Bedroom Comfort Essentials

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On a recent routine visit to my doctor, she looked at me and said, “I don’t know how to tell you this and I don’t want to scare you, but, when you leave here you should go straight to the nearest hospital’s emergency room.” With eyes opened wide, I responded with, “What do you mean? The emergency room?”  She continued with, “Yes, and when you go tell them to check you immediately.”  When I left her office, I did not feel sick, and had a brief thought to just go home. Instead, I went to the emergency room and after testing was told that I had COVID-19.  Unbelievable, I had been so careful with prevention for years and had never had it.  After six hours of IV fluids, blood work, an X-ray, and rest, I left the emergency room and went home to heal. 

After all the things I had seen and learned about this virus, I knew this experience was not going to be easy for me. I decided to do whatever I could to make myself as comfortable as possible. I did not want to lay around and relax all day, it was a busy time for me. But when COVID says rest, you rest. Besides eating healthy foods, medications for fever and pain relief, there are other items that can make this inconvenient situation more pleasurable. I want to share my experience with you.

Since there will be a lot of time relaxing and laying around, a good comfortable pair of pajamas is essential. A great 2-piece soft silk-like satin pajama set is just the thing you did not know you needed. The 2-piece pajama set I recommend is Serenedelicacy. Whether your color choice is striped or solid, long or short pants, a pajama set by Serenedelicacy is perfect for laying around for hours. It is amazingly comfortable for resting. 

Do not forget slippers. The Evshine Women’s fuzzy slippers are also soft, breathable, and come in so many colors that there will not be a problem matching them up to the satin pajama set. They are cross-band, open-toe, faux fur slippers with a memory foam insole. The bottoms are skid-resistant for stability.  

Another essential you need is a set of luxury, breathable, eco-friendly, wrinkle free, cooling sheets. With its 18” deep tight pockets for the fitted sheet, it is also suitable for wider mattresses and less likely to slip around. My selection is LuxClub, when it comes to comfort bedding. A 6-piece set comes with a flat and fitted sheet and 4 pillowcases.

One last essential that could add to a comfortable bed rest is a device charging station. Nothing can break a restful situation quicker than feeling around the bed for a device charger that was left in another room, or only being able to charge one device at a time. The device station I use and recommend is the Getpals Wireless iPhone 3 in 1 Charging Stand. It is sturdy, fast charging, portable, and foldable. It has multiple safety features including over current, over voltage, and overheating protection. All my devices could charge at one time while I am taking a short nap.  

While I do not wish my COVID-19 experience on anyone, I still wanted to share the simple essentials that helped to make my experience bearable. Also, I realized having COVID-19 should not be the only reason to treat yourself to great bedroom comfort essentials. These items should be considered a necessity, and they make great gifts too.   

From Fashion and Interior Design to English Graduate: Embracing New Achievements in Spring 2024

Although very hectic, Spring 2024 has been a very exciting season for me.  After spending a few years as a student at Clayton State University working on a degree in English, it seemed like it was taking forever to get to the finish line.  Class after class, assignment after assignment, test after test, sometimes left me feeling like a robot.  Then suddenly it happened. I was at the finish line preparing for graduation.

My previous college degree and career have been in the creative field, which is Fashion Design, after receiving a degree from the Fashion Institute of Technology and Interior Design. Receiving a degree in English has been a lifelong dream of mine, so I took full advantage of the opportunity.  Adding to my graduation, I was so excited to find out that I won the 2024 poetry award, and my poem is to be featured in the next edition of the university’s magazine.

Earning this English degree will allow me to share the stories of the characters that are waiting patiently to be introduced in book form.  Winning the poetry award has sparked another creative form within that I did not know was there.  I would love to see what will become of that.  Of course, I do not intend to ditch my equally loved forms of creative expression in fashion and interior design, which must continue to come along on this journey.

The takeaway for sharing this is to express that for as long as you are here on your journey, do not hold back or put off accomplishing your dreams and aspirations in your life. No matter the challenges you may face, create a plan and a pathway as clear as you can and follow it through to the finish line.     

          

What Is the Greatest Gift Someone Can Give You?

The greatest gift that someone could give me is kind words. Of course, money is nice, and so is paying my bills, but those gifts are all too easy.  Those types of gifts only provide fleeting pleasure and sustainability, The money would be quickly spent, and the bills will be due again.

Kind words are the gift that can keep on giving.  One person’s kind and encouraging words can inspire and motivate the one receiving the words.  Encouraging words can instill value for a person who may be experiencing a bad time in their life.  Someone could be challenged by a situation they feel is impossible to overcome.  Kind words give hope and compassion to the receiver.  When spoken, kind words can also have an astonishing positive effect on the giver of the words.

