This has been my position for the past week. Feet on the table, tree lit, Netflix on, candy untouched — that’s how you KNOW I’m sick.
Last week my throat started hurting. I thought it was the beginning of a cold. I took a day off thinking it would go away. But that night I was nauseous and the next day I felt like I got hit by a truck. I was exhausted, achy and cold. The only good things I can say about being sick are:
a. It’s good for weight loss.
b. No cooking is involved so your kitchen stays clean.
c. You develop a new love for the most bland food possible.
d. You totally get caught up on every episode of Law And Order SVU Season 18.
e. You get to thoroughly enjoy your Christmas decorations.
f. You have an excellent excuse for not going to the gym.
g. Your horizons are open to a new line of work doing phone porn.
Who knew a microwaved red potato with butter could be so satisfying?
For the past five days I’ve eaten only white food. Microwaved potatoes with butter, cream of wheat, apples, eggs, leftover ramen noodles — you get the idea. So my stomach feels better, but now I sound like Harvey Fierstein when I talk and when I laugh I sound like Muttley the cartoon dog. (Go ahead, click on that link and you’ll hear what I sound like.) It’s a three pack a day sound, so, I’m off to the doctor tomorrow.
But you know what? Instead of leaping right into the New Year like I usually do, all hyped up and ready to set the world on fire, I am slowly easing into it and it’s been kind of nice. I’ve been reading that book I got for Christmas, Almost Everything, By Anne Lamott. There was a sentence in it that I loved. I’m paraphrasing but I think it said something like, “Everything works better if you unplug it for a while — even people.”
So, after all my elf-like madness in December, it’s been nice to take it easy. I usually only have two speeds, supersonic or asleep. But this third option is kind of a nice way to move slowly but purposefully into 2019. I wasn’t ready to take down the Christmas decorations anyway.
Happy New Year!
13 Comments
G.A. "Tony" Maupin
January 18, 2019 at 2:18 pmLet me paraphrase: “250 milligrams a day is worth a Pound of Cure.” [Sorry Ben Franklin, but this works for me]. Fran, I use to suffer from those same kind of symptoms, at least twice a year. Someone suggested daily Vitamin C tablets with food. All I can say is this. It works for me. [My cardio-MD once laughed and said that the only result would be ‘more expensive urine;’ — that is one reason why I stopped seeing him.] Get well soon! (I like the idea of “quiet time,” also).
Fran Tunno
January 24, 2019 at 10:00 pmIt’s been really good for me to take it easy for a while. I’ll be back at it soon! Thanks Tony!!!
Chas Madonio
January 11, 2019 at 10:45 amThere must be something sweeping the nation, because it got me in Ohio. I got sick New Year’s Eve day and was sick for a few days. It was just a head cold, but it came with the cough that hangs on for about 6 months. Hope you feeling up to snuff again soon.
Fran Tunno
January 11, 2019 at 10:07 pmCould be. I tend to get sick after the holidays, but this one held out until January. I think sometihng was going around the office. I hope you feel better way before six months goes by!!! Hang in there Chas!
lafriday
January 10, 2019 at 1:18 pmI sound like Gravel Gertie myself. Keep those feet up, the lights on (Kate took our tree down on Sunday, but the Nativity is still up), and Netflix streaming. Let’s talk when neither of us are hacking. Love you. Feel better.
Fran Tunno
January 10, 2019 at 5:50 pmI may wait until Saturday to take down the tree, I’m still enjoying it too much! Yes, let’s talk over the weekend. Feel better!
Theresa
January 10, 2019 at 10:50 amI hope you are back to good health soon. I’ve had a Lauren Bacall voice a few times in my life and thought I should do a voice over. If I were closer I’d bring you some pastinni and chicken broth. Happy 2K19!
Fran Tunno
January 10, 2019 at 5:49 pmThanks Theresa. If I wasn’t such a slug, I’d be making the pastini myself. Got some drugs from the doc today so I should be healing soon!
EmilyAnn Frances
January 10, 2019 at 12:42 amRest up and get better. This may also be a way for you to incorporate some quiet time each day.
Fran Tunno
January 10, 2019 at 9:40 amThanks Emily, quiet time — now that’s a great idea. Thanks for the thought. I’ll work on incorporating that. I usually do it when I walk the dog, but even he is getting short shrift right now. Thankfully, he’s very patient with me.
EmilyAnn Frances
January 10, 2019 at 10:30 amExactly! Quiet Time can be via whatever means get you to focus on yourself and the present moment. Walking the dog might be a good way to do that! I, too, have a tendency to think of a million things at once. My thoughts can be like a run on sentence! My quiet time begins with puttering around the apartment or going on a walk. I shut the phone off and when my puttering or walking is done I spend time in creative activity like baking, doodling, sketching, sewing or free writing. Out of the entire week I spend this quiet time of about 2-3 hours on a weekend. I don’t care who is calling or texting. Hi tech=high stress. You and the dog deserve a break. I hope you both enjoy more time together this year.
Bob Erbeck
January 9, 2019 at 10:04 pmTake it easy. I hope you feel better soon. Happy New Year!
Fran Tunno
January 10, 2019 at 9:38 amThanks Bob, will do. Looking forward to some “real” food soon. xo