If we were having coffee, or tea together this weekend you would have to do most of the talking. Why, you said. Well, you see I’ve lost my voice. I don’t believe that ever happened to me before. I feel pretty good, but my voice gradually disappeared this week. On Monday and Tuesday morning it took a while for my voice to warm up. I felt great, and didn’t think much about it. (When you talk a lot at work your voice sometimes get tired, and you sound like the day after a big concert with your favourite artist. That’s just how it is.) On Wednesday it took even longer, and my voice still sounded scratchy when I arrived to work. My voice was kind of OK, but after breakfast when I was leading an activity with the children I all of a sudden couldn’t talk at all without coughing (like where did that come from?) Within the next few minutes it got worse and worse, and I decided to go home. It all happened very fast. First of all, I couldn’t do my job, since being a teacher involves a whole lot of talking, second I didn’t want to get anyone sick if this was the beginning of something. I took a Covid test the next day, just to be sure, but it came out negative. My voice isn’t completely back yet, but as long as I don’t talk, I’m doing OK. I’m going to keep quiet this weekend, and hope for the best. I don’t think it’s anything serious. It’s weird though, not being able to talk. I didn’t like it at all, having to leave work on Wednesday. I stayed at home with my daughter only a couple weeks ago, and missing more work is not good. I don’t mean to complain so much. Complaining is not my thing.
How is your week?
On a more positive note, this is what’s growing in my balcony garden right now. At the top there’s an oregano/apple-mint tea mix (its heavenly, really lovely,) celery, figs and (hopefully) winter veggies. I posted a photo of my bell-peppers last weekend, and they are still doing great as well.
If we were having coffee this weekend I would have to tell you that we had some kind of breakthrough with my daughter this week. At least it feels like that, not saying that everything is going to be all smooth sails from now on, but I think her father and I got her to understand why speaking Swedish in Sweden is mandatory and not a choice. She understood that we expect her to do her best at all times, and accept the help she is offered. Tuesday morning she woke up so angry and the whole morning was a disaster. The girl has some drama in her! She screamed and throw a fit the whole way to the bus stop (2km)..phew. After that it was like all the anger had disappeared, and my sweet girl was back. I sure hope she stays. (Most of the time I’m the best mom in the whole universe, according to her, but when I’m not…it’t not fun to be in my shoes.)
Have a refill on your beverage and tell me about your weekend plans! The only plan here is to recover my voice, read and write a bit. Thank you so much for staying with me, and an extra thanks to Natalie for hosting the Weekend Coffee Share! Have a fabulous weekend!
Love,
Maria
GreenDreams 
I hope your voice comes back soon, Maria! You sure need that as a teacher. I’m glad that your daughter is understanding that she needs to speak Swedish. I would have a terrible time learning any language. Have a nice weekend my friend! ❤️🇸🇪
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Thank you John! The thing is, she is pretty good at Swedish, she just decided no to speak Swedish..
Have a fabulous weekend!
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She has to! You too, Maria. ☺️
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Thank you!
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Your week is a perfect example of just how “upside down” our world is right now – you never know what is around the corner!
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Hahaha, yeah that pretty much sum it up. My vice is slowly coming back, I’m drinking tons of herbal teas, hoping to be back to work on Monday.
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Hope all goes well with your daughter and your voice comes back. Could be an allergy? Anyway, all the best from the other side of the world.
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Thank you so much!
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I hope your voice returns soon Maria. Reading about your daughter took me back to when my daughter was a teenager. Teenage girls certainly can be drama queens.
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Thank you Jennifer! My voice is slowly coming back. I’m drinking lots of tea, and rest my voice as much as I possibly can. …and my daughter is only 9….
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You never sound like your complaining, it’s funny how we can feel like when talking about ourselves. lol. I often used to wonder how teachers having to talk all day everyday don’t loose their voices more often. It is such a weird sensation when you go to speak & just a whisper of air comes out. I hope a rest this weekend puts you well again. I am so glad your treasure is having better moments & your balcony garden looks so greatly inspiring. Not sure what mischief I will get up to yet, there’s always fun to be had here on the farm. Be well my friend.
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Awe thank you kindly 🙂 I’ve never experienced any problems with my voice, if I get sick it doesn’t usually affect my voice, and I am super healthy most of the time. Life is interesting 🙂 My voice is responding well to all the herbal teas I am drinking. Hoping to be back to work on Monday. Enjoy your weekend!
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Poor Maria! Laryngitis is not fun, esp. when you use your voice for work. I hope with rest it will get better quickly.
Glad you weathered the tempest of your daughter testing you! 2K is a LONG way, lol!
Nice that your balcony garden is still producing good things. It is so satisfying to produce your own food and being amongst green things is healthful in and of itself.
I lose myself in my garden, a savior in these times. Our temps are still summer-like, so the annuals are still going strong. The gloriosa daisies and zinnias are a riot of color and migrating monarchs are visiting daily, which pleases me no end. Bumblebees are very active, hummers, too. I love watching them work. I’m holding onto these last golden days as we approach the cooler days ahead. A bit of color is starting to show in the red maples, always among the first to turn.
Have a good week ahead, heal fast!
