Insomnia (?)

I can't believe I'm awake. Tomorrow is Sunday, and church of course, and I can't sleep. So, since I now have a laptop, I can play downstairs without bothering anyone. I was asleep, but Lucy fussed for a while, and now my brain is awake. Hopefully not for long. I am sipping "sleeping tea", decaff of course, but hasn't worked yet. Too bad tonight's not New Years, I don't plan to be up at midnight tomorrow either!

Escape to work

We are nearly normal, for us anyway, here finally! I have never been so excited to work as I was yesterday and today. I'm even looking forward to covering New Years' Day. Of course, who wouldn't for double pay?? I haven't been covering this holiday since I was on call New Years' Eve for Y2K, the great hubaloo that never happened. Yesterday while on a home visit (to a person that could nearly be described as "my neighbor") I encountered something I actually haven't seen before, but now that I type this I recall a similar incident in East Linn County. On yesterdays visit, I was sitting across from a man who was pleasantly describing his political views to me, fortunately we pretty much agree, and I looked over at his much-used ash tray to see his hand gun. It was the first time we'd met and I was very glad I wasn't a Nancy Pelosi enthusiast! The only similar incident was an 80 + year old gentleman, who was very vision-challenged that kept a loaded shot gun by his recliner. I'm discovering that I"m more comfortable around guns, than large dogs, as one seems to be more predictable than the other and yesterday was the first time I had a dog come at me over a gate as soon as I turned my back. I think I"m the one that needs a hand gun. Ha!

Warning: This blog not for the faint of stomach

What a Christmas this has been! I think it is one for the record book, as the....well, I hate to say the worst one ever, but there's very little other comparisons to make. First of all, our original plans of the family get-together with my parents and sisters was to happen December 16th, with us leaving on the 15th. I should back up, though. Monday the 11th Simon woke up with the stomach flu, the worst kind...both ends. He made a quick recovery and we were sure our plans were safe. However, Friday morning as we were all packed and making some last minute arrangements before our targeted departure of noon, Lucy got the throw-ups. So, cancel family Christmas (boy, you want a house full of woe and wailing, do that to kids!), reschedule for 1 week later, and everybody stay healthy. Worked for us, until we were at grandma and grandpas house, the day to leave (at least we had our family time) and Simon does a repeat all over Grandmas kitchen and bathroom floors. I wasn't feeling too hot, neither was grandma, but boy was I glad there was no carpet involved!! We made a hasty retreat with a bucket in Simons lap. He made it home until the next "incident". A few of us were still having some sort of symptoms, so we missed Christmas eve Sunday and any other church services, but felt we could still do a Christmas dinner on Monday, which I had prepared for by asking mom a bunch of questions, as it was to be the first I've prepared myself (stuffed turkey and all). I prepared the stuffing, stuffed the bird, and put it in the fridge to pop in the oven Christmas morning. Alas, it was not to be. Tavin, 6:20 am Christmas morning, loosing her cookies. Sigh. I took my beautiful bird to the nurse who was on call for home health/hospice, and they had it for us. We ate 7-Up and saltines all day. Finally, I thought we were done. But no. Lucy's turn at 11:30 pm Christmas night. Which made me go back to feeling crummy. I found a cure, though. Yesterday morning I got up at 7, supposedly to work, made it in the office for all of 10 minutes and went back home and to bed. I woke up 4 1/2 hrs later feeling better.

So far this morning, everyone feels better, but Tavin still has some...ummm...lesser symptoms. I can handle just about anything but throw up. So, this was our Christmas season this year, the reason for the season doesn't change, nor does the excitement with presents. I, however, hope to never have one like this again!!