Well! It has been an eventful few days at our house to say the least. Saturday morning I felt great and pulled my office apart re-organizing half of the room. Sunday morning I went on a walk with my husband in the morning, came home and suddenly had a stomach ache. By noon I was sicker than I’ve been in a long time. SO sick. Like living in the bathroom sick. I wasn’t sure if I had eaten something bad or if it was the stomach flu.. all I knew was that it wasn’t good. I made it through the day (barely and like I said.. living in the bathroom) and went to bed around 9:00. At 2:00 am I woke up feeling sick and rushed to the bathroom. The next thing I remember my head was pounding so badly and my husband was holding me. I’ll spare you the gory details (there were lots of them) but for the next 20 minutes I basically went back and forth between vomiting and passing out until he finally called 911 and an ambulance came and took me to the ER. (I had passed out initially falling flat – forehead smack on the bathroom tile – and the noise woke my husband up.. thank goodness.)
The EMT’s pumped me full of fluids and got me to the hospital where they did a cat scan to make sure my head and neck were ok from my initial fall passing out. Long story short.. I was completely dehydrated. I stayed in the ER through the night and then was released once they could tell I was stable. I came home puffy from fluids and really really tired. I slept most of Monday and today I felt much better. Not totally myself yet.. low energy, a blueish and very sore forehead, eating crackers and sipping juice.. but better. So! Lessons learned. Next time I’m that sick (please don’t let there EVER be a next time) I will make sure to sip liquids and NEVER get dehydrated like that again. Also thank goodness for husbands who save the day. If he still loves me after that little episode (which brought back way to many memories of this scary episode), I think he’s in it for the long haul. ;) Also thankful for family and friends who are always there for me and who visit and check on me and leave flowers and Cranapple juice on my doorstep. Regardless of how puffy my face is and how blue my forehead is. :)
This has been a strange January for me. (In other ways aside from my recent trip to the ER.. ) I’m usually so ready to take down Christmas soon after its over, but this year I just did not want to take it down. Especially in our living room. The tree lights and Santa Pillows just made me too happy. My husband said “then leave them up!”
So I did. I took all of Christmas down except in this room. My girls added their own flare placing their Little Pet Shops all over the table and my living room stayed this way until just last week.
Last weekend I was finally ready and down it came. Except for the My Little Pet Shops. They stayed. The dolls and toys don’t come out much for my girls anymore so when they do, I’m in no rush to put them away.
As for the rest of the house..
our snowflake wall is still up. But everything else is completely empty and bare.
Sometimes messy.
Sometimes clean. 
But bare just the same. I got the house cleaned last week and El came home from school and said “mom our house looks naked!” Ha! It kind of does. I just haven’t been ready to get out any decor yet. Although I do have a couple of killer centerpieces to show you all..
wait for it..
Ta-da!
And another?
I know. Right!? I really outdid myself with the Step into Reading Super Hero book placed ever so stragegially on my pile of papers and magazines.
Don’t go crazy pinning all of this at once. ;)
This is the only decor I have out at the moment. A cherished item that is holding its own. :)
Living in a totally empty, clean space feels so refreshing to me right now. It’s a blank slate! I’m just working on getting my home organized. I’m sure I’ll get the itch to start decorating again at some point, but for now I’m focused on closets, cupboards and drawers.
And my fluid intake. ;)
Wow! That sounds so scary. Glad you are ok and that your husband woke up and was able to help you. I love a clean slate, to me it means new beginnings.
Thank you Julie! I feel the same way. :) xo
Hi Erin,
Wishing you a speedy recovery!
Sending love from London 🤗
Thank you LB! :) xo
Yikes, Erin! What a scary trip to the ER! I’m glad you are alright! Hope that blueish forehead clears up soon! Thank goodness your hubs was home! I’m like you regarding Christmas decorating. I leave mine up until after the Epiphany. I would keep it up all year if I could lol! I loved your Christmas home tour! I have a confession to make. I kept coming back to it! Several times a day! ( hope you don’t think I’m nuts!) Your home is so gorgeous! Keep the snowflakes up. It’s still winter, and the girls did a great job styling that staircase wall. Do you decorate for Valentine’s Day? Hope so, that will calm me down on your Christmas decor! xo
Thank you so much Nancie! That makes me so happy you came back to my Christmas posts! Not nuts at all. ;) I know.. the girls put so much work into that staircase it might be staying up for quite a while. :) I usually do decorate for Valentines day and today I’m doing something fun for my kids that I’ll share on the blog tomorrow. I think it’s just what the dr. ordered. :) Thank you so much for your kind words! They made me so happy. xo
Wow, that’s scary 😬 Glad you feel much better and would love a clean slate 😆
Thank you so much Theresa! xo
Oh Erin ! What a time you have had ! I have had a tough time to lately with my now second dose of the flu … so over it !
