First one of the season, of the new year

This pretty much sums up the last couple days. The pollen count is almost the highest I think I have ever seen, but how can you distinguish this time of year? I'm treating us like it's a cold, but how I wish it were just really bad allergies. The teas, herbs, homeopathics and neti pots are out. Lots of rest, book reading and snuggles. Not bad, but more fun when you don't feel like your face is going to fall off.

I'd highly recommend using a neti pot. Here is more info about usage. I have had mine for over 5 years, and it was a great investment. My husband recently started using one fairly regularly and has noticed a big improvement. The Boy is a bit too young for the neti, so he uses Xlear.

I spend a lot of time trying to keep everyone in my family from getting sick. I feel pretty defeated when we do get ill. We are pretty healthy, so I'm not complaining about that. It's tough being a Mama sometimes.

Blogs and moving forward

It's been hard coming up with an entry each day. I think I give most of my energy away during the day, and completely draw a blank by evening. It isn't that there aren't things I would like to discuss, but more that I don't feel I can add much to the conversation. If that makes sense.

I've been reading a lot of blogs this week, and I'm always amazed at the clarity in which they write. I haven't been blogging long, and maybe jumping into the NaBloPoMo was a bit too much. I'm sticking with it because it has been a good experience thus far.

This brings me to a conversation I had with my husband last night. I've been really thinking about formally studying herbalism for many years now. I have been studying on my own for years, and I feel like there is so much more I want to learn. It isn't really a career or income based choice. I feel it is just something that has been calling me for years. I enjoy it. Simple as that. The more I read about herbs, the more I want to learn.

Next year, which isn't really that far off, I'm going to start a formal correspondence course. I would love to actually attend, but that isn't possible at this time. Right now I am narrowing my choices down, but I've always felt like Rosemary Gladstar is the right teacher for me.

It's a big step forward, and I'm counting down the months.