I Was Not Tornado Ready!

 We are were under a tornado warning right now recently. We were  have been for a couple of days. I have not been prepared, people.

(Um, I didn't finish this post the same day I started it so, use your judgment about the tense.)

 I moved here to the Midwest almost exactly 8 years ago. The first thing I worried about was tornados. We are so close to Kansas, like Palin said, I can see it from my backyard. Like Palin, I exaggerate. BUT Kansas is close and, technically, I live in Tornado Alley. There are tornado sirens and designated shelters. God help me.

Anyway.

When I first moved here, I was terrified of a tornado coming through. Once or twice, we had windstorms severe enough that my neighbors and I congregated in the halls (sturdy walls), ready to make the run to the shelter across the way. My neighbors were all so very nonchalant. Most of them used these occasions to catch up on local gossip. A few of them kept reassuring me that we haven't had "a touchdown" in years. 

I guess because nothing like that has happened for the past two or two and half years, I got comfortable. I was so comfortable that I was sleeping pretty hard this morning - even though we were under a weather advisory. When my phone rang at 6:37, I thought I was dreaming until the third ring. Yeah. 

The call was from my brother (he lives about 12 minutes away in the next town) asking if I'd heard the tornado sirens. I had not. I almost hadn't believed the annoying phone shrilling just 20 inches from my ear.

I snapped right awake, ready to panic. My brother calmed me down and said to just throw on some clothes and go back to sleep. That way, I'd be ready in case of "a touchdown".

"Back to sleep"? Crazy man... I was going nowhere near sleep again soon. I got up and made coffee. Then I tried to put together some things I might need to take to a storm shelter.

G.I. brat here. I'll be sleeping "ready roll".

The first thing I did (I mean, after making coffee) was to put in my dentures. That's a new consideration, right? After that, I dug out my backpack and threw in some essentials: Bible, wallet, sneakers, water, some feminine hygiene items, and my bag of prescription meds. This is when I realized I have no idea in which "place of important things" I'd put my birth certificate...

And that was also the moment I realized that I am not tornado ready. I mean, as far as having stuff in a "Go Bag".  Even as far as knowing where my very important birth certificate was.

Wow. I'd be a lousy girlfriend to Red Reddington, wouldn't I? He'd be calling for Edward with a "wheels up" alert while was running around, trying to decide which face cream to pack - or where I'd even put such a cream.

I kid. A bit.  But I did get motivated later on to find that birth certificate. Typical me. I find motivation in the strangest ways.

Even though I only took about 5 minutes to get my bag ready - you know, after I made coffee - I was not really prepared. For one thing, when I was grabbing meds, I forgot a really important one that I keep in the fridge. I also forgot to pack the syringes for that med. I also forgot to pack anything important to my vanity - other than the teeth. I had nothing for my hair, no lotion, no face creams, and no sunscreen. And, good Lord, I would never be able to get my perfumes into anything but a small carry-on bag...

Yeah, I am not prepared to get on the move in a hurry. 

Now that I am a little less frazzled, I am thinking about all those silly TV shows. You know the ones where someone has to get out of town quickly because of a crazy ex or maybe the FBI is on their way? (Like I said, I'd be a terrible chick for Reddington.) 

I'm with Floridians

There is no one I've ever known who could clear out the way those fictional TV characters do. I would never be able to leave that fast. Ever. Just for a normal, taking-my-time move, my hair and skin products alone require a separate logistics plan.

 I would need a couple of days, at least, just to think about which clothes to take. There would be none of that dumping a drawer into a suitcase for me. I can't just be willy nilly dumping things into a bag. I'm a woman who keeps underwear separated into "The Good", "The Bad", "The Ugly", and "Keeping Only Because I am a Hoarder".

Best bugout bag ever

Seriously, this tornado warning situation was a needed wakeup call - literally and figuratively. This is the day that I am going to put together a realistic Go Bag.

Stay Safe out there, folks.

Peace

--Free

P.S.: As I was posting this (with the tornado scare over - for now), we are under a heat advisory.... 🙄

**UPDATE (to the update?)** Dental Update #12 Almost 3 Weeks In

 I wrote this original post 7 days ago and... I'm back with more good news. I am eating salads almost every day and sometimes twice a day now. I can chew the peppers and onions and thick pieces of tomato. It is glorious. 

