In the comments the other day, Kim and I (hi, Kim!) were talking about how in the movie The Fifth Element there’s this one scene where Milla Jovovich takes an electronic eye makeup applicator — BY CHANEL! Of all brands! — and puts it on her eyes, and with the push of a button she’s instantly outfitted in futuristic eye makeup.
I need one of those right now for, like, my entire face, because I caught another cold (!). So I want a full-face stamper with a setting to “Pep Up Sick Face.”
That would be awesome…
Poor Connor caught a cold over Christmas, gave it to me and El Hub, finally got over her cold, then picked up another cold right after New Year’s.
So it’s been cold city around here. ??
She’s starting to feel better now, but there was a trip to the doctor’s for a chest X-ray a couple days ago, a low-grade fever and two impressive Exorcist-like projectile vomiting incidents.
Hold on… I can hear her upstairs in her crib singing ? to herself.
She’s definitely feeling better. 🙂 That’s good.
Anyway, she didn’t have pneumonia, thank goodness. Just another cold.
Of course, now that she’s feeling better, I’m down for the count, right? I guess this is just an opportunity for the human employees of Tabs the Cat Industries, LLC to test our immune systems.
Thank goodness for The Great British Baking Show ??? because I’ve been marathoning it on the couch. This afternoon I learned all about Yorkshire pudding and churros. *cough* *sniffles*
Mary Berry ?? has been keeping me company while I down cups of honey vanilla chamomile tea ? and drink Emergen-C. Thanks, Mary! 🙂 She’s the British grandma I wish I always had, the one whose house I’d go to after school, and she’d always have tea ready, homemade biscuits (a.k.a. ? “cookies,” to those of us on this side of the pond) and tiny little cakes.
Mmm…
Hope things are going well over there. Stay healthy, please!
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Ali says
I’ve had a cold, too. I got sick last week, so I’m no longer contagious, but I’ve been hacking up post-nasal drip for the past few days and still sound congested. I sound so lovely right now, ha ha.
Binge-watching “The Great British Baking Show” sounds fantastic. Hope you get better soon!
Karen says
Hi Ali,
Oh no! I’m glad that you’re feeling better (the post-nasal drip is the worst, especially at night). This one that I have is particularly phlegmy and the congestion is so not fun. But at least I have Netflix and learning about things like Tudor pies on The Great British Baking Show to cheer me up. 🙂
CL says
Sorry to hear that you’re sick. I somehow have avoided catching anything even though I’ve been in treatment for lymphoma for about a year, which supposedly makes you more vulnerable to any infection. The flu is rampant in Texas. I did get a shot, and maybe it’s protecting me, even though they say it is at best 30% effective.
Karen says
Keeping my fingers crossed that you stay healthy!
Rachel Runyan says
Feel better soon!
I always wanted that makeup gadget from The Fifth Element. And tha the nail polish changing pen from Total Recall. lol
Karen says
Hi Rachel,
I remember that pen from Total Recall. I need one that instantly applies the nail polish to my nails with just the touch of a stylus. That would be perfect!
Jane Anstee says
Hope you feel better soon Karen, try a shot of brandy in your vanilla chamomile tea, that will pep you up! Mary Berry is a legend, I have some of her cook books and use them all the time, they are my culinary bibles. It’s about time she was made Dame Mary! Yorkshire pudding is lush, roast beef and Yorkshire pudding with all the trimmings or made into a toad-in-the-hole. Yummy, might put toad-in-the-hole on next week’s menu. ?
Karen says
Hi Jane,
Oh, I wish! I would totally do that if I wasn’t such a lightweight, LOL! I don’t have any Mary Berry cookbooks but now I want one; is there one in particular that you use all the time? Now I want to make Yorkshire pudding…
Jane says
Hi Karen, yes! I love Mary Barry’s Complete Cookbook, she has brought out several updates over the years and this is the latest edition:
https://www.amazon.com/Mary-Berrys-Complete-Cookbook-Favourites/dp/0241286123/ref=dp_ob_image_bk
I have a couple of earlier editions and use them time and time again, my mum gave me the earliest edition I have about 20 years ago. I think I’ll treat myself to this update. ?
Enjoy your Yorkshires!
Karen says
Oh, that looks so good. I’ll add it to my cookbook wish list (which is seriously miles long, haha). Thanks, Jane!
Random, but I went to dinner last month at a place that serves British food in SF and I had sticky toffee pudding for the first time. It was pretty good. Also, I’ve only visited the UK once and during the trip London was having a heat wave, and so all my memories of Britain are associated with melting in the heat because we couldn’t find a place with air conditioning.
