The Land of the Living

You know how great you feel that first day after coming out of a really rough illness? The I-can-do-anything, let's-change-the-world day? The day you clean the entire house, catch up on all the laundry, and decide to paint the living room before Thanksgiving?

That was my day.

We've been sick. I'll spare you the nitty-gritty details, but it's been quite the ride. Apparently H1N1 has invaded my home, taking me as it's first victim, Jonah as it's second, and most recently, little Jack.

Jonah and I laid in my bed commiserating together. Our illnesses overlapped by a few days, and it was actually quite compatible to be in the same boat as my 14-year old. We decided the worst symptom was the headache, then we changed it to the chills, then changed back to the headache.

Having a house in quarantine has it's upside. There are lots of movies going on, and lots of companionship. Everyone is anxious to help each other out, eager to make lots of little cards and sandwiches to share. There are a lot of head pats between brothers and high-fives when the fevers get down to say, 102's...it is something to celebrate.

The quarantined house has it's downsides as well. Little neighbor children are eager to stand outside and yell that you need to get the flu vaccine. The house is dark most of the time due to those darn headaches, so if you're among the healthy, it's tough. There are no meals being made on a regular basis. There is the constant smell of tea tree oil in the air. You can only use your own 'sick blanket and pillow' and they get taken from you daily to be washed.

I know the rest of the family still isn't well, but doggone it if I don't feel like running a marathon. And for some reason, everyone isn't responding to my get-up-and-paint the living room attitude. No one wants to scrub down the walls with me. Lazy people.

Oh well, there's always tomorrow. After all, tomorrow's another day.

It's good to be back in the Land of the Living...