ugh

the sickness lingers on.

for the past 48 hours I have felt absolutely horrible. for the past 36 hours or so I've been running to the bathroom at very close intervals. some intervals were a little too close for comfort. For the past couple of hours the intervals have been increasing, although my giant meal of chicken noodle soup (the only thing besides a couple of soda crackers) has once again caused some upset.

obviously, I could not go to work today. I'm super tired and a little dizzy, I'm trying to drink water, diet sprite and sport drink (in small amounts) because I don't want to get dehydrated but it's tough. my hands are super dry too from all of the extra washing. fortunately, I found a 3 pack of lysol wipes so we've been wiping handles and knobs easily. the dogs aren't happy about the new no kissing rule or the closed doors in the bathrooms. Mark had a bit of a relapse this morning (which worked out okay from a work point of view because his cab went into the shop for some repair work today). I'm pretty much convinced that this is norwalk.

I hope it goes away soon. it's exhausting and horrible and I really want to get back to work. time off when you're this ill is no fun.

sunny daze

sunny sammy
Originally uploaded by Julep67

I know that many folks around our little corner of the world complained about how cool and wet the July weather was. I wasn't one of them. I don't complain about cool weather because I cannot function when we get stuck in one of our humid heat waves.

Right now, we're in the middle of a doozy. It's been going on for several days now and the air quality is absolute crap at the moment. Last night, I was outside with the dogs before bed and I couldn't get over how hot it was, at 9:30 p.m. I dumped out their little doggie pool which Mark had filled up earlier in the day and this morning, there was still water on the deck where I'd emptied it. There is so much moisture in the air right now that the water was not evaporating. The outside of our house was dripping from condensation this morning, it's just nasty.

The weather is making Mark sick too. He had two migraines last week which, according to the doctor (and we really already knew this) were caused by the crazy weather. Today, he's sick with a horrible stomach bug. He was up all night last night and we're not entirely sure what caused it but I'm sure that the weather has at least something to do with it.

The only upside to this is that we caught up on some tv watching over the weekend (thank you A/C). We're completely up to date on our Coronation Street watching - although we found Steve and Becky's wedding a little hard to stomach and watched some movies we've been wanting to see.

Today, I'm back at work, slowly getting through 2 weeks worth of email. I may get through it all by the end of the day if I'm lucky. If I'm not, it may take me until sometime tomorrow. The break away was nice but honestly, if I'm hiding inside in the A/C, I might as well be at work, right?

/stupid rant about the weather

a few tuesday things

Wolfe Island wind farm
Originally uploaded by Julep67

So we had a great weekend 'round here. Absolutely fun and busy and good.

Yesterday, however, we both felt a little yucky. Mark had a migraine, I had a sinus headache and had to take a 1/2 day off from work. Today though, we're both good as can be.

I'm a smidgen bit busy today so I thought I'd just share a few thoughts with you, aren't you glad you're here?

1. RuPaul's Drag Race is awesome. Finally, a Drag Race which is actually a race between men in drag and not a car thingy. I'm a fan of Nina Flowers. Not sure if it's already aired in the US and they know who the winner is. I've been watching it on MuchMoreMusic here in Canada and we've still got one episode left. Go! Nina! Go!

2. Wind Farms are cool. We went to Wolfe Island on the weekend to see the wind farm (eventually there will be 86 turbines I think) before it goes online. Those turbines are huge and impressive.

3. It sometimes takes a bad sinus headache to help you appreciate how good, normal feels. Normal is feeling really nice right now.

giant sleeping fur ball

giant sleeping fur ball
Originally uploaded by Julep67

it's been a busy couple of days around here.

on Thursday, poor Sam was sick. Well, not sick so much as inconvenienced. When we went out in the morning for a poo, he was constipated and was really whiney and obviously in discomfort. Eventually, with the help of some olive oil and extra food, we were able to get things moving. The culprit was a piece of string, most likely ingested during the great living room fiasco of the day before.

Mark stayed home with him during the morning and eventually everything was okay although a bath happened in the process. Mark discovered that Sam loves baths so that's something at least.

Yesterday, poor Mark was sick. His kidney stone (the last one!) is on the move again and is causing him to experience all kinds of back pain. He's on the heating pad right now and that seems to be helping.

Anyway, we're up early this morning because Sam is finally on our work routine and that means everyone is up at 5! I'm thinking that later on, it's naps for everyone!!

so long friend

what's that?
Originally uploaded by Julep67

Bella went home last night. She stayed with us for almost 6 weeks and we were sad to see her go. It was pretty cute though, how excited she got when her owner arrived to pick her up. She's an awesome dog and we will miss her a tonne. Hopefully soon, we'll have our own puppy.

I ended up staying home from work yesterday. I felt totally crappy all day and was pretty sick again last night. This morning I went to work (and am still here now) but may leave a little early. I've had a fever and a headache all morning but didn't want to take anything for it, for fear of upsetting my stomach again.

