Woe is Me

I've hardly blogged the past several days, because it is hard to think, even about something silly, maybe especially about something silly, when your brain -pardon me - is full of snot.

I've  been sicker than sick and it finally traveled south to my lungs.

So now I'm on an antibiotic, an inhaler (hate, hate, hate, loathe), a decongestant and some other stuff.

I can tell the illness is getting better, though I have no energy and am enjoying the side effects from the antibiotics.

Husband started getting sick Saturday, so he went to the doctor this morning and they put him on the same antibiotic I am on.

Our church probably thinks we've become one of those families that show up every great once in a while to warm a pew.

I could go on, but you get the drift.

And if you are like anyone else I've spoken to lately, you don't feel so good yourself.

Later.

Second Round

I was so happy when I was over my sinus infection enough to go to the concert.

I noticed that my throat was a little sore as we were headed back to the car after the concert.

I have been smacked up the side of the head for the last few days with some I-don't-know-what, and Daughter has it, too. I won't go into details about the nasty symptoms, but it's respiratory and in the head, so you get the general drift.

All I've done is cough, sneeze, snort saline and blow. And sleep. Not at night. At night I'm up every dang hour on the hour. But during the day I can't stay upright.

Friend brought me a "home remedy" for the congestion and cough.

I now know why the Indians called it "fire water".

One teaspoon did me in. I just thought I was a staunch teetotaler. Whoo-wee!Never again. Apple Brandy, honey, and lemon juice. It smelled like fingernail polish remover. I should have known if it smelled like that I should take five paces back. But I am sick!! My judgement is off.

Husband laughed.

And another thing about this illness. I think I can get up and do something, and I start with good intentions. I really do.

But I can't seem to finish anythi

What a Night!

Wow.

Husband, Daughter and I went to a concert last night.

Boy howdy.

Joy: An Irish Christmas was at the Cobb Energy Centre last night and they took the word energy very seriously.

Their 'back up choir' was none other than the Jubal Choir. And if you've ever heard the Sons of Jubal or the Jubalheirs, you know ain't nobody ever had a back up choir like that. Their string orchestra was with them, consisting of violins and and bass.

For a short time, there was a children's choir up there, too.

I was saturated with the music.

Mandolin, Uilleann Pipes (the Irish Bagpipe), Irish Whistles, Bodhran (the Irish spring drum), Harmonica, Guitar, Lute, Piano, Violin (mostly played as a fiddle, if you know what I mean), Percussion, Celtic Harp, Bass, electric and upright, Banjo and last but not least, the slap stick.

There were Irish jigs. We sat, we stood, we sang with them, we listened to them. We laughed at some silliness and became tearful at the awesome reason Christmas exists.

Even if you haven't heard of Keith an Kristyn Getty, you've probably heard the new hymn, "In Christ Alone". Mr. Getty is a man who has decided we need more than the contemporary pop and worship songs, and felt led to go back to the hymn type songs most of us were raised on.

We heard Christmas music that was new to me, straight from Ireland. And many of the old favorites we know by heart.

There was passion, humor, story telling at it's best and worship through music like I'd never heard before.

We loved hearing the Irish brogues, and I know if I hung out with them much, I'd be havin' a wee brogue meself.

And did I mention the surprise guest who came and chatted with us, sang with us and played a mighty fine mandolin,himself?

Some guy who's won fourteen Grammies. Name of Ricky Skaggs.

What a night!

What music!

What a Savior!

Thinking Back...

I have a blouse that is at least thirty-one years old.

I still wear clothes that are older than Daughter.

So, sue me. As long as they don't have holes in them, and I still like them; I don't really care if they are "out of style". If I'm going to spend money, I want to spend it on house stuff, if it's for me.

Anyway, I actually wore this blouse the other Sunday under a Christmas vest. The blouse is made from the green and red plaid cloth that everyone is familiar with. It has a high collar and a bit of ruffle down the placket in front.

The reason I smile every time I see this blouse is because of this little story:

Husband and I had been friends for a while. After my horrific divorce, he called me a few weeks later to say he was sorry. Someone from our work had called him to tell him about it. (He was living in a different town). We talked a couple of times, even went to the mall and got muffins.

But our first "real" date was to the movies.

I wore that blouse because it was close to the Christmas season. I put on a pair of my good jeans and waited for him to arrive.

He knocked on the door, I threw it open, and there he stood.

In a button down shirt, made from exactly the same green and red plaid cloth my blouse was. He had on his good jeans, too.

We stared at each other for a moment, then burst out laughing.

Deciding what the heck, we went dressed just alike, calling ourselves the Bobbsey Twins. (If you don't know who they are, you are too young to be able to read).

Of course, his brother-in-law and nephew were there. I'd never met any of his family. I wonder what they thought about our attire...

His shirt is long gone. I think he outgrew it.

But you know what?

I think I'll wear that blouse every Christmas season until I can no longer fit in it, or it just plain wears out.

Memories are a good thing, no?

What?

Sick.

Obedience training for the dog (or is it for us?)

Hard proof copy of new novel coming in and finding problems...not knowing if it will get here before Christmas.

Taking Mother to the doctor.

