Sunday, April 30, 2006

sunday sunday


thousand islands charity casino
Originally uploaded by Julep67.
We're working today.

I've been doing laundry and puttering on the deck. Mark's cut the lawn and is sorting out the shed. We got groceries in the middle of it all and visited Joe.

We had a slow start this morning. We slept in a little bit but then we had been up kind of late last night. We had a date night last night I guess you could say. It wasn't planned but we went out for dinner to the Chinese place around the corner (we sat next to their huge fish tank so it was fun to watch all of their fishies swimming around). After dinner, we went down to the Casino for an hour or so (it was really full of gawkers so we couldn't stand more than an hour). Once we got back to town, we stopped off at the grocery store and picked up margarita fixin's and each had a couple of cocktails before bed. It was a nice change and not something we do very often. I think that the tequila hit Mark pretty hard because he was a little groggy this morning. Fortunately, the sunshine perked him right up. It's really nice outside right now. I think I'm going to get a big icy glass of water and go sit on the deck for a bit while my laundry does it's thing.

Hope you're having a good weekend too!!

Saturday, April 29, 2006

happy saturday!


more fishy photos
Originally uploaded by Julep67.
I actually slept in this morning. It felt really nice too. I feel rested but not like I got too much sleep, a nice balance.

When I did get up, I worked on Joe's taxes. We would have done them ages ago but we were waiting on some documentation that was somehow lost in the mail. Even if they sent it to the old address, we still have a forwarding thing on the mail so I'm not sure what happened. Anyway, he'll be happy when he hears that he's getting some money back this year. I'm always happy if I even get $5. Anything is better than paying!

I've just been puttering in my office since I did Joe's taxes. Finally shredding some of the papers I went through a couple of weeks ago, getting things organized. I like it when I can actually see the surfaces on my desk!

Not sure exactly what we're doing with the rest of the afternoon, we might go do some shopping or we might not. I'm getting some things done but I feel like I'm being a little lazy too so it's kind of nice.

Friday, April 28, 2006

another gift


a sunflower gift
Originally uploaded by Julep67.
Isn't this pretty? I have never seen a potted sunflower before. It's now sitting in our living room window. You can't tell in this photo but it has a tonne of little buds on it so it'll soon be busting out with flowers. Yay!!

I work with some lovely folks, I tell ya!

In other news, I'm a little surprised that this week flew by so quickly but it's nice that the weekend is here again. Ideally, we'll be able to get a few things done around the house and relax a bit. Not sure how that will all play out but hopefully, if the weather is good, that plan should work.

Happy weekend folks!

Thursday, April 27, 2006

I guess it's officially summer...

Spotted on Johnson Street, 4:08 p.m.: One young man, walking west on Johnson Street, near Division. He was carrying an acoustic guitar in one hand and a hookah in the other.

I'm guessing that exams at Queen's must be almost over for the year.

Wednesday, April 26, 2006

happy administrative professional's day!

how was your Wednesday?

Mine was lovely. Our VP treated all of the admin types in our area to a wonderful luncheon, in honour of Administrative Professionals Day. At first, I thought it would be tough to squeeze in as our fiscal year-end is this Friday. Once I got to the restaurant though, I really relaxed and enjoyed myself. Mostly abstainer me even had a cocktail. It was really nice treat. We work for some great people!!

In other news, not much is happening this week. As you can imagine, with year-end looming, I'm really busy at work, our evenings have been busy too and we're getting to bed much later than I'd like. The mornings have been tough this week.

I'm still feeling like I have a cold but each day is a little better. Night time is the worst though, if I don't put vicks on my throat, I cough all night. Not fun and definitely not good for someone who needs to sleep. One of these days I'll be back to normal, or as close to normal as is reasonable to expect!

Monday, April 24, 2006

birthday dad


birthday dad
Originally uploaded by Julep67.
my dad's birthday is today.

I took this picture of him earlier this evening. Technically, I guess it was late afternoon. We stopped by to see him and my mum after work tonight.

They have been having a good day so far. Busy though, by the smells of the house. When we walked in the door tonight I could smell paint and sure as you'd like, one of my dad's carpentry projects had received a fresh coat of stain earlier today.