You take care sweet lady and I look forward to more posts xxxx
I’m so sorry to hear that Dianne! It’s so hard to be sick! Who has time for that!? I bet you are over it. Please take care of yourself and drink lots of fluids! I’ll take it easy if you will. :) xo
I am so sorry you felt so bad. Take care! Dehydration happens fast when we are sick!
Love the new decor! You made me laugh outloud!
Can’t wait to see what you’ve been organizing. I am sure it is awesome and inspiring as always.
Get better first!
Piper
Thank you so much Piper! I’m so happy you like my new winter touches.. ha! ;) Lots of organizing coming for sure.. as soon as I’m myself again. :) Your comment made my day cutie! xo
Grateful that you are back on your feet. You kinda bring me joy I must say. I enjoy reading your blog. Love alllll the way from Montreal, Canada. Now, take a sip missy!
Thank you so much Marie! Such a kind and fun comment. :) Sipping away over here.. just for you. ;) xo
ERIN!!! Sweet friend! Reading this made me so worried! I even thought, I texted her and I haven’t heard back {there’s fun news in that text!}…hmm? I’m SO sorry you were so sick. And so glad Kenny was there to help you. Prayers and hugs for a speedy recovery. Don’t let that happen again! xoxo
Gina!! I know! So sorry I didn’t write you back! I wanted to explain everything and didn’t have the energy to text it all out.. ha! Was planning on just calling you today. You’ll hear from me today one way or another! :) xo
Oh my gosh, Erin!!!! That is SO scary! I am so very sorry to hear you have had to deal with such a yucky bug. Not fun at all. So relieved to hear you are okay. Did they say what the bug was that had you so sick? As I was reading I was thinking you had appendicitis or gallbladder issues or something and had to have surgery. Obviously that was not the case. Thank goodness. What a trooper your husband is! Thank goodness your konk on the forehead woke him up! As for the house…It sounds like you are enjoying the quiet of it all before your rev up decorating again. Love the Pet Shop…we don’t have those here anymore. :( Remember those days well. That photo Kole is precious and the frame with the snowflakes is so pretty. Don’t overdo and take care of yourself, my friend!! Hugs!!
They just said it was the flu! I seriously couldn’t believe how fast it hit! I was fine one minute and then so not fine the next! I know.. I’m so grateful it wasn’t worse. My husband deserves a medal. I’ll have to come up with something.. he has been through a lot this week. Trooper for sure! Thank you so much Jeanne! Taking it one day at a time over here. :) Hugs right back! xo
Sounds awful Erin! So glad you are feeling better! I’m right there with you. Christmas decor stayed a little longer this year. January is for regrouping & organizing.
I totally agree Penny! I love January for that very reason. Thank you so much! Definitely on the mend. :) xo
Scary episode – glad you are feeling better.
LOL – my tree is still up. The tree a big one, with hundreds of family-memory ornaments, and it takes a few days to “get it right.” We put it up around the first of December and it was so pretty – especially this year for some reason – and I told my husband it was staying up until February. ;)
Like you, it makes me happy.
Sheila
I love that Sheila! I say enjoy it as long as you want to. :) Thank you! xo
Oh no Erin! So sorry for your recent ER episode. Thankful you are resting and regaining your strength! And you had me at the new centerpieces! :)
Ha! So happy you liked those Lisa. ;) Thank you so much sweet friend! xo
Oh my goodness! I’m so glad you are okay! Your husband must have been scared to death.
Take it easy this week and get plenty of rest:)
I think I definitely scared him Kathy! I feel so bad.. it seriously came out of nowhere and hit so fast. Thank you so much cutie! Resting lots this week. :) xo
Erin, So glad you are getting back to good health! Scary situation but a good reminder not to take things for granted like health, family and other blessings! I love your clean slate version of the house! We just moved into our new home 8 weeks ago so ours looks similar as I really want to take time to hang things and add decor in a meaningful and beautiful way. Always enjoy your posts! ~ Tina
I agree Tina! A good reminder for sure. I’m so grateful it wasn’t worse and we are all ok. Congrats on your new home! That is so exciting! I agree.. take your time! It’s so fun to add personal touches and slowly make your new house home. :) Happy for you! xo
Oh my goodness, Erin! I’m so glad you’re okay!! Take lots of time to rest and relax this week. xo!
