June 17th
The cottonwood trees are just blooming here, which I am horribly allergic to, so yesterday I was already feeling kinda poorly and today it appears to be worse.
I caught up on some of my blogging and took a little nap. I never take naps, so this is not a good sign.
June 18th
This morning we all went to the farm just up the road. Niki wanted to show us where he gets his meat, eggs, butter, milk, bread, produce and more.
We were able to chat and thank the chickens who graciously provide the eggs we eat. This is a true “free range” organic farm. The chickens have a huge area to run around in with shady trees and then a tunnel called the “chicken highway”, which is underneath the actual road with inset grates, so you can see the chickens as the pass through but protects them on their way to the chicken coop.
Cows who are able to come and go as they please and are able to stand or lay down. No forcing them to stand in one spot, no cruelty of any sort. Also saw goats and pigs. Little piglets are simply adorable but dang do they smell something awful.
We took some pictures, enjoyed the rolling hill side scenery then headed back to the house.
Nik’s parents came over today. This is the first time ever meeting them and I felt awful. Being outside for that period of time at the farm hit me like a ton of bricks. I did not get to fully enjoy talking with them, so thank goodness we will be here longer.
Mia is staying the weekend also to visit. Mia is Niki’s daughter, who is eight and adorably precocious.
I was feeling so poorly that I pretty much whined for them to get me some medicine, then shortly after that, I excused myself from the get together and went to bed.
June 19th
Today was Mia’s birthday celebration. I slept in quite late and everyone was here by the time I came downstairs.
Everyone consisted of just immediate family thank goodness. We met his sister, her husband and two children. Really such a lovely family and not one bit surprised since Niki was raised by them.
Niki fixed a truly excellent brunch of eggs, toast, sausage, pnacakes and bacon on the grill. We also had some vegetables, four kinds of berries and more. More food than we could all eat.
After that Mia opened her gifts, we had cake and champagne, then sat around while Han played guitar.
Niki had to take Mia home, his mom and dad stayed on to visit with Han, as once again I excused myself and went back to bed. Staying in bed is really getting to me, but I have not been this allergy sick in ages.
However it was comforting listening to Han play guitar downstairs because my window was open and I had my own mini concert. He played my favorite song, which always makes me cry “Vincent” and I had to do everything in my power not to dissolve into tears from the song and from feeling a bit sorry for myself. I was already not breathing well, and that surely would not have helped.
June 20th
Today all it did was rain, rain and rain some more. I was fine with that because I had no inclination or desire to leave the house. When Niki got home we watched a movie and that was about the extent of our excitement today. By the way, the movie was called Whiplash and we all really loved it.
Since not much happened today, so I will mention some ingenious ideas that I’ve seen here in Europe, that I myself will def implement once we decide where to settle, and some are public use ideas that I really wish I would see more of in the states.
• Very small towel holder hooks that can be simply attached to the wall or just slide on top of the bathroom door. Cost is probably three dollars at most. You hang your towel by the company tag or even from a sewn on loop if need be. They dry just fine. Love these hooks and will definitely buy some of these instead of expensive towel bars which are time consuming to hang, These hooks don’t become loose over time and what a huge space saver.
• Vinyl Windows and doors that last much longer. They can lean inwards from the top for air flow or open up completely. They are durable, easy to operate and clean and one inch double paned for insulation.
• Wall outlets and light switches. These do not jut out from the wall, the face plates don’t crack because of the small size and lay almost flush against the wall. Ease of usage.
• Bird stickers on windows, so birds won’t fly into the large windows here. Something so simple, yet it can help save a bird’s life.
• An individual area of steps, with the sole purpose to help moms with strollers and people with carts to maneuver the steps more smoothly and easily. I have never seen this before. What an outstanding idea!
• Doggy poop stations. Top area offers free poop bags and bottom area is where you dispose of the bags. I have not particularly been searching, but I have yet to see or step in dog poop. Maybe an idea for all beach entrances on Amelia Island. Fertilization purpose anyone?
June 21st
Beginning to feel somewhat more normal.
Rested most the day, taking my medicine and going through tons of tissues. Take my word for it, face tissue is not as soft here as in the states. My nose can verify this travesty.
Tonight we went out for dinner. I have kinda lost my appetite so did not eat very much but it was good.
The guys watched some music videos in the ManCave/Projection room and I called it an early night.
Han has been taking such good care of me. I have tried to be a nice patient.
This is what I wrote on Facebook about my allergies. I try to keep my humor.
I hate you Cottonwood trees. You stand there all green, vibrant and seemingly just as innocent as the other trees, but you’re NOT. You are evil with your white flakes that float gently through the air to spread your satan seed to try and make more little evil trees, which then climb up my nose to create discomfort and make me feel miserable. I wish you were all flies, so I could simply swat the living daylights out of you before you could create havoc to my sinuses.
I am surely tired of all your white shit raining down on me.
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