The weather in New Jersey is a little crazy. Last week, our UPS man said we have two seasons: summer and winter. He wasn’t too far off. A few weeks ago, it was in the 80s, and I was asking Mystic ever so nicely if he would put the air conditioners in the windows. I wasn’t planning on using them yet, but I wanted to be ready. The following week? 23 degrees. Today it hit 92, and the school nurse’s office started seeing kids with heat exhausting. I think the kids just weren’t ready for it to be so hot, so soon. It seriously drives me crazy. I don’t care what season it is; I just wish Mother Nature would pick one already. I never know how to dress the kids. Or myself. And allergies? Forget about it.
Even though my asthma is pretty much all but gone, I still suffer during the change of seasons. Sniffly. Sneezy. Wheezy. It’s like the Seven Dwarfs have taken up residence in my nasal passageways. What’s a girl to do? Pretty much just suck it up and muddle through. Years and years ago, when The Ex and I were first married, my asthma and allergies were so bad I actually went and got tested to see exactly what I was allergic to.
“Well,” the doctor started out. “You’re allergic to everything but cats and dogs.”
Wonderful.
The past few weeks have been the worst I remember it’s ever been. I’m a sniffling, red-faced mess. Even though there isn’t too much I can do to cure the allergies and occasional asthmatic reaction, I can do things to take the edge off. We do huge bursts of spring cleaning, vacuum out all the filters in the air conditioner units (and that’s a money saver in terms of energy efficiency too), and try to reduce our morning activities during high season, when pollen is at its worst.
The folks at Similasan recently sent their Nasal Allergy Relief my way. Its homeopathic mist is supposed to help runny noses, sneezing and other allergy-related annoyances. Sign me up. I hadn’t used it before, but I like that it is a chemical and preservative free, all-natural mist. It works by stimulating the body’s natural ability to relieve nasal allergy symptoms which means that I don’t have to worry about any rebound effects or reliance.
Do I think it’s the magical cure-all that elicits sightings of rainbows and unicorns? No. But I think using it during some of my worst times recently, along with some of the other tips I mentioned above, helped alleviate a little bit of what was going on.
And I’m all for that.
Another bonus? It’s easy to find – Similasan is available at your local Walgreens and at all the major online retailers.
Now it’s your turn. I’d love to hear how you get ready for Spring. Share in the comments section below for your chance at a $100 Visa gift card. That’ll buy you lots of boxes of tissues! (See rules on how to enter below)
April 16, 2012 – Bonus Photo
First dinner on the grill, courtesy of dinner at a friend’s house. I miss our grill. It bit the dust nearly three years ago and my paranoia about flames and gas has prevented me from replacing it. But I do so love friends that have grills that invite us over for dinner. Melty cheese? Oh yes, please.
Tomorrow? Easter pictures. I know, I know.
Wednesday? New recipe for super simple, healthy meatballs. And a double post – a (free) perk to visiting Walgreens.
Thursday? A Spring 2012 bucket list item crossed off.
Friday? Book review
Saturday? Something special happened a year ago.
Rules:
No duplicate comments.
This sweepstakes runs from 4/16/12 – 5/13/12.
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
a) Leave a comment (see question above in bold)
b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older.
Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail.
You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
The official rules are available here.
Also, check out the Similasan page on BlogHer.com for more blogger reviews and chances to win! Good luck!
i am lucky to have no allergies at all.
I get ready for spring my making an appointment with our allergist.
tweet–https://twitter.com/#!/mami2jcn/status/192067694516899841
I prepare for spring by planting herbs and veggies in my garden
https://twitter.com/#!/ElenaIstomina/status/192068718757548032
Well just kicked off spring but going thru some of my spring clothes… bringing some to consignment stores, and some to Goodwill.
My allergies are much better than when I was in my 20’s and 30’s for that matter. Definitely helps me to close my windows as much as possible and turn on the AC (too bad my bldg doesn’t turn on the AC way later than we would like), I wipe down my window sills often.. And, just read, that when you go outside, lots of pollen and stuff gets in your hair…. so you bring it into your home. I never thought about that before.
I don’t do much, actually…..maybe I should?
I have terrible seasonal allergies…..randomly, though. I will have to give this option a try.
Prep for spring? Clean house and bring out the birds and nest decor!
You’re not allergic to cats and dogs…I’m allergic to nothing but cats and dogs (and horses and birds and kiwis). We make a great pair.
