly, but I still have tons of congestion.
I’m so sorry that you weren’t feeling well and that your daughter had to isolate. It’s so hard to not feel well and even harder when you combine that with Christmas. Hope you are on the mend! Sending lots of love!
Thank you. Fortunately my daughter is well and didn’t get sick. I’m forcing myself to rest.
So sorry you were/are not feeling well. That’s a bummer around the holidays. We had a very low key Christmas as well. Our oldest got Covid so she couldn’t come. It actually was a nice day to just spend sitting in a chair doing nothing, which I never do! I had cooked the ham and pie the day before so it was just a few sides to worry about. Hope you are better soon!
Thank you! I want to get better soon, so I’m getting plenty of rest. Sorry your daughter got Covid, but you had a relaxing day.
From me as well with hearty get well wishes. Low key holidays are good, too, ours was that way, and I’m happy for it.
If you’ve never seen them before (and even if you have 🙃) some of my favorite movies for this time of year, or whenever I’m feeling in need of a heartwarming movie, are Love, Actually and Rudy? Seen them?
I love Rudy! They showed it at my kids elementary school at an assembly. Thanks for the get well wishes 😊
It doesn’t fail to warm the heart and fill the soul with happiness. Chicken soup for the soul movie?
Definitely!
I’m so sorry to hear you’ve been feeling under the weather and Christmas wasn’t all you’d hoped it would be. I hope you are feeling 100% soon!
We had a busy week, but it’s the best Christmas I’ve had in many years since I’m feeling so well. Lots of time with family and friends, lots of laughter, and less drama than there were during peak covid days.
I’m so glad that you had a great Christmas! I’m feeling better, but it’s slow.
Sorry you’re ill. Hope you feel better soon and able to celebrate Christmas when you’re feeling better!!!!
Thank you!
I’m sorry it all went badly . I hope you can get together with your family and friends soon .
Thank you. 😊
Oh, and also, what a beautiful and thoughtful gift that was!
I was so thrilled with the gift. So thoughtful 💕
I’m sick and I don’t test . I figure it doesn’t change anything because there is no cure for flu or viruses . I don’t think it’s the flu because I didn’t have high fever or body aches, mostly congestion and a lot of coughing fits. Some mild headache. Snot.
That is exactly how I feel!
Ugh..that doesn’t sound good – hope you feel better very soon. ☀️
Thank you!
Oh no, I’m so sorry. Sometimes life can throw us some unexpected curves. It’s so hard to be alone at Christmas especially when you’re not feeling well. I remember feeling blue when I was alone for Thanksgiving due to illness. I hope you recover quickly and can make up for a disjointed Christmas by gathering with your family and celebrating when it’s safe for all of you. Sending you lots of prayers and love, C
Thank you so much. You understand perfectly. We’re hoping for a great celebration next year with everyone.
I hope you’re beginning to feel better now! I got a cold from my SIL when visiting Cleveland earlier this month. Cold symptoms are in the head and throat. Covid, flu, and pneumonia are primarily in the lungs. I hate e being sick at all and haven’t had a cold since well before Covid, so that was no fun. In a couple days, went through four boxes of Kleenex!
Best not to give that for Christmas, so I avoided everyone for a couple weeks.
I’m sorry you were sick too. I may test for Covid. I have been going through boxes of Kleenex but my cough is in my chest.
Whenever I am ill I take lots of garlic, honey and fire cider. Even got rid of a chest infection using them. Maybe you should give them a try? Hope you feel better soon.
I’ve been taking honey and made chicken soup with tons of garlic. What is fire cider?
It’s a mix of onion, herbs, chili, turmeric, ginger, horseradish etc which is left for about a month to mix together with apple cider vinegar. A good site I use for herbal remedies is https://www.growforagecookferment.com/about/
Thank you! That sounds strong!
It is! You could just chop up onion or garlic and cover it in sugar, then you take a tsp of the liquid that occurs after a few days – it’s gross but helpful.
Thank you for the recipe and tips!
I made it today. I found a recipe on line from the Farmer’s Almanac.
Sounds like a rough Christmas for sure! Hope you are on the mend. Lots of honey and onions here when we are sick. Bone broth too.
I haven’t seen any posts from you for a few weeks now and thought that you’re taking some time off for holiday season. It turns out that WP decided that I shouldn’t follow your blog. I’m going to catch up on the missed posts. Hope you feel better soon my friend. Hugs.