Being empathetic and mindful while communicating with others is not always a simple thing to do.  We all have our personal problems, emotional situations, and attitudes to deal with.  Being kind and encouraging to others can be a challenge at times. I think if we all, including myself, take a moment more to reflect before we speak, a significant amount of what does not need to be said will not hit the air, and that would be a gift for us all. 

Colleges I Have Attended

I’ve attended quite a few colleges, and I don’t intend to stop now.  For me, education is one of the most important and rewarding gifts to be had.  Education is inspiring, stimulating, and can keep you curious about the life you live. 

Without telling my age, I can say that I have several degrees in various fields of interest.  All of which I am using today.  My first degree was after attending the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York and earning a degree in Fashion Art and Design.  With this degree, I worked in the fashion industry in New York City.  I have also designed wedding gowns and other clothing in New York and Georgia, and presently have a line of lingerie and accessories. 

After moving to Georgia, I attended the Art Institute for Interior Design.  For the past 20 years, I worked as an interior designer.  I consult clients on home design and space planning.  As an interior designer, I also design and execute window and bed treatments, reupholstering furniture, and other home accessories such as throw pillows and table runners. Below is a room where I reupholstered all of the furniture and space planned the area. 

Now I am a student at Clayton State University receiving a degree in English with a concentration on Writing this Spring, 2024.  I wrote a book some time ago and am currently working on 2 other projects. I’m also working on spending more time blogging.

Those are the colleges I’ve attended so far.  Being creatively curious is one of my lifelong missions.  If I had another lifetime, I think I would start with going to college to become a scientist, or to study psychology, or maybe medicine.     

COVID-19 UPDATE

The federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) Declaration has ended as of May 2023.  This means that the CDC could no longer collect various types of public health data that have expired.  Although the priority to provide necessary public health information will remain in place, some data sources and reporting have changed.  Vaccines, treatments, and testing have remained available. 

To keep communities safe, vaccines have remained unaffected.  Although insurance providers are no longer required to waive costs for COVID-19 testing, the CDC is providing No Cost COVID-19 Testing Locator. The CDC has changed the testing contracts for CVS Health, Walgreens, and eTrueNorth. 

As far as COVID-19 hospital admissions are concerned, all hospitals are still required to report data through the end of April 2024.  Weekly reporting continues for the percentage of deaths that are COVID-19 related.  The most accurate source of data reported has come from the National Vital Statistic System (NVSS).

There are still risk factors for contracting COVID-19.  Understanding the risks can help to protect yourself, your family, and others around you.  Make informed decisions and discuss your plans and concerns with your healthcare provider.

COVID-19 Pandemic Vaccine

According to the most recent statistics from Our World in Data, at the time of this blog post, over 171 million vaccination doses have been administered.  This count refers to the total single doses given and does not break down the doses for people who received multiple doses. 

Currently, there are three recommended vaccines available in the United States that are authorized to prevent COVID-19.  The three are Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson/Janssen.  Clinical trial settings have proven that all three vaccines are effective at preventing COVID-19.  All three vaccines when administered help to protect people from getting sick with COVID-19 and or causing people around them to become infected.

After vaccination, it takes about two weeks for the body to build up protection.  If the body has not built up complete protection, it is possible for some people to still get sick.  According to the CDC, being vaccinated can help people from getting seriously ill.  This is based on their clinical studies.  

People who have been vaccinated can start to do things they were not able to do because of the pandemic but are advised to still take the necessary precautions.  They should still wear a mask, keep 6 feet apart distance, and avoid large crowds.  Another thing that a fully vaccinated person can do is to visit the homes of other people who are fully vaccinated without a mask.  A vaccinated person can also travel domestically without quarantining after travel.  Vaccinated people should still avoid medium or large crowd gatherings.

The CDC also advises that until there are more facts known about this pandemic, vaccinated people should still take as many precautions as recommended to ensure the safety of themselves and others.

Couples Staying Together During the Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic is not only a life-changing situation for children, but it is also creating stressors for couples.  Relationships are struggling to hold the bond together while dealing with the many pressures accumulated by the pandemic.  Some of the pressures are financial hardships created by the lack of work during the pandemic, spending too much time together while sheltering in place, and school-age children home with remote learning.  These are just a few situations couples are faced with that have caused them to separate and, in some cases, even divorce. 

A survey taken of 300 couples by the demographic tool Lucid, found that 41 percent of them think that COVID-19 is likely to increase arguments, and 35 percent think it is likely to increase divorce rates.  Another indication of the impact the pandemic is having on couples is that the website called Legal Templates, which provides legal documents for sale and free, showed a 57 percent increase in interest for separation documents from February to April of 2020.  Other data is showing that couples in southern states and couples married less than five years with children under 18, are seeking divorce documents more than usual.

