February Goals



Edited Note.  I wrote this around January 5th and I never published it because the Flu from Hell.  I'm still dragging and I'm not even kidding.  I should write a whole post on the misery and what worked and what didn't.  But the short of it is nothing worked except time.  If you have not had this flu yet stay safe out there.  So here is the original post...


Hello 2018 and welcome to my monthly goal post.  This is where I list about 5 things that I'd like to get accomplished in this 30 days lying in front of me.  I started it a few months back and have been amazed at what I've been getting done.

Little nagging things and much bigger things are getting done.  I'm loving it crazy.

Goal #1 - Take really good care of myself.  I'm still not 100% over the cold/flu thing that started at Christmas, then caught the flu.  It keeps lingering and I'm so done with it.  I'm doing every single thing I can think of including rest and tons of fluids, homemade soups and vitamin rich smoothies.  So I want to keep at it until it is finito.

Goal #2 - Figure out my lack of bathroom storage.  I have several ideas in my head but I really want to get this done.  I don't need a lot but any little bit would be so nice.  Any tips v much welcomed!

Goal #3 - Prune all the roses, dig new wells and feed them.  This is a job that needs to get done asap.  I just don't have the energy for it and L is sick now so I may have to hire someone - but I don't want to.  Once I get started I actually love doing it so I will be a bit more patient and wait for some energy to show up.

Goal #4 - I always like to include at least one area of the house that needs a declutter.  I'm thinking the pantry.  I'll keep you posted.

Goal #5 - About 2 months ago I started a twice daily meditation practice and I love it.  Getting sick and the holidays somewhat derailed it and so that really should be #1 on my list bc the benefits are amazing.  20 minutes 2 x's a day and I can feel myself slowing way down and sleeping so much better.

So nothing on this list has gotten done.  I have to laugh at goal #1.
It's funny how these lists of 5 things seemed like nothing last month and when I read them now, I'm like nope, that is not getting done.  I think I will just pretend January did not exist and just get through this month.

How about you, have you escaped the flu?

xo


51 comments

  1. Praying you will feel better very soon, Janet. Some slow, light gardening may be the thing you need for recovery. Warm wishes, Deni

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  2. No flu but had cough and bronchitis for over 2 weeks. Now have bad sinus. Staying home because I don't want to catch anything. Schools have closed in area due to flu. I still tire easily but am doing all I can to boost my immune system.
    Look forward to all your goals and posts and pray you are back to normal soon. I am ready for spring ! Connie

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  3. My roses are patiently waiting for their pruning. I can do the pruning on then all except for one that is on the side of a hill, I'm asking my husband to get that one as my arthritis knees don't do well standing on a hillside like a goat. Do you fertilize your roses before they leaf out? I've been browsing through the David Austin Rose catalog wishful thinking about all of the roses I would like to get, and making a list of which ones would do well in my yard.

    I just started with a sore throat yesterday. Shakin' in my boots hoping it's not the flu. So far I am flannel pajama-ing, vaporizing, Vicks-ing, and used a throat numbing spray before bed last night. I'm staying inside, out of the cuttingly cold wind and keeping warm. No fever yet,so I'm keeping a positive thought that maybe it's just a post nasal drip problem.

    I wish you a speedy recovery.

    Susie D.

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    Replies
    1. Take Cold-Eze. One lozenge every two hours. It will alleviate symptoms and cut the cold-suffering time in half. It's my new favorite thing! It really works.

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  4. Hi, Janet. Hope you are feeling better soon. I wonder if you might do a post on your meditation practice?

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  5. Glad you are feeling better! I’ve missed you!!!



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  6. I had a sore throat and a bit of that body/head achy feeling a few days ago, yikes! I quickly grabbed Zicam, aspirin, hot water/lemon and took it easy. I feel a lot better today....have no idea if it helped or if it's a placebo effect. Sheesh, this flu season has been especially scary!!