We'll have a proper celebration with my folks in a week or so. We'll get together and do something for both dad and Mark. I was sick during Mark's birthday weekend so we didn't really do anything super duper fantastic. We will though, in a week or so.

Saturday, April 22, 2006

ten dollars

It's been raining, off and on, pretty much all day today.

I awoke with intentions of getting some things done around the house. Fortunately, I decided to not do those things. Instead, Mark and I took a trip to Gan, to the casino.

Since we were last there (which was a while ago), they have really changed things around. Both of us quickly blew through $20 and were feeling a little discouraged. If I'm going to lose $20, I at least like to lose it slowly. More fool me for playing a quarter slot machine.

After I went through my $20, I wandered around, wondering if I should invest another $20 or go for a coffee. I opted for the other $20 and ended up winning back the $20 I'd lost plust $10. Did I mention that I switched to a nickle machine?? That's right kids, I got to cash out a nickle machine at $50. Do you know how long it takes for a machine to spit out 1000 tokens?? It takes a little while, I'll tell ya.

Even though it was just $10, I felt so happy as we were leaving the place. The smoke didn't even bother me much. Of course, next week, the no-smoking thing kicks in at the casino. That will be sweet. We're planning to do go down again right after they switch over, to show our support. It'll be so nice to go for an evening (or an afternoon) without breathing in smoke.

Now, if we just figure out a way to regulate the amount of stinky perfume all those little old ladies wear, we'll have accomplished something!

Friday, April 21, 2006

tgif


revenue canada's kingston office
Originally uploaded by Julep67.
I survived the week, my first whole week at work in over three weeks. Hmmm...think I could use "week" more times in a sentence than that?

Anyway, the weekend brings with it, the promise of sleeping in, on clean sheets... of waking up to fresh coffee and the chance to schlep around the house in one's housecoat and homer simpson slippers.

I heart the weekend!!

Wednesday, April 19, 2006

humpity hump hump, hump day

Thanks goodness...the weekend is now in sight.

In a way, it's hard to believe that I've been back to work for three days already. In another, I feel like I actually felt each minute pass. I'm still not feeling 100% yet. The anti-biotics that I'd been taking are still in my system I think. They really knocked me out so it's not entirely surprising I suppose.

Anyway, 3 down, 2 to go. C'mon weekend!!

Monday, April 17, 2006

back to the trenches

I work with the best people in the world.

Today I went back to the office and everyone was really surprised to see me. I guess they weren't expecting to see me until Wednesday. I felt well enough that I thought I'd go back and just putter away at things. Fortunately, everyone pitched in while I was away so the chaos was really quite organized. I'm behind in things but I was behind before I got sick so I guess not much has changed.

By the time lunch rolled around, I was ready for my bed though. I felt a little dizzy all afternoon but I managed to make it to 4 p.m. When Mark picked me up, he was full of a headcold so we went for a bowl of soup on the way home. We both feel better for the soup but are heading off to bed soon. I don't remember the last time I went to bed before 7:30 p.m. but I'm doing just that tonight. I'm not complaining at all though, I am tired and still feel like I have a cold but that's okay. Every day, I'm a little closer to getting back to normal and that's all I'm concerned with right now.

Sunday, April 16, 2006

inside the claw machine


inside the claw machine
Originally uploaded by Julep67.
I ventured out into the real world today. Okay, on Friday night, after dinner, we went to the Dairy Queen for an ice cream after dinner but that was a drive-thru and didn't count.

After you've been housebound for a while, going out feels like a huge treat. I know that once I go back to work tomorrow (and I'm planning on that), I'll be back to taking being out and about for granted but for today, even though we just went for breakfast and a little drive, it felt really good to be out in the sunshine.

Happy easter kids!

Saturday, April 15, 2006

cool hand luke

I've never seen this movie all the way through so tonight, Mark and I are going to watch it. I taped it on the DVR this afternoon from Bravo so it should be an okay print.

Ever since we've said that we're going to watch it, I've had the Reverend Horton Heat in my head singing, "like Cool Hand Luke I'm busting rocks!! Spend a night in the box..."

The human brain is a weird thing isn't it?

Friday, April 14, 2006

the birthday boy


mark @ finkle's shore park
Originally uploaded by Julep67.
It's Mark's birthday today. It's official, he's another year older.

