Destination 1940: All Quiet on the Home Front

Friday, February 12, 2010

All Quiet on the Home Front

I'm sorry I've been so quiet this week... I picked up some kind of a nasty stomach virus early this week and have been a mess ever since. I've lost 6 lbs. in water weight since Tuesday - 2 of those lbs. were just the standard PMS bloat, but 4 lbs. are healthy water weight. I would gladly trade them back if these symptoms would just disappear. I'm doing everything in my toolbox to re-hydrate, but may have to go into the hospital for a day or two to get some IV fluids. The large intestine is where most of the fluid we ingest is absorbed into the body, so - without a large intestine - dehydration is something I have to guard against constantly. In ten years, it's never once been a problem bad enough that I had to go the IV route. Rats! Breakin' my record!!! Thank goodness for that comfy new mattress. It's gotten quite a lot of use this week. I'll keep you posted, but don't be worried if I'm a bit quiet for a few more days. This virus has got to work its way through me eventually, right?

36 comments:

Windsor Rose said...: Sorry to hear you are feeling so bad. It's certainly not a nice way to lose weight! Glad you are getting lots of rest on your comfy new bed, and I hope you manage to avoid the IV route.

Sending good wishes your way.; February 12, 2010 at 6:10 AM
~Wendy~ said...: Sorry you are feeling under the weather Jitterbug. Sending you good thoughts of health!

Wendy; February 12, 2010 at 6:53 AM
Packrat said...: Oh Heavens! I really hope you get well soon. Prayers being said for you! HUGS; February 12, 2010 at 6:56 AM
HepKitten said...: I'm sorry you're not feeling well! Please take care of yourself and we'll all be waiting anxiously until you get back.; February 12, 2010 at 7:43 AM
j3nnyclair3 said...: I hope you feel better soon! We've missed your postings!; February 12, 2010 at 7:57 AM
Betsy said...: Ugh, being sick is just awful. I hope you get well soon!; February 12, 2010 at 10:08 AM
Rebecca Liceaga - Los Angeles Makeup Artist said...: So sorry to hear that Jitterbug! Anything to do with the stomach has me acting like a baby I hate it so much!!

I'll be sending you tons of positive energy so you get better!!; February 12, 2010 at 12:52 PM
Shay said...: There seems to be something going around...everyone at work is taking turns with this virus. Hope you feel better soon.; February 14, 2010 at 4:37 PM
Roxanne said...: I join everyone else in blessing you to return to health quickly.; February 14, 2010 at 6:57 PM
Piroska said...: Stomach bugs are so debilitating, I hope you don't have to go to the hospital, and that you feel heaps better really soon! I loved The Grapes of Wrath, and can't wait to discuss it.; February 15, 2010 at 9:47 PM
Anastasia Schembri said...: So sorry to hear that you are not well, hope you are on the mend soon!!; February 16, 2010 at 11:28 PM
Mrs Tailleur said...: Get well soon , our house has had chest colds and flu. IT has been a hard winter. We will sit by your bed till your better.; February 17, 2010 at 5:47 AM
esme and the laneway said...: I found your blog today, and I love it; I have been reading through it for hours. Reading your missions, house work and cooking has been absolutely fascinating. I am hooked!

I hope you are feeling better soon :); February 22, 2010 at 3:49 AM
Packrat said...: I really hope you are okay! I'll speak for all of us - we miss you.; February 22, 2010 at 7:04 AM
Catherine said...: I hope you are feeling better! I know I've missed your posts and am concerned about you!

Hugs; February 22, 2010 at 3:30 PM
Roxanne said...: Count me as one who misses you, too.