Thank you so much sweet Katie! I’m taking it easy this week for sure. xo
SO glad you are okay and recovering! hope you are feeling much better!!!
Thank you! I’m feeling SO much better today! :) xo
oh Erin that’s super scary!!! Thank God you’re ok and Kenny woke up!!! Be well :-)
Thank you so much Aria! Scary for sure and I know.. SO grateful for Kenny. Thanks again for your kind words! xo
So sorry that happened to you! Take care and glad you are ok!! I love a blank slate too. Maybe you need a few red touches or hearts for Valentines. You deserve a Tarjay trip after all that mess you went through!!
Ha.. yes I do April! ;) And I’m actually doing something fun for Valentine’s today. I think you’re right.. just what the dr. ordered. :) Thank you so much for your well wishes! xo
what an ordeal! glad you are feeling better. it’s always hard when the mom is sick!! love popping into your blog and today i liked reading about your normal. bare shelves and sometimes messy counters and Christmas still up. i JUST started putting things back up yesterday from Christmas. kind of fun to let the house sit for a bit and then start. i feel like i am on the right track with decorating when I read you do it too! happy rest of the week!!
Thank you Erin! I know.. when mom goes down the whole ship goes down. ;) I’m so glad to hear you are just taking Christmas down too! I agree.. nice to let things sit for a while. Thanks again for your kind words! xo
So happy you are feeling better! Claire in CT
So sweet of you Claire! Thank you! xo
What a scary night, so glad you’re feeling better. Love starting with a clean slate, but it won’t take long to having your naked house clothed in beauty again. :)
Thank you so much Linda! No rush. :) xo
I am so sorry Erin! I hope you feel even better today. I am glad your husband heard you fall AND got up to investigate. I got sick like that on our pre-baby family trip to Wisconsin Dells. I also ended up in a (very rural) ER (while praying baby stayed put). Take it easy this week!
For future reference, because if you are prepared you won’t need it, right? CVS brand pedialyte frozen pops have kept everyone from me to my baby with cardiac issues out of the ER when stomach bugs hit. I like the taste better than the brand name and for some reason after the first couple hours of being sick, it is something we can all keep down. Hopefully CVS is national? If not, I can send you some! ;) We have to stock up each time we go because they never seem to have more than a couple boxes and 6 people in the family mean when we get sick we go through them fast.
You seem to be blessed with such sweet friends and family (and I know you are so sweet in return). Prayers for a speedy recovery.
JC you are such a sweetheart! I’m so happy to know about those! We have a CVS near by and I’m totally going to check them out. I usually use gatorade with my kids, but half the time they throw it back up and it’s such a mess! I’m going to look into the Pedialyte frozen pops for sure. Thank you for that suggestion! I’m praying my kids don’t catch whatever I had! Never fun when the whole family goes down. Your similar scare sounds awful! I’m so happy you made it through that. Thank you for your kind comment and well wishes! Taking it easy today. :) xo
Oh gosh! I am so sorry to hear about your illness!!! I had a similar experience where I had a kidney infection and didn’t know it, went to the bathroom in the night, passed out and woke up in a puddle of blood with a chipped tooth:( Stuff like that is scary!! Glad your hubby took care of you!! Get lots of rest and drink your water (such a simple yet hard thing to do) (((hugs)))
Jeannie that sounds SO scary!! Oh my word. I’m so glad you made it though that. Glad we both made it and are ok! It’s so easy to take our health for granted. Drinking lots of water around here for sure. :) Thank you sweet friend! xo
So sorry you had to go through that awful experience Erin, what a scary thing for you and your family! So happy your home and doing better! I’m pretty sure you’ll be drinking lots of water now ((((HUGS)))) xo
Hi Erin! I just found your blog yesterday through Pinterest and spent way too much time at work perusing it all!! I absolutely love your taste in decor. Your house is absolutely gorgeous! I actually live in San Diego as well. Such a beautiful place to call home right. I am so glad the rain is done for awhile. I have missed our sun. Hope you feel better and am so glad to have found you! :)
Wow Erin. So scary, I’m so happy to hear you are on the mend. I had the flu like that the day Elle gave birth to Berkley. I was so sick and weak. I was so bummed I couldn’t be there for the birth as I was for the boys. Take it easy and get better. The house can wait. . Sending lots of love your way xo
Erin! As soon as you said ER I was totally flashing back to my panic when I found out about your emergency hysterectomy! Ah! I’m so glad it wasn’t anything more serious! That is totally weird you got that sick from being dehydrated! When you were talking about the stomcah ache I was totally thinking appendix, so I’m glad it wasn’t that! What a great excuse to stay home and relax!
