Getting fresh air early in the day.
Whenever my small dog and I visit my Mom, we have adopted a morning routine that allows us to get out of the house and get some fresh air.
In case it's helpful, below are the topics covered in this post:
Some Background
My Mom's house makes me sick. Despite wearing an N95 mask every time I visit, I still end up with:
Scratchy, sore (and sometimes swollen) throat.
Difficulty breathing properly.
Unbearable cough.
Sporadic sneezing fits.
Nauseous.
Dry, itchy eyes.
Rashes (typically around my throat and neck).
Sleep deprived nights.
Headache or migraine.
It feels like the older I get, the worse I feel every time I visit my Mom's house.
Maybe I am allergic to the mold issue Mom denies exist. Maybe I am allergic to the tar and nicotine caked onto everything from my chain-smoking Mom's cigarettes. Maybe I am allergic to something else.
I have spoken to a doctor about this, but he suggested that the best medicine was to stop staying overnight, especially multiple nights at my Mom's house. I am well not long after I leave Mom's house.
I continue to stay at my Mom's house because it is what she wants, and it makes her happy. So, for several nights every few months, my small dog, Rascal, and I visit my Mom and stay in her house.
Early Morning
Since I am usually awake in the early morning hours, Rascal and I have developed a routine to get out of the house for several hours. This allows both of us to benefit from non-smoke filled and moldy air.
5:30 A.M.
Rascal and I head to a coffee shop to hang out for a couple of hours, but only when the weather is tolerable. For a better part of the year, the weather is decent enough for us to comfortably sit on an outdoor patio.
If it is chilly, we wear our coats and Rascal gets wrapped in a blanket. If there is a light rain shower with no thunder or lightning, we head to a shop that has a cover for the outdoor patio.
I would normally order a hot chocolate because I am not much of a coffee drinker. I would also order a pup cup for Rascal unless I decide on a blueberry muffin for us to share.
If it is raining or too unbearably cold, we would either go to a Sonic Drive-In or another quick-service restaurant.
I prefer Sonic because we can park and sit with plenty of lighting surrounding us on a dark, dreary morning. If I do not want food from Sonic, we would grab food from another restaurant and eat while parked at a local park.
7:00 A.M.
I prefer to avoid parks when it is dark. I consider doing so unsafe as a solo female with a small chihuahua-mix dog in my old hometown. (This normally would not bother me if I had my ninety-pound puppy with me.)
However, if it is still dark when Rascal and I get to a park, we sit in the vehicle parked under a streetlight to enjoy our breakfast treat. Rascal would fall asleep in my lap after we eat and until it is light enough for me to feel comfortable to walk.
When it is light enough for my comfort, Rascal and I would walk, rain or shine provided that there is no thunder or lightning. It is always a great feeling to get some exercise and fresh air. I especially love when it rains! Rascal enjoys checking and sending pee-mail around the park.
8:00 A.M.
Rascal and I head to a different park for a second walk. Sometimes Rascal does not want to walk anymore. In those cases, we either hang out at a picnic table or I walk while Rascal rides along in his backpack. Still, it is nice to be out of my Mom's house.
9:00 A.M.
We head to a pet store to roam the isles. I always get something cheap for Rascal and Lucy (Mom does not allow Lucy to be in her house despite never meeting her).
For some reason, Rascal is always frightened at two of the three local pet stores. I have to carry him to keep him calm. However, he enjoys visiting the third and watches the ferrets before we check out.
9:30 A.M.
Rascal and I head to a park one last time. Instead of getting out of the vehicle, we park and stay put. Rascal takes a nap while I practice watercolor painting.
I often call my Dad to check up on him and see how Lucy is doing. It is a bummer that I cannot have both of my dogs with me when I visit Mom, but I respect her house rules.
The Rest of the Day
Rascal and I would head back to my Mom's house late morning. Mom is a night owl and wakes up around the time we return to her house.
From that point forward, I do what Mom wants. A lot of times, she wants me to drive her places and grab a bite to eat. Depending on where we go, Rascal gets to join us.
Mom takes a several hour nap late afternoons. Unless I head out to visit my brother and sister-in-law, Rascal and I hang out in my old bedroom. He would lay in my lap while I am on my laptop.
Mom wakes up in the evening. We spend some time with one another before I start my nighttime routine for bed.
What's Next?
After a recent health scare with my Mom, it is possible our morning routine may change on our next visit. If it does, I will have to make sure Rascal still gets his walks and special treats.
Do you have a morning routine when visiting family? Comment below to share your routine when you stay with loved ones.
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Thanks, and have a great day!
Simply Jelly Jam