Am eye sick?

So I've let another month lapse by without updating my blog.  It's mid-February now, and this is my first entry for the month.  I wonder if this is going to be my regular pace of blogging...one entry per month?  I guess my lack of updates is because there hasn't really been any "blog-worthy" news.  I've been spending lots of time taking care of my ailing family--in the middle of January, my two children came down with nasty, hacking coughs.  Then my husband caught it.  He went to his doctor and got anti-biotics straight away, and I also had the kids see their ped, who made them go on antibiotics as well.  I was fine all this time and feeling rather smug that I was immune to their bug.  However, maybe I spoke too soon?  I've been coughing so much, and it feels like there's a sea urchin in my throat.  I just have this prickly feeling when I swallow--it's not painful, just a bit itchy--and when I cough, it goes into this coughing fit.  Other than that, I feel alright.  I've been popping Halls cough drops like they're candy.  That seems to help with the coughing.  I don't feel like I need to see a doctor just yet, but maybe I'm just in denial.  I'll see how I am next week.  If my cough gets worse, I'll definitely make an appointment, but at this point, I'll just wait it out.

Part of why I'm hesitating on seeing my doctor is because I don't know if it's some kind of bacterial infection or virus, or if it's just the way my body is being affected by the vog.  Depending on the way the winds blow, the vog (volcanic ash smog) from the Big Island of Hawaii affects me differently.  Usually, if it's really bad, my sinuses feel tender and there's upper respiratory congestion.  Sometimes I get this prickly feeling in my throat (similar to what I have now).  The coughing makes people around me think I'm sick...but I'm not, the vog is just being mean to me. 

In dolly-related news, I just donated a sizeable batch of eyechips to PUDDLE.  I wish I could go--this year's theme is RAINBOWS.  I feel so isolated here in Hawaii.  It would be neat to meet up with other doll collectors.  Unfortunately, I cannot afford travel to IL right now. 



I seriously wish I had a doll for each different pair of eyes I have.  I enjoy making the eyechips, but it takes a lot of time to get them centered and bubble-free.  Also, filing the taxes is a pain.