The illness has me housebound but that's okay. We've been enjoying a nice quiet day so far. Mostly we have been watching movies and vegging out. Tonight we're going to have a really nice barbecue (Mark did the shopping yesterday - seafood for everyone!).

So far, the weather has been lovely, it's shaping up to be a good weekend. I'm feeling a little better, definitely stronger although still loopy from the drugs.

Hope you all have a very happy long weekend!!

Wednesday, April 12, 2006

dopey

I keep complaining about how dopey I'm feeling and then I remind myself that some folks pay big bucks on a regular basis to try and feel this way, recreationally. I should enjoy it while I can I suppose but it doesn't feel right.

While I've been off work, I've not had any energy at all. Mostly I just sleep and/or watch television. I'm telling you, a person my age should not have watched as much "Laguna Beach" as I have over the past week or so. It's just wrong, sick and wrong. Maybe it's just because I'm sick that I'm watching it. I'll bet that's it.

Tuesday, April 11, 2006

still ill

no, I'm not talking about songs by The Smiths, I'm still sick.

The doctor listened to my chest today and didn't like what she heard. Fortunately, she told me that I could stop taking the really yucky $50 anti-biotics today. She gave me a prescription for new $50 anti-biotics (thank goodness for our drug plan!) and I started on those today. She also told me to stay home from work until Wednesday (the 19th). She did mention that if I felt better I could go back on Monday. Yikes, I've been off for a week now, this is out of hand.

On the other hand, the new anti-biotics are making me feel all light-headed and dizzy. I'll take that anyday, over the other side-effects. It's horrible when the medicine is almost worse than the illness, isn't it?

Monday, April 10, 2006

bad bad bad

The drugs turned on me. They turned badly, they made me sick in new and gross ways. I'll spare you the gorey details but the side effects of the anti-biotics were painful and yucky and they had me in tears on Saturday evening.

I am going back to see my doctor tomorrow. Fortunately, the side effects seem to be not as horrible today so I'm hoping that she'll tell me that I'm all better and good to go back to work on Wednesday. I still feel really rotten but rotten is better than horrible and horrible was how I felt all weekend pretty much.

Being sick is not as fun as I'm making it sound. really!

Saturday, April 08, 2006

drugs are good, m'kay?

So today is day three of my anti-biotic course. Fortunately, so far, I'm not experiencing any of the side effects my doctor warned me about. I'm pretty sure that they have started to work because my chest feels a little looser sometimes. I have actually been able to get some sleep for the past two nights as well. This is a huge improvement after several nights of almost no sleep.

I had completely forgotten about how this thing just kicks the shit out of you. Just walking from the bedroom out to the living room can wind me, as can moving around in the kitchen, making tea or whatever. I also have these coughing fits that just take my air away. I can't imagine how difficult it is for someone who has to live with this kind of situation all of the time.

Basically, I'm resting all day, taking it extremely easy although trying not to sleep too much during the day as it just screws up my nights. I still feel like complete and total crap but I know that eventually, I'll get better. The waiting is hard, as is all the coughing. Sorry to be so whiney but when you're stuck in the house like this, it isn't exactly fun or exciting. Hope you're all having a good weekend so far though. Stay healthy!

Thursday, April 06, 2006

officially contagious

I have been diagnosed with bronchitis. I have been prescribed $50 worth of anti-biotics. Kick-ass anti-biotics apparently. Side effects include all kinds of nasty stomach situations. If they make me feel better they are worth every penny.

It's been five years since I last had bronchitis. This version is apparently a particularly nasty viral version. I'm sleep deprived and in a lot of discomfort right now. For two days, I've been wishing for a big sneeze. A few moments ago, it happened and I bit my tongue in the middle of it.

Right now, I'm trying to keep myself awake while I wait for my boss to call me back. My doctor has told me stay home for a week, until the anti-biotics are done and she's given me the "all clear."

Things will get even more backed up at work than they already are but given how shit-actular I feel right now, I can't really concern myself with it too much. Once I talk to my boss and figure a few things out, I'll feel better mentally and will able to go back to bed. Being sick, being this sick, just sucks so bad. Hopefully, once the pills kick in (in a few days), I'll start feeling better and I'll cry a whole lot less than I am right now.

