That photo has nothing to do with my entry but I love it anyway because that is the look of sheer anticipation and joy. Pearl is a typical Beagle in that she is cute but also an awful, horrible, no-good day dog. However, if there is ever anything I can do to get her to calm down and behave herself for a few minutes, it’s while I am busy filling up her Kong toy with peanut butter.

When I mentioned that Breanna was waking up every night because her cough kept her from sleeping, a few people suggested that I put Vicks Vapor Rub on her feet at bed time. I had actually heard that before, but had always thought it was an old wive’s tale, right up there with not raising your arms overheard while pregnant because you’ll strangle your unborn baby with the umbilical cord (yes, I was told this once). I didn’t think it would actually do anything and was reluctant to try it because I knew you weren’t supposed to use the rub on a young child’s chest because the camphor is too strong for their lungs and could cause seizures, blablabladeathandmayhem.

And you know, while I know safety standards evolve, that’s one of those things that makes me stop and ask, “really?” Because I don’t know about you, but I spent a great deal of my childhood with Vicks on my chest so I could breathe at night during cold and flu attacks and I never had a seizure, died, or grew a second head. Sometimes I wonder how the human race has survived at all!

Anyway! After a bit of research I determined that putting the rub on Breanna’s feet wouldn’t endanger her health and, depending on who you asked, it would either help her or do diddly squat to keep her cough at bay. The thing is, although I had heard of the theory before, people leaving comments on my blog and emailing me were actual people who had tried it, not just some anecdotal story about someone’s best friend’s sister’s boyfriend’s brother’s girlfriend who heard from this guy who knows this kid who’s going with the girl (Ferris Bueller ahoy!) who tried it out and had it work. I figured I had little to lose and a whole evening of peace to gain, so why not?

I put a thin layer on, stuck her socks on, and got her into bed. She fell asleep easily and quickly, and then proceeded to sleep. For hours! She did not wake up coughing. I had an entire evening where I only had to listen to the breeze blowing through my brain. It was so relaxing and I was able to unwind. The best part was that Breanna also needed that sleep; she woke up so much more refreshed this morning, having finally gotten a good night of sleep again. I am a total believer.

She’s currently sleeping with about half a jar of vapor rub on each foot. This stuff is awesome. It’s the only reason I was able to watch a special night of Criminal Minds, drink two cups of tea, and read more of the very excellent Slumdog Millionaire which is, not surprisingly, even more excellent than the movie was.

Hope your Sunday evening was relaxing and cough-free too!