What I have learned is that it is all about the adhesive. I think I mentioned before that I had to try a couple before I got what I like. I settled on a powder, and I learned how to use just the right amount: enough for a good hold, but not so much that it's caked on. If I don't use my adhesive properly, I have trouble chewing and enjoying some foods.

There are a couple of things I've noticed and have to be careful of. While I'm mostly protected from brain freeze when eating cold things (because of the top palate), but I can also accidentally swallow something that is too hot. If I don't feel the heat on my palate, a hot food or beverage can hit me wrong going down my throat. I know, I know and, yes, I do realize it when it hits my tongue, but...

All in all, I can say that I really got lucky in choosing a great dentist. My teeth have been working well and my diet is so much healthier now that I can chow down on veggies. I'm not going back to eating as much meat as I always did, but it's nice to have a piece of turkey, chicken, or pork chop every now and again.

I will say it one more time for the folks in the back: don't hesitate to get started on your dental journey!

****************

If I said at one point that I would do a diary about having my teeth, I lied. I tried to keep a daily record for my dentist and ended up only noting the highlights. In the 18 days that I have had these teeth, these are the main highlights:

• Days 1-4: I felt like crying. A lot. I couldn't eat anything. The teeth felt too big, and my tongue was taking up too much room, blah, blah, blah...
• Day 4: I ate a potato chip. Best chip ever.
• Switched from using liquid adhesive to a thick paste.
• Learned that the better your dentures fit, the thinner your adhesive should be.
• Switched from a thick paste to a powder. This has been much better.
• Day 9: Ate part of a sandwich of tomato, avocado, and spinach.
• Learned that it's not what I eat, but how I eat. I can eat almost anything - but some things require a bit more care.
• Day 12: My jaw and face muscles have gotten used to having dentures. The teeth don't feel as big and my tongue is back to normal. The gagging issue has greatly improved.
• Day 15: My dentures stopped feeling like dentures and started to feel more a natural part of my mouth.

It kept getting better and better. I still and not able to eat whole raw carrots and broccoli, but will be getting some to slice thin and eat with a bit of dip. I think the best day I had was when I was able to pull out the walnuts that have been in my freezer for over a year. I made some brown sugar bread with them and... heaven. Pure heaven.

There are still days when I wake up and think, "This is my life now". Mostly, though, I am just thankful to be able to chew food thoroughly.

I've run into a couple of more things that are normal for people with dentures. One is that I've had to go back for minor adjustments. Another is that it's as easy to develop bad habits with dentures as it is with natural teeth. I have been tempted to sleep in mine and have to fight that urge. I must say, though, that it's easier to reach all the nooks and crannies when brushing dentures! 

Sounds like that dental lisp...
(source link)

This will most likely be the last post dedicated to dentures. If I can offer any advice, it would be:

• Almost everybody has a hard time adjusting
• As soon as you are able to eat with dentures, do not be tempted to eat without them
• It really does get easier, bit by bit. You might feel that you are never going to be even close to normal again without your natural teeth. I think everyone feels that way for the first several days or weeks.
• For encouragement, go search out videos with "dentures vs food" or "food vs dentures". There are a lot of wonderful people who share their experiences and helpful tips.
• Check out the Subreddit for dentures. Great group of helpful people offering a lot of encouragement and advice.

So, yeah. I am at the point where I have accepted that this really is my life now. I am very glad to have a beautiful smile again. I am very blessed to be able to eat and enjoy food again. Just remember, you can't make the journey if you don't start the journey.

Peace

-- Free

**REVIEW** Junoon (The Powder-iest Perfume EVER)

  I love a perfume with a powder note. Shalimar, Emeraude, and Ana Abiyedh Poudree are some really good ones. I thought that AA Poudree was as powdery as it gets (although Valentino's is strong, though not my favorite), but, noooo. I have now met the powder bomb of powder note perfumes. 

That, my people, is Junoon from Al Haramain, and it's my first from them.

Oh, my word! This blows everything else out of the water when it comes to being powdery. All those others are powdery, but this is Powdery - like peppers are spicy, but a ghost pepper is spicy.

And I love it! I can't get enough of it.

The first time I sprayed it, I was kind of thrown. Unlike the other scents above, the powder in this one is not tempered by the florals or other notes. Or, at least, it's not tempered much. The powder was almost too much for me at first (what?) and I was kind of bothered by that.

