BARF FEST '04

Yesterday I was posting (somewhat boastfully?!) about how my immune system had improved after 1.) teaching germy, infectious adolescents, and 2.) having two babes who pass various colds and sniffles about like a hot potato.  Just as I pressed the "submit" button to BenMac's site, I got it.  First it started out with a bit of a chill.  Now I know it's been cold around here (so cold we've actually been breaking record lows), BUT I had a chill that wouldn't leave.  At first I thought it strange that I had the heater on for three hours and I still hadn't warmed up.  The next clue was when Alison ripped off her shirt from the 82 degree temps inside.  And Henry had beads of sweat on his upper lip.  Yet I sat there bundled up in sweats and gloves (yes!  I bought a pair of gloves for the first time!).

I took my temperature and it read 101.5 degrees.  Lovely.  It was 4 p.m. and my husband wouldn't be home for hours due to a basketball game, and I was left to entertain two kids.  Fabulous.  For those who are not parents (or even teachers for that matter), when the Mama (or maestra) take ill, the KIDS DON'T GET IT!  It's not that they don't care, they just DON'T GET IT! And your four year old daughter says things like:

"Mama, let's play family...."
And all I can think is: Yeah, I'll be the baby.  Now go tuck me in.

or

"Mama, wanna make cookies?"
And I wanna say: Go ahead.  Just don't burn down the house.

Or your son will do silly things like:

Take the biggest, smelliest, messiest CRAP of all time.  Of ALL TIME.  And the heater in the back of the house isn't turned on....so I'm forced to go into that igloo of a room in my shivery, shaky state.  And we're low (oh so desperately low) on wipes, and I try so desperately to get by with three (3) wipes.  Now cleaning a dirty bum with three wipes is QUITE a challenge, and frankly, it's one of my better talents.  Yes, TALENTS.

Hank came home late after three or four desperate phone calls to him to "hurry" and "come home fast."   He found me in a shivering, feverish state with massive tummy rumbles. I now had the EXACT same case of the YUCKS my wee ones had just weeks ago.  I was starving but no food would suffice as they all had that bland, no flavor at all flavor.  I hit the hay within minutes.

Now lemme make a long, gross story somewhat shorter and less disgusting.  I found myself at 1 a.m. hurling all of my innards out, and at one point I thought I was going to die (yes, I'm a bit dramatic at times).  I had cold sweat and shivers, and my sweet husband came and swept me back to bed.  He cleaned up all my mess.  Now doesn't he deserve an award or something? 

Anyway today I feel much, much better, and in a way I'm SO GRATEFUL that I got that sickness "out of the way" so to speak.  It would have been awful to get this case of the yucks while on a plane, flying to paradise. 

Anyway, just thought I'd share!! Ha! Lucky you!

P.S. Go check out Hank's revamped site (compliments of moi), Broken Cowboy.  He's doing all knds of fancy schmancy stuff like interviewing major sports writers and athletes for posts on his site. 

Comments

[Kathleen]

yikes...what a story. But the way you described it, hilarious. ;)
Which paradise are you flying to?

[Kathleen]

yikes...what a story. But the way you described it, hilarious. ;)
Which paradise are you flying to?

[Charla]

How awful! The last time I had a bad stomach bug Tim was out of town, my parents were out of town, and Chase was relentless. At that point he could have done anything as long as I didn't have to move. On the flip side, Tim came down with it, too, but his time was spent getting "sick" all the way up the state of Mississippi. I'm glad your bug was quick so you can enjoy your Christmas trip. Hawaii is not a place to be sick.

[frecklegirl]

That is the worst!! I can take stuffy nose but stomach problems?! ugh.

So glad you are feeling better! :)

[Giao]

Tummy bugs are the WORST and they really do make you feel like you just might die. I am glad you're feeling better (yay for quick recovery) and sorry that you had a crappy day too boot. Booo!

I like what's on your turntable!!

Hope you're on an upward swing only! Take good care!

[Anne Marie]

You a hilarious! I'm sorry that you're sick (and I feel guilty that your illnes and lack of baby wipes is so entertaining to me).

Feel better!
Feel better recipe (as secretly given to me from a friend who was a Captain in the Indian Army and made his troops do this if they felt sick):
Obtain Rum
Heat it
Drink it

[alexis]

Awww... that sucks! Sorry to hear that you're feeling so crappy. Hope you get better soon! I just hope I don't catch it now. You're not contagious, are you? LOL

[ani]

Oh Gosh I hope you feel better soooooooooooooon! And congrats to Hank!

[shelagh]

I am glad you are feeling better! Last time I was sick like that was when I was seven months pregnant and I was convinced I was going to throw up the baby! What an awful time I had. I smpathise!

[Valerie]

What a story! I feel you about the stomach thing and the wipes. Glad you're feeling better.

[sweet pea]

Get well wishes for you!!! I can not ever make any grand statements about anything ever... as soon as I do, they come back and bite me in the butt.

[jes]

This is a GOOD thing...it will be all over for your trip! (we've got to make good of this crappy situation somehow!) hee hee

I'm off to check out Hank's site!

[Enid]

I'm so glad that you're feeling better. You had me laughing so hard that I had tears coming out of my eyes, I can oh so relate to the part about your children, they always know when you are feeling weak and that's when they want you the most.

[erika]

so so glad you're feeling better. when will we get a cure for the common cold? i hate shivers and that "everything has no taste" taste. ugh. :)

[alex]

good well wishes to you!! i know exactly how you feel with young kiddies in the house!!!!

[Yvonne]

I feel sorry for you just because I feel sorry for myself LOL I'm having the exact same ughyness going round. I'm so lucky not having to deal with kids ;o) I think you're very brave and all other mommies in the world are. Yay for brave barfing mothers in the world!!