Writer’s eye syndrome is what I’ve got.
For the past week I’ve been spending a lot of time with my son who had some complications from a tonsillectomy and had a few over night stays in the hospital. Why is it that the nurses wake you up every hour in the night, but you never see them during the day? This sequence of nursing events caused me to NOT sleep at night and while my son was sleeping during the day, I was editing Carpe Bead ‘Em.
When I looked in the mirror, I had to do a double take! I couldn’t believe my eyes. They were dark, puffy, red, full of stress and worry. Now I’m not big on make up. I’ve never worn a lot of it and I’ve never learned how to apply it, so now I’m thinking these eyes that have found a home on my face will never go away.
Then I started to think about book signings that I’m already signed up for next year and totally started to freak! Who wants to read an author’s book when the author looks like she’s on death’s door. Maybe they’d think, “gosh, writing is killing her. Maybe she should stop and get some sleep.”
So….I’ve been on the hunt for something that will help my eyes, short of surgery. Who did I go to? My trusy old friend google. There are a million ideas out there.
Of course I found the old tried and true tea bags and cucumbers, but it did nothing for me. I’m desperate! I’d do almost anything to make my tired eyes feel better. And then a light came shining down and I couldn’t believe what I was reading.
YES! Preparation H? Do you think I went and got some to dab on my puffy, red, sad eyes? YES I DID! Did it work? Let’s just say I’m giving it a few days and a lot of dabs.
If it doesn’t work or get somewhat better I do have another secret….
Milk Soother
Cold milk tastes great with a big slice of rich chocolate cake, but cold milk is also great for tired, puffy eyes. If you’re looking exceptionally tired these days, try a milk treatment that will soothe and relax your eyes.
Pour ice cold milk into a shallow bowl, and toss in a couple of large cotton balls. Find a place to lie down, place a towel beneath your head, and with eyes tightly closed, place milk-soaked cotton balls over your eyes. After ten or fifteen minutes, wash, dry, and moisturize your face as usual. (http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/44611/home_remedies_to_soothe_puffy_tired_pg2.html?cat=69)
Herculean Task: Do you have any home remedies for tired bones, eyes or anything else to help this ailing writer?
About Tonya
Oh no! You better check out the Preparation H stuff. Not good for the eyes!
Rest, my friend. You need rest. If the teabags and milk soaks don’t work, just take naps. How about a deep tissue massage? Meditation music with earphones?
Hope your son is okay.
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Tonya Reply:
September 24th, 2010 at 1:05 pm
Hi Sharon H.! I know Prep H is not made for the eyes . . . but I read this article with Molly Ringwald and she swears by it. I do need to slow down, so maybe meditation is on the horizon. Thank you about my son. He’s much better today.
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Okay, my dear, Tonya…let’s see…
As your new BFF and a new all-natural kinda gal myself, I’d definitely recommend all herbal and natural remedies…from the inside out…so load-up on the herbal teas – especially mint which is one of the most all-over healing natural remedies out there. And you might visit your local all-natural healing shop to see what kind of fabulous potions they have for your eyes plus all-over stress.
Now, as your “Muse Therapist”, I went a step further and dedicated a Bitchy Sign blog post to you today at http://ddscottauthor.blogspot.com .
I’m thinkin’ between the tea and the LOL teehees from my post, you should be good to go!!!
Sexy Sassy Smart Herbal Remedies and Bitchy Sign Wishes — D. D. Scott
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Tonya Reply:
September 24th, 2010 at 1:06 pm
Big cyber high five D.D!! You are amazing. Maybe just having laughter with you is all I need. Not only are you my Muse Therapist, you’re my Muse Herbal Doctor!
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Um.. sleep?
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Tonya Reply:
September 24th, 2010 at 1:06 pm
Misa Ramirez~you’ve stayed with me in hotels. You know I don’t sleep….
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Tonya, hope your son is feeling better. It was worth the lack of sleep to get this article. It is classic. BTW: Where did you find that first picture with the guy’s eyes falling out–amazing.
and, Did the Prep. H. work?
You really are a great writer.
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Tonya Reply:
September 24th, 2010 at 1:07 pm
Hey Mary! You are too kind. My son is feeling much better thank you, but I have to say these bags are not welcome. And no to the preperation H. I did try it for three days.
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Thanks for the plug for the Dairy Industry. Dabbing milk under your eyes or drinking it, just a glass a day is all I ask. Seriously, I didn’t know about using milk for puffy eyes. I’ll have to try it, then pass on the good word.
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Tonya Reply:
September 24th, 2010 at 1:08 pm
Hi Margaret! Tomorrow I’m going to try the milk thing. Tonight I’m going to try to go to bed as early as possible.
