I can’t believe I only have one post for January, and it’s not because I didn’t have anything to blog about. After all, Jeff and I went to Cancun for four days; it was the first time we went away without the kids in more than four years! Jeff’s parents were so awesome to come all the way from North Carolina to stay with the children, and I’m so happy to report they survived! (the grandparents and the kids). The kids were great (I was told, and I believe it!), and Jeff and I had a great time. One of the highlights of the trip was our visit to the ruins of Chichen Itza, one of my childhood dreams. When I was about 10 years old I came across a book about the wonders of the world, and there was an entire section on Mayan ruins. I must have read that book at least 20 times; I still remember some sentences from that particular chapter. Well, the thing is that we went and we had a blast. It’s amazing to see the wonderful things mankind was able to build at a time when they didn’t have the technology we enjoy nowadays.
Thursday, 29 January 2009
We also had fun playing in the ocean because the beach was gorgeous, and there were some pretty strong waves. I’m not a good swimmer, so I stayed in the shallow until Jeff finally decided to join me and we had a lot of fun, mainly because even though Jeff was holding my hand very tightly, I was still tossed about by the waves as if I were a rag doll.
I also wrote a lot in the trip because after years of trying to think of an original fantasy story, I finally had a wonderful idea.
Why is it that when I don’t have time to write, these wonderful ideas come to my mind, and these characters talk to me all day long? And then I sit down to write, and instead of working I read the news, check my mail a million times, spend hours on facebook… Oh well!
On a different note, I just heard about a wonderful product that I don’t know how I survived without all my life! This wonderful thing goes by many names, mainly, Four Thieves, Thieves, Medieval Remedy, etc. In essence (pun intended) it’s a combination of essential oils (cinnamon, lemon, clove, rosemary). Its names derive from the legend/tradition that during the Plague in France, the king was told that when the caretakers of the cemeteries removed the bodies of the plague victims from their homes (usually the whole household had perished. It reminds me of I Am Legend!) these people noticed that the houses had been stripped of all valuables, suggesting the work of thieves. After much investigation, four men were apprehended. They were spice traders and perfumists, who were offered a lighter sentence in exchange for the secret of being immune to the plague. These men had a family recipe/formula for a mixture of cinnamon, lemon, clove, and rosemary (all of these are oils effective in killing virus and bacteria), and they confessed to robbing countless of homes without contracting the disease themselves. They covered their nose and mouth with a scarf previously sprayed with the oil mixture, and they also rubbed it on their temples and wrists.
I don’t know how true this story is, but I googled it and I was surprised to see how many companies have their own version of this oil. Prices vary from $15 to $40, depending on the purity of essential oils used. I was shocked I had never heard of it before because I’m always researching natural ways to go through the flu season.
I’m happy a neighbor and friend (the one who told me about it) had an extra bottle that I bought from her, and I was able to try it that very same night.
Chubbers had a croupy cough, and I rubbed on her feet some 4 thieves that I had diluted on olive oil, and … the cough became wetter, more productive, not as disturbing. She’s sleeping peacefully now. I had a cough and a sore throat, and I rubbed some on my chest and the cough is gone!
The beauty of this oil is that you can put a few drops in a spray bottle and fill the bottle with good, pure water, and us it to spray and sanitize everything from kitchen counters to toilets, to hands to any surface you can think of. They also have products such as toothpaste and soap, that are great natural antibacterials. No fear of feeding more antibiotic resistant bacteria!
So now I’m hooked to the 4 thieves! Ah! And for this flu season, elderberry syrup is fantastic. I was about to say something, but I thought better of it, and I’ll say it in June, after I’m sure we’ve survived flue season unscathed. You know what I mean?
Awesome, thanks for the information. And I’m jealous about the trip to Cancun. I think I’ve heard about four thieves before but I’ve never had any on hand. It would definitely come in handy for around the house and to add to my food storage. What are your summer plans? Is Jeff still working for APX?
I can’t BELIEVE you and Jeff have not taken a trip away from the kids for over four year!!! I’m glad y’all were able to and had such a good time. I only wish we would’ve run into y’all while we were there!
I know what you mean with the writing stuff.
It seems whenever I DON’T have time, the greatest ideas come to me. And when I DO have time, I don’t write very much.
4 Thieves sounds amazing. I’m going to look it up!
I’m glad I’m not the only one feeling bad because I don’t let Matias sleep with us and thanks for sharing about those essential oils, we are all sick so I will call you to get more information.
Yami sorry I left my comments with my husbands account