Wednesday, April 05, 2006

bronchitis


bronchitis
Originally uploaded by Julep67.
I can report that at this moment, I feel no better than I did 24 hours ago.

sometimes I'm freezing cold.

sometimes I'm so warm that I am covered in sweat.

sometimes I have to blow my nose (for this I have lotiony tissue).

often, I cough so hard that I see stars and it hurts like crazy.

I really think that I have bronchitis again. tomorrow I'm going to see my doctor and find out what's happening

exactly. I haven't had bronchitis since 2001 but this feels the same. It could just be a bad chest cold but I'm not

messing around with it all the same.

I wasn't able to go to work today, I stayed home to rest. I was able to rest but didn't get much sleep. for some

reason, I can't sleep for more than two hours at a time right now. it's odd.

last night, on the way home from work, I stopped off at the drug store. I had syrop for congested chests, lozenges,

two boxes of lotion-y tissue and two tins of chicken noodle soup. as the cashier handed me my bag of stuff, she smiled

and said, "have a really nice evening." I guess she wasn't really paying attention to what I had in the bag.

so now, I'll head off to bed, to take more drugs and hopefully, to sleep. 'night all

Tuesday, April 04, 2006

soup = love

there is a long list of reasons why I love mark as much I do. right now, sitting here with a soothed throat and a tummy full of noodle soup, I can think of one more. he's just the best, period.

sick again


stones on the shore
Originally uploaded by Julep67.
or maybe still? I'm not sure. I was sick a few weeks ago but it wasn't like this. This is your classic chest cold. Cough, sore throat, loud barking noises, total body ache, ability to feel every molecule in your body, that kind of thing.

Fun stuff huh?

I'm at work today too, even more fun. I should have probably stayed in bed but I had stuff to do. Stuff that needed doing. Now I'm paying for it I think. I sort of feel like I have a bit of a fever. I think I had one last night too. I say think because I woke up at 3 a.m. or so, bathed in sweat and I thought, "hmmm...maybe I had a fever and it just broke."

In any event, I'm sure I'll feel better tomorrow. I have to, I cannot stay home cuz I have too much to do. Sad but true. I've become one of those folks I just hate.

Monday, April 03, 2006

the rules


the rules
Originally uploaded by Julep67.
It's Monday and it's raining.

I don't mind rain on Monday if the sun's been out on Sunday.

This weekend was a bit of a blur, between running errands and visits to the hospital, it zoomed by.

Today, I feel like I'm getting a cold. I've been coughing a lot all morning and that can never be good. If it doesn't clear up, I'll not be able to go see Joe. I'm pretty sure that if I'm coughing, the nurses won't want me anywhere near him. The sad part about that is that I probably picked this up in the hospital in the first place.

Saturday, April 01, 2006

happy april


our tree
Originally uploaded by Julep67.
While I enjoy seeing the fruits of other folks' april fools day labours, I've never been a big participant. I guess it just requires too much planning and April 1 is just something that seems to sneak up on me every year.

I saw at least one early prank on campus yesterday. Someone (I suspect the applied science folks) had wrapped the JDUC in snow fence and put up some signs about the Queen's Centre construction. Mark saw a couple of other things as he was out and about but the snow fence was the only sort of strange thing I saw.

Our little town is now full to the brim with hockey kids. This weekend is the "kids for kids" hockey tournament. Yesterday, everywhere I went, I saw tykes dragging their hockey bags behind them, on the way to some rink or another. At least the bags now have wheels on them. Down the street from us sits the Memorial Centre and CBC Television has built a little city in their parking lot. The Hockeyville show is broadcasting from here. I sometimes feel like we're the only folks in Kingston who aren't Hockey crazy but I am guessing that we're not. The rest of the fans though, are doing their best to win Kingston the title of Hockeyville. There is a lot of enthusiasm for it around town, I really wish that I cared about it, one way or the other. Or maybe I don't wish that. It's too early to know.

I really wanted to sleep in this morning but it wasn't happening. Maybe that's some kind of April Fool's prank that my body is playing on me. Oh well, the kettle calls my name. Happy April!!