Weatherproofing a Drafty Old Window

Before we left our Midwest home to move to DC twelve years ago, we had literally renovated the whole place from top to bottom. That renovation included updating and replacing all the windows. We no longer had to hang and remove storm windows every year and everything was finally toasty and warm in winter. Then we moved here to an 1890’s building that was updated with the cheapest windows you could possibly have. In one unit we have honeycomb shades with a second layer of blackout shades. Even with that the howling north wind blows right through. But what’s even worse is the large window in our bedroom. Unfortunately this window only has regular old wooden blinds that have no insulation and barely close off the elements. You can’t use the typical 3M window weather barrier on it because of the shade and it is recessed about a foot in from the wall. We don’t intend to ever put up heavy drapes, so we got some weatherproof tape and foam strip to see if it would make any difference. I spent the afternoon taping the lousy window up - hardly making a difference. That included stuffing some old towels along the bottom. This window is very difficult to open and close and just simply needs to be changed - along with all the others. Perhaps we make get sick enough to do something about it. My husband sleeps closer to the window. So I guess we’ll have to wait until he’s had enough - and it’s not even winter yet. 

Sore Throat or Nexium for Heartburn?

We got our flu shots a couple of weeks ago. For the last several days I was feeling not quite myself. Then a couple of days ago I got a sore throat that would not quit. Two nights ago I couldn’t sleep it was so bad. I kept thinking about strep throat and nightmares about the emergency room. When my husband checked my throat it wasn’t red or weird. But with every swallow it hurt. And in between the swallows it felt inflamed and on fire. So we thought maybe I was having heartburn or acid reflux, and got some Nexium. It seemed I had a lot of the signs and symptoms for it. But I was also chilled and hot, and I felt congested - but no temperature. Yesterday I took a nap in the afternoon from exhaustion. But my throat still burned. So out came the DayQuil. Then out came the NyQuil. I slept on a wedge last night and didn’t move a muscle for most of the night. I still don’t have an appetite and just feel exhausted. But for the first time in several days that horrible sore throat is finally gone. So it’s more DayQuil today and more sleep this afternoon. We still don’t know what this is - a cold, virus, flu, heartburn - all of them? All I know is I can’t wait until it’s over and happy I don’t need to be anywhere. I’d much rather be taking a morning walk or getting my drivers license renewed. But that will just have to wait. 

Vicks NyQuil

We were just talking about it the other day. No one seems to get colds anymore. Neither my husband nor I can remember the last time we had one. And, every fall we get a flu shot just to be on the safe side. When we worked in healthcare it was a requirement to get one. When I worked at the Library of Congress I got one because it was the smart thing to do. So last week when I went to the prompt care clinic, I had a feeling that we would get something out if it. The place is filled with germs with sick people coughing, and kooties flying around all over. I was just there for a sore knee which turned out to be my first bout with arthritis and a flare up. Three days later the sore throat, sneezing, and runny nose started. My husband swears it’s allergies, but I don’t think so. Because I’ve been taking aspirin for my knee, I probably didn’t notice the slight temp. So last night I dragged out the NyQuil. The expiration date is 2016, so it’s been sitting there for quite awhile. I took it anyway before going to bed and slept a good few hours. This morning I still have a sore throat, congestion, sneezing, and tired feeling. It wouldn’t be so bad but I’ve been dealing with this knee for about a month and would love to start feeling normal again. I’m beginning to wonder if that’s ever going to happen. 

Behind Bars

We have bars on our first floor windows. We never had bars on our windows in Milwaukee. When we first moved here, I couldn't see anything but the bars, but now they just blend in to the back ground. But now they have even more significance because we have not been out of the house since Christmas Eve. First my husband caught whatever this ugly respiratory virus is, and now I have it. I feel like a prisoner in my own house. The streets in this neighborhood are still very quiet, and I envy anyone I see walking about. In the distance are a few guys ambling towards work, or maybe just out for lunch. The UPS man just stopped by. There is a lady promenading across the street. Being sick gives one plenty of opportunity to think, and too much thinking isn't always good. This has been an unusually dreary December for us, and this just makes it worse. I'd rather be feeling well and working than be at home like this. There is no snow on the ground like there would undoubtedly be in the Midwest. My husband is finally feeling better after many days. What do I really have to complain about? I'm looking forward to 2015. 

DayQuil and NyQuil - Our Best Friends

I came home from France and England in October with and awful cold/virus thing. And as always, every year both my husband and I get flu shots. You would think that that would be enough to deter whatever illness awaits. Well, it didn't.  Since returning home from Florida over a week ago getting things in order for my elderly parents - no - it was not a vacation - my husband started getting sick. And since then it has been downhill. We cancelled our meager Christmas plans, and have stayed home ever since. He only made a run to the pharmacy to pick up more bottles of NyQuil and DayQuil. Luckily we had plenty of aspirin on hand, tea, and whatever liquid felt right. This is the first stretch of time we have gone without our daily glass of wine, and have stayed out of a restaurant. Looking at my Facebook pages made it all the More miserable. This indeed was the worst Christmas I can remember - let's make that the whole month of December. The only thing good about it is that I have had time to catch up on all my pet portrait back orders in between snoozes and coughing spells. We are supposed to have my family over on New Year's Day, but at this point I'm just not feeling like entertaining anyone. It seems every time I travel I catch something awful. I'm not sure it's worth it.