Still alive…

 …barely.  What I thought was just, at worst, a head cold, turned vicious on me.  I’ve spent the past two days curled up on the couch running fever, watching Christmas movies and alternating between blowing and coughing out what could be important parts.  I can only assume one of my sweet little ones who just want to hug and cuddle when they’re sick shared germs with me.  I’m so thankful for the 3 day weekend, because I’m only just feeling better today.  I don’t know that I could have made it to school today.  Because of the coughing I haven’t slept very well.  I finally ventured out into the public today.  Partly to get rid of trash.  Last week I made chicken and had a back with the wrappings in it.  It was in a ziplock and tied tied, but the smell was coming out.  Then, Friday night I was reaching in to get cough drops (*shudder* ) when I knocked out the bottle of minced garlic.  The almost full bottle.  For one brief moment I was just going to turn my back on it and walk away, but Lizzie has to pass through there to go to her litter box, so I cleaned it up.  Now, I love me some garlic, but my house still smells like it.  Today I shall attempt to clean my dust pan.  It’s one of those pivot ones with a long handle.  I’m assuming that’s the source since I finally brought the trash today.  I have coughed so much and so hard that my sides and back hurt.  I went to the store, too, because I was out of tissue (again) and needed something to take the place of cough drops.  Because seriously, if I have to taste one more cough drop, I will blow chunks.  Just the thought of a cough drop makes me heave-ey.  I got peppermints, gum, life savers, butterscotch, anything that I can keep in my mouth to suck on.  I looked like crap when I went into WalMart (seriously, I could end up on one of those websites!).  I thought surely I wouldn’t run into anyone.  Of course I did.  I passed 3 students and their parents, one little old lady who tried to recruit me to volunteer at hospice (did I look that old???), and then one of my friend’s mom.  I could blow off the rest, but not Mrs. Annette.  I haven’t seen her in forever and she’s been having some health issues.  She gives the best hugs and even though I tried not to, because of the germs, she wrapped me in a huge one.  It was good visiting with her,  but I’m glad to be back home, back in comfy clothes.  I’m not pushing it today, because it’s back to school tomorrow.  A 4 day week this week, then 4 1/2 days next week and we’re out for Thanksgiving.  Seriously, where has this year gone??? Now, excuse me while I go hack up some important part of my lungs.  I hate this.