What'd you say?

Ben to Gong Gong: Say that again... it's so funny! Haha!

I don't know what's with my ear. The pain is better, thanks all for your concern. It just comes in waves, compared with the sharp pang and constant throbbing when it first hit me six days ago.

But the blockage is stubborn, and doesn't seem to have cleared up. And it's making it hard for things said to get through my erm, thick head, what with all that fluid still built up in there!

I'm done with my "hot dog medicine" -- the pinkish-brown elliptical-shaped antibiotics, as Ben calls them. Is there something, anything that may relieve the discomfort of a blocked ear? I called the doctor to find out. Going around with one bad ear does affect my hearing and quality of life to some extent, and I do look peaky and don't feel perked up yet.

So the good doctor prescribed me eardrops yesterday, and I have to wait another seven days to see how that goes. After that, he can "wash" my ear, to clean out any ear wax that may be the stumbling block to my regaining normal hearing again.

Meanwhile, Vern concluded from what we read on the web, that perhaps I shouldn't blow my (also blocked) nose too hard. Because the mucus may go into the middle ear through the Eustachian tube, and when the fluid gathers there, it encourages the growth of bacteria and virus. Maybe that was how I got my ear infection to begin with?

But I tell you, when I pinch my nose and blow out, that split second when my ear is unclogged -- it feels oh-so-good!

Whitaker Music Festival at the Gardens



Just before the onset of my ear infection, we did get to enjoy some nice country music during one of several summer concerts happening this time of the year. And probably the best free one around, for there are just so many few times in a year, the Gardens will allow its visitors to picnic anywhere on its grounds, and take the opportunity too, to see its lovely flora before the stars come up.



Other times, you may be able to sneak in some sandwiches, but you can't plonk a blanket or lawn chairs as you wish, the way hundreds of people like us filled up every available spot on the grass -- within view or not of the stage, and hopefully still within earshot of the music.



But even without the performance, the nice cool weather that evening was reason enough to spend time outdoors. Look how comfortable Jon made himself... tsk tsk!

And the sun was only just going down, when we packed up to go.

Moms, try this tip!
I learned this neat trick from a churchmate when Ben was younger, and I still do it for him:



Lift up the flaps on the sides of the juicebox and get your toddler to hold them rather than the juicebox itself. Chances are, he won't lose half of the juice and it's less likely to squirt all over him. He's happy, and you're happy, too! =)