1,375 Q-Tips

“Why would you ever need to by more than one package of these in your lifetime?” —- My Husband

Damn if she didn’t get me thinking . . .

One of my blogging heroines, Jessica over at Oh The Joys, posted about her relationship with her sister-in-law. Jessica is known for her humor, sarcasm and quick wit. This post was one of her rare serious posts. It was honest and heartfelt and it struck a chord with me.

See, I am the SIL. NO!, not Jessica’s sister-in-law (although how cool would THAT be? ah Internet lurve ain’t it grand??).

Anyway, we moved to our current geographical location to be closer to family. My husband’s family to be exact. They all live within about 20 minutes of us.

We live right next door to my Mother-In-Law and her husband and I am proud to say that I am very close to my MIL. My SIL? Not so much. We get along, but we are not close. Our interests are different as are our outlooks on life. Jessica’s post reminded me that she’s family. A family I am extremely grateful to be part of.

I am an only child and my parents split when I was three. My extended family is scattered from Arizona to New Jersey and from Massachusetts to Florida. I have friends to whom I am closer than my blood relatives. Not my husband, his best friend is his cousin. They all grew up together and while they all lead different lives and give each other rashers of sh*t, the reality is they would do anything for each other. Part of the lure of moving here was for my children to experience that kind of family connection.

My MIL & FIL are ducking the nasty winter and traipsing around the Southland. After reading Jessica’s post, it struck me I had no clue how my SIL and her family were. Did my nephew get a job? Has he finished his college applications?

I love my MIL, but the reality is she won’t be around forever and I’d hate to think that this family thing will disintegrate when she and her sister (they are co-matriarchs) pass on. I don’t need to be the matriarch for future generations, but I want to be a part of keeping us together.

I picked up the phone and invited SIL her SO and my nephew for dinner tomorrow night. They have plans, but those plans may fall through due to weather concerns, so she’s going to call me tomorrow. If we don’t do it tomorrow, I have it in my head to get together soon.

I’m glad I called.

Thanks Jessica (and Jane)

In high praise of Zicam and Pseduoephedrine Hydrochloride

I live with 2 little germ magnets. If it is going around, one of them will pick it up and then share it with the other who in turn will share it with my husband and I. Zicam reditabs have become my friend.

The last 2 weeks we have been visited by the dreaded winter cold, runny nose, weepy eyes, and a cough. Little Brother passed it to Big Sister who shared it with Daddy & I.

Despite my best efforts to keep him doped upon decongestants, it got into the little guy’s ears. He has a rather unique way of letting me know he has an ear infection. Most kids get a fever, or start tugging at their red ears. Him, he wakes up crying in the middle of the night. Both my kids are GREAT sleepers (Praise the Lord and anyone else involved), so for him to wake up, something has to be wrong. The problem, is he won’t tell me his ears hurt. He cries for a lost toy or an adult who is not currently present (pick one Grammy, Grandpa, Uncle David, his preschool teacher) doesn’t matter who it is, they aren’t in his room at that moment and ain’t no way I’m gonna wake ‘em. Hell I’m NOT EVEN AWAKE.

In my stupor, it doesn’t occur to me to ask him what hurts until the 3rd trip in. “My EARS” he wails. A dose of children’s ibuprofin and we all can complete our night’s slumber in peace. The next day, a trip to the doctor confirms ANOTHER double ear infection. We kind of caught this one early, so we *might* squeak by with just one round of anti-biotics.

So much for effective decongestants. Yeah, I know the size of his ear canal plays a part in it, but ever since the meth heads forced psudophedrine into hiding behind the pharmacy counter and parents who can’t read labels ended production of cold meds for the under 6 crowd, you can’t find a children’s decongestant that is worth a box of tissues.

Since I was going to the pharmacy for an The Pink Stuff anyway, I asked about getting real live honest to goodness psudophedrine in a form my kids can take. Turns out I am out of luck for the little one, but the big one is old enough to take psudophedrine (the little red pill). Yahoooo!!!! I whipped out my license and plunked my money down for a 48 pack. Before you meth heads start jonesin’ for my supply, it is under lock and key.

When I got home, I gave one pill to Big Sister along with a does of plain old Robitussen. Ah, the miracles of modern medicine! We may just dodge an ear infection with her. I’m keeping my fingers crossed.

Despite my Zicam regimen and an effort to get some extra sleep, the sniffles crept up on me. I added that little red beauty to my list of daily meds and you know what? It really does work better than whatever is currently impersonating as the little red pill on the shelves in the drug store aisle.

Sadly my husband can’t take it, gives him the willies and makes him want to crawl out of his skin. Me? I’m am congestion free!

So dear reader, if you have a cold. Check with your doctor. Check with your pharmacist then get yourself some Zicam and some of the REAL little red pills. You’ll be glad you did.

Watch this without tearing up. I DARE you!

First go here and read Susan’s story (the blurb in the right margin will be sufficient, but the rest of the site is worth a read too).

Then go here and and watch this short video.

Way to go Midwest Mommy & crew!  What would we do without the Internet???