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Thank you so much Eliza! I am slowly getting my voice back. Going to keep drinking some more herbal teas and rest this weekend, hopefully I’m back in business come Monday. I always feel guilty knowing that my colleagues have to fill in the gaps, and that it is difficult for the children with any change to their routines.
The garden is a blessing, yours is wonderful (the bits and pieces you share with us tell me the whole garden is glorious.) The maples are turning here as well, and the birch trees have dropped some of their leaves. Enjoy your weekend, and have a wonderful new week.
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Sometimes kids do have to do that…awful as it is, to let the anger out. How hard it is to watch. Sigh. As a teacher I understand how hard it is to have laryngitis. Hope you are on the mend. Glad it wasn’t covid. Denyse #weekendcoffeeshare
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Thank you for your kind comment Denyse. Kids and their phases, it is both interesting and horrifying at the same time, still I wouldn’t change a thing. I probably would make things easier for her if I could, but I am sure she needs to go through this, to move forward. I hope you are enjoying a wonderful weekend.
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I’m sorry to hear about your loss of voice! How frustrating. I had some problems with loss of voice years ago when I lived in Göteborg, and later Milano, but in my case it was due to bronchitis or flu with a lot of coughing. I’ve never been as sick as I was when I lived in big cities, I had all sorts of respiratory infections. I’ve chosen to live in small towns or in the countryside since then.
I hope you get better soon. Lovely to see all your vegetables!
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Thank you! I am slowly getting my voice back, lots of herbal teas this week 🙂 Big cities and me isn’t a very good match either. I hated living in Las Vegas, and that is a big word for me. I loved almost every other place I’ve lived in. I would consider Falun a small town, but I do see myself living in the countryside in the future. I am a country girl at heart. There are many beautiful places in the country right outside Falun though 🙂 Thank you for your kind comment, I hope you are enjoying a wonderful weekend!
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Hard to parent without a voice. One time not so long ago my voice was fading out and my boys used this as a great time to misbehave! Good grief. Hope you are starting to feel better. As for your daughter, hang in there she will come through. Hope you have a great weekend.
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Thank you so much ❤
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Maria, I hope you get plenty of rest this weekend and get your voice back. Parenting has its ups and downs. I hope your daughter comes through and makes it easier for herself and you from now on. Your balcony looks great. Well done with all the gardening efforts that you’ve put in. Have a relaxing weekend! Thank you for linking up with #weekendcoffeeshare.
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Thank you so much Natalie! I certainly have a relaxing weekend ❤
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Thank you for the coffee Maria! From reading all the comments it sounds like the herbal tea is helping your voice. I’ve lost my voice on several occasions over the years but my job wasn’t teaching so I can see how that is a problem and I’m sure you’ll be better by Monday! Giant HUGS to your daughter as she works through things and it sounds like she’s finding her footing. It’s tough as a parent being on the receiving end but your such a good momma! ❤️
Funny, my daughter moved out when she graduated high school to attend college as she was accepted into the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO. That was 15 years ago and I had 2 boys at home back then. Now that we are all getting older I’ll always throw out there to her if you ever need to come home and live with us you are welcome. Oh she’s very much, No Mom. I’ll be close by but I won’t live with you guys! Lol 😍 I Love my daughter with all my heart as Mom’s do, but she is so very independent. So different than me as I would have lived at home with my parents forever, and I almost did that actually!! Anyhow, I have a grown son at home now and he knows he can leave and do as he pleases but has no where to go at this time. Wonder what the future holds!! Now I’m rambling, just thoughts in my head!! Have a wonderful weekend sweet friend! 💜❤️💚💛
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Parenting is the most life changing experience, I am sure of it. My daughter and I are very close, she claims that she is going to buy me a big house when she becomes a famous Youtouber…LOL. (I don’t even want a big house.) She KNOWS that she is going to be a Youtuber. That is just how things are..Life is interesting. I hope you are enjoying a great weekend.
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I hope you feel better soon! Not fun to lose your voice. Pretty strange. I hope the worst is over with your daughter’s issues. Have a good, relaxing weekend and recuperate 🙂
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Thank you so much Trent!
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At least your writing voice has not diminished, Maria! Gorgeous plants and hoping your daughter will easily absorb Swedish. May she was embarrassed at school and doesn’t want to speak it? Thanks for the coffee!
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Thank you Terri! My voice is better, but speaking takes more effort than usual. You are welcome over for coffee anytime my friend.
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Yikes Maria!
No voice with your job, or worse yet, with your life, must be a real pain.
I’m glad you at least feel okay, but how annoying this must be.
I hope by the time you see this, that all is well again but that you’re taking it easy to let things heal up.
No – no, you just sit. Let me refill your cup and perhaps I can read to you for a while.
What would you like to hear? Write it out on this tablet and I’ll track it down.
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Thank you so much Gary! I am going to spend the rest of this Sunday doing some writing, and some resting. Thank you for your lovely company. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
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It’s got to be one of the few things that covid has not messed with – our ability to continue enjoying these coffee shares despite so much of the world being locked down with covid quarantines.
Write on and heal up quickly.
