It's time to move on

I'm still sick. The bronchitis has eased dramatically, but the conjunctivitis is just refusing to let go of me. I've always been susceptible to this eye infection, catching it frequently when my kids were bringing germs home from school, but I've also always shaken it within 24 hours of being put on medication for it. This time, I just can't shake it and it is AGGRAVATING! However, life needs to go on. I'd don't feel sick (though I'm still only at about 75%, energy-wise), so I need to get things done, conjunctivitis or not. I don't really want to go out (no, wait - I'm dying to get out of the house, actually -- I've been home for more than a week now!), because I know how infectious this is. But I can get other things done here. So today I'm focusing on Christmas lists. Get lists and present ideas firmed up in my head, and probably do some online shopping to get things rolling. Here's my To Do List for today:

• Make list of everyone who gets presents, with present ideas and date needed by.
• Move Amazon gift certificates over to Amazon (Jeff got these from work)
• Purchase all presents that need to be mailed
• Make list of what Christmas decorations I want to bring upstairs this year
• Go to basement and get window candles and wreath and put those up
• Write up menu for Christmas Eve dinner, plus list of grocery shopping needed
• Check amount of wrapping paper, tape, ribbons, tags - list of what's needed
• Make list of homemade presents to be given - post in sewing room
• Check with Jeff on Christmas budget amount
• Make list of presents already purchased
• Make inventory list of stocking stuffers already purchased

If I can get all that done today and tomorrow, I'll be in OK shape and able to head out shopping next week when I'm feeling better (she says with a positive attitude!!!)

Grandchildren + daycare = sick grandparents

Yes, as unbelievable as it may be, Jeff and I are sick AGAIN. Brayden brought home another cold from daycare (perhaps I'm assuming on that one - could be from anywhere!), and I fought it off from Tuesday to Thursday night, but got hit on Friday. Jeff is about 4 days behind me, just coming down with it yesterday. I also came down with conjunctivitis, and went to the doctor yesterday. While there and telling her about my cold, she diagnosed me with bronchitis ...again! I'm happy this time that it was diagnosed early (as opposed to last time when it was very near pneumonia until I went to the doctor), and got on meds. Unfortunately, today the conjunctivitis is worse -- now in both eyes. UGH!!! I am sick of being sick. The doctor and I discussed ways to stop this cycle of catching everything Brayden brings into the house. Handwashing is the obvious culprit (or lack there of), though I am already washing my hands frequently when Brayden is in the house. But I'll up that more, just to try harder. She also talked about not smooching with Brayden...hahaha... I admitted, that's not going to happen -- especially right now while he's learning to give Eskimo kisses!! Little snotty nose rubbing back and forth against mine -- how can you possibly resist that?? LOL! She also gave me some essential oils -- one called "Purity" to burn in a defuser to eliminate germs in the air. Another called "China Blend" to help recover from sickness quicker -- this one I put one drop in a cup of tea. And a third called "ImmuBoost Extra" to put in tea when we're not sick to help boost our immunity to germs. I had tea with the China Blend last night and it was very good. It made my cheap old Kroger decaf tea taste like heavenly herbal tea. Very soothing. The essential oil ingredients are Lemon, Tangerine, Orange, Clove Bud, Black Cumin, Lavender, Thyme, Hyssop and Cinnamon Bark. I really enjoyed it. Unfortunately for the rest of the world I need to get out today -- get to the bank and the drug store. Other than that, the only thing I have my mind set on doing is changing the sheets in the masterbedroom (how many germs do you suppose are on THOSE?), cleaning up the kitchen, and wiping down the bathrooms with Clorox wipes. Jeff went to work this morning, but I think he'll be home early today. He was pretty wiped out this morning and he's really just getting started with all this.... sigh. It's probably soup for dinner and early to bed for both of us.

Jeff and Brayden's favorite day trip

Jeff took Brayden to the U.S. Air Force Museum in Dayton again today. This is their second trip in as many weeks, and apparently they both thoroughly enjoy themselves! They are always gone for at least 6 hours, and they spend time both inside the museum and outside on the lovely grounds. "Boys Day Out".

In the past two weeks, Brayden has made fabulous progress with talking! Yay! He now says: Up, On, Off, Umma (Gramma), Umpa (Grampy), Momma, RayRay (Rachael), apple, banana, hi, yeah, yes, please, and, as of yesterday, "one more"... for "one more time". He's 20 months old now, and to be honest, I was getting a little worried about his not talking, but he's doing fine in catching up. He is a very very smart little boy, so apparently he was just waiting until he was sure he could do it. He's shown he's every bit as smart as his Uncle Jeff was at that age -- including being able to take multiple directions and follow them through, counting, recognition of shapes and colors, etc. So - no more worrying. He was just waiting for the time to be right. I believe in six months we'll be wondering if he'll ever STOP talking! LOL