Praying that all is going well . . .; February 23, 2010 at 6:34 PM
LuLu said...: I have followed your blog for about three months without leaving a comment. But now I must add my best wishes and prayers for your return. You know, a lot of people miss you.; February 23, 2010 at 8:43 PM
Amanda Marie said...: I'm so sorry you're not feeling well... You're in my prayers, Jitterbug!; February 25, 2010 at 12:33 PM
Mrs Tailleur said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; February 25, 2010 at 1:47 PM
Mrs Tailleur said...: I hope you are not still sick. Your are in our thoughts.; February 25, 2010 at 1:52 PM
Mary said...: It's been well over a week since you've posted -- I'm sure I echo the thoughts and concerns of your many readers when I say I hope you are okay and simply taking time to rest at home. We look forward to your return!; February 25, 2010 at 4:28 PM
Rebecca Liceaga - Los Angeles Makeup Artist said...: Jitterbug....where are you? :( It's been two weeks! I hope you didn't have to go to the hospital after all. We are all thinking of you.; February 26, 2010 at 1:13 AM
Windsor Rose said...: Oh boy, Jitterbug, you must be feeling really bad to be gone so long. You are missed, and I hope you are back to yourself real soon. Sending get well soon wishes your way.; February 26, 2010 at 8:37 AM
Jo said...: Loving thoughts winging your way. Get better soon.; February 26, 2010 at 11:35 PM
Joanne Kennedy said...: I'm checking in on you because it's been so long since we have heard from you and I'm getting worried about you. Are you ok? Please let us know.

I miss you and your posts.

Hugs,
Joanne; February 27, 2010 at 11:33 PM
Shay said...: Please tell us you're okay; we're starting to get a little worried.; February 28, 2010 at 6:51 PM
Roxanne said...: I agree.; February 28, 2010 at 7:55 PM
j3nnyclair3 said...: I agree to the above comments! I hope everything is okay or going to be. We miss you!; February 28, 2010 at 11:35 PM
DreamzAngel said...: we in blogland are getting worried. Hope things are okay. Keeping you in my prayers. Hope to hear from you soon.; March 1, 2010 at 3:31 AM
Mrs Tailleur said...: At first I was jokingly going to say did you give up your blog for Lent. But now I am I not going to joke. We miss you and are worried about you.; March 1, 2010 at 6:08 AM
Amanda Marie said...: I agree with all the other ladies: We miss you. I hope you are on the mend! Sending prayers and happy thoughts your way!!; March 1, 2010 at 2:47 PM
Anonymous said...: Hey, how are you feeling now? We miss you!

Hope you feel better soon.; March 2, 2010 at 11:01 AM
Christine said...: I'm just checking back to see if anyone has heard from you - I really hope everything is okay! You are in my prayers and I can't wait for an update and to hear that you are feeling better. We all miss you.

-Christine (from vintage123); March 2, 2010 at 5:50 PM
Jennilee said...: Jitterbug-sure hope you're on the mend! We miss you!; March 3, 2010 at 3:44 PM
Joanne Kennedy said...: Oh please pop in just to say you are ok. Something is not right, this is not like you to be gone, even if you are sick.

I sure hope we hear something soon. I'm really concerned about you!

My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Hugs,
Joanne; March 4, 2010 at 4:12 PM
Rebecca Liceaga - Los Angeles Makeup Artist said...: I agree Jitterbug, it's almost been a month since you've posted anything. Just a blurp saying "i've been extrememly sick/busy/not into posting/etc. would at least put all of our minds at ease.

Hope you are o.k. and sending out lots of positive thoughts.; March 4, 2010 at 7:16 PM

My 1940s Housekeeping and Beauty Routine: A Work in Progress

DAILY
Morning
Before getting out of bed, do this routine five times: stretch body out with arms out at sides. Lift both legs simultaneously as high as you can, even, if you can, over your head; then down again, slowly.

Open window in bedroom on arising, for free circulation of air.

Throw back bed covers, including top sheet.

Wear 2-lb. wrist weights during all morning and evening exercises.

