It’s not like there’s anything wrong with sitting around and Licking Coconut Pops All Day Long. It’s not even against the law. And good thing too. Because that’s what I did all day today. (Wednesday) And they were delicious!
Here it is the last week of May, just before Memorial Day weekend and I’ve got a rotten case of strep throat. I’d forgotten how unpleasant and painful strep can be.
And so the first few days I was feverish and could barely swallow to even drink, let alone choke down an antibiotic horse pill.
Then a funny thing happened. (In retrospect only.) I was upstairs in my bed in the dark with the shades drawn, had a fever of 102. Had just wrestled off the cap to the antibiotic pills.
Was about to take one, remembering the doc had said they’re big pills, and “with the way your throat looks, you better cut ’em in half.” So the pill felt so strange in my hand, it was an oblong circle/tube — like plastic.
Just the thought of swallowing it was painful, to say the least. I thought, “How in the world am I ever going to choke this down, even if it is cut in half?” In the darkness I couldn’t even see/feel a line on it to break it in half.
So I text Jon who is downstairs, ask him to come up and help me break this honkin’ pill in half.
I hand it to him. But apparently it’s the tube of silica – for preservation of the meds. Says “do not eat” in small blue letters, printed on one end. Womp. Womp.
Moral of the story: don’t take meds in the dark when you’re overtired and have a fever. Bad things could happen. Like an extra trip to the ER for stomach pumping. With the additional joy of strep throat, wouldn’t that be fun.
And just today I was finally able to lick the coconut pops which Jon so kindly picked up for me.
So I have a little blog news to share here this weekend. And it may disappoint some of you, and I’m truly sad about that. (The truth is – I’m disappointed too.) But I’ve decided to take the summer off from regularly writing my weekend musings, though I may write a few here or there and surprise you.
This summer, on the weekends I’ll be mostly republishing some of my favorite musings from the early THLG writing posts. Many of you are new subscribers and haven’t read these posts before, but I know others of you who’ve been here from the beginning look forward to the new writings each weekend.
The truth is, I need to spend the extra time with my family this summer. I know it in my heart of hearts. Some of you know our Jonathan heads off to college in the fall and this may be our last big summer together.
Another reason I’m taking a break, and many of you might not know this — is that my family and I have been sick a great deal this past year. I’ve written about it some here, but not in great detail.
Since last September I’ve had influenza A twice, once in September and once in February. And the funny thing is, I’ve never had the real flu before in my life. And now strep. Besides that, we’ve had other strep cases, multiple stomach flus ripping through the household. Viruses. Colds. Bugs, you name it.
You may remember Hudson was hospitalized for four days in February. Then Jacob had a virus that went to his ear last month. The drum perforated and it was a real nightmare and very painful. He was out of school for a few weeks.
I honestly don’t know if there’s been a week since Christmas that everyone in the house was well. I know I’ve been called the Q of H (queen of hyperbole), but no exaggeration here.
Many of you here know sweet Hudson, our six year old little boy with Down syndrome. The bottom line is, the sickness may not improve for some time because Hudson has a weakened immune system and picks up whatever he’s exposed to, then has no inhibitions about coming home and coughing, sneezing (and even throwing up on) his caregivers. That would be Jon, me and his older brothers.
As Hudson gets older and continues to be non-verbal, it’s been tough on the family as we try to figure out his needs and wants without words. And with him sick so often, it’s got to be incredibly frustrating for him too, not to be able to make his wishes known.
Which DVD? Which box of cereal? What in his sippy cup? Each seemingly simple decision becomes stressful when you have no words. Sadly, there are lots of tears. It’s a hard time right now for everyone as we wait for word on a communication device for Hudson.
All that to say, we need rest. I need rest. So many late nights and early mornings working and taking care of sick ones are catching up with me. And we all need the rest to have the patience helping Hudson along. I hope to get that rest this summer.
It’s funny how I started this blog in November of 2014 telling stories. That’s my dream. I love story telling. It gives me great joy. And over time the blog morphed more and more towards developing recipes because that’s what brings the web traffic. And that traffic is what helps pays the coconut pop bills. (!) And will help pay the college bills too.
