Oh, boy. What a week! Sickness struck me over the weekend and I went down. Way down. I’m back to the land of the living, but still in that phase where I’m not sick enough to need constant rest but still not well enough to function normally. Should be an awesome weekend?

If you are somewhere in that sick phase, or coming out of it, or going into it, or you might get sick at some point, I thought I would share some of what my husband calls my “voodoo” with you. As if referring to it as voodoo wasn’t enough, I’ll go ahead and disclaim this: I’m not a doctor. This is not medical advice, but rather voodoo/wives’ tale advice. I’m just a person who has been sick a lot and likes to think she has tips and tricks that help her through it. Also, I’m including some links for products I use, but I am not affiliated with those sites.

–Get on the Vitamin/Liquids Train: I learned this from my mom. In my experience, it helps shorten the duration of a cold and may even keep you from falling victim. Whatever cold-fighting super-power you believe in– Vitamin C, zinc, echinacea– take it as soon as you start to feel sick. Also drink a cup of tea or water. Then, in an hour, do it again. Repeat every hour until you are asleep and resume when you wake up. Do it at least a day longer than you feel you need to (I often forget about that part). When I was sick this week I used tv episodes on Netflix as my “timer” (so about every 45 minutes) and the pattern looked like this: boil water for tea, drink a packet of Emergen-C with GSE in it, apply tea tree and/or frankincense essential oils to throat & neck, make tea, head back to bed for a new episode. Sometimes I will add in other vitamins or weird remedies I read about on Pinterest, like this garlic/honey/cayenne mixture.

–Drink Goop: No, not that Goop. Thanks a lot, Gwyneth, for taking a word I like to use for a gunky substance and turning it into a fancy lifestyle brand. Anyway, a few years ago I saw an interesting substance recipe on Pinterest, tried it immediately, loved it, and tweaked it to make it my own. This was when I was really sick and would get sore throats all the time. I would drink this when I felt a sore throat come on, or once I inevitably became sick. Everyone I have shared it with loves it. It isn’t a healer but a reliever. It feels so soothing! The ingredients are:

-Honey

-Ginger

-Lemon juice

If making one serving, use a dollop of honey that at least covers the bottom of your mug, like a heaping tablespoon. Add the ginger; if it’s fresh use a teaspoon or so, and if it’s dry then just a couple of shakes. Add the lemon juice; for fresh I would suggest half a lemon, and if using the refrigerated stuff maybe a teaspoon. Add hot water, stir, and drink it as a tea. If you’re making a big batch (which I like to do), just increase the quantities but keep the proportions about the same. Put it in a glass jar, mix well, and refrigerate if you like. I’ve not had problems with leaving it at room temperature. It’s nice to have goop on the ready for emergencies. Adjust the proportions or ingredients to suit your taste. Mine is a little different each time I make it.

–Cold Sock Treatment: This is my most-pinned pin ever. Proof that when you’re sick you will do anything for relief. When you click through, scroll about halfway down the page for instructions and follow exactly. I have a really hard time going to sleep when I’m sick because I hate and dread the discomfort of it all– sinus pressure changing as you turn, feeling like you can’t breathe, dry mouth, cough, etc. etc. But this seemed to diminish my symptoms temporarily so I could get to sleep more comfortably. It’s weird and uncomfortable when you’re doing it, but once you get into bed you should feel some relief pretty quickly.

So there you have it– just a few tricks from my natural medicine cabinet. I hope you don’t need them right now! But pin them, because someday you’re gonna catch yourself a bug. 😦 I’ve heard that this latest bug going around comes with a lingering chest cough– how lovely– so I’m going to try some new tricks to beat that and will let you know if I find a winner.

Right now in my life, weekends basically start Friday morning. It’s pretty awesome. This week was a little busier for me, but it was good. I felt very much at peace, and I know this peace came in part from having the words of Matthew 6:20-21 and Matthew 6:31-34 floating around in my head.