Stomach seems settled now though so I took a pill and hopefully my head will clear. So yeah, that's all that is new with me. Over the past 24 hours I've slept a lot and watched several episodes of "In Treatment" on demand and literally, nothing else.

feather pencils

feather pencils
Originally uploaded by Julep67

Over the past few weeks, Mark and I have (I think) been giving each other the same cold. Back and forth, back and forth. That is to say, we both get feeling really shitty but never get actually down and out sick. A week or so ago, he passed a kidney stone and the days leading up to that were horrible for him. Now, I think we're through the cold / flu / sneezing / coughing / achey stuff. The cold blanket of snow may have flattened those particular germs out.

Today though, I've had a horrible stomach situation going on. It was going on this morning and then it started up again this afternoon. Stupidly, I ate dinner tonight (tofu and broccoli yum) and it set it off again. Wouldn't that just bite, getting through the winter without too horrible of a cold or anything, only to get a bad stomach situation thing now. I'm not amused and I'm in a great deal of discomfort.

That aside, today was a day of good news. I saw a photo of a friend's beautiful and soon-to-be officially adopted child and learned that an old friend has found a new love and is blissfully happy. I'm not a selfish person who can only find joy in good stuff happening to me. I can find a lot of joy when the folks I care about are totally blissed out and happy.

ick

Today was a sick day for me. I didn't sleep that well last night and when I finally did get up and start moving around, my head felt like it weighed 100 pounds. I called in and left messages for the girls in my office and went back to bed. I always feel a tremendous amount of guilt about sick days but I always know that I'd feel worse if I go in and make everyone else sick.

Other than sleep and watch tv, I didn't do much today. We had another dump of snow overnight last night so our lovely neighbour Tommy was over and cleaned up the driveway for us again today. Mark did the steps and laneway. I'm so thankful that we have Tommy to help us out, the amount of snow on the ground this year is just unreal. I don't remember seeing this much accumulation in 5 years or more. It's a real Canadian winter out there for sure.

At one point today, I was snoozing on the sofa with the dog and heard some noises outside. Our crazy gravel stealing neighbours have listed their home with an estate agent yet again. This time they actually put a sign on the lawn. It should be interesting. I've been reading about tough it is to sell a house at this time of the year, particularly this year with all of the snow. The other day, I saw an interview on tv with a guy who does home inspections and he was saying how tough it is to look at roofs and foundations right now. I must say, if I couldn't get a solid report on those two things, I wouldn't buy a house.

Anyway, I must say that I'm feeling better tonight than I have in a few days. I'm a little groggy but I'm not aching and feeling lousy which is really good. Tomorrow I'll be back at work. Daytime television will just have to make do without me.

all over for another year

all over for another year
Originally uploaded by Julep67

did you have a nice holiday yesterday?

we had a lovely day. we spent the afternoon and early evening with my family and enjoyed a terrific meal and lots of laughs.

Mark worked today so we cut the evening short. I actually was feeling really lousy too. My neck and shoulders were burning I was so stiff and sore. Not good. We took a long route home so that we could see some of the lights displays and I was really happy to return home when we finally got here.

This morning I woke up with a full blown head cold. This explains so much of what I've been experiencing since Saturday evening. I got a really good nap in this afternoon and just had a little bit to eat and am feeling marginally better. I'm planning to take a bunch of drugs now and hit the sack again. Sleep seems to help this thing. I want it gone soon.

fresh ontario strawberries

fresh ontario strawberries
Originally uploaded by Julep67

I love the autumn. I love the cool air, the crunchy leaves, wearing sweaters, the lot. I miss strawberries though. Fresh Ontario berries specifically. The ones you get the in stores at this time of year are woody and from texas or california and cannot hold a berry scented candle to them.

Mark's feeling a little bit better tonight. We now realize however, that he did break his toe. It's a mess. He's hobbling around. Whatever virus he has, is still there but he actually got through an entire day at work. He's under strict instructions to take it easy this weekend.

I have to go out of town for work tomorrow so I won't be home to bitch at him if he tries to do too much. I hope he just sits on the couch and puts that foot up. It's what he needs to be doing, imho anyway.

not good

so it turns out that the big traffic mess last night in our little neighbourhood was the aftermath of an accident. An 11 year old girl (there are lots of kids in our part of town - we live very close to 2 elementary schools and 2 high schools) was hit and taken to hospital with serious head injuries. What we saw on our way home last night was the accident reconstruction team from the KPD. yikes.

also, Mark's still feeling shitty. he went to the doctor today and she ordered some tests so we're waiting to hear what it might be. she thinks that it is something viral. no doubt, whatever it was, he picked it up from snotty kid in the taxi.

hopefully, by this time tomorrow, we'll know what's going on. to add insult to injury, he banged his foot last night and has a seriously mangled toe on his right foot. he is not having a good week.

oh well, better days ahead, right?

it was a dark and stormy night...

it was a dark and stormy night...
Originally uploaded by Julep67

I really need to get out and take some new photos.

Our neighbourhood is like a little speedy race car place right now. After work, we stopped off at the grocery store to pick up a few things for tonight's dinner. As we approached our neighbourhood, apres shopping, we noticed that the police had a block of Concession Street closed.

Right now, there is that yellow "don't even think about driving here" tape stretching across the street and really hard working constables are sitting in their cars monitoring the confusion. We can't tell what happened but it looked like an access bus might have been in an accident.