Daughter getting whatever it is I have. (Mongolian Strangle, I think).

Cats being terrified of dog.

House in uproar.

Wrapping presents.

Having a Christmas Party  Sunday night at the house.

Not having any cards mailed.

Insurance Co. giving us a hard time because they made a mistake.

Company I've done business with for years giving us trouble over a faulty item.

Film at eleven.

Alone

I usually don't blog on Sunday.

I am never alone on Sunday, but today I am, so there you are. I thought I'd blog.

Husband and Daughter are at church. I am missing Husband's - what I'm sure will be stellar - performance in the Christmas play. He is a "middle-aged farmer" and if that ain't stretching the truth, I don't know what is.

I started feeling sick night before last, but I thought I was having an allergic reaction to the dust on the tree we had brought up to decorate. I'm allergic  to household dust, which usually just comes in handy for an excuse not to be able to dust.  If it isn't stirred up, it doesn't bother me.

But then, as the day drew longer yesterday, I got sicker and sicker. Ran a fever last night.

I think I have a raging sinus infection.

Yay, me.

No problem that we have a Sunday School Christmas party right here at the house this afternoon.

Thus far, I have missed the Thanksgiving service at church, which included a meal and communion. I have missed several church services and Bible studies lately. I  missed a play we had tickets for. I missed the WMU Christmas dinner.

There are probably other things to add to the list, but I stopped keeping track.

At this afternoon's party, I shall just be quiet and good and smile a lot.

This, too, shall pass and I'll be well again.

But for now, I'm alone.

On Sunday morning.

I have to believe it's getting better, a little better all the time....

Maybe things are calming down a little.

The puppy seems to be finally catching on. She's had a lot to figure out. Riding in a car the first time. Coming into a house the first time (and not wanting to go out for fear she was staying out). Seeing a cat for the first time. Going to the vet for the first time.

Poor baby.

But she now knows when she goes outside it is for potty and fun; she will be coming back in.

Cats are here to stay, and they are very strange animals.

The crate is a place to rest; we will not leave her in it all the time, like a pen.

She knows the commands sit, heel, and no.

Not bad for just a few days.

She's a very smart girl, and if our backs hold out, I believe we just might make it.

I'm Back..

Praise the Lord and pass the taters, Mama's home.

We've had a terribly stressful week, not knowing what was going to happen to my mother; if she was going to have very serious surgery.

More has happened this week than you can shake a stick at, and frankly I have a blur in my brain.

I've tried to do a few things at the house today, and found myself starting and stopping and not getting a whole lot done.

At least we got some laundry done and the plants watered and some vacuuming...maybe we can get this joint cleaned up before the Christmas party we are supposed to have here on Sunday afternoon.

Oh, and did I mention, in the middle of all nights at the hospital, all days at the hospital, worried sick, my back HURTING, that we got a puppy?

I didn't?

Well, pardon me.

She's a full blooded American Bulldog. Half Johnson bloodline, half Scott bloodline, whatever that means. She's eight months old, and cute as a button and wild as a buck.

I ain't had a moments peace since she got here.

I called the obedience school, but they haven't called back. I figured somebody warned them.

Say hello to Bonnie. Be glad I got a picture that's this good. Took about ten.

Good news: My mother is home - weak, but better and on the way to recovery.

Bad news: My family is totally bonkers.

What were we thinking?

She's so stinkin' cute....

Bonnie, I mean. Although my mother can be pretty cute, too.

Mother Said There'd Be Days Like This

You may or may not have noticed that I have not blogged in several days.

Life can be so complicated sometimes, that blogging and other enjoyable things come to a halt.

Mother, as we speak, is in the hospital, and I, along with most of my other family, have been right there with her.

She has an intestinal blockage, which ain't good news no matter how you look at it.

We'll know either tonight or in the morning if surgery is imminent, and odds are, according to the doctor, surgery will be necessary since her body has not been able to pass it on its own.

Brother of Many Surgeries and His Wife both have the flu, and have anxiously called often for progress or lack thereof because they can't be present.

I know from experience, that is harder than long waits at the hospital.

Prayers appreciated for us all.

It's December .... Already

So today is the first day of the last month of 2014.

You may be asking: how the heck did that happen? How did we even get to 2014 in the first place?

I dunno.

My baby brothers turned fifty years old today. I don't know how that's setting with them, but it's setting pretty old to me.

Christmas will be here in a flash, and I can barely move. If I don't stay over this mess with my sacroiliac, I don't know what I'm gonna do. I think I'm better and WHAM it's like I've been hit with a baseball bat. Twice.

Daughter is having finals this week, so you can figure the mess she's in.

Husband is going to see a man about a dog tomorrow.

No, really.

I don't know if we will get it. We all had high hopes we'd go as a family to look at the pup, but with my back and some commitments I have, I know I can't do it all. And Daughter, as I have said, is having finals this week.

What the situation is, is this: someone somehow has to get unbusy, unpained enough to put up the dang Christmas decorations.

Any volunteers?

Only one string attached:

You got to clean the house first. I ain't having no decorations put up with nasty underneath.

Gimme a call if you're interested.