I love to go through the closets. Empty hangers make me happy.
we prepare by cleaning out our closets and getting rid of all our old stuff!
tweet
https://twitter.com/#!/MeandBells/status/192239222701297665
When spring hits, and the sun starts shining for more hours, I always try to look around and make a list of home to-dos. This year it includes cleaning out the garage (a lot of junk already removed. yay!), planting herbs, flowers and veggies on my deck, re-staining my deck, and a stretch goal of creating a flower bed along the deck in my backyard. It’s hard, especially when I have no one to help me and no clue how to start, but I do my best to stay positive and motivated. :-) Thanks for all your inspiration Cate! All the great things you do with your kids reminds me that life is what you make of it and staying positive is a big step in the road to being happy, even if life hasn’t turned out the way you expected.
I thought pollen was worse at dusk. Change your pillow case often and take shower before bed.
I prepare for spring by cleaning out the flower beds and stocking the pantry with warm, weather friendly ingredients.
I prepare for spring by doing a fresh deep down cleaning of my house and pulling out my spring clothes. Fortunetely I don’t have any allergies here in Seattle. Although when I lived in Colorado, my spring time allergies were horrible.
I always prepare for spring by going on a diet! Sad but true.
I get ready for spring by spring cleaning, de-cluttering closets and drawers, swapping out winter clothes for summer stuff, and changing over the house decor and curtains to lighter colors and fabrics!
I spring clean and work in the flower bed :)
family74014 at gmail dot com
I get ready for spring first by ordering seeds for my garden. Then as soon as I can I get out there and plant those seeds. I open up all the windows, then get frustrated with 3 out of the 5 of us sneezing and itching our eyes and close everything up again and put on the A/C. I HATE allergies!!!
To get ready for spring I love to start planting flowers and plants all around our house :)
lola_violets_2010[at]yahoo[dot]com
Tweeted:
https://twitter.com/#!/Giveawayhog/status/193167713890344961
lola_violets_2010[at]yahoo[dot]com
I get ready for spring by cleaning out the closets. I tend to stay inside as things start blooming because I have allergies too~
I retweeted this:
https://twitter.com/#!/Giveawayhog/status/193167713890344961
I spring clean and start planting flowers.
I take a lot of Vitamin C – helps with allergies.
I buy a lot of local fresh fruits and vegetables.
i get ready by decluttering for a fresh new start! Thanks for a super giveaway!
Tweeted:
https://twitter.com/#!/anashct3/status/193663582519570433
Thanks for the chance to win!
email: anashct1 [at] yahoo [dot] com
I get ready for spring by cleaning cleaning cleaning!
We spring clean and pull out the summer/spring clothes for the kids.
I prepare the Spring Season by a major Spring cleaning around the house! Gotta get rid of the dusts and junks. :)
amy [at] utry [dot] it
I tweeted about this giveaway: https://twitter.com/#!/uTry_it/status/193854867931021313
amy [at] utry [dot] it
I prepare for spring by stocking up on lots of tissues and getting the outdoor toys ready for the kids.
tweeted!
https://twitter.com/#!/JenniferCNP/status/193908599964176384
https://twitter.com/#!/benz1171/status/193965643018670080
I have my nasal spray prescription refilled.
I prepare by giving my house a VERY good cleaning
I get ready for spring by cleaning the house.
tcarolinep at gmail dot com
https://twitter.com/#!/tcarolinep/status/194283046965477377
Since spring only lasts about five minutes in the South, there’s not much to get ready for. But I can tell the extreme shifts in temperature really do a number on my sinuses! I have been using a saline inhaler to see if that will help. Too early to tell, but I like “natural” remedies instead of …er… “unnatural” ones. So I’d definitely be willing to give Similasan a try!
https://twitter.com/#!/tnshadylady/status/196317630422978560
My husband has bad allergies and this is “snot-season”. I prepare by washing out the filter in our bedroom window air conditioner since it’s been in the attic all winter and vacuuming under the bed in our room. I also take down the blinds and valances and wash them. Oh, and I stock a fresh box of tissues next to his side of the bed!
Tweeted:
https://twitter.com/#!/auntiethesis/status/196822486128668672
I do some spring cleaning and take extra immunity boosters.
tweet https://twitter.com/#!/prizepuzzle/status/197086046687735809
I prepare for spring by doing a deep cleaning of the house.
Tweeted: https://twitter.com/#!/rhoneygee/status/197571637774786560
I prepare for spring by cleaning out the yard and my closets
https://twitter.com/#!/HappyTina0115/status/197701559201710082
Am going to declutter and clean out closets.
I get ready for spring by stocking up on tissue and cleaning my house of dust.