There are many ways in which couples can manage their relationship and prevent separations that could end in divorce.   Here are a few of them.

  • Couples should identify and acknowledge that there is a problem before things get out of hand.
  • Maintain healthy space from each other and take time for a personal connection with oneself.
  • Be sensitive and understanding that your mate is going through the same thing that you are experiencing.
  • Try to set up an intentional time together to be playful, listen to music, go for long walks, and planning special menus for dinner together.
  • After a disagreement, forgive quickly so as not to hold onto anger and revengeful behavior.
  • Talk to other couples for suggestions as to how they are coping.
  • Seek virtual therapy if necessary.

Putting these suggestions into practice and any others that are available can help couples to survive and still be together after the pandemic is over.

https://www.aarp.org/home-family/friends-family/info-2020/pandemic-marriage-problems.html

https://www.apa.org/topics/covid-19/strengthen-couples-relationships

How to Help Children Cope During the Pandemic

Parents helping children with schoolwork

Children and teens are responding to the COVID-19 pandemic in a variety of ways.  In addition to ruining their school year, it has also taken a toll on their peer socialization, emotional and anxiety levels, and their disconnection with family and loved ones.  Parents need to keep a watchful eye on any new and changing developments in their children’s behavior during this time.  Children and teens typically react in the way they see their parents and other adults they trust to respond to situations.  A significant difference can be made in the way they cope during these times if parents stay calm and implement helpful routines and regiments in the home to make them feel secure.

One of the things parents must do early on is finding out what their children already know.  Parents can then advise the details that are safe for them to know and reassure them that they are in safe hands and are being protected.  This is most important in the case of teens since they have access to social media, news outlets, and misinformation.  Parents need to be mindful of what younger children hear or see on television and radio.  They can misinterpret what they have already heard and become frightened by it.

Another equally serious matter to address besides finding out what they know is the issue of anxiety and depression.  Being socially disconnected from family and peers can create a variety of emotions.  In some cases, teens and children may experience burnout and exhaustion and become mentally and emotionally depleted.  Some of the behaviors to watch for are:

  • Excessive sadness or lack of motivation
  • Poor class participation and not doing assignments.
  • Shutting down in their room and excessive sleeping
  • Irritability and acting out, especially in teens.
  • Crying when it is time to do schoolwork, especially small children.
  • Poor eating habits

If any of these changes in behavior occur it is very important to act quickly so that matters do not get worse.  Especially since we have no idea how long this pandemic will last.  Some ways parents can support their children is by planning fun activities and family time on days that there is no school such as playing board games, playing music, or telling jokes.  Allow them to have Zoom or FaceTime gatherings with their family and friends.  If they are still not coping it will be a good idea to seek outside professional help.  For additional assistance, the following website may be helpful.   https://childmind.org/coping-during-covid-19-resources-for-parents/#coping

Families Coping During the Pandemic

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, family life has gone through extensive changes in structure, routines, social settings, and emotions.  Families are tirelessly working to figure out how they can adjust to this new way of life.  New strategies are incorporated daily to ensure a cohesive and strong family structure as best they can.  Physical and emotional exhaustion is experienced by the parents and the children as well.

During the pandemic adults having to shelter in place as they worked from home while also homeschooling one or more children during school closing and beyond.  After months of juggling these situations, adults have been experiencing a range of symptoms creating burnout, lack of motivation, irritability, short-tempered, lack of concentration, and a host of other behaviors.  In some instances, the effects have caused trouble within the relationship of couples struggling to keep it together.

This has not been an easy situation for children and teens either.  Overtime being home schooled has created a longing for the prior social existence they had in school amongst their close friends and peers.  Being confined at home has been shown to cause them to become increasingly moody, irritable, depressed, and unable to sleep.  In some cases, their school performance and grades have dropped substantially.  Outbreaks of crying without cause and oversleeping and sleeping during zoom sessions have also been some common behaviors.

As this pandemic is not over yet, families need to develop strategies to cope so that they can make it together to the end of it.  Families will need to incorporate new routines to help their households to run smoothly.  Through gaining an understanding of what is occurring within the family during this pandemic, is what will help them to gradually create a strategy to overcome it. Following are a few websites that may be helpful.

Resources for Helping Kids and Parents Amidst Covid-19 https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Resource_Libraries/covid-19/resources_helping_kids_parents_cope.aspx

Covid 19: Resources for Parents and Teens https://www.adolescenthealth.org/COVID-19/COVID-19-Resources-for-Parents-and-Teens.aspx