(7/28)...Streaming

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It seems the dog days of summer have truly arrived. I don't think the temps in central Ohio have dipped below 90 in weeks. Bright hot sun, 75% humidity, not a cloud to shade the land. Does it sound like I'm complaining? Well, I shan't complain, but I will say I would trade every 90 degree day for a 5 degree day anytime. Honestly, I don't complain about the cold. At least I won't. I promise.

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I went to bed last night with a headache and I woke up with it this morning. It feels like I'm having a stroke because it's only on the left side of my head (except I don't really think you get a headache when you have a stroke). It goes with the stiff neck I've had on the left side for a couple days. I think it requires a day on the sofa, not moving my head. I have two movies from Netflix to keep me entertained, and four Seven Sorrows chaplets to make to keep me busy. If I could just keep those pesky kids from bothering me. And the laundry. And meals. Maybe I'll have the pesky kids do the laundry and make the meals. There's an idea.

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I saw this picture at Christine's blog the other day and it just broke my heart. Don't you just hate it when that happens? It's just a nasty reminder that we can try but we just can't protect them from everything. I have a recipe for a safe bug repellent and I wanted to share. It's lemon eucalyptus which has been shown to repel bugs better than Deet, and it's perfectly natural.

You need a concentration of lemon eucalyptus oil (available at natural food stores) that is 5 to 10% essential oil (lemon eucalyptus) so you want to use 1 part oil to 10-20 parts carrier. I used Witch Hazel as my carrier because I don't like to feel oily, but you can use olive oil if you don't mind the oily feel or vodka instead of witch hazel if you don't like feeling oily.  For a small batch, I used 1/2 cup witch hazel to 50 drops of lemon eucalyptus oil. I put it in a little bottle that will fit in my purse if I need to take it somewhere. So far it works great and Doug and the boys used it on a golf course notorious for biting mosquitoes -- at dusk.

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Yesterday was one of those days that tests you. I failed. I had too many places to go and not enough time.  I was having my brother, his family, and my mother over for dinner and I ran short on time to make dinner. I was not a happy camper. When my company arrived I warned them to stay out of the kitchen because it was just the kind of day where I needed some space. They gladly obliged and sat at the kitchen table while I poured them wine, but, gee, they must have thought I was a real peach. Luckily they were family, and luckily dinner was decent (Paula Deen's Baked Spaghetti -- it always turns out great, and good roasted vegetables), and even dessert, which I didn't really have enough time to make, but managed. I wish I was the kind of person who could manage stress well, but I can't. I buckle. As my mother always says, "Don't wish your life away." I guess I'll just accept that juggling isn't my strong suit, and I should plan better.

I'm headed to the sofa, my friends, if you need me. Have a great Thursday.

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