Rise up on the balls of your feet, bring your arms up overhead, stretching, stretching, stretching everything from toes up, keeping chest high, abdomen in. (20 reps)

Stand with feet slightly apart, arms down at sides. Stretch arms in front up and over the head slowly as far as you can, without straining, then slowly return to original position. (5 reps)

(A) Stand with feet slightly apart, abdomen in, seat well down, fingers interlaced and raised high over head, arms making a frame for the face. Keep face framed by arms throughout exercise, and body absolutely steady from waist down. (B) Swing forward till body and arms are horizontal. Swing body round to right side and travel upwards till arms are over head once more. (C) Turn to the left and swing the body round and down till body and arms are once again horizontal, as in B. (5 reps)

Stand erect, feet fairly far apart; clasp your hands behind your neck. Force the head and elbows back, inhale through the nostrils, expel the air through the lips. Breathe in as the head goes back; exhale as you return to first position. (5 reps)

Stand tall, hands on hips. Lift on your toes, let the knees spread, lower your body until you are in a squatting position, buttocks resting on the heels. Rise slowly. (5 reps)

Stand tall, lift the hands high and far back. Swing the hips from one side to the other, stretching the arms full length, keeping fingers and thumbs spread. (5 reps)

[Lying on your back,] touch right foot to left hand, then left foot to right hand. (20 reps)

Lie on back, bicycle with legs in air. Repeat, lying on side. (20 reps)

Push-ups, using knees. (5 reps)

Hold on chair to balance yourself and swing leg back and forth. (20 reps)

Roll each ankle 20 times, making a big circle with your toes.

Drink one big glass of water.

Wash face gently but thoroughly with a clean washcloth, cleansing cream, and plenty of warm water. Splash on cold to tone the skin - and open the eyes!

Pat on a bit of powder to take away that soap-and-water shine.

Carry soiled clothing to the hamper. Hang up other clothing. Put away any personal possessions out of place in the bedroom.

Prepare and serve breakfast. Take a multivitamin with breakfast.

Early Forenoon
Clear away dishes and misplaced articles from dining room, after breakfast.

Operate ventilating range hood while scraping, rinsing, and stacking dishes in the dishwasher. Leave pots and pans to soak in sink.

Put away food.

Make bed.

Close bedroom window if air conditioning will be used during day.

Brush teeth carefully.

Put on some bright, pretty lipstick, making the edges neat and blotting away the excess.

Brush all the nighttime tangles from hair, and comb carefully into place, pinning securely.

Take a last look in the mirror, to be sure I'm impeccable from top to toe.

Noon
Dessert may be only a serving of fruit.

Afternoon
Snack throughout the day only on fruits or vegetables.

Drink 64 ounces of water.

Evening
Cut by 2/3 the portion size of the prepared, pre-packaged foods I typically eat at dinner and for lunch on the weekends. Fill the rest of my plate at these meals with a serving of vegetables and a serving of legumes. Take a multivitamin with dinner. Dessert may be only a serving of fruit.

Take your old friend the floor-touching one, but we prefer the floor-touching one in which you turn on the waist and attempt to touch the floor back of your heels. (20 reps)

Lie on your back on the floor with your arms stretched wide at shoulders. Keep head and shoulders on the floor while you raise your right foot over and cross the left, aiming to reach with a long stretch a meeting between your right-foot toes and your left-hand fingers. Then reverse, bringing your left foot and right hand into contact. (20 reps)

Stand erect, steady yourself by holding to the back of a chair, swing the leg in wide circles. Lift the foot as high as you can. (5 reps)

Simply hold a pie pan or other round, shallow pan in your right hand high above your head and look toward the ceiling as if you were watching for a high ball to come across an imaginary net. As the imaginary ball comes closer, jump a foot off the floor and hit it with the pan, driving it back across the imaginary net to an imaginary opponent. Drop arm to side, count to four slowly, then raise arm, jump and strike at the ball again. Repeat 10 times. Reverse, holding pan in left hand.

Lie across a single bed so that arms and legs are not supported by the bed. Keeping head up with neck straight, stretch arms forward with palms facing each other. Now fling arms wide apart, turning palms in the opposite direction. Do this slowly and deliberately. Repeat 20 times.

Get on your knees, keeping your back straight and arms stretched overhead. Bend your body sharply to the right side, and lower the hips as far as possible toward the floor. Then raise your body up straight, bend to the left side, and lower hips. Repeat 4 times; rest. 8 to 12 times altogether.

Stand with arms out to the sides, and kick your right leg across your body, trying to touch the left hand. Feel that stretch? Return leg to position, and kick the left leg. Do 12 times, alternating legs.