The blog continues to grow and I’m so grateful. You’ve all been so kind and supportive. Thanks for being a wonderful part of the journey.
You may be interested to know that just 2-3% of the web traffic reads my weekend stories. The rest come here for the recipes. So you can understand why it’s the weekend posts that I need to cut back on. For now.
One thought: I may try incorporating more stories into recipe posts. What do you think? I’ve been practicing a little, I tried it on this post last week: Mini Mocha Chocolate Chip Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches.
So that kind of writing won’t work for every post, but I’m going to try to do more of it. Share more stories in my recipe posts.
I hope to return to my weekend writing more regularly when the time is right. Thanks for being such great, supportive readers and friends. I’m blessed to get to do what I truly love here.
I also love hearing from you.
(And Licking Coconut Pops All Day Long.)
We’re hoping to plant the garden and spruce up around the yard this weekend if the weather cooperates. If not we’ll be inside spring cleaning. (Bleh.) What about you, got any plans this weekend? I’d love to hear what you’re up to.
Wishing you and yours a fabulous Memorial Day weekend… whatever you’re doing, wherever you are! Enjoy the time with your family!
You may also like: Stars & Stripes
Amy says
Oh, Allie! I knew y’all had been sick but had no idea how much. Yes, rest! It’s good for the body and the soul.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Allie says
Thanks friend, love you.
Jen says
Have a wonderful restfull and healthy weekend! Absorb some vitamin D today!!!!
Allie says
Thanks Jen, the weekend was really nice. And check out my front door. 🙂
nancy mcmahan says
Allie, sorry that you are not feeling so well. I will miss your musings but can always come back and reread your older posts. Your health is very important. Enjoy your summer with the family. Do what is best for all of you. Put your energy where it needs to be. Praying communication with Hudson gets easier. Take care of yourself friend.
Allie says
Thanks Nan for the wisdom words, and I am feeling so much better. I’m hoping it’s the beginning of a healthy summer! Many thanks for the love and prayers, I hope you have a great summer too.
Marilyn says
Sam’s Club used to carry a frozen dessert assortment which included a coconut flavor which I loved. Your mention here of coconut pops makes me want to go right out and buy them! I will definitely look for some. They will be cool and tasty particularly today with temps of 90 or more! Did I miss spring?
I’m glad you’re going to take it a bit slower this summer. Enjoy your boys while they all still go to bed at night in your house. Take it from someone with only one of three sons living in my house?. Time with them is precious and fleeting….
Kellie says
I was thinking about the same pops, Marilynn!! Yum!
Allie, please know I am praying for you all to have a healthy season!!
Allie says
Thanks friend! xo
Allie says
Thanks for the words of wisdom my friend. Looking forward to a great summer, and hopefully more coconut pops! (Under better circumstances of course!)
RuthAnne Fuller says
Go girl! You obviously need…and deserve…some rest and special time with your dear family. I will miss
your weekend blogs but it will be good to know you are regrouping with the fam! Take care…Enjoy!
Hi to Jon..Praying you all stay well for much of the summer…xoxo…Ruth Anne
Allie says
Thanks so much RuthAnne, it was so nice to hear from you. I hope you have a wonderful summer with your sweet family as well. xo
LaWanna Burrows says
Allie, I understand family comes first and with your son’s needs and your oldest going off to college, that for a mother is also a hard thing.Take time and care for yourself and your family.
Allie says
Thank you LaWanna, I’ve been enjoying getting to know you so much. I hope you get lots of long, enjoyable walks with your rescue dog this summer and special times with your family.
Leslie says
I suppose somehow we’ll make it without musings. ? You’re making the right choice. No 2nd thoughts. ?
Allie says
SOMEHOW….you’ll make it. Ha ha. You’re sweet. I always love hearing from you Leslie.