    I'm happy you're on the mend!

    Renee in Northern California

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  7. Janet, I somehow went down a rabbit hole and found myself on your lovely blog and just subscribed! Thank you for the lovely read. I do hope you feel better soon. The flu sounds like its been your sidekick way too long. I've been fortunate to have escaped it so far. Knock on wood, I'll be able to avoid it this year.

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  8. I’m on week three of the flu, including a trip to the emergency room. I’m just taking it slow. Glad to hear you’re on the mend. Take care.

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    1. ugh. sounds like me. take care and hope you are well. xo

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  9. Yes avoided it so far but I'm still very worried. One foot in front of the other will get 'er done. Gardening and decluttering are the best medicine for sure!

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  10. I’ve only had 2 flu shots in my life and both times got horribly sick within 24 hours. I’m told that can’t happen-but it did! So now I take vitamin c and Airborne daily, and if I start the slightest bit off I take Zicam. Since starting that I haven’t had even a sniffle in 3 years. Just sayin’ what works for me.
    Thank you for posting even when you’re not feeling good. I check in on you daily! XO, Allegra

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    1. gosh allegra i've heard that same story so many times. i was thinking i'd get the flu shot next year but now i'm wavering. but man i don't want to ever go thu that again, x

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  11. This flu has been so terrible, it's really dragged on hasn't it. It sounds like you're doing all the right things to get well and as you said it will just take time. Never mind the to-do list, it can all wait until you're both better.
    Thinking of you my friend and sending you a big germ free hug. xx

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  12. I am so sorry that you've had this nasty flu. So far, thank goodness, I've not even had so much of a cold this season, and neither has my husband or son. Winter is far from over though, so I know we're not out of the woods yet.

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  13. I hope you feel better soon! I'm sure you have done this but if there is a sunny day - get a chair and spend 20 minutes with your back to the sun....it really helps energize the body.
    Storage for your bathroom? I tried to find old posts of your bathroom, not sure of the space you have. One suggestion- if possible think of going INTO the wall...you may have to cut out a stud, then frame in the shelving and install a glass door or a mirror (if you want to hide contents). More labor intensive but doesn't take up space.

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    1. thanks pam. yes, we've been having lunch in the garden in the warm sun and it's been so fab. that is a good idea re the studs but i don't think it'd work here or maybe it would and larry is just telling me it won't;)

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  14. Yes, I've had two bouts of chest cold and cough and it was hell. The first dug in over Xmas and New Year; then I flung that off eventually only to catch another, worse version! I blame public transport - here in England we all use it a lot and our trains no longer have openable windows and no one wants a window open on the bus in the winter so everyone's germs just circulate. Nobody uses a handkerchief or tissues anymore - especially the young (sorry) who just cough and sneeze out into the air and never blow their nose. It's healthier to stay in! Anyway, speedy recovery, Janet - at least you have sunshine to get yourself back on your feet!

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    1. anna i feel sorry for you, 2 bouts? omg. yes stay home! i didn't know but the day before you show any sign of the flu is your most contagious so you don't even know you are! x

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  15. Im so sorry you had to go through the flu.

    I'm at the mercy of others. I underwent chemotherapy this fall, so vaccinations are ineffective. Also, I have neutropenia, so my white blood cells are dangerously low. Many of us, ill or young, are at the generosity of healthier people to get vaccinated.

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    Replies
    1. omgosh so true! thanks for sharing that. take care and stay safe. xo

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  16. well, I thought i had escaped the flu but it tapped me on the shoulder last night. enter tamiflu and high hopes that i will not suffer too long. thanks for your list - i am reminded to tend the roses.....trough and cough-my weekend plans...be well.

