There is provided aqueous fluids comprising a mixture of at least two polysaccharides, water, and glass microspheres having pacified surfaces. There is also provided a method for making a fluid the method comprising (a) selecting a plurality of glass microspheres having alkaline surfaces; (b) coating the surfaces of the plurality of glass microspheres with an acid; and (c) combining the coated glass microspheres with (i) a mixture comprising at least two cross-linkable polysaccharides, and (ii) water. The fluids are useful, for example, as a drilling fluid.