When we lived in Colorado Springs, the owner of the pizza place we had worked at gave Marcus his fish because he couldn't keep them anymore. The were two huge Oscars (part of the cichlid family) that Marcus named Bob and Steve (after two local radio personalities). Marcus had wanted Oscars because he liked how they eat goldfish (he had a strong hatred of goldfish, I think). We ended up getting another couple of Oscars that someone had given to a pet store and they were letting them go cheap. It was cool watching those big fish swim around. One was albino and the tank lights made it look so pretty. What is great about Oscars is that have very distinct personalities. I couldn't handle watching during feeding time, though, so I always left the room until the goldfish were safely in the Oscar's bellies. When those eventually died, Marcus purchased some African Cichlids. They're significantly smaller than Oscars, so we got several. One of them was really aggressive and ended up killing the rest. It was so sad.

I'm starting to feel a little better. I've still got a horrible cough, though. Last night was the first night I got to sleep relatively easily. I've had several nights this week where I was having such a dry, hacking cough that I couldn't sleep. One night I was so desperate for relief that went to the Internet. I found a home remedy that was made from ingredients I actually had. I was skeptical at first, but the stuff really helped and I didn't think it really tasted that bad (better than that Tylenol Cold crap). Here's the text from the web page just in case the page disappears for my future reference.

Home Remedy for Cough

By Bonnie K. McMillen, R.N, B.S.N., College Health Nurse, University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, Bradford, PA, mcmillen+@pitt.edu

For the adventurous and independent sort, here's a homemade cough syrup recipe that really works. The ingredients are a combination of spices and nutrients with no unpleasant medicinal side effects — no drowsiness, no dry mucous membranes, no cautions about using machinery or driving.

The recipe is from Herbally Yours by Penny C. Royal, 3rd Edition, June 1982. It seems to work for all kinds of coughs but especially for that dry hacky cough that keeps you awake and hangs on long after the cold is over.

One of our international students recently told me that her mother in India used to give her a cough medicine with similar ingredients.

It soothes an irritated throat and relieves chest congestion and phlegm. The bad news: it tastes terrible — it really does — but if you have a persistant cough, it's worth a try.

• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 Tablespoon honey
• 1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 2 Tablespoons water
  Mix and take by the teaspoon.

The recipe doesn't indicate how much to take. I took 3 teaspoons the first time because I had a bad dry cough for over three weeks, and I was desparate for some relief. It worked and I got a good night's sleep. I have been recommending it to others ever since, and many have confirmed my positive results.

Consider the beneficial effects of the individual ingredients:

• Ginger (zingiber officinale) has long been used and recommended for arthritis and bursitis, because it is a natural anti-inflammatory. According to Home Herbal, by Penelope Ody, D.K. Publishing, June 1995, ginger is a natural antihistamine. It has also been used for for motion sickness and nausea, and in addition, it's known for relieving chest congestion, according to Dr. Andrew Weil, Herbal Medicine Chest http://cgi.pathfinder.com/drweil/herbal/medchest
• Cayenne (capsaicin) reduces pain, according to Herbs for Health and Healing, by Kathi Keville, Rodale Press, Emmaus, PA, 1996. The same substance that makes cayenne peppers hot relieves the pain by suppressing a chemical that carries the pain message from nerves in the affected area to the brain. According to Home Herbal, by P. Ody, cayenne is warming and stimulating, it is a good cold remedy and eases chills and will even ease the lingering pain from shingles.
• Vinegar has so many healthful uses. See my article, Vinegar: Ancient Medicine and Popular Home Remedy in Connections Quarterly, Summer 1998 Issue.
• Honey, according to Home Herbal by P. Ody, will draw pus and poisons out of wounds and it is useful for relief from colds.
• Water is probably added to make it less strong tasting but it is still strong!

I keep the mixture in the refrigerator after I make it but I don't know if it is necessary.

The next time you have a cough that just won't quit, you might want to give this homemade cough recipe a try.

I was tagged earlier in the week for a meme by Marissa. Since I've been sick, this is the first I've felt like doing it. Sorry it took so long!