Once I waited a moment or two, the powder settled - almost like actual powder does when tossed in the air - and I started to get more of the sweetness of the vanilla and the soft iris. After about 5 minutes, the scent was everything I wanted in a powder - sweet, soft, powdery and floral without the sharpness I got from the Valentino's scent.

The bottle is simple elegance

The best thing about this is how well it plays with others. I layered it with Lattafa's Eclair and that was just yummy. Eclair by itself lacks something I need and the Junoon solved that. I also have tried this layered with Khamrah, then sandwiched between Khamrah and Nebras. That last one was a bit much for daytime, but would be good for a night out.

I also discovered that this works really well to tone down and femme-up more fragrances that are labeled as "unisex" but that lean masculine. I paired this with the outright male fragrance Habit Rouge and... What!?!?!? It was something not like Shalimar in scent, but it had that Shalimar vibe. 

I am not sure if Al Haramain scents are like Lattafa's in that they need time to get better. If this one gets any better, I may not be able to stand it.

So, yeah, I have found my powder bomb scent. I can't wait to try it with Molten Caramel....

Peace

--Free

The Random & Unexpected (When Getting Dentures)

 I watched a lot of videos when I was trying to understand the ordeal of getting dentures. I watched stuff on extractions and living with them; changes in the face and voice; eating without teeth; and the whole thing of being fitted for dentures. I thought I was going to be prepared. I was - sort of, but there were a lot of things I really didn't expect. Here's a rundown:

• Getting my teeth pulled was not the worst of it. The worst was the blood and gore for the first few days afterward. Oh, my Lord, how I hated that. I learned to keep some warm salt water near me for the first day. I was able to rinse and spit. The salt kept down the taste of blood. It also helped keep me from piking because of my vivid imagination about all the gore in my mouth. After the first day or maybe day and a half, things calm down. Then I would sit broth. Again, the savory water really helps settle a queasy stomach, and I was queasy for at least a week.
• Once I was over the gore, I had to get used to looking at a very different face in the mirror. I really understand now how much one's teeth have to do with the entire facial structure. It's drastic, people.
• I got used to talking and eating without all my teeth quicker than I am re-learning to do those things with teeth. 
• People tend to assume things about why you are without teeth. Whenever I wore a mask in public, it wasn't because of vanity, it was because I learned what some people assumed. It was my eye doctor who called this to my attention. She knows me and was sympathizing that some people would assume I was a drug user. What??? I had not thought of that. 
• Just as some people might have treated or thought of me differently when I was without teeth, I see a difference in how I am treated now. I'd always taken for granted that, for most of my life, strangers have tended to be friendly or civil toward me in public. Of course, I'm from Alaska, where strangers smile and chat with each other all the time. When I moved here, I notice the same is mostly true of people in small towns like where I live and, often, even in the larger places. When I was without teeth, I didn't feel that same casual kindness from strangers or passersby. Today, I went out to the store, and things were better. (I realize that I was probably behaving differently myself, or just being hyper-critical of people.)
• The longer I went without teeth, the more my face "shrunk" (maybe "contracted" is a better word). Since I was without a lot of my teeth for the past 2 years, then most of them for a year and, finally, all of them for about 7 + months, a lot of my facial muscles had lost something. This is why I'm going to take more time than usual to adjust to my dentures. My dentist is awesome and has explained this all to me. We aren't going to do any major tweaks or adjustments (if any) until my jaw and the rest of my face has re-adapted to a full mouth of teeth. I may not need any adjustments, so we're going to give this some time. (BTW, I was able to talk better within just hours of getting my dentures. By the 2nd day, I was getting really good. So this is a re-learning game.)
• There is a potential gagging issue with dentures. That's because the upper plate does go back a ways. I had a terrible time the first day, but I started getting used to it pretty quickly. Again, my dentist will make some adjustments later, if needed. He wanted to know how bad it was now. Honestly, I can handle it because I think I'm still getting used to the dentures.
• I don't know if this is true for everyone, but I am producing more saliva than before. This isn't a bad thing, since I used to have dry mouth. It's a new thing, so... Weird
• My bottom implants are wonderful. I am so happy that my dentist was able to put them in. I'd heard from another doctor that it wouldn't be possible. Of course, that same doctor is one that was so rude and uncaring that even his nurse looked dumbstruck, and I left his office in tears and I had to beg my brother not to go in and say something... It's not wild at all that his name is synonymous with a farm animal. Because of the implants, I never have to worry about my bottom plate sliding around or popping out. I snap the plate in, and that bad boy is locked in place until I remove it. 
• This is a very weird observation that I hadn't realized it until the day I got my dentures. The first thing I did when I got home was to put on a little lip gloss! I know, that's so random. I've never worn lots of makeup - maybe for special occasions or when I was in a mood - but I have always loved wearing lip gloss and a little bit of eyeliner. There was no way I wanted to call attention to my mouth when I was without teeth, and I really didn't ever feel like dressing up my eyes. But these lips are shining and lightly tinted now, baby!
• Even if I wasn't aware of being a lot less confident before, I do feel so much more confident and generally happier now that I have teeth again. 