Rachel says
I haven’t been sick this year yet fingers crossed! I’m sure with a little one it’s hard because they’re always picking up germs! Good thing it wasn’t anything worse than a cold! I wish I could watch Great British Baking Show for the first time again but I’ve seen them all! Today my office is closed due to a blizzard so I need to find something to binge!
Karen says
Fingers crossed that you stay healthy! I was telling El Hub last night that this is the most I’ve ever gotten sick in the last ten years. It’s been one thing after another since December, but hey, at least it’s giving ye olde immune system a kick in the butt.
Have you watched the episodes of the Great British Baking Show Masterclass? It’s where Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood re-create their versions of the challenges they give to the bakers. It might pass the time away on blizzard day.
Rachel says
I’ve seen a Christmas masterclass, not sure if there are others. I should really get busy and clean/do laundry!
Karen says
Yeah, there are others! I watched a couple of them the other day. The banter between Mary and Paul is very funny. You could play it in the background while you’re doing some cleaning up. 🙂
Linda Libra Loca says
I feel like with kids it is always cold city, from September to April. At least it is at our house, the kids trading the cold between them and passing it on to the four adults, there is always someone sick.
Karen says
I know, right? Every kid-related event (play group, story time, gymnastics) feels like we’re entering a petri dish carnival of cold germs. Hope you all can stay relatively healthy from now until April!
Shin Ae says
Oof. In our house, we’ve been passing around the cold(s?) since just before Thanksgiving. I think there has been a particularly insidious germ making the rounds. It gives a reprieve for a short time, then reactivates or something.
Karen says
Hi Shin,
Oh boy. I hope you guys all feel better soon! It’s like we’re doing a round robin of colds here at our place between me, the hubs and the baby!
Kim says
Hi there! I did a big “GAH!” when I saw the pic. I love that movie (and of course, am desperately waiting for the Chanel makeup box). 😉
I’m sorry to hear about all the sickness. We were the same way until the boys went to school; it seemed like they were sick for 5 years! One is actually home with the flu today and it’s very, very rare for either of them to be sick. So, something to look forward to, for you. 🙂
Has El Hubs’ schedule slowed down any? I remember him having to work a lot when he first got the new job. Hopefully things are back to normal.
Karen says
Hi! Now that I think about it, I want a Chanel box for my face, my hair, my body… That way I can get my mane done with a push of a button, as well as lotion application. LOL!
Everyone tells me that it gets easier when they turn five. I’m seriously not in a rush for her to get older (stay small for as long as you can, little one!), but I wouldn’t mind a little break, just for a little bit. She’ll be starting pre-school in the summer so that’ll hopefully ease things up a little.
El Hub’s schedule has actually gotten crazier and he seems to be working more now than he was back then. He’s so great about doing everything he can when he’s at home and does an amazing job multi-tasking! Even though he doesn’t always do baby care things the way that I’d do them (like the time he put her onesie over her shorts so she looked like a wrestler), but I just tell myself repeatedly to chill out.
Kim says
HAHA! I hear you – I think we’re all that way. It’s supposed to be done like THIS. 🙂 I’m sorry for El Hubs’ schedule. It’s so crummy. I’m sure I told you about the Hubs for the first 18 months. He worked midnight to 8, then came home and stayed with the fellas, slept a few hours and went back to work. He was like a zombie. I could never have done it. So I was like you and just let things go (or sneakily re-did them myself!). 🙂
I think you’ll see a little spike in new and exciting ailments when pre-school starts but it will die down. And, I hear you 100%. Enjoy every second of her being small. The teenage years are brutal. There’s nothing like motherhood to make you feel like a failure on a regular basis but this is above and beyond! HAHA!
Karen says
Haha to sneakily re-doing things! I’ve rewashed many dishes, brushed teeth, changed outfits on the down-low. But I’ve learned to mostly just let it go. She’s fed, she’s cared for and she’s loved. That’s what’s most important, right?
I’m hoping that because she’ll be starting pre-school in the summer that she won’t get as sick as much (?!) but maybe that’s just wishful thinking.
And maybe we’ll be lucky and have one of those relationships where we make it through the teen years with relatively little drama?! I’m keeping my fingers AND toes crossed for that.
Savannah says
That’s so funny because I just watched that movie for the first time over Christmas. I thought the Chanel instant makeup thingy was super cool and something you would appreciate. I haven’t caught a cold/flu (lemon ginger water almost daily generally takes care of that for me) but I did manage to get some sort of ear infection :/ very irritating.
I hope you feel better and soon!