–Brandy
fosterbrandy(at)msn(dot)com
We get the air purifier out when spring comes – helps a lot with my allergies.
tweeted: https://twitter.com/#!/KerryBishop/status/198228681460678656
I clean the house and window and plant lots of flowers to brighten up my life after the dreary winter months
I make sure I have lots of allergy medicine and kleenex around
sweokgrl@gmail.com
tweeted
https://twitter.com/#!/bdiane35/status/198827764294488064
I clean and plant seeds in the spring, I think I planted enough for this year.
songyueyu at gmail
tweet: https://twitter.com/#!/syytta/status/199007247190335488
songyueyu at gmail
We spring clean, take clothes to consignment and get our garden ready for planting
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
tweet
https://twitter.com/#!/ChelleB36/status/199386612164075520
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
I get ready for spring by planting flowers, cleaning the patio and stocking up on allergy relief products!
https://twitter.com/#!/LAMusing/status/199712951853268993
I get out my Nettie Pot, it really helps!
I get ready for spring by deep cleaning my house
ajoy1332 at yahoo dot com
tweet
https://twitter.com/#!/ajoy1332/status/199893174829858816
ajoy1332 at yahoo dot com
i get ready for spring by deep cleaning!
https://twitter.com/#!/DesMoinesDealin/status/200051480349245440
I would really love to try this! I have so much allergy problems, as well as asthma & copd.
https://twitter.com/#!/sherry7664/status/200092941727969280
I start by doing whole house clean starting with the vents and the air purifier!
tuesdayef at aol dot com
I get ready for Spring by starting seeds indoors!
Tweeted
https://twitter.com/#!/dmarie824/status/200356403041406976
I prepare for Spring by walking around the lake every day to watch the changes. I love Spring.
Thanks for the contest.
blogged: http://slehan.blogspot.com/2012/05/win-100-visa-gc-from-blogher-and.html
I prepare for spring by being sure that I have plenty of “tears” eye drops. I don’t usually get nasal allergy symptoms, but my eyes make me NUTS! On a fun note, I also start shopping for veggie seeds and flower seeds for the spring/summer growing season!
I tweeted here: https://twitter.com/#!/MsTofuFairy/status/200568950587801600
My favorite thing – What I get so excited to do all winter – to prepare for spring is to start my seeds for plants for my garden. I have a great set up in my basement and I’ve got a quite a green thumb and can start almost anything from seed to plant. I start upwards of 250 plants from seed each spring and I love to watch them sprout and grow. They are like my babies.
We get ready for spring by stocking up on our allergy meds!
Thanks for the chance to win!
gina.m.maddox (AT) gmail (DOT) com
tweet-https://twitter.com/#!/CrazyItalian0/status/200734818638635009
gina.m.maddox (AT) gmail (DOT) com
We get ready for spring by cleaning our house from top to bottom.
runningmatey at hotmail dot com
https://twitter.com/#!/LuckyDuckyToo/status/201067165011546113
I have to take some kind of allergy med year round but in Spring and most of the Summer I have to take a higher dose. I don’t like that.
chrisdeglen(at)gmail(dot)com
@chrisdeglen Tweeted –
twitter.com/#!/chrisdeglen/status/201181713584504833
chrisdeglen(at)gmail(dot)com
I love to clean house especially the stuff that accumulated over the winter.
I get ready for Spring by hooking up my window air conditioner.
Most of my prep for spring involves extreme house cleaning. Getting the carpets cleaned, curtains washed and all the clutter removed helps my attitude as well as my allergies. Fortunately the allergies aren’t severe, in fact I think they might be easier to deal with than my attitude lately.
tweet https://twitter.com/#!/yadgirl/status/201201844377227264
To get ready for spring,I start cleaning out the garage-too much stuff gets stored in there.Plus we prepare the ground for our garden thanks
Tweet – https://twitter.com/#!/willitara/status/201372387697098752
I am doing a lot of Spring cleaning/decluttering. Stowing away all of our cold weather clothing that takes up so much room. Cleaning all the windows and mini-blinds so the sun shines in.
tweet
https://twitter.com/#!/eswright18/status/201394177781673985
eswright18 at gmail dot com
I am getting ready by having a garage sale. Time to get rid of some of the junk.
Tweeted https://twitter.com/#!/chipdip2010/status/201457791251124225
We get ready by dusting everything, and having a yard sale. sweepmorey at gmail dot com
tweeted https://twitter.com/#!/mommysdizzy/status/201470188330295297
I have allergies so to prepare for spring I first buy lots of soft tissues!
We prepare for Spring & allergy season by keeping tissues on hand, drinking lots and lots of water, and upping our veggies and fruits!
I pack away the capri’s and my one pair of closed-toe shoes.
oo – I forgot about how excited we get to open up the grill again in the spring. That’s a great high-point!
I do a deep clean throughout the house
https://twitter.com/#!/rjs682/status/202618042079903746