Unique

Grant gave me the most unique birthday present I've ever had.  It was a stomach virus.  He got it at the Apple Festival, and thought it was so memorable, he just couldn't help but share it.  I've never had a birthday present like it!

Would you like me to start where I left off?  Jake has a tumor.  It's okay.  I had it checked, and it's non-cancerous, so you can go ahead and do your Arnold impersonation now.  And Callie is on the pudgy side, not unusual for a lab mix.  That is all the vet news. 

The rest of the week was good, I think.  It's a touch hard to remember.  A lot of things have happened since.

On Friday we left for Versailles!  I took Motrin, and my back was fine. We read in the forecast that the low temperatures would be below freezing, so instead of camping in Gran's field, we packed the small tent for the kids and they camped in her living room.  We did go play in the field, though, when we got there - even though the sun was setting.

Nanny came over in the morning, and we went to the festival - armed with thick sweaters/sweatshirts/jackets and mittens.  We parked where we always do, but the ponies weren't there!  Josh eventually found a sign, and we made it.  Abbie rode Bella, and Grant rode Socks.  Everyone was super nice.  Then, we wandered a little, and found spots for the parade - right across from the Bank of Versailles.  My grandfather used to work there, you know.  The kids and Nanny got giant corn dogs, Josh got a cheeseburger and I got a very yummy tenderloin sandwich.  Then, we watched the parade.  It's a HUGE parade!!  I think they said there were 96 entries.  Wow.  Lots of politicians, and lots of tractors.  Lots of candy, too!  And after the parade we did more wandering and shopping.  At that point, the temperature, which was only barely cooperative to begin with, dropped.  Not much fun after that.  The kids did play a giant chess game, and Josh bought them a new chess set, complete with a chess book, signed by the author.  And I bought pies and goodies for my friends and family, while Nanny listened to the steel drummers.  Then, on our way out, Josh got a SHOEBOX FULL OF CURLY FRIES!  No kidding, folks.  Huge.  They are called Texas Twister fries.  He got cheese on his, instead of ketchup.  The only sad part is that the air was so cold that they didn't stay warm long.  Cold cheese fries = not my fave.

We spent the evening making food so that when Gran came home from her trip, she would very obviously not need to cook.  And Nanny had made cupcakes, and we decorated them like Jack-O-Lanterns.  It was fun.  And we also watched The Phantom of the Opera.  Gran came, and I even got to see my mother briefly, and all was cozy and happy....until after bed time when Grant started to vomit.  Oh, yeah.  That was a mess.  And the end of the fun. 

We tried to leave first thing, but Gran wanted to cook for us.  It was almost noon when we left.  We did have to make some unscheduled stops for Sicky, but we were prepared with bags, etc.  Still, not fun.  Then we made it home, and I called the school to say that Grant wouldn't be in it the next day.  We unpacked, and I took care of poor Grant.

He was feeling much better Monday, when we both went to pick up Abbie.  Sadly....I wasn't.  I had to pull over on the way home, and then as soon as we got in the door, Abbie threw up, too, so I had to take care of her, as well.  Josh came home complaining of queasiness, but I figured, "He's a grown man, and I know from his career in the military that this is NOT the first time he's thrown up [cough, cough, booze], so surely he is one person I don't have to take care of."  Uh...wrong.  And if that wasn't bad enough - my grandmother AND mother also caught it.  [To clarify - I didn't have to take care of them or anything, I just felt guilty at having been the source of the germs - indirectly, through my son.]

Fast forward to Wednesday, when everyone was better...mostly.  At least, we weren't violently ill.  I actually got out of bed and uploaded taiko pictures for hours and hours instead of sleeping.  Grant had his first Discovery class, and that was great fun, but meant that I had to pick him up at the other school.  When poor Abbie came to the car she said, "I can't find my brother!!"  It was so heartbreaking!  But I reassured her at once, and then she was fine.  Next week, I might write her a little reminder note.

Yesterday was Thursday, and I thought I was better, but I really wasn't.  Again, I got out of bed.  This time, I was applying for a job.  It was a Corporate Training Coordinator in Lake St. Louis, and I really wanted it.  I wrote probably my best ever cover letter (oooh, the rhyminess!), and since it just happens to be at Josh's work - I thought I would at least get an interview, based on the fact that I'm not a total stranger.  Just found out a few minutes ago that this isn't the case.  I didn't get it.

Anyway, I wasn't ready to taiko yet, I could tell.  And then, about 3:30ish....I got better.  Really.  It's freaky the way you suddenly feel human again.  Wow.  I didn't know how cranky I was, either, until I suddenly wasn't.  And I talked to both my mother and grandmother, and they are both fine (WHEW) and Nanny never got it at all. 

So, today I'm doing laundry, and I've already cleaned my room up, and I'm making plans to take the family to the Warrenton High School homecoming football game tonight.

Hee.

Tomorrow we are making the Halloween wreath I bought supplies for, and resting.  Then, I finally return to taiko on Sunday!  I can't wait, because you know what I did while I was stuck in bed?  Wrote a song!  Take THAT, 12-hour-stomach virus!!

I also signed up for Goodreads.  You on that?  Look me up.  ^_^  I now have a list of books I can't wait to get a hold of. 

And did I mention that my perpetually undead maple looks BEAUTIFUL?  Well, it does.

Good health to you, my friends.  Drink your yucky orange juice!