Just a December morning ...

Hustle and bustle ay? Yep. Things have been a little hectic. But we're almost through the year! 2011 is heading out already! Man alive. Time sure flies when you're living doesn't it? 

This morning I headed out on some errands with my little lemon pie. I overestimated the chill factor once again and draped her in fleece. Poor kid. She's always sweatin' when we get home. But she stayed silent as I hit the ATM - they changed it around again! I'm shoving deposit slips and envelopes in that slot that is now made solely for checks. Friggin A. I have to come off looking like a moron somehow. After managing to not break the delicate machine we took a quick trip to CVS. I am in there every damned week. I fumbled around for a bit with that weird, tiny drug store shopping cart, trying to attach Scarlett's carrier as safely as possible. (To all you holier than thou mamas, please hold your comments about how we should never place a baby in there and we should always use a stroller made specifically for our car seat carrier or wear our baby for the best bonding experience at all times. I read the same literature. I'm just a rebel I guess... and apparently not as good a mother as you). We managed to get it just right and went on our way, navigating the same aisles over and over. I smiled as passing women gave sweet looks to my baby girl. Some asked her name or how old she is ... some commented on how her eyes were wide open. All seemed to really enjoy her presence. I felt proud to be pushing her... my own child that is bringing joy and smiles to complete strangers. Normally, I am the one sneaking peeks into the passing strollers. I still don't get those few mothers who give snide looks as I smile at their babies. Perhaps if I was wearing a John Wayne Gacy costume I'd understand a bit better. Anyhow, we made it through the shopping trip without a tear. Just a fuss-spell at the counter while the clerk tried to figure out my out-of-the-ordinary coupon. (Of course). After packing up the car we started on our way home, dodging the raindrops. I began my routine of getting the baby in the house first, throwing a cookie outside to my barking dog, unpacking the car, locking everything up, unlatching my child and making her comfortable, putting my goods away and writing up my receipts. After a few phone calls, the baby's bottle and her nap and a load of laundry - here I am... with my cold turkey-loaf sandwich (on Sicilian bread with mustard - what? gross). Do I continue with my week-long cleaning spree? Do I begin baking those Betty Crocker easy-as-hell cookie mixes?? Tell ya what I'd like to do... I'd like to make myself some candy-cane cocoa and watch my DVR'd Christmas specials until miss moon wakes up. Ya know what? I just might.  

who writes about a throat infection??

Well, I haven't experienced much over the past few days as I have been ill. Beginning last Thursday, I had an annoying little pain in the back of my throat that felt like a canker sore but more probable the start of 'hell-throat'. It stayed the same for 2 days but by Saturday it was ready to wipe out my coast, hurricane style. I am no stranger to a throat infection. As long as I can remember I have had 3 or 4 a year and some years more than that. I know the deal. The glands swell up making my neck throb and look even thicker than usual. The swelling causes pain in my ears that is almost unbearable. Much like someone pouring gasoline in your ear and then lighting a match so that it burns the entire canal. It is relentless pain. Next up the glands push everything up into the back of my throat so that swallowing becomes nearly impossible. Then come the adorable "white spots" ... we all know what those are, I refuse to write the term. So, Saturday I just stayed on the couch while the rains from the "Danny" storm pounded our streets. By the afternoon I felt feverish and horrid. The throat became worse. The ear became worse. By nightfall I knew Sunday was going to BLOW. Sunday was indeed filled with horror. Things just spiraled downward. Motrin wasn't working. Tylenol wasn't working. I knew that the lovely crew at the Walk-In were going to be seeing my face at 8 am Monday morning. I was unable to eat due to the pea-sized hole in my throat that would hardly allow food to pass through. I could barely get water and a pill down. Once at the Walk-In, they did their usual blood pressure (120/80) and temp (no fever) and strep test. When the strep test came back negative the CNA and the doctor looked at each other and both said "REALLY???" as if they couldn't believe their crazy little ears. So this is where they panic. Walk-In clinics very rarely diagnose anyone. They just give you an antibiotic and send you on your way. I had the "nice" guy this time. He made me a little, gross but adorably PINK, numbing mouthwash to gargle with (which didn't work worth a shit), my usual Z-pack and, to my surprise, Vicodin for the obvious pain. Off I went to CVS to gather my drugs and within 15 minutes I was home inhaling them all. Vicodin did nothing for the pain. In just a few short hours I felt like I should have been hospitalized. I knew I had a fever as I was laying on my couch under 2 heavy blankets with teeth chattering, hands frozen and yet my head was boiling hot. The pain and swelling in my throat and neck had become so bad I could no longer talk. I resorted to on-and-off spitting to save myself the torture of disturbing my infectious demon. I used ice blocks on my neck to try to help the swelling and discomfort. Once I decided to stop taking the Vicodin and switch back to Motrin, I finally felt some relief. After 3 Motrin, and about 40 minutes, I was able to talk a little bit better and swallowing wasn't AS excruciating. During the night I was sweating and freezing - blanket, no blanket, fan, no fan, window open, window closed. Up and down up and down up and down. BUT, by this morning - my fever symptoms are gone and the pain isn't much better but at least I can keep it under control with about 3200 mg of Motrin. Lucky for me, I have protein shakes so I am still getting all of my daily requirements even without being able to EAT. I am looking forward to the next available day when I can scarf down a spinach pie - or anything for that matter. :)

Not a very interesting or worthwhile post but that's what's goin' onnnnnnn ...

thank you note ...

I would like to express my gratitude to the lovely little CVS on Warwick Avenue. I can't tell you how many times I found myself nearly shattering your well-intended, yet malfunctioning, automatic door. It never mattered what my choice of footwear was for the day. Four inch heels would slow my stride a bit, sure, but not enough to time my entrance into the store correctly. Heaven forbid I was wearing super-speedy flip-flops ... I narrowly escaped painful neck injuries and a broken nose on more than one occasion, for sure. While I never actually walked directly into the door I was just as annoyed at the fact that I had to pause time and time again before getting "clearance" to enter. So, you can imagine my excitement when I took that most familiar pause only to learn that this was a shiny NEW door. Sliding over to the side with great agility and speed, this door opened with a smile! I am once again proud to be a loyal CVS customer - thanks again, guys. Strap on your jet-packs and leave your helmets at home, this door is ready for you.