confession: I tried a neti pot

The sun has peaked out a couple of days recently...tempting us that spring might be coming. It also seems to be tempting the blooms. Cherry blossoms are a common sight theses days - so pretty. Well, the other thing that seems to be in full bloom is my allergies. Ugh!

I cannot recall EVER having allergies like this. Yes, cats make my eyes itch and my sinuses clog, but that's it. Mom, correct me if I am wrong...but I believe this is the first time that I have been so clogged that I snore like a freight train in sleep and during waking hours I can only breath through my mouth which doesn't seem to be working as well since I cannot seem to catch my breath. One day as my eyes were watering like I'd just cut an onion, my nose was so clogged it felt swollen and I was breathing like an asthmatic my co-worker said, "Sheri, you need a neti pot."

S: A neti pot? what's that?

Well, apparently while I was away in another country Oprah and Dr. Oz introduced America to a tea pot used to pour a saline solution in to your nasal passages to drain them. Pour the water in one nostril and the ooze comes out the other. Though the product had received the Oprah stamp of approval, my only response was YUCK!!! I quickly forgot the suggestion.

Days later, after I'd tried over the counter options and continued to suffer the neti pot was suggested a second time as a remedy for my allergic woes. This time it was my friend Angela, who I suspect was tired of hearing my heavy breathing and nose blowing. Angela took it a step further. She took me to the nearest store, purchased the neti pot for me and then proceeded to force me to use it. You should have seen me, I was squealing like a little child. I have always been too afraid to use nasal spray - why would I pour a saline solution up my nostril? WHY?!!! She is a mother, thus she is used to this kind of behavior and before I knew it she was forcing the issue. When it was over the most amazing thing happened - I could breath. I took many deep breaths and was sold.

I am now the proud owner of a neti pot and would like to say that if your sinuses are backed up it is just what the doctor ordered and you can still trust the Oprah stamp of approval.

I am told that this is only the start of what is to come in a Virginia spring. Supposedly there are days when it gets so bad that there is a layer of yellow pollen on your car and if you open a window in your home it gets on everything. If that is true, then the neti pot is going to be my new best friend.

Have you tried it?

just Sheri, an allergy sufferer

out of no where...SMACK!!

There are days when I am going through my daily routine, just minding my own business trying to get on with life. When all of a sudden, SMACK!!! I am hit out of nowhere with an impulse to wander, or a longing for far away people and places.

I have no international trips on the horizon. I don't know when the next time is that I will be on an airplane going anywhere. My frequent flyer status is expiring as the months pass.

I have spent many days longing for "normal." Normal is now what I've got and I find myself wishing for adventure.

Is it just part of our human condition to want what we don't have? Or am I just an ungrateful and discontent fool? (it's okay, I give you permission to call me a fool)

Thoughts?

just Sheri, a place bound wanderer

Found: a female dominant profession

I know that I have mentioned it before, but my new job is in a hospital. At orientation the male to female ratio was 9 females to one male. I continue to notice the landslide gender imbalance in my favor. The president of the hospital where I work is a female, as are most of the VP's.

I work for a foundation and at each meeting I attend with others in my field I am keenly aware of the female dominance.

This is VERY new to me. I started my career in technology, which is heavily male dominant...it seems that since then women in my chosen professions seem to be the minority. Not anymore. I have found a profession where women rule - health care. Yes, most of the doctors I have seen are men, but that is a topic for another day.

just Sheri, part of the dominant group (for the first time)

honoring International Women's Day

March 8 is International Women's Day...so I realize I am a bit behind on posting. I will have to ask for some grace as I have recently started a new job, and as a result spend hours a week commuting...the combination of the two has left me little unscheduled time. Add to that a nasty case of allergies and I have been rather useless at the end of the day and am certain my writing would be incoherent. So, now that my head is starting to come out of the clouds I wanted to share with you a bit about an event I was a part of recently in honor of International Women's Day...

On an evening in March a small group of women got together. They convene often, I was an invited guest. I had been asked to speak on women's empowerment from a global perspective. This was not a group of academics, though they were intelligent. It was not a group of socialites, though there may have been some with means and all were generous with what they had. No. This was a group of women from the local baptist church. To be honest, I wasn't sure how to approach the topic of women's empowerment to such a gathering. Here is a summary of my message:

There is systemic oppression of women in many countries around the globe, especially outside the Western world.

In some places women are not viewed as human, but instead as property.

In some instances, access to money for materials or resources is restricted for women.

There are even times when the profits of her labor are not hers to control.

The earth is full of systemic oppression of women. Since women are most often the primary caregiver of the family, it has an effect on her children too.

The results of such systems are; rampant domestic violence, epidemic rape, a lack of educational attainment or opportunities, generational poverty, untapped potential and a loss of productivity for society.

In my approach to women empowerment, women are the primary recipients, yes, absolutely. However, men are not the enemy. Rather, they are important allies. As the power brokers, they are needed as party to change if change is going to be long-term. Also, men play an important role of protector as daddy, brother, neighbor and husband. Men need to be included as change agents.

I shared a popular video called The Girl Effect.

Since I don't like to do a talk without including a tangible action step, I encouraged them to "think globally, but act locally." I asked them to give to the Women and Girls fund at the Community Foundation where I had been volunteering. They gave and I delivered the funds to my new friends.

So, in honor of International Women's Day - invest in making the world a better place.

just Sheri, an honored spokesperson for the cause

A poem

One by one He took them from me

All the things I valued most;

'Til I was empty-handed,

Every glittering toy was lost.

And I walked earth's highways, grieving,

In my rags and poverty.

Until I heard the Voice inviting,

"Lift those empty hands to Me!"

Then I turned my hands toward heaven,

And He filled them with a store

Of His own transcendent riches,

'Til they could contain no more.

And at last I comprehended

With my stupid mind, and dull,

That God cannot pour His riches

Into hands already full.

~ Author Unknown

just Sheri, empty hands hoping for renewed purpose