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  17. be very Very careful AJJ.
    I had a weird flu of some kind about 16 months ago and for 5 days didn't eat and barely drank. too weak and too sick and a high fever. result was life threatening dehydration from which I am still not feeling 100%. I've never been through anything like that before in my life.
    it resulted in a 4 day hospital stay with oxygen and IV's of whatever they give for it when your electrolytes are so low as to be off the chart. muscle weakness is unbelievable for months afterward. that has been the hardest part.
    of course slow recovery might have something to do with being 72! lol. but you're much younger. and I don't mean to be a Debbie Downer.
    but some of the more heavy things might need to be contracted out this year!
    it can sometimes be dangerous to 'push it.' get well soon darling bean. you AND L! XO♥

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    1. oh thank you for sharing tammy.i'm so sorry you went thru that. it is so scary when we get older and get sick. i'm learning i cannot push it like i used to be able to. xo

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  18. Hope you will soon feel better. Dare I say I have been free of everything, but we do all have flue jabs here after 60. But a lot of people here have had very chesty colds. Also the weather is nasty cold and wet some snow. Lets hope February will be better I see the snowdrops and daffs are out.

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  19. Dear Janet, please take care of yourself. The news is terrifying; they're saying its not the flu that kills people, its a secondary infection. Yikes! I try to drink a smoothie daily of carrots, oranges, juice of 1/2 lemon, some ginger root and a sprinkle of cinnamon buzzed in the blender with organic pineapple juice. I keep hoping it works!

    As for bathroom storage, years ago my best friend and I went on a house tour and saw the best use for those blue-and-white porcelain umbrella stands seen everyone. It had been tucked in the corner behind the toilet and held extra rolls of TP stacked in it. My friend and I looked at each other - why didn't we think of that? A touch of pretty and some easy storage at the same time.

    Too lazy to sign in today,
    Wendy

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    1. oh thanks wendy. that is a fab idea. i've been drinking smoothies and soup non stop! x

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  20. Nope, I got the flu. That was three weeks ago. I felt like a truck had hit me. I actually wrote about it on my blog. I even had the guts to post photos of me in the midst of the flu. I'm still not perky. Actually exhausted and scared to do much for fear of a terrible relapse. Today I put on makeup because I could not stand the sight of my face. My husband even complimented me on wearing makeup. Shows you how bad i looked. He never compliments me on makeup. Are you over it? How long did it take you?

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    1. seriously sandra it took a month. i'm shocked it took so long and i'm still not 100% but getting close. take care my friend. x

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  21. So sorry you're still struggling to get over the flu. My doctor told me the second time I had flu that the norm is for people get flu 1-2 times max. in their lives. Fortunately! Both times I was passing out all over the place and coming to in weird places, like partially under a coffee table! So I don't want to risk being the exception and having it a third time now I'm older so I have autumn flu jabs. Something to consider for next year?
    I created some bathroom storage last month (shelves) but need more so I will read your blog expectantly as I'm sure you'll come up with solutions far more creative than mine!
    Hope you're taking it so easy right now and dosing up on zinc and vitamin D, hugs x.

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    1. mary thank you. yes i heard that about the flu too. if what i had was the flu then it was my first time. i've never been that sick! i'm no expert on storage at all. i'm getting better at being a de-clutter. it's easier than figuring out where to put it all! lol x

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  22. I escaped the flu (so far) but I succumbed to the effects of breathing in wildfire smoke even though I was careful (but the smoke was everywhere and persisted for WEEKS); so, I've now been coughing since Dec 10, like nonstop, on every drug for it imaginable, still had a fever 10 days ago at the doctor's office (because I developed a cold virus and then an actual infection to the bronchi) and they're keeping a close watch on my lungs. I'm asthmatic (since a child), so this fire was killer-bad for me. There's awful stuff in the smoke, what they call 'particulate matter'; I mean, think of the soot, char and all the crap in the air from burned debris like asbestos from ruined homes. Like you, I'm frustrated with so much lost time. It seems like life has been completely abnormal since Dec 4; OMG, I just realized it's exactly 2 months ago today that the fire started. Not an anniversary I care to remember.