Karen says
Hi Savannah,
I hope you feel better soon too. Ear infections are rough because they can throw off your equilibrium. Definitely been there before and it’s not fun.
If you haven’t seen it already, you have to watch Total Recall just for the scene where the receptionist changes her nail polish with a stylus.
Ruchita says
Sorry to hear you’re sick! I got sick right before Christmas and then my husband got sick. We were supposed to take a short trip to Chicago but ended up having to cancel. Luckily, we were able to get money back. I had to send a doctor’s note to Hotwire for our hotel and luckily they honored it.
It must be so hard seeing little Connor not feeling well. I’m glad she’s doing better and I hope you guys all get healthy soon. I hope Tabs is being a good boss and letting you take some sick days. 🙂
Karen says
Hi Ruchita,
Yeah, she’s a completely different person when she’s not feeling well. Usually she’s pretty happy and rambunctious, but when she’s sick she gets very clingy and quiet. She’s getting better every day, though. 🙂
I’m glad that Hotwire was able to accommodate you; that’s good to hear that some big online businesses still do things like that because often it feels like you can’t get a real person on the other end, ya know? Were you guys going to Chicago just for fun? Or was it a work trip?
Tabs has been surprisingly chill lately! I think semi-retirement has made him less of a task master. 😉
Ruchita says
Glad she’s getting better! 🙂
Chicago was just for vacation. My husband is really into craft cocktails and tiki drinks and there are a couple of famous bars/restaurants we were doing to visit. We’ve never been and it’s only an hour’s flight away. It ended being incredibly cold there so we’re going another time this year when it’s a bit warmer.
I can’t remember if I mentioned this before, but a while back Mingus got a kitty cold after staying at the animal hospital. The poor boy was sneezing and stuffed up. I knew something was wrong when he didn’t want to eat or go outside! I ended up feeding him with a syringe to keep him fed and hydrated and then luckily he started eating on own the next day. It was so hard because there’s not much I could do for him.
Karen says
Yeah, she’s healthy enough to boss me around again. 🙂 She’s doing it right now as a matter of fact… She just had me put in four bows in her hair and one on her stuffed gray striped tabby kitty. Of course I couldn’t say no. 🙂
I’ve always wanted to go to Chicago, but only in the summer, LOL! I hope you guys make it back soon. I remember you mentioning your hubs being into tiki bars. When you come to SF you have to visit the Tonga Room. It’s super cheesy but also super fun.
Poor Mingy, I know exactly how you feel because Tabs caught a cold after staying at a kitty hotel (this happened years ago before we knew any better). It’s hard to see them not feeling well because they can’t tell us what to do to make them feel better. It’s also jarring to see them not being themselves. I hope the other kitties didn’t get his cold!
Ruchita says
Haha, Connor sounds like a sweet and sassy little girl! 🙂
San Francisco is on our list of places to visit. The Tonga Room is on the list along with a place called Smuggler’s Cove. I would love to make it out to SF sometime this year. Fall is a nice time to visit, right?
It’s hard when the kitties aren’t acting normally and can’t communicate what is wrong. They are so good at hiding when they are in pain. Ella ended up catching his cold, but she recovered pretty quickly. She’s a tough gal!
Lately, I’ve had to board Mingus at the vet when we travel b/c he’s on medication twice a day for his hyperthyroidism and heart disease. A friend comes once a day to take care of the other kitties, but I don’t want to burden them with twice a day visits and having to pill an 18 lb tabby! I wish there were more reputable pet sitters in the area, but at the same time I feel okay with him being at the vet in case there are issues.
Karen says
I like to think of her sassiness/bossiness as practicing her future leadership skills. 🙂 At least that’s what I keep telling myself when she’s saying, “BOW! BOW! BOW!” over and over again. LOL!
Yes, fall is the perfect time to visit the Bay Area. Most of the tourists are gone (it’s too cold in the summer, anyway), and we get that beautiful late summer in September/October. Of course it can be hit and miss because it is the Bay Area, but if you get lucky, you get REALLY lucky. Let me know in advance when you make it out here so we can finally meet up in person. Now if only our cats could meet in person, too…
I think that having him stay at the vet for a few days is a smart decision given his health issues. Also I’m sure that they treat him like a star while he’s there and lavish him with attention!
You’re lucky that only one of the other fur kids caught his cold, and thank goodness she recovered quickly. Is it possible to quarantine him to a part of the house next time that happens?
