Still feeling poorly...

....but am just delighted that my upstairs neighbor, Jessica, just called, asking if I needed anything from the stores as she was going off shopping this late afternoon. She was going to either Target or Wal*Mart and knows my time is short before I have to leave for WI. Jessica offered to get me anything I needed, stocking-stuffers, whatever, because she knows I have been housebound. Isn't that nice? She also told me she is going to BabiesRUs tomorrow and will stop by Bed, Bath, and Beyond while she is over there to get what I wanted from that store for Justin. NICE!!! All my strength has been sapped, cannot even imagine at this moment pulling my suitcase out. Later I am making myself a cup of hot tea and adding the lemon, agava sweetener and some rum to it, my own version of a hot toddy. Jessica made me one back in October when I was sick and I sure slept well. She asked me if I had a lemon and I told her that I have a Real Lemon squeeze thingy, that I use in my water. That just won't do so she is going to bring a slice of a fresh lemon. Am I spoiled or what??

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Our water was off much of the day, well, several hours today, as Gus was having his valve changed out. He was quite apprehensive yesterday when he came by to let me know, and I wonder how he did with that whole situation. Earlier, my doorbell rang and there stood Butch! He asked if he could come in to shut off the valve in my bathroom, the one that was replaced, so that no water would flow down into the Gus's pipes. Sure! I looked and felt like heck, so told Butch he should just let himself back in when he was ready to turn it back on. It was off much longer than the two hours expected, and he told me that the plumber had a problem with the existing valve...oh, no! The plumber had the brainstorm of doing an 'override' of the existing valve, putting a brand new one above the old one which they could not get to operate. Yikes! Butch wished me a merry CHRISTmas and I told him that I would like to give him a hug but would not because of my cold. I know Gus will sleep better knowing that is taken care of, at least one of them is taken care of....

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As I was lying here, rotting in my bed for hours on end, I decided that perhaps I should see the doctor just to make sure I do not have strep throat or something other than a cold. It would make for a wretched trip to WI, and certainly many fellow travelers would give me hateful looks for hacking and coughing in their vicinity. Today is a day the doctors keep later hours but still I have to wait until tomorrow to see Betsy. She is going to be so sick (ha, ha, ha!) of seeing me, twice this month already. I only go to the doctor when I absolutely have to, for prescription refills or athlete's foot, and now this back-to-back visit. Ugh! I hope I feel better tomorrow so I do not have to go, and the nice lady told me it would be okay to cancel if I did feel better. She probably thinks I am crackers for wanting to come today and then expecting to be better in the morning!

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My strength is so sapped that I cannot even muster the energy to address my CHRISTmas cards and therefore I will take the unfinished ones with me to WI. Hopefully everyone will give me a pass if their card is late or is missed...please? I only hope that I remember to pack everything I wish to take along with me. My head feels like it is separated from my body, if you know what I mean, sort of fuzzy and woozy, and all I wish to do is sleep. Some of my spirit is renewed though by Jessica's wonderful offer to do my shopping for me....can you believe it? She even offered to get me a stromboli from Aron's but I respectfully declined, since I have no appetite. A can of chicken dumpling soup in my cabinet will serve as my dinner, if I 'can' muster the strength to open it and heat it up!