Sick

Today's post will be short. Why? Because I'm sick. I made it through this entire winter thus far without a single cold, and I think I must have gotten cocky because on Sunday, karma hit me with a sledgehammer. Seriously, I'm pretty sure an evil fairy snuck into my room at night and filled my sinuses with hot coals. And then set my throat on fire.

It's been three days so far of achy, moaning unhappiness, contemplating the vodka in the cupboard left over from Christmas. Because at times like this, it seems stupid to be sober. Don't worry, I didn't get drunk. But I did add a splash to my orange juice when I was home from work. You know, to help me sleep. (You wouldn't judge me if your throat felt like mine at the moment).

I've also managed to use the time away from work somewhat constructively. Although my brain function is limited (it's mostly gone towards continually identifying what parts of me hurt and how much), I've still managed to read two books in two days. I know I should be sleeping, and I'd love to spend this time unconscious, believe me, but here's something I've learned. It's impossible to sleep when you have sinus pain. It's just not going to happen without powerful sedatives. And unfortunately, I think I've built up a tolerance to Nyquil. It just doesn't seem to work like it used to. So, I read. And luckily, the books I've read have been good. Really good. Able to distract me for small periods at a time from the hot fiery pain in my face and throat.

So, cross your fingers for me that I'll be back on my feet soon. I have work to do, a manuscript to edit and both will be easier without the constant achy torture of this god-awful virus. In the mean time, It's back to bed.

Still Feeling Crappy

I have to plead for patience this week. I woke up Monday morning feeling a lot better, but by the time I got home from work I felt horrible. I had the worst sinus pain I've had in a long time. I spent the entire evening wishing I could pull my teeth out with pliers. Still feeling crappy the next morning, I stayed home from work. And it was a good thing I did, because I was miserable. By noon it had developed into a flu as well so I was able to add throwing up to my list of symptoms. (Lucky me!) So, obviously I haven't had time to write a proper blog post.

I hope to be feeling better soon, and don't worry, I'll still be posting this week's edition of Five Sentence Fiction on Friday. So, thank you for your patience!

The Best Laid Plans of Mice and Men...

This was my plan for this weekend:
- Get up reasonably early
- Clean the house (it's disgusting)
- Catch up on the ridiculous amount of laundry littered throughout the house
- Walk the dog
- Blog
- Edit manuscript
- Help my sister get ready for a craft fair next weekend

This is how my weekend actually went:
- Friday at work develop a dry cough
- Get home from work and notice my throat is really sore.
- Make pad thai and decide that a good night's sleep will cure what ails me
-Wake up Saturday morning feeling like death warmed over
- Spend the entire day in and out of consciousness on the couch, eating oranges and ingesting liquids. Get exactly nothing done
-Wake up Sunday feeling mildly better, feel accomplished for having taken a shower.
- Go to sister's house where I accomplish a mild amount of helping
- Return home, put in a load of laundry, decide I'm Superwoman and deserve a nap on the couch

Life Lessons I Learned This Weekend

1. Never take your health for granted. You could be perfectly fine one day (say, Thursday) and wake up perfectly ill the next (for instance, with a truly sore throat and nasty sinus congestion on Friday morning).

2. Never complain about how poorly you feel, or how inconvenient it is. Things can go from bad to worse in the blink of an eye. (For example, you could wake up Saturday morning no longer with a cold, but spend the next twelve hours continuously vomiting and feeling so nauseous that every time your husband asks if he can get you anything you beg for a bullet and a gun).

3. Never mix cold medications. Ever. (Trust me. Just refer to number two.)

4. It's entirely possible to be hungry and hate food at the same time.

5. Never assume that you'll accomplish a lot on the weekends. Use the time you have, while you have it. Fate loves to throw a monkey wrench in all your plans.

6. Enjoy your food. Savor every bite that doesn't make your stomach rumble with warning. Tomorrow just the sight of it could make you turn green.

7. Never underestimate the comfort a loving husband or a good friend can bring you when you're feeling at your worst. There's nothing more soothing than a loving hand to help you up, or hold back your hair. Cherish those that are willing to do that for you.

8. Time, and some good 'bad' TV, heals all wounds. (And viruses).

9. Do the dishes while you're well. Because there'll only be bigger stacks of them waiting for you when you get better.

10. Never mix cold medications. Ever. (It had to be repeated. It was a big lesson.)