The resulting accident has created lots of would-be detours through our neighbourhood. We watched four cars turn onto a dead end street (quickly) not realizing that it didn't go anywhere. It was amusing to us. Our neighbourhood is a very quiet (normally) place with little side streets that meander and just go to other quiet side streets. We were having a bit of a chuckle watching guys in souped up cars speeding a long, only to have to throw on their brakes and turn around.

weiners, all of them.

So, Mark's still feeling sick. He went to work today but quit around 1:30. Whatever he has, it's really dragging on. I hate things like this. I prefer to get sick, good and sick, and get it over with. Long, drawn out, irritating illnesses just bug me. Yeah, I'm grouchy, I know. It'll pass, I think.

achey

Poor Mark, he's still feeling like hammered crap.

I don't know what kind of weird bug he has picked up in the cab (I'm guessing) but it has a hold on him. He doesn't have a sore throat or stuffy head but he's really sore and stiff in his arms, elbows and shoulders. He's been talking to folks in the cab who have the same thing.

Whatever it is, I hope he gets rid soon. He's really uncomfortable and miserable and I feel terrible and useless watching him feel so crappy.

Oh yeah, it's also windy and raining like crazy here right now. The weather sort of matches the mood of our house right now.

hot and cold

it's sort of hot today but Mark may have a cold.

I've pumped him full of meds and he's snoozing at the moment.

Hopefully some dinner followed by a good night's sleep will set him right again.

I told him earlier, it's Simpsons week, he cannot get sick this week of all weeks!!

update

I consumed mass quantities of garlic today and somehow that has made me feel better. I also took a bunch of advil cold & sinus which may have helped as well.

Either way, I refuse to give into the germs. Today was a gorgeous, warm, sunny day and it's supposed to be like this all weekend. We've borrowed a friends industrial pressure washer and we plan to clean everything in the yard, house included, this weekend.

Snot be gone! I wanna play with the pressure washer!!!

snot!

I think my cold might be back.

On Tuesday, I thought I was getting sick. I took lots of drugs and went to bed early and felt great yesterday.

Today though, I'm coughing and spitting and blowing my nose.

Crap!!

I cannot get sick, I'm too busy to be sick.

Yuck!!!

incredible effort

my brain is well and truly fried.

I went back to work today and everything seemed to overwhelm me. whatever the bug was that I had yesterday was nasty and it's lingering a bit. I actually have an appetite again so at least that's something.

with any luck at all, tomorrow will much better and by the weekend, Mark's birthday weekend, I'll be 100%.

*fingers crossed*

introducing insult

so in addition to lingering minor back discomfort, I seem to have picked up a stomach bug somewhere.

I'm definitely not going to be making it into work today.

Quite frankly, I'll be lucky to make it to the sofa today.

On the bright side, if I'm not in a coma tonight, I can watch Sanjaya tonight.

Every cloud really does have a silver lining, doesn't it?

what folks talk about

st mary's cemetary - early morning
Originally uploaded by Julep67.

I've heard a lot of sad news just recently. News about folks who are moderately sick to gravely ill. News about folks who were killed in "accidents" which were caused by other folks who were impaired. News about lovely folks who have passed away. I've also had to be talking to folks at a monument company about headstones and cemeteries. Not a lot of fun, any of it.

Yesterday at work, we were talking about the things we were afraid of. A couple of my colleagues said that they were afraid of death. I don't really fear death, I mean, I'm not looking forward to not existing anymore but it's not something I spend a lot of time thinking about, my own death.

Perhaps watching all of those episodes of "Six Feet Under" helped me to develop a more healthy perspective on death and dying. Watching Joe die last year helped too. I feel like, when it's time, it's time. I'm just happy to know that when it's finally over, I won't know that it's happened. I guess the very best that anyone can hope for is that they don't have a long, painful, drawn-out illness during their final few whatevers (days, months, years).




Yeah, rather than dwell too much on thoughts about my own demise, I think I'd rather distract myself with musings about Sanjaya's hair last night on 'da idol. You just can't help but love that boy!!

sunday

icy morning
Originally uploaded by Julep67.

hey folks.

the freezing rain we woke up to on Friday morning didn't last too long, fortunately. It melted rather quickly and caused a lot of mini-floods in the roads and streets of our town. because it's been so cold lately, the storm drains were frozen solid. all the melting ice and falling rain just sort of pooled in the streets for a while on Friday. fortunately, the sun came out in the afternoon. big chunks of ice rained down on the ground everytime the wind blew. it was neat to see.

it took us until about 9 a.m. to get out of the driveway so I was a little late getting into work. because all of the local schools were closed for the day, some folks didn't make it in at all.

the weekend has been quiet around here. I picked up a headcold last week that is still dragging me down. because it's all in my head, by the time I'm ready to go to sleep, my head is starting to fill up and it makes breathing tough. I get up frequenly in the night to blow my nose and get something to drink. it's not fun and it's been going on since Tuesday. it can stop anytime it likes.

today I need to get the laundry done but once that is done, I don't really need to do much of anything else. I might even squeeze a nap in if I feel like it. it's nice to have options.