Monday, January 7, 2013

Monday morning...post 754

We've been under the weather since Christmas with the flu...
coughing and sneezing and here I thought it was the "common cold."
The evening news reported that there has been a flu outbreak here in our fair city.
I have never had a flu shot although many of my colleagues swear by them.
It's a scary thought to think we might be having an epidemic.
I am wondering if Mother will manage to keep it at bay. So far she's been staying close to home and I have been unable to visit her for fear of spreading and sharing my germs.
Mr. HB has not been able to see his Mother since Christmas Day as she is in an extended care facility and the residents are elderly and frail. She is 95!

I've been sleeping in the guest room so Mr. HB and I can cough at our own pace without the fear of waking each other. It's very cozy and warm downstairs and there have been quite a lot of lazy lie in's when I have not surfaced until after 9am. What luxury!

When I sat down to type this blog post I did not think it would be on this topic. My plan was to focus on the cats this morning...

The cats have been up to their usual tricks and are very much enjoying the new laundry area.


Pepper is the elder of the two cats and she has the upper hand
and does not take any nonsense from Chester despite his best efforts
she keeps him in line.


He's laying at her feet
rather subservient
waiting for the opportunity to play
she calls the shots so when she wants to play they play.
If he tries to get her to do something that she doesn't want to do he gets a swift and mighty swat with her paw.
Both cats sleep on our bed at night
on my side!


We discussed installing a rod or rack for hanging delicates
and I spied these iron hooks at a local gift and card shop and thought they'd work.
I don't know about you but I have quite a few items of clothing that I like to hang to dry.
They seem to last longer and there is less pilling of the fabric.


I hand wash all my cashmere sweaters.
If you've been reading for awhile you already know that I use Aveda Shampure Shampoo 
to launder all my cashmere.

Look at the spring shades that I have chosen!
These are two new sweaters that I picked up online when Lands End had a sale
free delivery and 40% off.
I've worn them both and to my mind there is nothing more cozy than cashmere next to one's skin...
there's always silk but I do not find it very warm.

I've been on a mending mission
sewing buttons, repairing seams
hemming pants...
nothing like being house bound to make you realize that there are some jobs needing attention
and what better time to get on with the task as there's not much point making yet another lame excuse!

Procrastination is the name of the game when it comes to plying a needle and thread.
I don't know why I have an aversion to mending but I do.
Ironing used to be another chore that I'd avoid but since the laundry room is so lovely
it's not such an onerous task.

~ ~ ~

Are there domestic jobs that you put off?

Has the flu invaded your home?
Take care and have a great week.

26 comments:

Anonymous said...

No flu here thankfully, like you I worry about mum catching something like that. I rarely procrastinate but my husband is terrible for it, he drives me up the wall at times.

Swissy said...

No flu here in our village, at least for us, so far. But your post resonates nonetheless. It's a great time of the year to catch up on all those little tasks. I actually like hand sewing and ironing, but don't ask me to use a machine. I hope you and your family stay well all the rest of the winter.

Adrienne Shubin said...

Poor you! I had a flu bug for about 4 days - started on New Years Day - not that dramatic but still enough to keep me home feeling rotten.

I have never gotten a flu shot before but am considering it this year. I just don't want to get anywhere near the doctor's right now! So many sick people out there.

Those kitties are so cute! Love them.
xo, A

Kristien62 said...

While we can't be sure it is the flu, Mr. K and I have taken turns being ill since Christmas. My illness has morphed into what I think is now a sinus infection. I did have the flu shot so it may not be the flu, but our county is experiencing the highest rate of flu cases in New York presently (lucky us.)

I love your tidy laundry area and the hooks are a great addition. The one task I dread is sewing on buttons. I just don't like to sew, but that is no excuse.

Susan B said...

I love the idea of those laundry hooks! Will keep those in mind for our next home reno project. don't know yet where the washer/dryer will end up, but we WILL get them out of the kitchen...

Pretty sweaters. I always enjoy seeing the kittehs.

Suburban Princess said...

It's being called the 100 day cough around these parts. Everyone I know has been sick - mine keeping fading and coming back...over and over!

I hate doing dishes...wish such a passion. I'm always recruiting people to do them lol!

mette said...

You really have had lots of flus all through the year. You must be t o t a l l y worn out. Does the flu include muscle ache? If it does, just awful.
I don´t shop the groceries, so that´s what I put off.
Recover quickly!

Pondside said...

We have, so far, been spared but my office is down in numbers as colleagues succumb. There are several tasks that bring out the procrastinator in me - mending is at the top of the list!

Duchesse said...

Hope you are well soon. I had a flu shot AND got it- down three days beginning Boxing Day!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I hope you stay germ free Tabitha. You sound like a you have a very healthy immune system.
I think mine is poor this year and I blame it on work and some added stress that I need to get under control.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

We haven't had a sewing machine in our Bungalow for a few years although I have sewn some of our drapes in the past I do not miss it. Stay well.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

This one hangs on so I hope you are not going to get this strain.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Sounds like you might have it, sinus infections are nasty I hope you get well soon,
at work half our staff have had it and lots of the students are coughing.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I loved your scarf post this morning!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

100 days wow! I hope we are not coughing that long. I hope that you shake it soon.
Do you have a dishwasher?

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I think that's why I need to change careers and retire...
too many germs at school!
Flu does have aches and this one involves a cough.
I'm planning to put this behind me asap.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Take care of yourself...
with all your needlework projects I am not surprised that mending is taking the back seat.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Yikes! Are you still coughing?

La Vie Quotidienne said...

So sorry you are not feeling well. I haven't had the flu but lifting all of the heavy holiday storage boxes caused some back problems so I have been taking it easy too.

Thank you for the tip on the Avenda shampoo, I will give it a try.

Yes, I have several things I procrastinate doing, but I feel so much better when I finally get them done.

Give both cats a hello from Miss Twiggley.

KSL said...

The thing about the flu shot is that even if you get it, it's usually a milder case.

KSL said...

I had real influenza about 4 years ago, and have gotten a flu shot every year since. It was horrible. So sorry you both have it, but the predictions for this year's epidemic are astronomical, really scary. If your mom hasn't gotten a flu shot she should ask her doctor and if it's OK, get one. The flu at that age can be dangerous. Love your hooks, great idea. I'm not really a procrastinator, but then again, if it's a task I really don't like to do, I "delegate" it.

Bonnie said...

I was under the weather over the holidays. It took me forever to start feeling better, but it was probably my own fault as I just didn't have the timer to rest. I do he you feel better soon. Bonnie

Joanne said...

My husband had flu over New Year, and he's still not completely recovered. He said he's never felt so ill in his life. Making sure you get enough rest seems to be one of the keys to recovery. I hope you and your husband are feeling better. (I've never commented before, but love reading your blog).

Sheree said...

For people who hesitate to get a flu shot because there are sick people at the doctor's office try a pharmacy. I get mine at the grocery store and I haven't had flu since. It isn't just about me. I also have the peace of mind I won't be sharing my flu with others. Infants under 6 months can't get the shots and some elderly won't. Vaccinations are a group effort because there is a failure rate. We are covering each other.

Sheree

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Delegating is a great strategy!
Sounds like I might need to get the shots if they work like you can attest.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I hope that your back mends swiftly, take care.