Updates on me, Stanley the beagle and my mom

My cold has moved on to the coughing stage. At least I can breathe through my nose again, but I almost slept on the sofa last night because I coughed so much and was shaking the bed. I took some bad ass cold medicine this evening and it seems to be helping a bit, but I'm still coughing a lot. Today is the first day I've put on fresh clothes since Christmas day, if that gives any hints as to my general health. I've been wearing all my Christmas presents at once, so I have on my Green Bay Packers tuke (because it has a big G on it for Genie) and sapphire earrings from the Puddin' mixed with my Homer Simpson "I am so smrt" sweatshirt from the Puddin's brother Lee. Were it not for the glitter of jewelry, I would look like a dock worker on break (complete with hacking cough). Stanley the beagle houseguest goes home tomorrow. He's been a good dog and fine company to have on the sofa while vegetating in my weakened state, but I won't miss the constant barrage of dog farts he unleashes each evening. It makes me hesitate to shop for a second dog again because there are so many gambles that our new dog might be flatulent or bark a lot or be scared of the toaster or any of the other random quirky things that our pets have had over the years. I'm sure we'll know when the time is right.

Mom goes in at 6am tomorrow to get her implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD) installed and hypothetically should be out by noon. She technically has had congestive heart failure for the last five years, but she takes medicine and as a rule doesn't let it get her down. According to her doctor, the ICD is just a precaution and she shouldn't have any complications from it. It's hard to watch the people you love get old but since Mom is still working and Dad is still climbing trees I'd say they're getting along fine.

And so this is Christmas ...

I always say that I don't have time to be sick, so Fate decided to give me a cold on the night of Christmas eve that would suck the life out of me on the first official day of my vacation. Since I'm no longer a kid, Christmas day is actually a fair amount of work with the cleaning and cooking and dividing of leftovers and sorting presents and driving to Richmond and back in one day. This is the first year that we literally ran out of time and my family had to exchange gifts tonight instead of on Christmas evening since we didn't start eating Christmas dinner until 9:30pm. My oldest brother got the flu on Christmas eve as well (I suppose to give me perspective on my measly cold in that I could at least keep food down if a bit uninspired to eat it). So we all just made the best of it.

I don't mean that to sound like we didn't all have a good time. I got great presents from Rich's family and everyone was reasonably pleasant with no meltdowns. My aunt Sissy came to eat dinner with us for Christmas night and was unflappable in the face of a ridiculously late dinnertime as long as she had wine, appetizers and good company to keep her busy. The Puddin' and I have a beautiful Christmas tree lit up and surrounded by well thought out gifts both given and received with love. I blame the snot in my head for my sense of ennui.

I think this is one of the few times that writing isn't making me feel better. It's not so much that I'm unhappy; I think I'm just cranky and sickly. Again, I blame the snot. I must admit, though, that getting up this morning and finding evidence of Christmas kitty mischief did amuse me amidst the stuffy head and scratchy throat.

Stanley and I prep for Christmas

Nick and Lara may never let us keep Stanley again.

I've been out shopping today (and buying dog costumes at Target)! I've gotta tell you, it's been a really pleasant shopping experience. They had every cash register open at Barnes & Noble and Bed Bath & Beyond. Every shopper, driver and store employee has been considerate and helpful. I'm a little unnerved by the whole thing but pleasantly surprised.

I think I'm finally done with shopping for the 25th unless something catches my eye in the next 24 hours. I have been wandering in stores just throwing stuff in the basket that I like and figuring I'll resort everything once I get home. I do this every year and end up with a box of left over goodies that become presents throughout the year. I mean, who doesn't need a dog elf costume?