I’m feeling the same way with my house, after having the cabinets re painted and having taken everything out of my kitchen and living room, I wanted to just leave it for awhile and see how I felt about wanting to redecorate. Now my problem is I want to re do and get all new stuff! Wish I had that in my budget! But for now everything is bare!
Rest up friend! 😘
Oh my goodness so scary!!! My daughter passed out in her bathroom because of the flu. Ended up tons of stickers above her eyebrow. So scary. Hang in there.
***stitches! Not stickers. I wish!
Oh, Erin! You poor thing! I’m so sorry to hear you were so sick and had to make an ER trip, but super glad that you are feeling better now and are on the mend! Get some rest and I rather like your clean slate you have going on right now! 😘👌
So happy you’re feeling a little better.Take your time! No Orange Theory allowed for a bit! 😜 Xoxo😘
Good grief, Erin, I’m so sorry to hear how ill you were, and so very glad you are feeling much better (and thanks to your kind husband and the ER staff).
And here I thought I’ve been so sick (virtually 24 hours on the bathroom floor last week). This week I still “feel like ass” as the my Canadian doppelgänger Sara said today on her blog (http://livelovesara.com). With luck, and good hydration, hopefully we will all feel much better by the end of the week. And no third round of the flu for Dianne.
Best wishes to you, Ardith
You poor sweet thing! I have total empathy for you! My precious husband, (an RN and a former Navy Seal), went through the same thing, (Ambulance and all), and he was in AGONY, so my heart goes out to you. Sooooo glad you’re better! Drink, drink, drink! 💧Take good care. Blessings &a joy. 💙
Oh my goodness that’s so scary. I’m so glad he was there. Don’t over do it!
I’m so glad you are feeling better, but can I just say this post made me laugh out loud?! I loved the carefully styled centerpieces ;) It’s nice to be able to get a look at real life sometimes. I love all of the beautiful pictures, but it’s nice to know that it’s not perfect all the time. And the fact that you still have a sense of humor after that ordeal, you get a gold star in my book. Hope you are back to 100% soon. Take it easy and thanks for such a wonderful blog.
Continue to feel better Erin. Sorry you were so sick. Really enjoy reading your blog .
Darlene
How scary, Erin. So glad you are ok and you have an amazing hubby watching out for you. Take it easy and get back to 100%. I laughed at El’s comment, but she is right the house does look naked. You always have so much color and decor. Beautiful either way!! xxoo
That sickness sounds awful!!!!! I’m just recovering from having the cold/flu for the past week and am completely wiped out. Luckily I didn’t have to go to the ER like you…but almost. And my husband saved the day too taking care of me and keeping the kids alive. Thank goodness for great husbands!!! So sorry you had to go through such a horrible time! Get better soon!
Oh no, Erin! I am so sorry to hear that you were so sick!! That is just awful! Thank God your husband heard you when you fell!! Just rest and get better!! xoxoxo
So glad you are feeling better. Prayers for continued recovery.
I am sorry this happened to you! Nothing like an experience like this to make us appreciate our health and well-being. So glad you are on the mend! Although I don’t comment often, I started following you when I read your husband’s post about your scary experience after delivering your son. I have enjoyed following all of the sunny and inspiring posts in between! Starting work on my own clean slate after recovering from a rather unpleasant root canal – can’t wait! Keep well Erin 💗
Wow, scary. Hope you continue to feel better.
How scary, Erin! I am glad you are okay and that you are feeling better. Stomach bugs are never fun…especially when you end up in the ER!
I love a clean slate too! Sometimes it is nice to have everything put away and just see bare surfaces. :)
Good grief, Erin! Two crazy near deaths for you! I’m so glad you’re amazing hubs could save the day again. And if I AM so relieved you’re okay, I can only imagine how he must feel! Hope you’re back to 100% soon!😘
Wow! So scary for you! Hope you are feeling better soon! I don’t blame you for wanting to keep the Christmas decorations up; they are beautiful! :)
Sorry to hear of your illness. Your husband is a good man for being by your side. I’m glad you are on the road to recovery! Your home is beautiful. I know what you mean by a clean slate! There’s such ‘freedom’ in that that I just can’t describe. Thank you for sharing.
