LFLF Editor's Blog

Ick

Well, we're all sick - wouldn't you know it?  My flu turned into a sinus infection, Terry's coughing and can't breathe, and Kenzie is still vegetating in front of the television.  I feel like I've misplaced most of December....  There are a thousand things I need to get done, but I'm so fuzzy-headed it's hard to actually do any of them. 

Spark found the perfect home.  A couple (one of whom works from home)  with two grown sons contacted us and visited on Saturday.  Their pound puppy had died after fourteen years, and they were looking for another puppy.  They had researched Australian cattle-dogs after we told them that Spark was most likely an AC mix, and I just had a really good feeling about them.  They looked at a few more pups then came back on Sunday to adopt Spark.  Kenzie decided he wanted to be gone each time they visited, so he and his father made themselves scarce.  It was somewhat difficult for him, but he's dealt with it quite well.  He's happy that Spark has found his perfect family.

The Never-Ending Flu

Kenzie's had a fever for the last few days, has started coughing, has a sore throat and headache, and says his eyes sting.  Medicines seem to help him, at least temporarily, but he still feels awful.  I'm coughing quite a bit, even now, and my sinuses are not happy at all.  I'm much better than I was a few days ago, but I still wish I could just sleep this whole thing off - fall asleep and wake up several days later, completely well. 

Spark has taken to his new (temporary) home and has been playing with our dogs, Oscar and Alaska.  If only I didn't have to take him outside three or four times a night.  Each time I lie back down, it takes another hour to get comfortable enough (and stop coughing long enough) to get back to sleep.  Ugh. 

Spark is a wonderful little critter, though, and I'd love to keep him, but we're already home to two energetic dogs, three indoor cats, two cats who have decided to take up residence on our porch, and two fish.  I'm spread thin just thinking about it.  So, we've taken pictures, and as soon as I feel up to talking to people and letting them visit with Spark, I'll try to find him a good, loving, stable home.... 

Spoke Too Soon

So, I didn't quite get over my cold/flu thing.  After about an hour of feeling relatively okay, it hit me hard today.  I think some of it might have been from not really eating (except for popsicles and veggie broth) for several days; that'll catch up with you after a while.  So, I spent a lot of the day nauseous, nibbling toast, and trying to keep myself from fainting, all while coughing and sneezing and sniffling and aching and ....  This is really no fun.  As long as I'm feeling better by Christmas, I'll be happy.  Every year, I end up sick on Christmas.  Hopefully, I'm just getting it out of the way early this season.

On top of this, we found a puppy Monday.  The poor little guy had obviously been dumped (there were no houses anywhere around).  He's about 7-weeks-old - an Australian Cattle-dog (Blue Heeler) mix of some sort.  Cute as can be and extremely social.  Kenzie's decided to call him Spark.  So, I'm getting up with him several times a night, stumbling through the house at all hours to let him outside.  Not really a lot of fun with the flu.  Hopefully, we'll be able to find a good family for him soon.  I really hate to put up ads for him around Christmas time, though.  So many people give a puppy or kitten as a present, not really thinking about all the time, energy and money involved.  Sure, they're cute as can be underneath the tree, but I don't know that that's where I'd like Spark to end up.  Too many worrisome possibilities.  I've decided to charge $50 for him - a deposit, basically, that I'll return with proof of neutering and shots.  Hopefully, that will do the trick....  Craigslist, here we come.

The Flu?

Maybe.  I was feverish and achy, chilled and sweating.  I was nauseous.  My sinuses ached.  The coughing, though, was the worst part.  I'd cough until I'd gag, cough until I almost passed out. 

It's been four days, now.  I'd lost track of time and let so many things pile up around me - emails, phone messages, half-edited articles, dirty dishes....  I'm up and around today, finally, and taking it all in.  What a workload.

So far, Kenzie and Terry seem fine.  (Crossing fingers.)

Finally, Winter

Winter finally arrived this week.  We've pulled out the blankets, chopped some wood, and made quite a bit of hot tea.  Last night we built a fire for the first time in this house, and it was lovely to sit in front of it.  Kenzie was intrigued and spent a long time crumpling up different sorts of papers to toss into the flames.  He's been busy creating Pokemon ornaments for our tree this year - colored pencil drawings that are cut and laminated and hung from the branches with yarn.  We're planning to make God's Eyes over the next few days out of yarn scraps and sticks. 

After plowing through 15 or 20 Roald Dahl books, Kenzie's started the fifth Harry Potter.  I, on the other hand, have just started the first.  It's something I never got around to reading until now.  I've enjoyed what I've read so far and can see why Kenzie is so excited about Harry and his friends.  He's been intermittently reading over my shoulder to see where I am in the book, and it's difficult for him to keep from giving  away the plot.

Our friend arrived the other day.  He's been helping Kenzie learn to drum, and Kenzie's been helping him learn to draw and play Runescape.  It's been fun catching up on old times, especially now that the dogs have calmed down and no longer try to jump up into his lap every time he plops onto the couch.

Getting Ready

If you've been reading this blog for long, you know that I am a compulsive cleaner - but only when company's on the way.  Well, a friend of the family will be here tomorrow night to stay for a while, so I've been pulling out the paper towels, rags, cleaners, vacuum, broom, mop, toothbrush and sponges.  Yes, it's time to work myself into a cleaning frenzy! 

It's generally relatively clean around here.  I'm good at keeping the house picked up, the floors vacuumed, the dishes clean - that sort of thing.  But I detest deep cleaning, and for the most part, only do it when I have to.  Sigh....  I think I'll give myself one more night of freedom before I don the icky yellow gloves.  I'll pop some popcorn and watch a movie.  Yeah, that's what I'll do....