Do you know the symptoms?

It seems as though everyone I speak with, year after year, thinks of the flu as vomiting and diarrhea. The true influenza is quite different. This is the one you get the flu vaccine for.

Cold vs influenza: What's the difference?
Although people tend to lump "colds" and influenza (commonly called "the flu") together, they really are distinct infections, caused by different viruses. A very bad cold cannot turn into influenza (although a person with a cold could certainly come down with influenza if he or she came in contact with influenza virus).

How can you tell the difference between a cold and influenza? The following comparison points out the similarities and differences. Of course, in the case of any severe or long-lasting illness, you should contact your doctor.

Symptom / Cold / Influenza


Fever / Rare in adults and older children, but can be as high as 102°F in infants and
small children / Usually 102°F, but can go up to 104°F and usually lasts 3 to 4 days

Headache / Rare / Sudden onset and can be severe

Muscle aches / Mild / Usually, and often severe

Tiredness and weakness / Mild / Can last 2 or more weeks

Extreme exhaustion / Never / Sudden onset and can be severe

Runny nose / Often / Sometimes

Sneezing / Often / Sometimes

Sore throat / Often / Sometimes

Cough / Mild, hacking cough / Usually, and can become severe

Andalucia

Click here to see all of the beautiful creations made with the glorious fabrics designed by Patty of Modkidboutique!

New Year's Resolutions......To make them or not to make them

I don't always make New Year's Resolutions, but this year I did make some. Not necessarily specific ones (such as losing X pounds or stop drinking diet soda), but ones that might make life a little bit more fun and enjoyable, kwim?

So here goes:

* take better care of myself so I can be a better wife, mother, and person (eat even healthier, exercise more, etc)

* Say "NO" to things asked of me that I have no desire to participate in or that I don't have time for (Amy and I WILL NOT direct the Christmas Program at Church anymore)

* Re-evaluate the business: I always told myself that I would quit when it got to the point that it wasn't fun anymore and it isn't! I haven't been able to sew Christmas dresses for my girls in over 2 years (I have yards of Red Dupioni Silk sitting here, waiting to be made into holiday dresses). I am not making any profits on my sales and I have lost the "fun" that I had when I first started up. My true love is sewing children's clothing, especially for my own. That had been so hindered that I am more frustrated than anything at this point.

* I probably will not take any more custom orders, unless it is an ebay/etsy listing. Those will be offered in custom sizes and on a limited basis.

* I want to spend even more fun time with the kids. The business and others take so much time away from my quality family time and I am going to try to be a bit more selfish when it comes to compromising my family time. I also only have a few (8) months left before my baby girl goes off to school and I don't want to waste a minute of those 8 months doing anything but family and mommy/me time cuz I will never get those back! There will always be time for business and helping others. I am just too busy as it is! I don't need to save the world and I don't need to put out everyone's fires!

* Finish organizing my sewing room; it's been a disaster for the whole entire time we have lived in this house!

* Go through more boxes in the garage. We need to de-clutter out there too!

* Check into nursing jobs in the area. When Randi starts Kindergarten in the Fall, I might want to get something part time and feel like the educated woman I really am.