    Isn't being sick the most exhausting thing? Zero energy; also like you, I feel SO behind; on everything. What a way to start a year; NOT. But we'll catch up, Janet, and I hope you continue to feel stronger every day. Take care!

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    1. oh that smoke is dangerous vicki! you must take care too! yep, zero zilch energy here. and you are right, we will catch up. thanks for that pep talk. xo

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  23. Lucky for me I got a flu shot in October and haven't been unlucky enough to get it anyway... As for your storage question, it would help to see some photos of your bathroom to give you some more helpful ideas, none-the-less, here are some ideas for you:
    ~Use one of those over-the-toilet hotel towel holders
    ~If you have cupboard space with shelves vs drawers, get some plastic shoe boxes from the 99 cent store and label them (hair care; shoe care; first aid; nail care; etc.). Get rid of any extras that don't fit into the box (or, if you have enough space, label two boxes). Homeless shelters can use the donations! Anyway, this makes it easy to find things, keep them organized and keep them clean. My cupboards allow me to stack 2 boxes on top of each other. It's worked out really well for me.
    ~If you have any wall space, shelves or cupboards on the walls.
    ~If you have any floor space, a nice bar cart can hold a lot and so can baskets.
    ~If you have a pedestal sink and absolutely no space, then how about using a plastic cleaning caddy (you know, the kind with a handle in the center) and keep your shower supplies and/or makeup supplies in it and bring it in when necessary, storing it in a hallway linen cupboard or such. I've seen nice looking ones advertised at Bed, Bath & Beyond for College Back-to-School.
    ~I've also seen over-the-toilet shelving units in metal, wood and rattan.
    ~I like the idea mentioned above about the between-stud storage, and if you don't already have a medicine cabinet, this would be a good idea (though, don't actually use it for medicine because the heat and moisture of a bathroom will degrade it more quickly).
    ~If you do have counter space, corralling disparate items on a tray can look good. If you have a pedestal sink, perhaps attaching "paddle" to the wall on which you can place the tray might work...

    Well, that's as many as I can think of. I hope this helps you.

    Cheers,

    Garden Goddess

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    1. thank you GG for all those tips! wow. i have a v small bathroom and most of my readers have seen it too many times:) i will keep your wonderful list for future reference! xo

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  24. NO FLU BUG YET NOT EVEN A COLD!
    NO FLU SHOT EVER did once and I was SO SICK!
    I know what you mean about the lists and getting it all DONE!Takes so much energy!
    I pruned some of the roses today but still have a LONG way to GO!Worked on a NEW BLOG POST Most of TODAY............POP OVER if you can stay AWAKE!IT's my LONGEST YET I THINK!
    YOU GOTTA GET BETTER as NEXT MONTH is a BIG MONTH for YOU!!!!!!!!!
    SO I Know ROBIN BY PHONE!
    ROBIN IN UMBRIA....YOU two have a connection?
    I call her or she calls me every so often!
    GET BETTER!
    AND JUST LEAVE THE PANTRY ALONE!!!!!!!!!!!
    XO

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  25. Lucky here, so far - adding as much zinc and vitamin C as we can, lots of soup and and tea, and avoiding confined spaces as much as possible. With three teenagers in school I cringe a little and say a prayer every time there's a sniffle or sneeze. I'm so glad you're feeling a bit better, I hope you continue to improve. It's just an awful flu season.

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  26. Janet - I have a teeny tiny bathroom. I discovered Behind Door Storage from Improvements Catalog and it was a game changer. https://www.improvementscatalog.com/cabidor-behind-door-storage/276409. It hooks to your hinges so no nails or anything. I am shocked by how much it holds. From lotions and potions to toothbrush, etc. and even my hairdryer. Worth a look. It tucks behind the door and you only notice it when the door is closed. And even then, if your door is white, it blends in really well. Live saver in a tiny space! Good luck!

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