I am sure that, as time wears on, I will find more things to add to this list. Out of everything, this is the most important thing I want to say: If you need dentures, don't hesitate out of fear or vanity. I wish I had started the minute I had a chance.

Peace

--Free

Dental Update #11 They're Here!

 What a wild ride...

I got my dentures and could not be more thrilled. I am so glad that I waited and trusted in my amazing dentist and his staff. (BTW, shout out to Dr. Grant Lehmann and the staff at Lehmann Family Dental!!!)

Because it's been several months since I've had teeth, the muscles in and around my mouth are having to re-learn their jobs. (That's the best way I know to put all the technical jargon!) As a result, I am still learning how to talk and eat and just exist with teeth again.

The most important things right now:

• My dentures are well-fitted and comfortable
• My dentist knows I might need some small adjustments as I get used to my teeth
• I have my smile and confidence back

While I am not awfully vain, it is so nice to see my "normal" face again in the mirror. It's almost weird!

The dentist did such a great job that my dentures don't look like dentures. Everyone whose seen me so far have asked for the name of my dentist. Those that saw me before my problems, say that I look almost exactly as I did before. Now, that's saying something big!!!

So... here's my big reveal -

Here's a closer look:

Don't let me mess around and fix my hair and slap on some lipstick! 

It's going to be a while before I am eating "normally". My face is still realigning - learning to have teeth in place. Once that happens, the dentist will be able to make minor adjustments to my "bite". Right now, it's slow and steady. I'm just happy to be able to enjoy smiling again.

I want to thank God for getting me through this whole thing. I want to thank my family for their support (and money) and love. 

Peace

--Free

P.S.: I think I will write a post talking about all the weird and unexpected things when getting dentures. For now, I can give you a freebie: I find it weird that I can't feel my upper palate. I was popped a cough drop in my mouth and... Well, I have to keep it tucked in my cheek.

(Update to the Update!) Dental Update #10 (one of the last!)

Update to the update. I did not get my teeth. But that is a good thing. My dentist (a perfectionist, thankfully) was not happy with something that the lab did. He has adjusted his notes to them and sent my plates back for correction.

Am I sad? Yes, but... My brother reminded me that waiting another couple of weeks is worth it to get teeth I will be wearing for the next several years. I agree.

My biggest disappointment is that I am really ready to get on my new eating regimen so I can lose weight. It's not just the weight gain I worry about; it's that I'm missing the foods I cannot eat. I am craving raw veggies, fruits, nuts and seeds. I've even come up with a grocery list for when can chew:

• broccoli (to eat raw)
• carrots (to eat raw)
• spinach
• squash (to cook)
• greens (for salads)
• almonds
• sunflower seeds
• walnuts & pecans (to make snack bars)
• cabbage (to eat cooked and raw)
• chicken and turkey (to eat on salads)
• olives and cornichons (for snacking & on salads)
• green beans, asparagus and sweet peppers (to bake and eat)

So, should the good Lord be willing to let me live and see the day, my first meal will be one of the biggest salads know to man. (Well, after the planned Panda Express with the fam!)

I will be back soon to do an update. Hopefully!

Peace

Now that I am only a few days away from having a full set of teeth (for the first time in I don't know how long), I'm still more anxious than excited.

My dentist has told me that it might take a while before I can eat and talk properly. My extractions were done last June. I won't know how to act with teeth in my mouth! Whatever happens, my family and I have plans to go to Panda Express for my first meal. Send up a prayer for me, people...

Source

I was talking with someone else who had all their teeth replaced just over a year ago. Her advice was to just take my time. She said that it does take a minute to get used to not only having teeth, but having good teeth.

