Relapse

Yes, I'm sick again. Or, more accurately, still. I was getting better, I was really happy with my progress, and then *wham.* The same symptoms started returning. I wasn't feeling great even when I posted yesterday morning, but a slight "backslide" is not uncommon with this type of infection. (For the record, DH is mostly fine now, so his was probably just some kind of quick virus thing with coincidental timing.) Running a 100 degree fever by yesterday evening, however, was unacceptable. Congestion started coming back, and my ear started blocking up again. By this morning, I was just as sick as I was on Friday (though not as sick as Thursday), so back to the doctor I went.

Apparently, 95% of patients respond to the antibiotic I was on. I get to be the statistical anomaly. Joy. It's some kind of rebound effect where basically, the antibiotic started fighting (thus I got some better), and then the bacteria started fighting back. Mom says the new drug I'm on is a good one, so hopefully it will win this time. I've already scrapped plans to go see my parents this weekend. No word yet on whether they're going to "risk" coming up here and getting sick. I just have to be somewhat better by Friday. I have dinner plans with 16 folks, including one from Pennsylvania and one from Canada!

Currently feeling: "special"

A journey of 1,000 miles begins with a single....

.... step, of course! Actually, two of them. Yep, Luke took his first two steps last night. I'm not *entirely* convinced they were intentional, but that's not really the point, is it? I've been expecting this for a couple of weeks now, so I was glad to finally see it. Guess we'll find out over the next few days if it was a fluke, or if he's really starting to walk.

I'm back to about 90%, except for trying to breathe while laying down. I'm still sleeping on an incline. Other than that, I'm doing much better. DH, OTOH, seems to have come down with it now. He came home from work yesterday and is staying home today. Wonder how long it will take me to nag him into calling the doctor. We're *supposed* to go out of town this weekend. Guess we'll see.

Jacob is home now, with full power to his apartment. He said that getting gas is still taking a while because many pumps are empty, as are many of the grocery stores, but all in all, things aren't bad. Nothing like Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama.

Haven't forgotten the Nashville update (if anyone still cares at this point). Got the photos downloaded from the camera finally (new camera, had to install software and figure out how to use it), so hopefully a written narrative won't be too far away.

Currently feeling: uncertain

Report from Jacob (via my mother)

Copied from this afternoon's short email update:

Jacob called - he is OK, hot and no power till next week. He is going to Orlando for 2 nights in A/C. I'll send more info later.

And the "more info" email:

Jacob decided to go to Orlando since he could get discounted hotel rates at Disney as a FLA resident. He said it was already miserably hot at 11:00 this morning. Plans are to stay 2 nights and head back Sunday evening. (I guess there are worse places to spend his 25th birthday!) He will call with his room number at the Disney Music Resort. He will have to be at work Monday morning whether he has power or not. I expect NOVA will be a priority for power restoration. He only has to drive 2 mi. to reach the Turnpike from the apartment, and the roads in Davie were not flooded like South Miami. That dip to the south that Katrina took really helped them out in Davie. Any *normal* hurricane and that would have been terribly bad news, but since this storm was distorted with the worst part of the storm being in the southeast quadrant instead of the northwest -- it was good to see it dip south. Jacob said the radio was saying that there were homes underwater in South Miami and that the zoo really took a bad hit. Katrina was forecasted to be a *rain event* but instead, turned out to be a major *wind event* for the zoo. Reports were saying that the zoo sustained more wind damage from Katrina than they did from Andrew. The 5 day forecast puts Atlanta square in the path by Monday morning.

Yeah, that's just what I wanted to hear. The last hurricane to come through this way happened in either late August or early September last year, when I was 9 months pregnant, and we lost power for 3 days. Thank goodness we caught my grandmother (who lives an hour away) before she went out of town! She let us stay at her place until we had power restored. I'm already having a repeat of being sick this year; I'd really rather not repeat the hurricane as well, particularly when I'm already sick, and my ear is getting worse, not better.

