The Ritual

Every time we finish a cycle of illness in our house (you know…the thing where Kyle gets sick and then I get sick and then we’re both sneezing buckets of snot, hacking up our lungs, stock-piling mountains of used tissue, and reaching desperately for another dose of Day-Quil), I have this ritual. It’s a little like an exorcism, but more cheerful.

The Howard Hughes in me imagines little cold-germies infesting our apartment. I freak out. And then I do this.

I scrub every conceivable surface with anti-bacterial wipes.

I replace our toothbrushes.

And our contact lens cases.

And our sheets and pillowcases.

I light a candle. And I thank God that head-colds don’t last forever.

love, elizabeth

Making My Own Sunshine

Source: Uploaded by user via Elizabeth on Pinterest

Yesterday, I talked about suffering from seasonal affective disorder (you can read that post here).

I want to talk about fighting it. I have to consistently remind myself that while the weather is out

of my control, I can exert control over some pretty important things. I call it my battle plan.

Eating right. Part of my effort to fight SAD this winter is to make a conscious effort to eat good,

high-nutrition food instead of blowing through empty carbohydrates in an effort to control my

mood (especially in the evening). I started Weight Watchers just before the new year and so

far, I’ve felt really successful at managing my mood swings and cravings. WW is great for me

because I don’t feel like I have to deny myself when I’m hungry but it’s great for helping me

determine portions.

Creating safe refuge space. Keeping the apartment neat and the clutter to a minimum keeps

me from feeling overwhelmed at night (when I’m more likely to be depressed and anxious).

Comforting scents. Along with some woodsy, cozy candles, I’ve been using more scented

lotion this winter. I’ve noticed that smell has a lot to do with my mood. And though I tend to

stay away from fruitier or more tropical smells, I’ve been using lotion with coconut in it because

it reminds me of sunscreen (and inevitably, the beach).

Strategic lighting. I avoid fluorescent or harsh lighting at night and instead opt for softer lamps

and candles after dark. I’m also trying a combination of grow/sun lamps for short intervals in lieu

of actual sunshine. Eventually, I may have to try professional light treatment through my doctor

but I’m going to try this for a little while first.       

Not leaving important decisions/difficult work for late at night. As a grad student, this is difficult

but I’m trying to change my study habits to manage my depression.  

Making fun plans with people. It gets easy to isolate myself in the winter but I’m working hard to stay

involved with friends and make time for fun outings with Kyle and other couples.

And if all else fails…fantasize about how amazing spring break is going to be in Myrtle Beach.

If I close my eyes tight enough, I can almost feel the rays. March can’t come fast enough.

Source: imgfave.com via Elizabeth on Pinterest

love, elizabeth

Scary Stuff on the Internet

Yesterday, I saw this.

And this.

Photo credit

First of all, I am throwing my Neti Pot out. Right now. Bye-bye, irrigated sinuses! I’ll take that horrible cold over a brain-eating amoeba any day! I like my brain. I need my brain.

Secondly, I have a lot of important things to do today like scrubbing every inch of my house before my parents get here on Monday and mailing Christmas cards and making every last effort to decorate our apartment windows for the holiday decoration contest in our complex (judging is on Monday night – I’ve been scoping out the competition and it doesn’t look good for us, you guys…).

How is your Saturday? And THANK YOU for the blog recs! Expect a visit and a comment this weekend.

love, elizabeth

Mad for Madigan: The Check-Up

Dear Readers,

You know that saying, an apple a day keeps the doctor away? Well, somebody get me a freaking apple because I don’t ever want to see another doctor again as long as I live!

No one likes going to the vet, am I right, pets? It’s basically the most uncomfortable things all rolled into one. There’s that cold table (whose genius idea was THAT?) and that room that smells like other animals and strangers peeking in your ears and eyes and mouth (total invasion of privacy).

But yesterday I had to go for my yearly check-up. And no matter how many times I said, Guys, I’m totally fine. There is no need to put that thermometer there… no one listened. Oh, yeah, and I got a look at the bill when it fell out of Mom’s purse. Here’s a list of things that were apparently “necessary” for my general health:

- 3 Year Rabies Vaccination (as if).

- Distemper/Parvo/AV2/Para Vaccines (exactly what kind of dog do you think I am?)

- Bordatella Intranasal 6 Mo (yes, please tell me that in six months, you’re going to shove something else up my nose)

- Heartworm test (which totally included having BLOOD removed from my BODY! Is anyone else okay with that because I really am NOT.)

- Pretreat Injection (this was apparently because I had a “reaction” to one of the other bajillion needles they stuck me with…gee, there’s a surprise)

- Fecal for Intestinal Parasites (um, this one is exactly as fun as it sounds)

Mom, I think you’ve been taken to the cleaners but that’s just one pomeranian's humble opinion.

I am happy to report to my many fans and friends that I have been given a clean bill of health (except that I apparently need to lay off the dog biscuits and take some extra walks…What? I like to eat…can I get an ‘amen’?)

Oh, funny story. Apparently, Daddy was informed this morning by HIS vet that he has “shingles.” Whatever that means. I’m pretty sure someone’s screwing the pooch on this one, though, because DAD gets little white treats from a bottle for 10 whole days and what do I get? A new Rabies tag. Whoop-de-doo.


At least the vet techs are as fashion conscious as I am. Note the hot pink bandage where I had blood drawn. And look, it’s the dude with shingles!

Keepin’ it real,
The Madster