1. Are your parents married or divorced?
   Married.
2. Are you a vegetarian?
   No way!
3. Do you believe in Heaven?
   Not really.
4. Have you ever come close to dying?
   No.
5. What jewelery do you wear 24/7?
   None.
6. Favorite time of day?
   Dusk.
7. Do you eat the stems of broccoli?
   Yes, if they're not too tough and stringy.
8. Do you wear makeup?
   Only on special occasions.
9. Ever have plastic surgery?
   No and never will unless I'm in a disfiguring accident.
10. Missing?
    ?
11. What do you wear to bed?
    An oversized T-shirt or a tank top.
12. Have you ever done anything illegal?
    Speeding and underage drinking.
13. Can you roll your tongue?
    Nope.
14. Do you tweeze your eyebrows?
    Once in a while.
15. What kind of sneakers?
    No sneakers, but I usually wear Sketchers.
16. Do you believe in Abortions?
    I could never get one personally.
17. What is your Hair color?
    Medium brown.
18. Future child’s name?
    No children here...EVER!
19. Do you snore?
    Like an avalanche comin' down the mountain.
20. If you could go anywhere in the world where would it be?
    Hawaii.
21. Do you sleep with stuffed animals?
    Not anymore.
22. If you won the lottery, what would you do first?
    Pay off all my debt.
23. Gold or silver?
    Neither.
24. Hamburger or hot dog?
    Hamburger.
25. If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
    Steak.
26. City, beach or country?
    Country.
27. What was the last thing you touched?
    Keyboard.
28. Where did you eat last?
    Right here on the couch.
29. When’s the last time you cried?
    At a Super Bowl commercial this evening.
30. Do you read blogs?
    Everyday.
31. Would you ever go out dressed like the opposite sex?
    Sure.
32. Ever been involved with the police?
    Pulled over for speeding.
33. What’s your favorite shampoo conditioner and soap?
    I don't really have favorites.
34. Do you talk in your sleep?
    Sometimes.
35. Ocean or pool?
    Pool.
36. So, who has the original missing questions?
    Wha?
37. Who would you take on a ménage à trois for a dirty weekend?
    I'm not into that kind of thing anymore.
38. Window seat or aisle?
    Window seat.
39. Ever met anyone famous?
    Not really.
40. Do you feel that you’ve had a truly successful life?
    No.
41. Do you twirl your spaghetti or cut it?
    I'm a twirler.
42. Ricki Lake or Oprah Winfrey?
    Oprah.
43. Basketball or Football?
    Only Bronco football.
44. How long do your showers last?
    Until the hot water runs out.
45. Automatic or do you drive a stick?
    I have an automatic, but can drive a manual transmission quite well, thank you.
46. Cake or ice cream?
    Both.
47. Are you self-conscious?
    Sometimes...depends on the situation.
48. Have you ever drank so much you threw up?
    A long time ago.
49. Have you ever given money to a beggar?
    Never.
50. Have you been in love?
    Yep and still am.
51. Where do you wish you were?
    A beach in Hawaii.
52. Are you wearing socks?
    Not at the moment.
53. Have you ever ridden in an ambulance?
    No.
54. Can you tango?
    No and don't care to learn.
55. Last gift you received?
    New cell phone today from Marcus.
56. Last sport you played?
    I don't do sports unless mini golf counts.
57. Things you spend a lot of money on?
    Besides bills? Craft supplies and computer stuff.
58. Where do you live?
    Aurora, CO
59. Where were you born?
    Denver, CO
60. Last wedding attended?
    Laura and Paul's
61. Spit or swallow?
    Swallow
62. Favorite position?
    I'm not going to tell.
63. Most hated food(s)?
    Hominy and liver
64. What’s your least fav.?
    ?
65. Can you sing?
    Yes.
66. Last person you instant messaged?
    Marcus.
67. Last place you went on holiday?
    Clarksville, TN
68. Favorite regular drink?
    Iced Tea.
69. Current Song?
    Hm, don't really have a favorite song right now.
70. Tag 3 friends:
    I'm a spoilsport, I know, but I don't tag people. If you are reading this and haven't yet done this meme, feel free to do so and leave me a comment.

Sorry about my lack of presence this last week. I have been sicker than a dog since Monday afternoon. Marcus has been fighting this crud that has been going around work for weeks. He actually resorted to going to the doctor on Tuesday. I've been trying to fight if off for a while, but it totally got the best of me. I didn't even go to work Wednesday at all. I've been only medicating myself at night with NyQuil because I think it's best to let your body take care of stuff if it can. Most of my life I've over-drugged myself. I'd take tylenol or something at the slightest hint of fever. Take cough syrup to stop coughs. Suck on cough drops relentlessly. All it does in the end is prolong being sick. Well, I've been good up until last night. Since this crud moved into my upper chest and sinuses yesterday, and since NyQuil took out their decongestant (thanks to meth makers), I couldn't stop coughing last night. It took me forever to finally get t o sleep.

Marcus used up my NyQuil last weekend and he got some Tylenol Cold instead. That stuff is worthless and it tastes like you're drinking Scope. Yuck.

I had a horrible dream a couple of nights ago. It was one of those weird dreams where you're not sure if you're awake or not. I was in bed, Marcus was next to me and some shadowy figure was looming over our bed, strangling me. I was trying to scream Marcus' name so he would help me and nothing would come out. Well, Marcus was in bed reading while I was having this nightmare. He was concerned over the sounds I was making, so thankfully he shook me awake. I was so freaking scared. I've never had a dream like that—it felt so real.

Sorry this is so rambly. I've got more to say, but not up to it right now.

Now I'm going to try sending an image to my blog: