A new year is right around the corner. In case we don't talk before then, please have a seat in this special chair and take a moment to think about what will make you smile in 2014. May you figure out what it is that brings you contentment–and then spread that peace and happiness among friends and family in the coming year!
And now, for a less inspirational topic, today's word…
choper la crève (show-pay-lah-krev)
: to catch a cold
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A Day in a French Life… by Kristin Espinasse
J'ai chopé la crève! That's street French for I've caught a cold. I tried everything to prevent it, including these tips:
Respirer par le nez
Did you know the nose has a powerful filter? When next you travel on an airplane or in a confined space–a bus or a car or the metro–and people are coughing and blowing their noses…. shut your mouth and breathe through your nose!Respirez par le nez!
Garde tes microbes!
"Keep your germs!" A stunning thing to say to the approaching hackers and the sneezers–but it'll cause an immediate about turn. :-)
Penser positivement
It helps to think good thoughts, such as "I never catch my husband's colds!" Believe it when you say it, even if you begin to sniffle and the back of your throat seems itchy….
Lacher prise
Let go and allow yourself some needed goof off time. Don't think about the administrative paperwork, don't stress about the perfect blog post, and, especially, eat all the comfort food you want ("feed a cold starve a fever." Thank God you don't have a fever!)
Leaving you, now, with a photo that expresses what the new year can be about: a journeying out
Comments
To comment on this post click here. I'd love to read your words–just after I crawl back under the covers with this cold, a warm mug of coffee by my side! What is one of the things you would like to do in 2014? Click here to comment.
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I’ve studied and used hypnotism for over 30 years. Your inner mind does not understand negatives, so when you tell yourself NOT to catch your sweetie’s cold, it hears Catch That Cold, Catch That Cold, Catch That Cold. State the positive, something like “my immune system is strong and healthy, strong and healthy.” Visualize your body’s white cells happily munching bacteria. Love your blog! Laura (licensed therapist in San Rafael, Ca)
I’ve studied and used hypnotism for over 30 years. Your inner mind does not understand negatives, so when you tell yourself NOT to catch your sweetie’s cold, it hears Catch That Cold, Catch That Cold, Catch That Cold. State the positive, something like “my immune system is strong and healthy, strong and healthy.” Visualize your body’s white cells happily munching bacteria. Love your blog! Laura (licensed therapist in San Rafael, Ca)
Hi, Kristin –
When I travel by air, I now wear a biomask, to kill the flu germs – bought a box of them at la pharmacie.
Get well soon – comfort food always helps, too !
Hi, Kristin –
When I travel by air, I now wear a biomask, to kill the flu germs – bought a box of them at la pharmacie.
Get well soon – comfort food always helps, too !
I would like to continue to be grateful for the magnificence and abundance of the universe and everything in it. In addition, I am planning trip to France so hope this comes to pass…maybe be there for “meet-up,” with little luck!
Get well soon and bonne année, Kristin!
I would like to continue to be grateful for the magnificence and abundance of the universe and everything in it. In addition, I am planning trip to France so hope this comes to pass…maybe be there for “meet-up,” with little luck!
Get well soon and bonne année, Kristin!
Hi Kristin,
I’m so sorry you caught a virus. It sure makes us more grateful for health when it’s gone!
I hope to go tent camping up to Canada next summer. I’m really an outdoor girl at heart, and I also seem to enjoy cooking on a camp stove for some reason!
Take very good care of yourself.
Joan in Auburn
Hi Kristin,
I’m so sorry you caught a virus. It sure makes us more grateful for health when it’s gone!
I hope to go tent camping up to Canada next summer. I’m really an outdoor girl at heart, and I also seem to enjoy cooking on a camp stove for some reason!
Take very good care of yourself.
Joan in Auburn
I teach and am exposed to every nasty bug under the sun. A friend who is a geriatric nurse recommended colloidal silver solution- inhale or spray into your nose several times a day. So far, knock on wood, nary a sniffle. Try it and see if it knocks out your congestion.
My wish for 2014 is the usual- more time in la Belle France. Retirement in about 2 more years, and then I can indulge.
Sure hope you feel better soon,
Maxine in Portland, Oregon
I teach and am exposed to every nasty bug under the sun. A friend who is a geriatric nurse recommended colloidal silver solution- inhale or spray into your nose several times a day. So far, knock on wood, nary a sniffle. Try it and see if it knocks out your congestion.
My wish for 2014 is the usual- more time in la Belle France. Retirement in about 2 more years, and then I can indulge.
Sure hope you feel better soon,
Maxine in Portland, Oregon
Feel better Kristin so you can ring in the New Year healthy and ready to bring us more of your wonderful photos and stories!
Feel better Kristin so you can ring in the New Year healthy and ready to bring us more of your wonderful photos and stories!
How appropriate! How can we get people to sneeze and cough into their shoulder? They cough on their hand and then hand you your food order. Really! Where is their Mother?
How appropriate! How can we get people to sneeze and cough into their shoulder? They cough on their hand and then hand you your food order. Really! Where is their Mother?
Hello Kristi the comments so appropriate, the photo of the chair and your suggestion for New Year. My daughter sent me a calendar of Monet’s paintings and I my French lady acquaintance has asked me to paint to exhibit in her café, so looks as if I shall be busy 2014. Hope your cold disappears soon will be sending get well thoughts your way. Maybe your body is asking you to rest, listen! au revoir June Gold Coast QldE
Hello Kristi the comments so appropriate, the photo of the chair and your suggestion for New Year. My daughter sent me a calendar of Monet’s paintings and I my French lady acquaintance has asked me to paint to exhibit in her café, so looks as if I shall be busy 2014. Hope your cold disappears soon will be sending get well thoughts your way. Maybe your body is asking you to rest, listen! au revoir June Gold Coast QldE
Hi Kristi,
Thanks for keeping us all upbeat!
What I want to add to today’s post from you, is that when we fly anywhere, we have a PEPPERMINT OIL impregnated cloth in a ‘zip-loc’ bag which we sniff about every hour or so. This prevents those re-circulating pathogens from entering our nasal passages. One can use this anywhere, discretely, and at this time of year it truly is a ‘Life Saver’! Bonne Annee! Diana Denny au Victoria, B.C. Canada
Hi Kristi,
Thanks for keeping us all upbeat!
What I want to add to today’s post from you, is that when we fly anywhere, we have a PEPPERMINT OIL impregnated cloth in a ‘zip-loc’ bag which we sniff about every hour or so. This prevents those re-circulating pathogens from entering our nasal passages. One can use this anywhere, discretely, and at this time of year it truly is a ‘Life Saver’! Bonne Annee! Diana Denny au Victoria, B.C. Canada
Dear Kristi–take care of yourself and get rid of that nasty bug. Hope you are back in the pink in no time.
Much love from Robyn France and Al
Dear Kristi–take care of yourself and get rid of that nasty bug. Hope you are back in the pink in no time.
Much love from Robyn France and Al
Dear Kristin! Hope you are feeling better and enjoying the forced downtime! Thank you for your wonderful blog! You are one of the writers who inspired me to start my own blog. My plan for 2014 is to stay happy by becoming a better blogger and perhaps enrol in a Creative Writing Course. Keep well and keep writing! Inna from Perth, Western Australia
Dear Kristin! Hope you are feeling better and enjoying the forced downtime! Thank you for your wonderful blog! You are one of the writers who inspired me to start my own blog. My plan for 2014 is to stay happy by becoming a better blogger and perhaps enrol in a Creative Writing Course. Keep well and keep writing! Inna from Perth, Western Australia
My sympathies, Kristin. Moi aussi! I caught a cold travelling from South Africa to visit my daughter in New Zealand. It took two weeks to get rid of it. Hope you manage more quickly. My best wishes to family Espinasse for the New Year.
My sympathies, Kristin. Moi aussi! I caught a cold travelling from South Africa to visit my daughter in New Zealand. It took two weeks to get rid of it. Hope you manage more quickly. My best wishes to family Espinasse for the New Year.
My aunt, who is an avid traveler, said that sometimes, when she was pushing too hard, she would wake up and her body would say, “I don’t know where you’re going, but I’m staying here.” It’s like that when we’re sick, too. The body calls the shots!
My aunt, who is an avid traveler, said that sometimes, when she was pushing too hard, she would wake up and her body would say, “I don’t know where you’re going, but I’m staying here.” It’s like that when we’re sick, too. The body calls the shots!
Kristin,
I am saying goodbye to my daughter and her husband tomorrow who are flying back to their home after spending a wonderful 2 weeks with us over Christmas. I’m a little sad, but blessed to have had the time with them! They have had bad colds the whole time, but we still managed to have some wonderful times. I’ve been kind of wondering when will it be my turn, but so far, no cold! I’ve been taking EmergenC – just to get a bit more Vitamin C.. maybe it works? I love some of the other readers’ ideas – I’ve copied them and am going to look into them! I almost always pick up colds whenever anyone comes near me with one (or when I fly home from a trip). I think a lot of your great readers are right, when the body is long overdue for rest, and it is just not being listened to, the Cold/Flu Gods work their evil ways and put us in our place (in bed!). Take care!
In the New Year I will be anxiously awaiting our May trip to France. And, I would love to take a watercolor painting or pen & ink drawing class! We sat on the chairs on the breakwater in Dubrovnik harbor every night when we were there and your picture of Croatia & the chair brought back memories of one of the most beautiful trips we have ever taken! We had and have much to be grateful for – you and your blog is one of those things! Thank you.
Kristin,
I am saying goodbye to my daughter and her husband tomorrow who are flying back to their home after spending a wonderful 2 weeks with us over Christmas. I’m a little sad, but blessed to have had the time with them! They have had bad colds the whole time, but we still managed to have some wonderful times. I’ve been kind of wondering when will it be my turn, but so far, no cold! I’ve been taking EmergenC – just to get a bit more Vitamin C.. maybe it works? I love some of the other readers’ ideas – I’ve copied them and am going to look into them! I almost always pick up colds whenever anyone comes near me with one (or when I fly home from a trip). I think a lot of your great readers are right, when the body is long overdue for rest, and it is just not being listened to, the Cold/Flu Gods work their evil ways and put us in our place (in bed!). Take care!
In the New Year I will be anxiously awaiting our May trip to France. And, I would love to take a watercolor painting or pen & ink drawing class! We sat on the chairs on the breakwater in Dubrovnik harbor every night when we were there and your picture of Croatia & the chair brought back memories of one of the most beautiful trips we have ever taken! We had and have much to be grateful for – you and your blog is one of those things! Thank you.
One thing which would bring me contentment in 2014 is to sit in the chair in the picture which begins your post, with it located right where it is in the picture! Bonne Année…
One thing which would bring me contentment in 2014 is to sit in the chair in the picture which begins your post, with it located right where it is in the picture! Bonne Année…
Get well soon ! Too bad to avoir la crève just before New year’s Eve ! Try a small slice or turmeric root infused in hot milk : this should te remettre sur pieds bien vite ! I love the empty chair : I will keep it on my mind all 2014 long !
Very very very best wishes to you and all your loved ones for a very successful and unforgettable 2014 !
Get well soon ! Too bad to avoir la crève just before New year’s Eve ! Try a small slice or turmeric root infused in hot milk : this should te remettre sur pieds bien vite ! I love the empty chair : I will keep it on my mind all 2014 long !
Very very very best wishes to you and all your loved ones for a very successful and unforgettable 2014 !
Hi Kristin,
If I was closer I would make you Chicken soup and give you a hazmat suit for your trips to the grocery store,etc.,
Bonne Anee
Mary
Hi Kristin,
If I was closer I would make you Chicken soup and give you a hazmat suit for your trips to the grocery store,etc.,
Bonne Anee
Mary
We women must learn to do what our men do when struck by a virus…just stay in bed a sleep/rest and get someone to wait on us(lol)
However I know it’s easier said than done…
Hope you are better for New Yrs Eve !!
We women must learn to do what our men do when struck by a virus…just stay in bed a sleep/rest and get someone to wait on us(lol)
However I know it’s easier said than done…
Hope you are better for New Yrs Eve !!
KRISTI DARLING,
I´m so sorry you have a cold, wish I could take care of you right now with some good hot Mexican food and my great tacos. Call me – I´ll cheer you up this morning.
XOXO
MOM
KRISTI DARLING,
I´m so sorry you have a cold, wish I could take care of you right now with some good hot Mexican food and my great tacos. Call me – I´ll cheer you up this morning.
XOXO
MOM
Feel better!
Have a Very Happy New Year!!!
Feel better!
Have a Very Happy New Year!!!
Hope you are feeling better Kristin and a very Happy 2014 to you and your family
Hope you are feeling better Kristin and a very Happy 2014 to you and your family
Sending healing energy your way Kristin…Hope you were able to ring in the new year with Jean-Marc, the kids, doggies and kitties! Feel better very soon!
Thank you for the stories you shared in 2013. I can’t wait to read about your new adventures and thoughts in 2014!
Love and hugs,
Carolyn
Sending healing energy your way Kristin…Hope you were able to ring in the new year with Jean-Marc, the kids, doggies and kitties! Feel better very soon!
Thank you for the stories you shared in 2013. I can’t wait to read about your new adventures and thoughts in 2014!
Love and hugs,
Carolyn
Kristi,
A friend just posted this link to YouTube, about Christmas in modern Bethlehem. I think you will find it interesting.
Mara
Kristi,
A friend just posted this link to YouTube, about Christmas in modern Bethlehem. I think you will find it interesting.
Mara
Kristin, a cold is the pits.
A good shot of vinegar can ward off the worst sore throat, but sitting up in bed with a hot coffee and a good book seems like a good way to start the new year.
My wish is for you to have your wishes granted.
Kristin, a cold is the pits.
A good shot of vinegar can ward off the worst sore throat, but sitting up in bed with a hot coffee and a good book seems like a good way to start the new year.
My wish is for you to have your wishes granted.
Bonne Annee Kristine. J’ai toujours plaisir a lire vos mail et les histoires pour expliquer le vocabulaire. Amicalement de Floride,Christine
Bonne Annee Kristine. J’ai toujours plaisir a lire vos mail et les histoires pour expliquer le vocabulaire. Amicalement de Floride,Christine