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Well, I didn’t get an invitation to this particular soiree, but I’ll toss in my two cents anyway.
No tea bags, cucumbers, or specialty creams for my eyes. I use some OTC drops recommended to me by an eye Dr. some years back (Hypo Tears). I read somewhere (Consumers Report, I think) a long time ago, to stay away from almost all the eye drops advertised on TV. Most have alcohol in them!
Somebody above mentioned rest. Definitely. Though I’m not getting much rest this week with two grandkids and three Labs staying with us for 5-6 days (while their parents are on an anniversary trip.)
Tonya, from what I’ve read on your various blogs, you don’t get enough rest … period. Not to mention the tonsils / hospital stuff. But I ain’t yer momma …
Jeff
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Tonya Reply:
September 24th, 2010 at 1:11 pm
LOL Jeff! I swear you keep me in stitches. You are always welcome to the party. You’re right. I don’t get enough sleep, but I don’t sleep. I wake up singing in my sleep, having conversations with my heroine or fighting with my hero. Maybe I have that adult ADHD.
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Oh sweetie, it will go away. I worked graveyard for years, in Law Enforcement, very busy, very stressful, when the sun goes down the crazies emerge full force. We all had bags. My eyes looked bad a lot!! Dark circles, bags the whole thing. Give it time, rest. Once you can really rest, because you know your son is going to be fine, it will go away. You might think you’re sleeping but your listening for him. It will go away on it’s own, once you can really relax. Take it from someone who has been there and done that.
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Tonya Reply:
September 24th, 2010 at 1:12 pm
Hi Lee!!! I do need to relax….now thinking about that stresses me out.
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Tonya – even though rest is the real, true and final answer, knowing you – that will not be a possibility. So, you can try the remedies that may “cover” or “mask” the symptoms that are signs of fatigue – but eventually history will repeat itself and you may have to get “gassed up”…you know what I mean! So, even though you have a very full plate – you need to take the weekend to actually get some sleep while you have the opportunity – otherwise you will have limited usefulness. Because the only answer to relieving that tired worn-out feeling is…REST! Spoken as a big sister…love you
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Tonya Reply:
September 24th, 2010 at 1:14 pm
Okay dr sister Tracy! I don’t have the opportunity this weekend. I just got edits in the snail mail. That means no rest for the writer.
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Well i would drank the milk & eat the chocolate cake. Then go to bed & rest all weekend. Forget about the writing for this one weekend!! Speaking as YOUR MOTHER. xoxo
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Tonya Reply:
September 25th, 2010 at 5:40 am
Huh! thanks mommy!
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I like Linda’s answer, is she really your mother? Better listen to her. LOL
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Tonya Reply:
September 25th, 2010 at 5:41 am
Yes Jill, she’s really my mom. Love her to death, but she doesn’t understand deadlines. . .
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I was thinking SLEEP, too, but Misa beat me to it. I’ve heard of the Prep H before but have never tried it… Try and get to bed early–those edits will still be there tomorrow.
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Tonya Reply:
September 25th, 2010 at 5:41 am
Poor Heather had to look at me today for a few hours. Prep H didn’t work as of yet….I have tons of edits after meeting with you:)
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Lock yourself in a room and sleep. Put a note on the door “do not disturb” until you open the door.
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Tonya Reply:
September 25th, 2010 at 5:42 am
Dru my kids would rip off the note and barge in. Don’t you know they are the best lock pickers. That’s not a good quality is it?
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Tonya,
Thanks for the compliment.
Upon further review the ruling on the field has been overturned.
No, I mean, after mulling over your situation a bit more, it occurs to me that you’re rather like a hummingbird … generating a lot of motion even when you’re basically in one spot (albeit briefly).
Now, I don’t know how or when hummingbirds rest, but I have to assume they DO.
So, stop flapping your literary arms for a few hours and get some dadblamed rest!
Your Dutch Uncle Jeff
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Tonya Reply:
September 25th, 2010 at 5:43 am
Hey Uncle CHUCK/Jeff~ hahahaaaa, still you crack me up.
I’ve never been compared to a hummingbird. I have been compared to a chipmunk on speed.
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Chipmunk vs. Hummingbird.
1. Chipmunk is basically a chattery rodent who scurries around and hoards food.
2. Hummingbird is a beautiful creature which flies through the air and samples the sweetness of life.
In the scant months of correspondence with you, I vote for Door # 2 as most appropriate description.
Jeff.
P.S. As a parent of adult children (& also a grandparent) I assert that (your mom) Linda knows a lot more about deadlines than you may believe. Ha. Right, Linda?
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