Now get down on the floor, flat on your back, with legs straight and arms out to the sides. Keep shoulders flat on the floor. Pull both knees up to your chest and roll them over to left side, then to right. Swing from side to side 6 times; rest. 12 to 18 times altogether.

Stand with feet apart, arms out at side, bend body, touching left arm to right foot, then right arm to left foot. (20 reps)

Put feet flat on floor, raising arms overhead. Bend forward, touching floor with palms of hands. Raise arms over head, bend body back from waist. Relax. (20 reps)

You’ll need a three-foot rope, but your lounging robe belt will do if you can make a secure loop at each end of it. Lie on your back and put a foot in each loop. Lift your right foot as far from the floor as the rope permits. Alternate lifting right and left. (5 reps)

Late Evening
Make sure there is room in dishwasher for tomorrow's breakfast dishes. Wash any pots or pans that have been soaking in sink.

Put living room in order.

Out of your clothes and into the tub - coat yourself thoroughly with a susdy lather, and don't spare the elbow grease. Rinse well, doing face separately with water from the faucet.

Rub myself dry, so that I tingle all over and chest and back turn a healthy pink.

Don't forget the deodorant under the arms.

Brush and floss teeth carefully.

Down with a nice, long glass of water - and so to bed.

MONDAY
Early Morning
Washing

Evening
Fold and put away wash. Prep ironing.

TUESDAY
Noon
Walk 30 minutes.

Evening
Ironing. Put away ironing.

WEDNESDAY
Noon
Walk 30 minutes.

Early Evening
Light marketing.

Evening
Put out fresh linen in the bathroom.

THURSDAY
Noon
Walk 30 minutes.

Evening
Weekly cleaning of my bedroom:

Open windows top and bottom for free circulation of air.

Remove all bed covers; stretch over end of bed, or over chairs, off the floor. Remove soiled bed linen; place near door to be taken out. Place mattress pad over chair near window to air.

Collect bric-a-brac that need polishing or washing.

Bring in cleaning equipment: carpet sweeper or vacuum cleaner (according to need), dust mop, dust cloth. Bring in fresh bed linens.

Turn mattress top to bottom one week, and end to end the next week. Make bed.

Dust high objects if necessary (mantels, high shelves, window frames and sills, tops of bookcases, etc.).

Dust radiators covers if necessary.

Brush upholstery if necessary. Straighten covers. Plump up pillows.

Dust furniture and low objects if necessary.

Dust exposed wood flooring with dust mop if necessary. Use carpet sweeper or vacuum cleaner on rugs or carpets.

Polish or wash accessories and return to place with other objects removed during cleaning.

Final touches: Straighten draperies, shades, curtains, etc. Take out cleaning equipment and waste basket. Bring back clean ash trays, flowers and waste basket. Close windows if desired.

FRIDAY
Noon
Walk 30 minutes.

Evening
Weekly cleaning of my kitchen:

Open windows top and bottom for free circulation of air, or open kitchen ventilator.

Rinse and stack dishes, pots and pans.

Check and reorganize foods; put away.

Collect all refuse and put in garbage can.

Wipe off top of refrigerator and all work surfaces in need of cleaning.

Brush crumbs from crumb tray of toaster. Clean outside with soap and water.

Wash dishes. Dry and put away, if not room to rinse with hot water and leave to dry.

Wipe off surface of range. Clean spilled food from drip pan or oven.

Dry damp work surfaces.

Dust radiator or register.

Take out garbage; put clean lining in garbage can.

Sweep floor. Gather up dust in pan.

Clean sink. Rinse dishcloth or mop; hang outdoors if possible.

Collect soiled towels; wash. Hang fresh towels.

SATURDAY
Morning
Walk 65 minutes with 2-lb. wrist weights.

Afternoon
Weekly cleaning of my bathroom:

Open windows top and bottom for free circulation of air.

Pick up and replace small articles belonging in bathroom.

Gather up to take out soiled linen (to hamper, if dry), and articles belonging in other rooms. Collect trash in waste basket. Roll up bath mat or rug.

Wipe mirror.