Carolyn Voegtlin says
Yes, Allie, take care of yourself & your family. Love the musings and the recipes – have tried several (well, to be honest, Wendi tried the Brick Street Chocolate Cake for my birthday and it was MEGA-YUM! ) but I have made several myself.
Thank you for the work you put into the blog – we all benefit from it.
And I have to agree w/a previous poster who mentioned Vitamin D – my family will tell you I’m a Vitamin D3 evangelist – I may have even given it out for Christmas presents – at my age, can’t remember for sure. (check out Ted’s Dr Mercola website such as http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/12/22/dr-holick-vitamin-d-benefits.aspx) D3 helps build your immune system.
OK, enough from me – again, take care – we love you and your family 🙂
Carolyn V
Allie says
Dear Carolyn, thanks so much for your nice note and the kind words. I’m so glad you got your chocolate birthday cake. Yay for Wendi. I so agree with you about the Vitamin D-3. And the crazy thing is, I take it religiously – 5000 IU’s every day. I guess it must be the Hudson factor. And probably some rest would be helpful too. (!) Thanks again, lots of love to you and yours. xo
Barbara says says
You know how immensely we enjoy your Musings each Saturday, we laugh, weep, and thoroughly look forward to all of them each weekend!!!! However, Family always precedes every other concern, and you have your hands full I know, and though you truly love to share your stories as much as we want to hear them, you must not relent on your decision. We all want the family well and healthy so take the time to recuperate and really enjoy the beautiful Summer days, – they are soooo fleeting – take the R&R with our blessings and best wishes for complete recovery for everyone!!!! We love you and want only the BEST for your family always. Lots of love and prayers.
x
Allie says
Thanks my friend Barbara, I know you understand. Thanks so much for the love and support. I hope you and C have a wonderful and restful summer also. xo
Nancy. Hammett says
Sorry you aren’t feeling well – hope feel better soon.
Have a good Memorial Day weekend. Also have a good summer with the family sharing special moments. Gods blessing love you’ll
Allie says
Thank you so much Nancy, it was so nice to hear from you. Lots of love to you and yours.
Karen Espalin says
Gosh, do I HATE strep thought. I’m so sorry that you have it. My advice to you…let them plant the garden. You need to rest even after you are feeling better (I know, like moms really rest….just do it!)
I’m always telling my boys when the other is sick: Vigorously wash hands (30 seconds), rinse well (30 sec) and DON’T TOUCH YOUR FACE. Also, lay off the sugar, it depresses the immune system.
I’m glad for you that you will be taking the summer off on the weekends. You need to spend all the time you can with Johnathan. You also need to take naps in the sun…..rest and Vitamin D.
Praying for you and yours.
Allie says
Thanks friend, it was so nice to hear from you. Had a truly restful weekend until Monday late afternoon when we planted. But honestly, you in particular would laugh at the size of my postage stamp “garden”. It’s just two raised little beds in our front yard. It’s true, I pack them full. So it wasn’t that big a deal to plant. Took me maybe an hour tops. Thanks for all the good advice and the prayers. xo
Carina says
Dear Allie, good for you! You know I love and appreciate your weekend posts. But it sounds like you are needing to take care of yourself, and spend some time with your family. It takes courage to recognize that and make that wise decision. (I have really enjoyed reading your recipe-story combos, by the way). This is a journey, and you learn as you go. Sometimes one needs to adjust the way things are done so that it can be sustainable. Blogging (even just as a hobby, like for me) can be soooo time consuming. I hope you and your family get some time to rest and just enjoy being together this summer. Thank you for your friendship and support, Allie. So glad summer is around the corner! Have a wonderful weekend! (No Memorial Day for us Canadians!). XOXO
Allie says
Dear Carina, loved hearing from you. Thank you. I’m not sure when it dawned on me that I could change up the schedule and take weekends off. And much as I love writing, two posts a week will be much more manageable for the summer. You’re so right, adjustments come with the journey…and what a journey it has been. I’ve met so many wonderful people (you!) and I’m very thankful. Looking forward to a great summer my friend, hope it is for you and your family as well. Have a great week. XO
Susie Mandel says
Yes, I’m sad you will be taking weekends off, as I enjoy your musings so very much, but I totally understand and want you to take time off for the sake of your health and your family. I am all for you infusing some stories into your recipe posts–great idea. Enjoy some extra time with your sweet family–love to you all and get well!