Currently feeling: miserable

Keep Jacob in your thoughts

I know I promised a Nashville update, but this is more important (and I'm still sick; severe sinus infection, for the record).

I know it's "only" a category 1 storm, and barely one at that, but Katrina is coming ashore literally on top of my brother. I mean that in all seriousness. He'll either getting slammed by the north side of the storm (that's the worst side, the one coming straight off the water, for those who don't know), or the eye wall is going to graze him. It's Ft. Lauderdale, they're used to this kind of thing, and his apartment is second story (less worry about flooding, more about wind), so he's unlikely to be wet if his roof survives. Doesn't make it any less nerve-wracking, though. Please be thinking of him, if you have a moment, and anyone else caught down there. As long as my family has lived on the coast of three different states, we've always been *extremely* fortunate. Jacob has less than a year left in the Miami area. We'd really like that luck to hold out a little longer.

Currently feeling: wishful

Nashville surprise!

Yes, I surprised quite a few people by showing up at the CATS Stitching Festival without telling very many folks I was coming. A good time was had by all, I believe. I'll give a full update when I am able. See, it looks like Nashville had a surprise in store for me, and I am now sick sick sick. I'm running a fever of almost 100, and that's *with* the extra-strength Tylenol. Looking at the computer screen for very long makes me feel quite ill. Thank goodness I can type without looking. So, full recap later, along with photos, but not until I'm feeling better.

Currently feeling: like death warmed over

Belated Movie Musings

Sorry for not being around. I have two projects in the works right now, neither of which I can discuss yet, but both of which have been taking up a fair amount of time. Oh, and I've seen a few movies, too! LOL I'm just behind on posting about them.

I've sent out quite a few movie musings over the past couple of weeks (and a couple from back in the spring), but I'm just now getting around to updating my website. Here they are, if you're interested:
* Sahara
* The Interpreter
* Star Wars, Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
* War of the Worlds
* Madagascar
* Hitch
* The Phantom of the Opera (*just* for Stacey)

Currently feeling: cinematic

A Southern Gentleman

Yes, folks, I must be doing something right. Guess who was introduced to grits yesterday and *loves* them? It was so funny to see him wrinkle up his nose as I brought the spoon towards him (he's never liked baby cereal at all, so I wasn't sure what he'd think of the "real stuff"), barely open his lips for me to get the spoon in, then make a "what the heck?!" face. I wasn't sure if that was a good sign or not, but I spooned up a bit more, and he opened his mouth wide like a little bird. I used one of those instant grits packets, you know, the ones they make for adults. He ate the whole bowl! I was afraid it was just a fluke, but he downed the entire bowl this morning, too. Guess he's a true Southerner after all.

Currently feeling: genteel

Cold front

Sorry I haven't been around. Combination of not much to say, and not really feeling like saying much even when I did. I'm just feeling rather frayed lately. Nothing in particular, nothing to worry about.

Except maybe the weather. I don't think it got out of the 70s yesterday. BRRR!! It's August, people. It's Hot-lanta. It's supposed to be blazing at this time. I'm not complaining mind you, though it's not like I benefit much from it either, seeing as I rarely leave the house (it's so sad). I'm just a little baffled. All week, it will be hovering right around 80. Unfortunately, it will also be raining most of that time as well, so I can't even be outside enjoying it. Just too much trouble to handle Luke in the rain. I even had to turn off the air conditioning today because I couldn't get warm enough in the house without resorting to sweatpants or something. Seeing as Luke was only wearing a onesie (while I was wearing capris), I thought it best to warm up the house a bit. His baby feet get cold enough playing as it is (takes after DH).

Speaking of whom, Luke turned 10 months old yesterday. My baby is in double-digit months! I know, I know, I can hear some of you now, "just wait until he's in double-digit years." Yeah, I can wait, thanks. DH turned 29 on Saturday. And what did he get from Luke and me? A Darth Tater. Glad we're such grown-ups. LOL No pics, though, since my digital camera died (hope to get a new one this week). Sorry this note is so rambly. Just wanted you to know I'm still here.
Currently feeling: chilled