Reality Check
While I try to refrain from complaining here most of the time, I also know that I appreciate a little reality check once in a while. As a blog reader, I like to see writers reveal a human face. I like to see that people—even blogland-perfect-seeming people—make mistakes, struggle with decisions, have a messy house or a scattered mind. Truth. I like it.
Truth is, things are kind of a shambles around here these days. Asher got the flu last Thursday. Ian got it on Saturday. Both were quite ill through Easter. While Asher has recovered some of his bounce, both he and Ian are still a wreck, with terrible coughing. Asher is emotionally all over the place. I got the sick yesterday, complete with 101 degree fever and chills. When I woke up this morning, it was clear that Lucas finally had the flu, too.
We’ve been stuck at home now for the better part of the last five days. I got out for a bit last Saturday to see friends at a garden birthday party, which was fun. Easter Sunday was subdued. I met with some colleagues on Monday night.
Yesterday I somehow edited a 4,400 word chapter with a fever. I have no idea how well I did that work. But a rush editing job is rush, whether I am sick or not.
It’s not all rotten. Just mostly rotten. We have watched more videos in the last four days than in the last several months put together. Today we finally managed to get the dishwasher and the clothes washer going. Together, like a shamble of zombies, we folded four loads of clean laundry that were stacked up and beginning to topple over, so that it was getting hard to tell clean from dirty on the floor. We are keeping the chickens and the dogs and ourselves fed. Last night’s rain meant that I didn’t have to try to water today, which is something I doubt I could have done. Lucas has practiced his piano.
I missed painting class. I have taken no photos since Easter. We’re eating ramen and egg salad sandwiches and fish sticks.
Ian plucked up his courage yesterday and did a couple of errands. He went out to buy me a new nebulizer because mine is broken, in anticipation of some bad wheezing brought on by this illness. That’s true love, man.
Did I mention this is Ian’s and the kids’ spring vacation? Yeah. Sucks. In the midst all of this, we’re wrestling with a pretty big decision. Tempers are short. And yet, we carry on.
April 11, 2012 at 4:57 pm
Sara,
So sorry to hear you are all struggling with flu; I know how it takes all the strength and energy out of you. Not fun at all. Hope you are feeling better soon. Wish I could email you some good nourishing soup.
April 12, 2012 at 12:31 pm
Thank you for the sympathy, Cathy. That’s sweet of you to say.
April 11, 2012 at 10:16 pm
So sorry for the illness you and your family are enduring. Our family is just emerging from a couple of weeks worth of flu and pneumonia, so I can empathize with your situation. Wishing you and your family lots of good rest and a quick recovery.
April 12, 2012 at 12:29 pm
Thank you, Christine.