Allie says
Friend, thanks. I feel so much better now. Nothing a little augmentin can’t fix. Had a good, restful weekend and hope you did too. I always love hearing from you, thank you Susie. Wishing you & J & J a fabulous summer.
Tracy says
I think this is a great idea! You are only one woman!! You absolutely need a break! Summer time is so short, this is the time to take time off. I also will miss your weekend posts but I’ll get through it? You won’t regret it!! I do like it when you have a story included with the recipe. Love that!! Take care my friend. I hope you are all back to normal now. ?
Allie says
Yes Tracy, I am only one woman. Ha! I forget that sometimes. I’m feeling so much better now, thank you. And I got some good rest over the weekend and planted a few vegetables…. and it’s good to see green things growing from the ground. Gives me joy. XOXO
Barbara Child says
So sorry it’s been a season of so much sickness! Didn’t even escape it when you were on vacation! What a bummer! Do take extra time to be with and enjoy all your lovely family. They grow up so quickly! And Jonathan will be quite far away. Won’t be coming home to do his laundry! Hopefully, the better weather will bring better health for all of your family!
Allie says
Thanks so much Barbara, so appreciate the prayers and good wishes. I have a feeling it’s going to be a great summer. xo
Cynthia What A Girl Eats says
So sorry to hear Alllie! You must do what’s best for you and your family! Your blogging family will always be here! Keeping your stress level down is important. When I had my illness in 2015, I really cut back to just 4 posts per month. God bless you. Cynthia
Allie says
Thanks for these wise words Cynthia, I needed to hear them. I’m so thankful for your friendship. Truly. XO
Eva says
J’espère que tu soit déjà en forme mon amie! Je comprends que tu as besoin d’avoir un break cet été pour être plus de temps avec ta famille ! On sait que le blog prends beaucoup de place dans notre vies et parfois il faut savoir arrêter un peu. Moi aussi j’essaie de mettre moins de choses dans le blog pour avoir plus de temps pour ma famille et pour moi! Tu mérites un bon repos et je te souhaite de manger tranquillement et sans aucune stress te glaces préférés ! Take care of you my friend! xoxoxo
Allie says
Tu es si douce Eva . Je vous remercie relaly. J’espère que nous aurons à rencontrer en personne un jour. Et je souhaite aussi que nous arrivons à manger notre crème glacée préférée ensemble. Vous êtes une personne très spéciale. XOXO
Shashi @ RunninSrilankan says
Oh Allie, I just so wanna through my arms around you and give you a big ol bear hug! Y’all have your hands full – from illness to figuring out what works best for sweet Hudson to Jonathan starting college in the fall – so I understand you taking your Saturdays off (I hate to admit this, but I’m probably part of that percent that doesn’t read your Saturday posts as I’ve been trying to soak up every moment I can with my daughter when she isn’t working as next Summer, she too will be heading to college)
BTW – I do so LOVE LOVE LOVE the idea of stories WITH recipes, it’s kinda what I do too, sneak a small nugget in here and there. And thank goodness you didn’t swallow that silica tube! Gosh – stomach pumping while having strep would so NOT have been fun! Hope y’all had a great weekend planting sweet friend! And hope this week is wonderful for ya! XO
Allie says
Dear Shash, (can I call you that?) I received your virtual hug. And thanks a bunch, it was just what I needed. I am feeling so much better now. Yep, we’re going to spend the time with our special ones and we won’t regret it, not for a minute. Kids are such a gift, and I know you’re close to your daughter like I am to my Jonathan. The fall will be here soon enough. He graduates next week and I’m just amazed how the time has flown. Seems like just yesterday he got his first little red bike. And next week he walks the aisle in a cap and gown. And heads to Samford in the fall. Enjoy her senior year, I know you will friend. XOXO