My Life as an Asthma Mom

Can you climb 24 flights of stairs? That's what many people do at American Lung Association's Fight For Air Climb in Salt Lake City, Utah. In fact, last year there were firefighters in full firefighting gear (I think they're called "turnouts".) They would climb the 24 flights of stairs in their heavy gear and almost pass out. What a feat! There are some fitness nuts who repeatedly climb the 24 flights of stairs. I saw multiple people last year climbing the stairs over and over and over. One person was trying to repeat the climb enough times so it was the same distance as if he was climbing Mount Everest. Wow! Last year I went to the climb with Hubby and daughter Kitty. It's a great chance to talk to other people with asthma and see what resources are available. The American Lung Association works with several different areas for people who suffer with asthma, emphysema and COPD, second hand smoke and they fund lung cancer research. So the money you donate is

 I just read an article that talked about how two people in Louisiana died from a brain infection after using contaminated water in their neti pots. Neti pots are used to rinse out your sinuses, some people say it is just as effective as antibiotics for sinus infections. However, you have to make sure that the water is sterile. You should buy a gallon of sterile, distilled water, or you can boil your water (and then wait until it cools to use in your neti pot.) The problem is that contaminated water can get into your sinus area and then go your brain and cause infections. Yes, it is rare, but it can happen. (And would you want to be the one it happens to?!) Most of the rare brain infections occur when people splash or inhale contaminated water from warm water sources (lakes, rivers, hot springs or poorly maintained swimming pools.) The article says it happens mostly in the southern states. It's a puzzle as to why other people can be in the same water, but not get sick.

This is one side of my tv cabinet, there are three sections. Each of the bottom sections has boxes to contain clutter.    One of the problems when you have asthma and allergies is dust. And dust is everywhere, making us sneeze and wheeze. I have cd's stored in all of my boxes, sorted by type of music of course. I like using boxes to hold all of our cd's because the lid on top keeps the dust out. Of course most people now just download songs onto their electronic devices to listen. But we actually have and use cd's..... This time of year seems to be the time that magazines and websites talk about organizing your life. I guess it's all part of the whole "let's make a New Year's Resolution" thing. Some people want to lose weight, some people want to eat healthier, others want to organize their house. Some people are good at organizing, but even if you're not, there are simple things you can do to reduce clutter and dust in your home. Reduce clutter! (