Here's my plan: I'm going to get some fresh fruits and veggies, some dip, and salad fixings. I want to meal prep some light salads (for lunch) and big salads (for dinner), and cartons of dip-ready veggies. I have been eating (or drinking) plenty of frozen fruit so that's not a priority. I'm really craving raw broccoli, lettuce, spinach and carrots - and olives! All kinds - green, black, stuffed... I don't plan to eat pancakes, rice, or bread for a good long while. (Okay, I love fresh bread, so maybe I will bake some in a few weeks.)

By the way, the reason Panda Express is our pick for the celebration meal is because, well, there is not a lot of good Chinese food nearby. The next time we visit family in Minnesota or go to an appointment in Des Moines, we might get some luscious Chinese food. It's my dream.

One of my neighbors (she just turned 90, and I was shocked to learn that) reassured me that I will love having dentures. She said that with all the prep I've had, mine should fit well, so I will be used to them in no time. She's had dentures for over 15 years (and she is ninety, people!) and says she sometimes sleeps in hers. She said she takes them out every day and soaks and cleans them, but that she doesn't like sleeping without them. I can relate.

I will update when I have gotten used to my teeth. Monday is going to be like a special family day for us. My brother here will be FaceTiming the rest of the family. I think they are all as excited as I am.

Stay tuned for updates!

Peace

--Free

Dental Update #9 Almost There

 What a journey! What a wild time this has been. I have done the first fittings of the wax dentures. They look amazing, but they were a bit tall in my mouth. My dentist warned me to be VERY picky about everything as I try out the wax dentures because, once I say "Go", there is no backtracking - at least without a lot of expense.

I love that they captured what my natural teeth looked like. I guess they did use the pictures I gave them. The bottom teeth are nicer than my natural teeth, but I am not complaining!

BTW - The dentist asked me to smile this big to 
see how the full set looks LOL!

I am so impressed that they 
used my photos!

Anyway, other than the fact that it felt weird to have teeth in my mouth again, things are going well. I go back in another week to try the set with the changes, so...

The odd thing is that I am having some anxiety about this. I keep thinking what it will be like trying to talk and eat and just be me with these teeth. It's been so long since I started losing my own teeth, and it's been half a year since I've had no teeth. I just feel very strange and insecure now. I am hoping that when the teeth fit correctly that I will be able to adjust my life and my emotions to the situation.

Apparently, I won't be able to just start chowing down on the salads I've been dreaming about (like this one!) because it takes time to learn to eat (and talk) with dentures. My plan now is to start with some meals at home using soft meats and veggies so that I don't embarrass myself in public.

On a side note, I have learned a lot about vanity and humility. Ten years ago, I would not have been able to handle (I don't think) being without teeth for the time it took to heal. I'm not saying that it's been fun, but I did realize how much I have to be thankful for. I stopped caring so much about how I look to strangers. Again, don't get me wrong - I cannot wait to be able to smile at people without feeling that moment of self-consciousness! But I have learned to be more thankful for having reasons to smile more than worrying what I look like when I smile. Did that make sense?

Anyway, I am happy to be almost done with this ordeal. I encourage anyone who is having dental issues because of a medical condition - or the medications they are one - to not put off getting help. If I had gone to the dentist sooner, I'd already be chomping on some juicy sweet peppers right now!

Keep any prayers coming.

Peace

--Free

**Perfume** Emeraude Has Been Discontinued... Now What?

 I love perfume, but have never been influenced by the price or brand. If I like the way it smells, I don't care who makes it. I felt that way even when I could afford to splash out a bit. Other than Shalimar, most of my favorite perfumes have been on the more affordable (or even cheaply priced) side. Right now, Lattafa is my go-to for perfume. They make beautiful scents that won't make you feel stupid for buying them when you will never have your name in the Social Register or have access to a Black Card. I like to say that Lattafa makes broke girls (and guys) feel beautiful. The fragrances are not cheap, but are not totally ridiculously priced. Also, I usually find mine via Amazon or eBay.

I'm rambling, so let me get back to my point.

They went and discontinued the poor woman's Shalimar. Yes, people, Emeraude is no longer being made and people are selling their stash for ridiculous prices... Cue my tears! I'm glad that I had gotten a couple of vintage Emeraude gifts. (I now have a "regular" Emeraude, and two vintage bottles. (Maybe I can trade them for eggs if things get tougher!) To be honest, you can still find some deals on eBay, if you want to chance it.

About two or two and half years ago, I bought a bottle from Amazon and also copped a couple of "vintage" bottles from eBay. I did it on a whim and, thankfully, I didn't really use any of the vintage bottles and didn't use up the newer one. Now I look at them and am so happy I have the 3. 

The Shalimar is what's left of a gift from
a niece when I lived in Anchorage.

By the way, I will probably never use the tiny bit left of the Shalimar. I appreciate so much that my niece got that for my birthday years ago!

Anyway. I had to dry my tears and get over it. There are other scents that fill the hole left by Emeraude. For ladies who wanted that Shalimar/Emeraude vibe for drugstore prices, I would suggest:

• Chantilly by Dana
• Youth Dew by Estée Lauder

I do think that Chantilly (the cheap one by Dana, not the vintage from Houbigant) comes closer than Youth Dew. Chantilly has the powdery softness of Shalimar and Emeraude while Youth Dew is "harder" and spicier. Both are lovely, and I find that Youth Dew has better longevity.

Now, here is where it gets wild. I tried layering Youth Dew and Chantilly - just for kicks - and... Wow! It elevates both scents to new levels. It's now become my favorite blend. Keep in mind that both fragrances can be found for under $35-$40. Seriously.

I will be honest and say that I actually like my YD&C blend better than Shalimar. That's because it has such good longevity. Even though my remaining Shalimar has aged to a point of deliciousness, it does not last long on my aging skin. That could be because of improper storage(?). My YD&C blend will last at least 5 hours before it dries down to a skin scent.

Go over to Fragrantica, Basenotes, or Wikiparfum and get the notes and accords for Emeraude (or whatever perfume you love). Look for the list of similar perfumes. Read comments for suggestions for dupes. Reddit is another good source of perfume info. Trust me, there is usually something similar out there.

Speaking of finding similar fragrances, I looked for the longest for anything even a little bit like Blanche Bête. Reading about it on Fragrantica, it's not a scent I would normally seek because it doesn't sound sweet or edible-like, but I got a sample from ScentSplit once and... Oh, mercy! That was such a gorgeous fragrance! The price, though, is nowhere in the range of my budget because... no Black Card, remember?

Blanche Bête is in a whole other galaxy away from my budget that the Webb telescope couldn't find it. It's hilarious that I didn't even know what the name translated to and assumed it was "Not For Broke Folk" (it's actually "White Beast").  I was some kind of thrilled when I found that some people think that Lattafa's Her Confession is a bit of a dupe. Well, now. I do love me some Lattafa, don't I? Hopefully, I will get my hands on some HC and find out how close to BB it is...

Peace

--Free

P.S.: I am working on a post about Lattafa perfumes. I like the affordability and quality. Over the course of about 3 years, I have built up a nice collection.

**CKD** Things I Will Be Asking My Docs About

 I've gotten better about taking care of my health this past 8 or 9 months. I've also been hearing about a lot of supplements and other sources that might help slow the progression of my CKD. Of course, I won't be dabbling with anything until I ask my doctors, but I do have questions and here are some:

1. Is Nicotinamide something that I could be taking? I've heard that it might or might not be helpful in lowering creatine levels and/or promoting better GFR. I wonder if there is any harm in giving the supplement a shot. It is also supposed to be good for other things. (I only have "peek" access to some of the info - like this - and don't understand it anyway.)
2. What about N-acetyl cysteine (NAC)? I've heard about some of its potential benefits, but I don't know if it's safe for me with the other medications I take. If it's not helpful for CKD, is it helpful for anything else in my situation?
3. Saffron is supposed to be a good antioxidant - among other benefits. I also have seen info showing potential benefits for renal issues. This blurb from a National Library of Medicine page has me hopeful: "It seems that saffron supplementation had no significant effect on Cr as a renal function factor. However, BUN reduction was significant in the saffron group compared to placebo." Notice my emphasis. I also remember some hearsay from people in the East Indian and Mediterranean communities back in Anchorage that saffron is a medicinal herb for them.
4. What are some other herbs and spices that I can use in my food that might also benefit my kidney function? I already heed the warnings about what I can't have - turmeric and too much cacao are the two that surprised me...

So, yeah, I have quite a few questions. The frustrating thing is that I think I have asked about some of these before with other doctors. I can't remember though because my doctors keep leaving me! This time I am going to have my notebook ready.

What really frightens me these days is that, with the current White House administration, I might lose some (or all?) of my care. What if I'm out here having to fend for myself with ONLY herbs and supplements. It's a very real possibility, I think.

Anyway, make sure that you are not taking any of the information in this post as advice - other than telling you to always consult with your care team before you try anything! Please stay as healthy as you can and, if nothing else, be peaceful.

Peace

--Free

Hazards Hidden in the Home (and a Solution)

 I've blogged in the past several months about some health issues - coughing, colds, general unwellness. What I've spent time on recently, is trying to find the causes. Apparently, some of the problems have been hiding right under my (sniffling) nose. Here are some of the things I've dealt with:

• Coughing, sneezing, severe throat dryness, and other cold-like symptoms that have lasted for months. 
• Dry, itchy skin and scalp (in spite of moisturizing and treating carefully).
• A lot of white dust on plants, furniture, counters, the fan, and on my laptop.

These are not problems I've dealt with so much before. After some careful note-taking and light research, I narrowed the problem down to one thing: the extremely hard water from the tap. Seriously.

While I can't blame all the coughing and sneezing on the water, I can say that the water caused a lot of it. I know that because, when I remedied the water issue (to a great degree), some of the problems went away immediately and some began improving.

Iowa (or at least where I'm living) has water so hard that I'm lucky the faucet's not spitting out rocks. Also, it smells terrible. I almost never let dishes "soak" for more than an hour and I never drink it, and it really affects laundry. (The laundry situation got so bad that I've been carting mine over to my brother and SIL's to use their machine, as they have a whole-house treatment system.)

There are a lot of hidden hazards around a home. Most of us know to monitor carbon monoxide, check outlets and plugs for problems, and watch which laundry detergents and skincare products we use. We clean and sanitize our surroundings, and we try to maintain a decent level of general household order. To think that it was the tap water causing so many problems was kind of surprising.

Here's where the water comes in: I run a humidifier using tap water, and it finally dawned on me that it was the cause of all the white dust. Of course, I suspected this, but it still was a problem after I began using a pitcher filter system. I used a very popular filter brand and changed filters often. That did not help. I did some light research and changed up my situation. 

I considered a distiller, but the price gave me the vapors. I looked at delivery services but, again, the price (and lack of home space) put me off. I finally settled on getting a faucet filter system. Then I had to decide between horizontal or vertical... Decisions, decisions. At any rate, I now have a faucet filter system (from PUR) and, wow, what a HUGE difference. By the way, I chose the horizontal style since it seems a better fit for my smaller sink space.

Understand that I'm not pimping for PUR. There are at least a couple of other options, but they are more expensive and not that necessary for my single-user needs. I mainly want cleaner, filtered water for the humidifier and coffee pot. I'm not trying to wash dishes or use the filtered water for every little thing. I don't plan to go through gallons and gallons of water a month. The filter has already made a lot of difference.

When I run my humidifier now, I'm not having to blow that white dust out of the fan and computer and, most important, I'm not coughing throughout the night.

The photos are not the best, but if you can imagine the gunk I had to constantly clean from the fan and the computer, you can imagine the damage from breathing that into my lungs.

Constantly blasting it to get 
rid of this dust!

Had to clean this EVERY day

That's horrible. And I even run an air purifier! And for anyone thinking I'm an idiot for not realizing the problem sooner, well, what can I say? At any rate, it's almost weird not to have to clean everything every single day. 

I do miss the Alaska tap water, that's for sure. I never even had to think about it and surely never had to buy drinking water...

So, yeah, this kind of made me go, "Duh!"

The PUR faucet filter system was really a lot more reasonably priced than I expected. The Brita system was up in the high 40-dollar range (and came with 2 filters), while the PUR ran me just over $27 with tax, and came with only one filter (but has better ratings). By the way, I was running Brita filters in the pitcher and that didn't work so well against the dust.

I got it from Walmart
for the same-day delivery

As I said, there are systems from other brands but, for my limited use, the PUR works perfectly. It was super easy to hook up and get running. (I do have a funny story about getting the original aerator off the faucet. I was frustrated to the point of literally crying before I realized I was just turning in the wrong direction. So much for righty-tighty, lefty-loosey... My brother is still laughing about it!)

I guess I'm sharing this (as embarrassing as my ignorance is) so that you will take a look around your own home. There could be something simple that is causing you problems. 

Oh, another benefit of having the filter is that my coffee sure does taste a lot better. No kidding.

Peace

--Free