I thought I would share a few links to kick off the weekend.

-I came across this post about writing “love letters” to friends and thought it was a great idea. I’m planning some of my own for February, but will by no means hold back in the mean time. If you think someone is great…. tell ’em!

-I have enjoyed the Songza playlist “Rustic Outdoor Wedding” as the score to all kinds of activities including painting, cleaning, baking, reading, and even exercising. The mood is melancholy overall, but there are plenty of upbeat songs and the romantic theme keeps it from becoming depressing. Check it out.

-Doughnuts. There’s nothing like them, especially when you’re not supposed to have them! I am on the hunt for a recipe that is safe for me. I tried one yesterday that flopped pretty bad, but I will not be discouraged- I’m trying another one today. I have visions of kawaii doughnuts dancing around in my head, and if I didn’t have this recipe to work on I think I could sit and look at pastry-themed jewelry alllll day.

Happy Weekend!!!

I love knowing things, but learning new skills is so gross. I’m currently in the process of learning to play piano chords. I wanted to be able to accompany myself at home, whether I was rehearsing a song for church or just messing around with old or new favorite songs, but I was limited by a lack of skill (i.e. only being able to play root chords with improper fingering). I was hesitant to commit to learning more because I was pretty sure it would feel exactly like this. When you’re learning something there’s usually that stage when you’re terrible at it and feel like you’ll never master it. I had a wonderful childhood with encouraging parents and teachers, so I know all the facts about persevering at learning something: you have to keep trying and doing your best, hard things are worth doing, practice makes perfect, someday it won’t be so hard because you kept going, etc. etc. All those things are true, and I am slowly (very slowly) gaining some skills.

But still, I hate the feeling. I knew part of this would be an exercise in humility– I had tried to learn chords on my own before and didn’t get very far, so I recruited a willing, patient “teacher” who is a dear friend of mine. It’s not pleasant for me to play my slow, halting notes for her but she is very kind, noticing the small improvements I make and putting me at ease. What a relief.

The worst part is actually practicing on my own because I am not nearly as gentle with myself! In my mind I can hear the things I want to play, and when what I’m actually playing is so far from that I get frustrated and start to beat myself up. While I knew there would be some humility involved in presenting my limited skills to a teacher, I didn’t anticipate the feeling of presenting my limited skills to myself.

This internal response to my currently-limited skill set seems to be linked to the opposite of humility: pride. My pride wants me to stop doing anything that makes me look less knowledgable or experienced or capable, but humility reveals that I need to grow and be taught, and that sometimes it’s okay to show a part of myself that needs work. Pride presents itself as safe and protective, but is really the enemy of my growth as a person. It’s my hope that as I work at the new skill of piano I can also work at the skill of being kinder to myself.

So as I practice my chords I’m also going to practice saying, “Shhhh” to that voice of pride. I will practice telling myself to accept where I’m at so I can get to the good place. And maybe someday, as I sit at my keyboard playing smooth, comfortable, pretty chords (like 20 years from now?) I’ll think, “Hey, maybe I should learn to [knit, french braid, weave baskets, build furniture out of pallets] now!”

Anything is possible.

How about you- do you like to learn new things? How do you deal with the “not-knowing” feeling?

This dog is my inspiration for the weekend. He reminds me that it’s okay to let loose when your jam starts playing. Enjoy your weekend. Rest. Get something done. Play. Sing!

My Monday was significantly brightened by the news that Sufjan Stevens is releasing a new full-length album this Spring. I’ve been a fan of his music for probably a solid decade. For those unfamiliar with him and his work, I’ll just say he could definitely be classified as “out there.” He has done some pretty experimental stuff that I didn’t really connect with, but several of his albums are on my “enduring classics” list. I could listen to Seven Swans, Illinoise and Michigan on repeat. It’s desert island stuff. And his Christmas collection, Songs for Christmas, is now a staple of my Christmas music library… and should be on my desert island list, as well, because you don’t know how long you may be stuck on said island. You’d be kicking yourself if December rolled around and you didn’t have any holiday tunes. I digress.

