checking in... more to come

Hello there. I know, I know I have been so absent from the blog... sorry about that! I went last week to Las Vegas for the NCCL conference, which was really wonderful. We all agreed that the presenters were smart and current and academic, and that the conference was full of great information and inspiration and very little fluff. We all came away inspired and excited and raring to go.
In the meantime, we had fun checking out the strip and eating great food and all that. I, unfortunately, came down with a WICKED stomach bug on Monday (second day there) and after bolsting from my workshop and losing my lunch all up and down a conference center hall, I was pretty much down for the count for a day or two. I rallied enough at one point to go and convalesce at the pool, which was lovely... and then forced myself to crawl back to living little by little. I was as sad to miss the workshops, which were excellent, as I was to miss the food and fun.
Once I get my bag of free things sorted out, I'll write more about the actual information part of the conference, so do stay tuned.

kinda fluey

I bravely dressed and went in to work today briefly, just long enough to get everything set for Baptisms, and then hit the road and ultimately, the couch, again. I am not sick to my stomach, but I don't feel like eating, which is HIGHLY unusual for me. I feel, just... kinda... wonky. Sluggish, tired, energy-free. I looked up Tetanus shot reaction and this, I think, is what they mean when they say "mild flu-like symptoms." I also read that you can expect possible "fussiness" and "Crying nonstop for 3 hours or more." Luckily neither of those have happened... yet.
My shooter (the woman who gave me the shot, that is, who I, weirdly, THANKED afterward) said that if my injection site got hot or red, I should call the on-call, they would probably prescribe me some antibiotics. And, you know, my site is indeed hot and red... but overall I just don't see calling the doc. about it- any doctors or nurses out there reeling in horror at this picture? Do advise.
PS, it looks worse if you sit back from the screen a bit. There, see?

flu-like symptoms

At noon today they told the distressing news that Rudy Giuliani was hospitalized overnight with "flu-like symptoms". Now, this blows my mind. Since when did flu-like symptoms become a hospitalize-able situation? Here's the criteria for that- if you are rich and/or famous, you are entitled to a night in the hospital for things like being nauseous, or if you are suffering from "exhaustion". I wonder how many single, working mothers are suffering from exhaustion right now? If we opened the doors of our hospitals to everyone who had the flu, of course they'd be over-run immediately. So we reserve these beds for those who get news coverage for whatever minor "illness" they have. What really irks me about this is, this in particular is a man to whom the country might soon look to when it comes to health care decisions that will effect every citizen. Does he even remember a time when having "flu-like symptoms" meant calling in sick, curling up on the couch, and throwing up in a bucket? I doubt it. And I can't help but wonder how his personal experience of health care might effect his vision of health care for the country.
I'm just sayin'.

sick girl chronicles (two new posts)

So, on Thursday I started to feel kinda... ooky. But Friday was our day at the Fair, and so I fought it off. Went to bed early, took cold medicine, and convinced myself that it was nothing.
Friday, I was a trooper! I felt pretty crappy but I fought down a corn dog, lemonade, german waffle fries, part of a fried dough, and a coffee frappe. Oh and some cider. That night we had people over and although I wanted a nap, instead I had a really fun time hanging out with our friends, and managed to eat two hot dogs. And have a beer. I really went above and beyond.
Saturday I was supposed to go to the Corn Maze with the youth group, but instead I stayed home and coughed through two episodes of The War on PBS.

Sunday I went in to work early to e social at coffee and donuts, (and have donuts) but I really felt pretty bad, and spent most of the day at my desk trying to keep my head off of it. It turned out to be an extra long day. WHY did I go in so early??
At the Sign of Peace I did the fist-bump instead of shaking hands. I felt toxic.

Today I got up after a rough night and darn it, I don't feel better! I am sick of being at home on the couch, without even the energy to make soup, coughing and nursing a sore throat. My sister's school nurse says the cold that's going around is a TEN DAY cold. I am on day 6. I wish I had some ice cream.