We’ve been noticing how our energy level rises with the warm weather and drops with the colder weather. If the weather outdoors is a barometer for our energy and health (or is it vice versa?) then when these temperatures took a dive from the high 60s into the deep negative zone (was it really -30 out?!), so did our health! Britton and I were both out with fever, sneezing, coughing, stuffiness, and gunk for most of this week…and we’re still trying to come out of it. The cold brought us a cold!
We usually don’t get sick, but this stuff laid us out. We took two days off work (Britton still worked from home on one of them, the workaholic). The dry, dry air from the furnace only made it worse, and our little room humidifier pooped out on us. So we were dry and staticky and feeling yucky. But, I would rather have that than no furnace at all, like the animals outside…
Speaking of which, Britton built the chickens their own “furnace” with the heat lamp, a blanket covering and extra straw in their coop inside the greenhouse. And it worked! It never went below 0 in the coop! And during the day when the sun was up, it was in the 50s when everywhere else it hadn’t hit the postive numbers.
Even though we were all stuffed up and stuffed in the house, it was nice spending some time together with Britton, dozing in and out of sleep, taking long hot showers, hanging out in our robes all day, playing with the pets, making chicken and barley soup, watching old movies and daytime TV that we NEVER see. (For those of you who don’t see daytime TV, you are missing out on some of the weirdest shows out there -soap operas; infomercials; old syndicated shows; and lots of commercials urging you to sue people, to go to a vocational school, and, of course, to buy cold medicine!)
So, while it was kind of fun (minus all the tissues, hacking and lack of energy) to stay home together and hang out in this other world we never see, I’m ready to be out and about again. I am ready for spring, summer, and Puerto Rico. I am ready to be done with this COLD and be on the rise.
Glad you guys are feeling better, I HATE the cold, I could never ever live where you have -30…i think that should be illegal…we need to talk to “mothernature”. when are you guys heading to PR next? we will be there again for my bday 3/17 but for just 4 days, then we go back for Frank’s bday in June…hopefully for longer.
I haven’t had a cold or stuffiness in 3 1/2 years here. You do get some yeast issues, bug bites (I have ant troubles since I dig where they live and prune things where they hide etc.) and sometimes minor heatrash. Best of all though your skin feels great!
It’s been so crazy dry lately and I’ve had to resort to using lotion. I usually can make it thru the year without it by my skin has just been too dry.
Interesting to hear that you haven’t had a cold or stuffiness. Titamin D production from Ultraviolet-B in the skin changes with the seasons and affects the immune system. I definitely don’t get as much sunlight being trapped inside. From wikipedia: During periods of cooler temperature, influenza cases increase roughly tenfold or more.
Sometimes I wonder if I am just making this stuff up in my head as a reason to move to a better climate, but I think there is really something to it.
Not being depressed and stuck inside makes a HUGE difference! That is the sunshine difference!
Katrina has the best life ever…she has beautiful landscape, great cats, fruits, veggie’s and a home away from everyone…that is what life should be all about. When Katrina and Jeff want excitement they know where to find it…either caving, diving and now surfing….and they are healthy! All paradise comes with issues…that is expected, but the plus that comes with it…I think makes it worth it.
Ah…Sunshine….
Cassie and I took Schnoodle outside to the greenhouse today for a haircut because it was cold and windy today but lots of sun. It was nice and 65-70ish in there. It was nice getting some sun and made me feel more energetic.
Being stuck inside is ok and we can usually find something to do. But after a few weeks of it, it gets old and we start itching to do some kind of physical movement!
Rosa, I agree. -30 should be illegal or at least declared a state of emergency. It is quite an experience to be outside when it is THAT COLD. Like a freezer, only much much colder. We are planning on being in PR mid to late May and into early June. We want to stay for at least 2 weeks.