Stevens’ music is unique, intricate, and layered; the lyrics poetic and thought-provoking. I really enjoy his take on relationships, places, and faith. My favorite songs of his ponder ideas of love, regret, faith, doubt, joy, pain, truth, and just the human experience with vivid imagery and tenderness. A number of his songs contain distinct biblical references, yet his music is not categorically “Christian.” One of my very favorites is Vito’s Ordination Song; to me it conveys perfectly God’s love and knowledge of us as well as Jesus’ earthly purpose- to make amends. Love, love, love it.

And when you write a poem
I know the words, I know the sounds
Before you write it down
When you wear your clothes
I wear them too, I wear your shoes
And the jacket too
I always knew you
In your mothers arms
I have called you son
I’ve made amends
Between father and son
Or if you haven’t one

Rest in my arms
Sleep in my bed
There’s a design
To what I did and said

Other songs of his just make me smile with playful horns, casual choral arrangements, even the titles. Who couldn’t get behind a Christmas song called, “Come on! Let’s Boogey to the Elf Dance!“??? Clearly the fan who made this awesome video is ALL IN.

This music is not for everyone, but it is right up my alley. If you enjoy walking on the quirkier, more eclectic side with your music, Sufjan Stevens is sure to please.

I can’t wait for Carrie and Lowell.

I almost didn’t post today. I still need to figure out my schedule for posting, pre-writing posts, etc.

But I was feeling very grateful today and wanted to share as an encouragement to anyone who’s reading. Hopefully “I’m thankful for…” is not a phrase we use once a year at the end of November, but one we can repeat day after day.

Last night I fell asleep pondering what “store up for yourselves treasures in heaven” really means (from this week’s verse), and while I don’t have a definitive answer yet, it can’t be a coincidence that I woke up feeling a greater appreciation for my life. So here is my list so far. I’ve found that when I start these lists I tend to add to them mentally throughout the day. I hope you will find the same to be true for yourself.

-Two vehicles that work. For the first 8 years of our marriage we shared one car, so although we’ve had two cars for over a year now, it still feels kind of new, and whenever I see that second car my heart feels a little warmer. We can go anywhere we need to, at any time. We’re spoiled.

-Plenty of food. I’m at the grocery store a lot, but this week I don’t think I need to go, and it feels good to know that we have enough. If we needed to, we could probably eat for a month with what we have in our fridge, freezer and pantry. Maybe longer than a month- I haven’t really thought it out, because I haven’t had to. Compared to the rest of the world, we live like royalty and I don’t want to take that for granted.

-Connections with far-away friends and family. Most of our friends and family can be reached by Facebook, text, email or phone at pretty much any time! It is so fun to send someone a little “miss you” or “thinking of you” message from time to time, and I also enjoy sharing more deeply with those friends who are very close to my heart, but live very far away.

-People who care for me. If I have a problem, I have many people to turn to, and a small circle of people who will come to me if they notice I may be going through something but not speaking up. This is so valuable, and I feel so grateful when I think about it.

-My faith. I want this to be a shorter post, so I don’t think I can really put into words here how thankful I am to know our Creator personally and have the privilege of following and occasionally even “helping” him.

-On the lighter side, I am thankful for little things that brighten up my day- colors and flowers and gift wrapping and decorations. Sun shining in through the window, clouds that change shape and size and color. Even my dog- his hair is all over the house, but he depends on me, and he’s kinda cute.

If Wally could express gratitude, I think ear scratches would be at the top of his list.

-The internet. Let’s get real- where would we be without it? I am thankful for the Internet on pretty much a daily basis. I often marvel at the things I can do that my childhood self could never have imagined. A phone that I can use to watch a movie? Search engines that will answer any question I have (accuracy aside ;))? What a world.

As I find myself saying often, this is the life! Now I’m off to go live it, hopefully with a little more gratitude.