Ruchita says
It must be so cool to see Connor’s personality develop. It would be great to meet you both! I’ll definitely let you know when we make it over there. Haha, a kitty play date would be so fun. 🙂
I’ll definitely take more precautions next time if any of the kitties gets sick. I have the spare bedroom cleaned out and it can be used as the sick ward. Last year was rough b/c Mingy had to see a cardiologist for an echo cardiogram and Ella was diagnosed with the early stages of kidney disease. Luckily, they’re both doing well on meds and treatment and I’m hoping this year will be less eventful in that area. 🙂
Diana says
That’s the biggest cold relief to hear Connor singing again ? We are passing around colds/sinus infections in my house too ugh. Even Kitty Face has respiratory issue…been giving him Clavamox drops in his food. Love Mary Berry-the way she says choc-o-lates makes me want to get up&bake lol Feel better Karen! Put some brandy in your tea& kick back on the couch is right!
Karen says
Yes it is. She’s acting more and more like her cheerful self; she was even dancing this morning, which was nice to see.
Poor Kitty Face! I was just talking to Ruchita here in the comments about how hard it is to see our fur kids suffering, especially because they can’t tell us how to help them. I hope that Kitty Face feels better soon. I’m sure he’s getting extra loving from you and the fam right now, and that’s helping him to recover.
I would totally put brandy in my tea if I wasn’t such a lightweight, LOL!
Diana says
Hope you’re feeling better today! I dont know how you amazing Moms do it-functioning while sick for your little ones ?
BTW, if I looked half as good sick, as you do with that 10 minute eye/lip… I wouldn’t get any tea&sympathy by the hubs then lol Oh boy he has a cold and Kitty Face is less Diva! Kitty F was drooling a lot and just staring at me like I don’t feel too good. Yes it’s harder when they can’t tell you! I’ve gotten pretty good at reading him thankfully.
Lightweight here too! I probably should knock myself out with a splash in my tea, would make this cold go quicker lol
Karen says
I keep meaning to ask you if you’ve purchased anything with the gift card Kitty Face got you!
Iris says
May everyone in your family feel better soon.
Ooh, you reminded me how there was a scene in the show Continuum where there was a similar makeup application technique. There was a kind of airbrush laser machine which applied eye makeup. I should someday finish watching that show.
Karen says
Hi Iris,
I don’t think I’ve watched that show… I might have (all the sci-fi starts to run into each other after a while). I would love a push-button airbrush makeup machine for eye makeup. 🙂
Thank you for the well wishes, I will definitely take them!
Tatiana says
Sorry you’re not feeling 100%. Hope everyone in the family feels better soon. I could deal with cuts bleeding down the leg, colds, ear infections, etc. But vomiting I just could not deal with, so I feel for you.
Where do you watch “The Great British Baking Show”? I had no idea we could get it on this side of the pond. I really want to watch it, but I’m afraid if I do it will send me into a sugar craving, frenzy from which I’ll gain a thousand pounds or so.
Karen says
OK handling the vomit was not super fun. We tried our best to reassure her that it was OK, and that she was going to be fine. It was a lot of stinky cleanup though to handle in the middle of the night. Thank goodness for the small things, like having a washer and dryer in the house.
I watch The Great British Baking Show on Netflix. They currently have all four seasons! There’s also a companion series called The Great British Baking Show Masterclass where Paul and Mary show you how to make their versions of the challenges. It’s a LOT of fun. You’ll definitely be inspired to bake after watching!
Tatiana says
Thanks for the info on “TGBBS” Definitely going to try to find some time to watch it. Probably when Dear Husband goes to Taipei for business.
Every time we got a new car Dear Daughter would vomit in it. Thank goodness for leather seats or leather like seats. I paid a detailer to clean the cars those times. Kids. Sometimes it’s hard and then all of a sudden they’re adults and doing favors and helping you out and helping to take care of you. Enjoy the ride because it goes by so darn fast. I’m like, “Where’d those 24 years go?”
Karen says
I look at her now and can’t believe she was ever so small. Like sometimes, when she’s lying down or sleeping, I get a glimpse of her baby face here and there. Does that feeling ever go away? I have a sneaking suspicion it doesn’t.
Brooke says
Oh, man. The projectile vomiting is NO FUN for anyone within a 5 mile radius. I remember the first time my oldest projectile vomited. I was frozen in place just mouthing over and over “WTF” LMAO ugh.
Karen says
There was definitely that moment of silence when El Hub and I were both thinking, “Ummm!” It happened just as we were all about to go to bed, too. Everyone was in their pajamas, had teeth brushed, and everything. She was holding her two favorite stuffed animals, too. Vomit all over Brown Bear and Puppy. Thank goodness for things like having a washer and dryer in the house.