Continued Blessings
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Indeed! I’d go as far as saying that they have become even more important 🙂 Have a great week!
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I am glad to hear that you are recovering, albeit slowly. The balcony garden looks to be doing well. I have spoken with Al (quite a while back, now) about putting together a hanging garden for flowers, herbs and vegetables, so he wouldn’t have to mow around them. Perhaps I will eventually get something on that order. Best wishes for your recovery and for peace in the home.
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I love hanging gardens! I would love to have one indoors. One of my neighbours have a lovely hanging garden that I admire from time to time. Thank you for your kind wishes. Have a lovely rest of your weekend.
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Loosing your voice is worrying as you are a teacher. I hope it will come back quickly and if it does not I would ask your doctor to refer you to a specialist to see what it going on. Your plants look beautiful so green and health. Thanks for the coffee and I wish you a good week ahead.
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Thank you! My voice is coming back. It still takes a little more effort than usual to talk, and I am trying to save it for work next week. If the problem comes back, or I don’t get fully recovered I will definitely see someone about it. Have a lovely rest of your weekend, and a wonderful week ahead.
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Goodness, Maria! What a week you’ve had! Losing one’s voice is quite debilitating, especially as you are a teacher. Hope it returns in full force soon!!!!
Ah, communicating with our children …. challenging at the best of times! I feel you.
Wishing a restful weekend. Thank you for the cuppa.
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Thank you so much! I am indeed having a restful weekend ❤ I hope your weekend is everything you wish for 🙂
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I love the way you are carrying on with the growing season, despite the feel of autumn in the air. I’m planning to get in the garden this afternoon. I’m probably going to clear out the purple kale I had going. So many caterpillar holes, it’s turning my stomach! I might replace with winter lettuce…..give the slugs something to munch on! Thanks for coffee.
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Thank you! Purple kale sounds magical! It is fun to see how much one can grow in the winter. There is a Swedish woman who’s gardening skills I admire, she can grow food almost all year round. She does live further South in a different growing zon, but still. She is very inspiring https://www.sarabackmo.com.
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Thanks for the link, looks great
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Ugh, that voice-stealing thingy or bug or whatever sounds hard. I’m so sorry you had to take time off work. So glad it’s not COVID though. Complain all you want – it’s your blog and you do with it as you please!
That being said, I’m so happy your balcony is doing so well. Also happy your daughter seems to have gotten her act together at least for now. Hoping it stays this way.
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Thank you so much Astrid. My voice is much improved, not completely recovered, but very much improved. I am about to get ready for work as we speak. Have a lovely week.
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Hi Maria – it sounds like you have such a nice way of helping your daughter through the anger and ups and downs = it can be so hard at times and patience is a gift and one day at a time
🙂
__
and regarding your voice – I have a few tips
first, carry around some all natural honey (if possible) because a little on the back of the throat (lie down and let it settle there) can do wonders
or… consider
carrying around a small container of “salt and soda”
it has to be a good salt – like pink Himalayan and the bang soda has to be fresh – and you will want it 50/50 – but this little hack is AMAZING!! You put a little pinch of this under the tongue and feel the boost!
I have passed the idea on to so many people who have come back to thank me – and I carry my own little container on work days
the salt can help the throat and also destroys pathogens while giving you a flood of trace elements that are needed (some salts have more than 100 race elements) and then it goes into the lymph because it was placed under the tongue and it can be life giving
the baking soda part offers some other perks – like helps to alkalize the body and also softens the salt and does stuff for the cells.
—
just something to think about – but I got the idea from my very favorite “reflexology” book – and before that I used to just carry around one or the other – salt – or baking soda – but they had a section on the duo and even suggest it can be used fro brushing teeth (and offers so much for gum health)
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PS
Also from the reflexology book – there are two things to consider for voice health – it actually connects to lungs and what you do for that
1) get a ballon and blue it up at different times during the day – some people need to do this when recovering from respiratory illness but it is good for helping use the voice better and the deeper breaths also help with distressing and allow more air into the meridians
2) a harmonica is an inexpensive instrument that can help people change their lung capacity and also lift their mood.
If I had young children – I would have them play the harmonica a few times a week –
and I have started giving out balloons to people because it is not just amazing for lung and voice health – but it can be fun – and then if you look up “facial feedback theory” – you can see how when we make a smile or do things with our face – it impacts our mood by sending messages to the brain — an so I have seen that blowing up balloons lifts peoples moods and part of that is the inhale to exhale into the balloon – but the Cheek movements and cognitive release form such an easy activity
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Wow! Thank you for these more unusual tips! The harmonica very much makes sense. Maybe it’s time to invest in a couple? My daughter used to have one as a toddler, that she brought with her everywhere. I have tried brushing my teeth with baking soda and salt, long time ago, it didn’t taste very good but they became very white. I believe there are toothpastes made out of that combination that you can purchase in health food stores. Thank you for all these ideas! Have a great week ahead!
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glad to share and this is how we all learn – by sharing our story and offering tips f we have them – right?
hope you have a nice week as well
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Hope you got your voice back. I’ve lost mine a few times. Uggghh…and I’m a talker..lol. Glad you’ve had some breakthrough with your daughter too.
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