Erin,
What a scary experience, so glad you’re on the mend. Sometimes us mommies are busy taking care of everyone else, we neglect ourselves. Hope you feel better soon. I’m a new follower of yours, and your blog has quickly become one of my favorites. Lori Swearingen :)
Hi Erin, sad to hear your not feeling well :( Hope your getting plenty of rest and liquids. Reading this post, brought tears of your previous one :( Take Care.
Erin!! You poor thing!! I’m so glad you’re on the mend! That same exact situation happened with my husband – the fainting when he was vomiting (was yours referred to as vasovagal?) – I also called 911! Not only did the fire truck, ambulance and police all come, half our neighborhood came over to see if everything was okay. I was hugely pregnant and had two babies 2 and 4 at the time. Thanking God to this day that it was a bad stomach virus and dehydration and nothing more, and for you too. (The silver lining right? :) )
Wow, Erin, that is so scary!! I’m glad it wasn’t serious and you are recovering. Rest up, but I’m sure you’re over it by now and ready to get your energy back. No pressure, but can’t wait to see your next posts and what you were working on. ;) Take care of yourself!
Glad you are feeling better! :)
Oh my gosh! That is so scary. Thankfully it sounds like you’re on the mend; take care of yourself. Not sure what I’d do if I were in your position; my husband would’ve slept through it all.
My goodness! So glad to hear that you’re feeling better! Those stomach bugs can kick our butts pretty quick if we’re not careful! Sending well wishes your way! :)
Sounds like a scary experience!! So glad you are feeling better. I love reading all your blogs. You are so inspiring to everyone who reads. :)
Ug, it’s so hard to strike the balance between being hydrated and not vomiting when you have a bug! I can completely see how this could happen. So glad you are o.k. and feeling slightly better. I can’t believe you are back blogging already – but very glad you are ;-) Take care of yourself xx
So glad you are feeling better! How scary that must have been! We moms tend to take care of everyone else except ourselves sometimes. Prayers that you have a speedy recovery!
I have had a similar experience minus the 911 part. I actually had a seizure and passed on the bathroom floor and my fiance took me to the ER. I was completely dehydrated! No fun! I am really careful when I get sick now. So Sorry.
Best wishes for a speedy recovery Erin.
What a scary experience! I’m so glad it wasn’t anything more serious and that you’re feeling better. <3
January was a weird month for me too…I felt motivated to take down Christmas decor quickly because I wanted to get busy with other projects. But once it was down, I felt so stalled. Nothing seems to motivate me to get going. Post holiday blues I suppose. Here's to a more cheerful February!
Oh, I’m so sorry I missed this post, Erin, and even more sorry you were so sick! I am truly so happy you are better and getting back to your fun, organized self! I had food poisoning a couple of years ago, and I have never been so sick in my life. I didn’t go to the hospital, but my hubby was just about to that point when I was finally able to leave the “comfort”…NOT, of the bathroom! I wasn’t even that sick when I was going through chemo, and I hope never to be that sick again. You either…stay healthy and keep on organizing!
Warm hugs,
Carol
Oh my word Carol! I was going to say.. you of all people know what it’s like to be SO sick! Never fun. Fingers crossed we both stay OUT of the bathroom and hospitals from here on out.. ha! ;) Thank you! Hugs right back. :) xo
Praying you will recover fast! I re-read your April 2010 scary story and just cried my eyes out. I have been reading your blog for 7 years already! I wish you were my sister because I don’t have any sisters and I am 37 going on 38 years old! I love you, I love your personality, I love your sense of humor, I love your house, I love how you are an awesome teacher to all of us Moms out there! Your blog helps me in so many ways, you have no idea. Too bad I live in Wisconsin. Some day I will make it to California to enjoy your sunshine! Take care sweet Erin! Rest and drink water! Praying for you and your family!
Amy in Wisconsin
Amy!! You’re going to make me cry my eyes out! Oh my word! What a sweet comment! I can’t believe you have been reading that long. We are old friends! And I love you too! :) So sweet of you.. honestly your thoughtful words mean so much to me. If you ever do make it to California you have to call me! We will meet for lunch and catch up on all things. I have no doubt we would be fast friends. :) Thank you again! So so much. xo
Just getting around to reading this post (busy like you!!) I’m so sorry to hear that you were so sick! That is extremely scary… and awful to feel so crummy, let alone falling & ending up in the ER! Glad to know you’re feeling better!
Thank you so much Allison! It was scary but luckily it wasn’t anything too serious and I am doing so much better. :) Take care cutie! Thanks for stopping by. :) xo