Wipe tile behind washbowl and tub.

Clean bathtub and metal fixtures (be sure to wipe shower fixtures and clean soap holder).

Clean toilet bowl with brush. Wipe outside of bowl and closet with cloth used for that purpose only.

Clean washbowl (be sure to wipe base as well as top; also clean soap holder).

Straighten towels and wash cloths. Put out fresh linen.

Sweep floor. Gather up dust in pan. Floor should be washed.

Replace bath mat or rug. Close windows in cold or damp weather.

Evening
Bulk of weekly food marketing.

Wash and trim fresh vegetables and put them in the refrigerator ready for use.

SUNDAY
Morning
Walk 65 minutes with 2-lb. wrist weights.

Afternoon
Weekly cleaning of my living room:

Bring in cleaning equipment: hearthbroom (if not kept at fireplace), carpet sweeper or vacuum cleaner (according to need), dust mop, cleaning basket.

In season, clean out fireplace, lay fire, sweep hearth.

Dust high objects if necessary: mantels, high shelves, window frames and sills, tops of bookcases, secretary, highboys, etc.

Dust radiator covers if necessary.

Brush upholstery if necessary. Straighten covers. Plump up pillows.

Dust furniture and low objects if necessary. Treat stains or blemishes as they occur.

Dust exposed wood flooring with dust mop if necessary. Use carpet sweeper or vacuum cleaner on rugs or carpets.

Final touches: Straighten draperies, shades, curtains, etc. Take out cleaning equipment and waste basket. Return clean ash trays, accessories, flowers and waste basket. Close windows if desired.

Evening
Sort laundry for morning wash.

MONTHLY CHORES
Rotate between the rooms each week, giving each a thorough cleaning once a month.

Bedroom:

Collect lamp bases, bric-a-brac and dressing table fittings that need polishing or washing, and dresser scarves to be laundered.

Brush walls when necessary. Dust high mouldings, door frames, window shades and Venetian blinds when necessary. Brush draperies (or use brush attachment of vacuum cleaner). Dust mirrors, pictures, lighting fixtures, lamps, woodwork; wash any of these articles if necessary.

Dust radiators (covers and coils) or registers; clean thoroughly when necessary. Brush baseboard or use brush attachment of vacuum cleaner. Dust book shelves and books as necessary. Wash windows when necessary.

Remove cushions from upholstered furniture. Use brush attachment of vacuum cleaner on furniture (getting into all crevices) and cushions. Replace cushions.

Rub wood surfaces of furniture to polish; apply wax or polish when necessary. Polish metal hardware if necessary. Wash glass table tops.

Use vacuum cleaner for cleaning of rugs and carpets.

Polish or wash accessories and return to place with other objects removed during cleaning.

Kitchen:

Remove all foods from refrigerator. Wash interior of refrigerator. Return food to refrigerator.

Wash exterior of refrigerator.

Clean range thoroughly.

Clean, scald and sun vegetable bins, bread and cake boxes.

Clean out and wash 1 cupboard or several drawers in rotation.

Dust lighting fixtures. Dust window shades or Venetian blinds. Wash wall behind sink, stove and work surfaces, if washable. Wash work surfaces. Wash exterior of cabinet work and shelving to remove fingermarks.

Clean garbage container thoroughly.

Wash and rinse floor.

Clean metal fixtures, soap dish, sink strainer, and dish drainer. Wash, rinse and scald dishcloth or mop or send to laundry; hang outdoors if possible.

Bathroom:

Rug should be cleaned and bathmat changed.

Duck shower curtain should be hung out in the sun if weather permits. (Clean curtain should be put up when needed.)

Walls should be wiped down with clean cloth or wall brush.

Light fixtures, bulbs and globes should be dusted.

Medicine cabinet should be dusted and straightened.

Mirror should be dusted.

Windows should be dusted inside.

Use special cleanser on toilet bowl.

Clothes hamper should be emptied, dried and aired, scrubbed and sunned occasionally when weather permits.

Friday, February 12, 2010

All Quiet on the Home Front

36 comments:

And the Source of My Vintage Menus

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