Lazy, Not Stupid

 Sigh.  It's only January and already we are being asked to declare our intentions next year. Scott received his "intent to retire" form yesterday at school. He hasn't signed it yet but I suspect it will be submitted today. It is a very big move for him (and a scary one for me) but I know that he is excited. I'm not sure what it will look like having a retired husband but I guess I'll find out next year.

While Scott is busy addressing his intentions for next year, yesterday Timmy was invited to sit in on the classroom he will transition to when he enters Fourth grade next September. He hasn't been in school all week because of the flu so he wasn't properly prepped for the classroom switch. Thankfully my little Hamlet has become quite versed at going with the flow and happily logged into a novel classroom for the day.

Timmy was tight lipped about his experience in the new classroom but he seemed content by the end of the day. I still have not decided where he will attend school next year because so much of that decision depends upon where we settle. In the meantime, I'm just trying to keep this year afloat. Since I'm not sure where we are going to end up, I am proceeding as if Timmy will stay enrolled in the same school. 

Although Timmy was short on feedback about the new classroom, his future teacher emailed me last night. (As a former educator, I appreciated the outreach.) She told me that she enjoyed getting to know Timmy and that she is looking forward to next year. When she asked Timmy to share something about himself, he offered the following words. "You should know that I can be lazy but I'm not stupid. There is a difference."  

At least he is honest?

Normalcy

 After more than a week the battle against the germs has finally turned our way. Yesterday afternoon was the first time that both boys were without fevers. Although they were both tired and worn out from being sick and not eating for so long, they are both on the road to recovery. Today Robby will begin his second semester classes and Timmy will return to school. Yay for normalcy!

Our snow, which fell so beautifully last week when I was sick, is now being melted by the rain. So much for our winter wonderland! Instead of the yard being blanketed with a beautiful sparkly white covering everything is slopped with mud and wind debris. Thankfully Friend will be content to curl up on the couch today rather than jump in the mud.

Today is going to be rainy and dreary, but I'm not going to let that impact my mood. The kids are better and everybody is returning to school. After a really long week of vomiting and fevers, normalcy feels like a vacation!

Sick House

 Yesterday was spent nursing both boys while doing copious amounts of laundry. Both have been hit hard by the flu, leaving them with high fevers, chills and every other unsavory symptom. I'm grateful that the vomiting stopped by the afternoon and I'm optimistic that the gastrointestinal symptoms are fading. The amount of laundry that we have been churning through over the past few days borders on the obscene.  

Thankfully I'm recovered (enough) to take care of everybody. My fever has been gone for a few days and, while I'm still fatigued from being so sick, my days have been full-steam ahead taking care of the boys. I hate seeing them so sick! This time it is especially hard because I know that I probably gave it to them. 

Another day in the Chenoweth sick house. I hope you are staying healthy!

Flu x2

 The good news is that I am feeling considerably better. I spent the majority of Friday in bed, sleeping and battling a fever. The snow fell throughout the day while I just laid on the couch in a trance. By Saturday the fever was history. I spent the rest of the weekend trying to regain my strength, a task which seems to take longer the older I become. 

By Sunday morning I was feeling normal albeit a tad more fatigued than I would prefer. Of course, my fatigue could also be attributed to the fact that I was up most of the night with Robby who had caught my infection. He spent most of the wee hours of Saturday night/Sunday morning violently vomiting while burning up with a fever. When Timmy came out of his bedroom coughing and looking as pale as a ghost Scott and I immediately knew we were destined for the doctor.

It is confirmed that both boys are battling the flu. Timmy spent the night vomiting and fighting a fever while Robby managed to sleep. Hopefully they will both be able to rest today. I hate it when my kids are sick!

Lousy

 I thought I was feeling better but on Tuesday night I started to struggle with nausea, overheating and chilling. I managed to settle myself on the couch in the living room under an electric blanket and I avoided vomiting, but I knew that it was going to be a rough day. Yesterday I spent much of the day on the couch, fighting nausea, fatigue and congestion. Boomerang Covid is no joke!

I woke up this morning continuing to feel lousy. I'm hoping that I feel better as the day progresses. If not, it is going to be a long one!

Sorry for the short blog. I feel lousy.

SNOW

 After a four year drought, the snow has finally arrived! I woke up this morning to several inches of fluffy cold blanketing the yard. Friend, who has never experienced a snow of this depth, jumped into the yard and ended up sinking to his nose. He promptly shook the snow off of his coat, turned around and walked back to the house. It turns out that he is not a snow dog.

Timmy is going to be delighted when he wakes up. He has been hoping for snow for YEARS! This is the first time he is going to be able to take his sled for a proper spin (in his memory) and I know that he is going to be over the moon. Unfortunately he has school today (no snow days when your school is virtual) so he will have to wait until the afternoon to play.

I have a feeling it is going to be an antsy morning for him!

Saturday Night Blackout

 This weekend was spent recovering and resting. I spent the majority of the time on the couch, binging Succession and napping at will. Everybody seemed content to do their own thing so I suppose we all needed some solid decompression time to recover from Covid and the holidays.

On Saturday we were treated to a wind storm which promptly knocked out our power. The limb fell from our neighbors tree and the downed line was visible from our front window. We knew it was going to be awhile so, as soon as it started to get dark, we piled into the car and headed out for dinner. It wasn't until we were at the restaurant that I realized how long it has been since we've been to the restaurant which, before the pandemic, had been one of our favorites. We have gotten into the habit of carryout but think that is going to change. It was really nice to all hang out together in the booth, munching on burgers and milkshakes while talking and laughing. 

After a long dinner we were optimistic that the power would be restored but we were wrong. We drove up to a dark (and cold) house holding a very scared little pup. Everybody scattered into their own corner with a warm blanket and whatever electronic device was charged. I ended up in bed listening to an audio book through my sleep mask. I listened to my book for four solid hours and was completely uninterrupted. It was amazing! I can't remember the last time I was so immersed in a story.

Our power turned on before midnight but I fell asleep so I didn't realize it had been restored until I woke up in the morning feeling warm and cozy. Despite being cold, it was a great night. I actually can't remember the last time I had such an enjoyable Saturday night.