It's been a busy week, and I hate to admit it, but today was the first day taking Gasthof for a run in almost a week. I didn't have to work last Tuesday since I worked the previous weekend, so I ended up sleeping 12 hours Monday night. I STILL didn't feel better (sinus pressure, congestion...etc...all the fun stuff) but I was lucky and got an appointment the same day I called, was diagnosed with a sinus infection, and was started on a 10-day course of antibiotics and Flonase nasal spray. Nick was having all the same symptoms, but refused to make a doctor's appointment until he found out what my doctor said. I told him to make the appointment so he could make sure they still had appointments available. He wished my doc could just prescribe him antibiotics too without having to see him, but it doesn't work like that! Anyway, my doctor said that sinus infections take longer to get over because we have poor blood supply to our sinuses (and thus it takes longer to heal). I never knew that but it makes sense! I also learned that even though Flonase is a steroid nasal spray, it just stays within the sinuses so it doesn't have the negative side effects like oral steroids (prednisone and other ones). Nick was lucky and got an appointment for Wednesday and was started on the same antibiotics. Sharing is good in relationships, except when it comes to illnesses!
Both of us are feeling better, but I still noticed sinus pressure and congestion. I don't want to be stuck in Europe and have this get worse, but I also don't want to be on medication I don't need. The current plan is that my doctor wrote me a "just-in-case-I-need-it-if-I'm-not-feeling-better-by-Friday" prescription for Z-pack (5 day course of antibiotics). I wouldn't let my sinus infection ruin my trip to Paris and London, but it would be even more enjoyable to be over this sinus infection :-) Now I wonder what Nick will do...not sure if he will call his doctor too, or if he is feeling enough better that he's not going to worry about it.
On top of trying to get over being sick, both Nick and I had a busy work week last week, I was trying to learn French, we were trying to plan our trip to Paris/London, and get his apartment packed and cleaned because his lease ended October 31st.
Guys have many great attributes, and I hate to stereotype...but sometimes they are not the best planners (or communicators of their plans!). Nick had mentioned that he would like it if I helped him pack, but he did not ask me about a particular day. On Thursday I offered to help with some of the larger items (bookshelf or something) since my mom was lending me her CRV. When I called to let him know I was on my way around 8ish, I find out that his mom is already at his apartment helping him pack. He informs me that he planned on getting most of the stuff out of his apartment that day. I had no idea! I thought I was just helping a little...:-) Anyway, I wasn't upset, just caught off guard. On our way to my house around 10:30 we were driving separate cars (I was driving his car, he was driving my mom's CRV), and we were coming around a curve in the highway when all of a sudden I see some cars breaking in both the right and middle lanes. I didn't have much time, but I noticed a car up ahead not moving in the middle lane. I tapped on my brakes, thinking I would get Nick's attention as he was driving behind me, then quickly moved into the left lane...I am looking both ahead and behind at the same time. I was scared to watch--like a horror movie--almost expecting Nick to slam into the car. Thankfully, the rest did not play out like a movie. Nick was able to move into the right lane and miss the stalled car. A chill ran throughout my body and I breathed a sigh of relief and silently said a prayer of gratitude that we were all okay...as I write this, I realize that at the time it happened I didn't even think to call 911...I am not the type to think "oh, someone else will call"...but at the time I was so focused on how grateful I was that we were both okay and still getting over the shock of it that I did not think to call. At the end of the night after we were unpacked, I could not find my wallet anywhere. I had already drove my mom's car to her place, picked up my car, and drove home. Over the course of the night I had driven three vehicles and been to three places. I finally gave in and drove back to my parents...and sure enough, my wallet was sitting in the front seat. This would not be the time to lose my wallet before leaving the country!
On Friday we went to a friend's Halloween party. It was nice to be with friends...and one of my favorite parts about parties is the food! Alexa and Josh's baby is now 5 months old...she's now giggling and saying sounds like mama. How fun!
On Saturday I helped Nick move, I unpacked some items, did the dishes and laundry, and cleared out my closets of all the random linen (towels, wash cloths, bedding, pillows...sorted them and stored them in the linen closet (once that was clean!!) It felt nice to have the main floor clean! I was either packing or working from 10:30 am till 10:30pm and only sat down for riding in the car, and one 15-min nap.
On Sunday I slept in a little, and decided to go to church even though I would be 20 minutes late. My aunt & uncle said I didn't miss much. I made it in time for the offering, a few hymns, and the sermon...so that's pretty good. I had been looking at a few other churches in the area, but I really like how comfortable I feel at the church in which I grew up. I know a lot of people there. Most of the people I know are adults ages 40 to 90, and then some of the middle and high school children (I babysat or helped with Sunday School for quite a few of the high schoolers when they were younger...so it is fun to see them grown up!) I went over to my grandmother's house after church to celebrate my parents' and aunt's birthday. When I was younger I took Sunday lunches for granted, but now that I'm older I am VERY impressed by my grandma and the meals she can put together. She didn't know how many people were coming, but she seemed so relaxed! She tried out a recipe called "American Legion Funeral Hot dish". I got a kick out of the name. My mom and aunt wanted to rename it, but I don't think it's a bad name. Anyway, after the busy week I had, I didn't have much energy left, but somehow I was able to wait to take a nap until 5pm. Nick had to work most of the day on Sunday because of the upcoming trip, so my mom helped with handing out the Halloween candy. Gasthof got so excited the first time that I lost my grip and he ran up and jumped on the door. Thankfully he didn't scare the kids, but at least it's Halloween! I had treats ready to give Gasthof if he sat at the top of the stairs and waited nicely, but I made a mistake and put the treats on top of one of the speakers in the living room. Gasthof tried to get the treats and in doing so he knocked over the speaker, which knocked over the lamp, which broke the glass lamp shade, which broke the light bulb. I cleaned up the mess and mom kept Gasthof away...I didn't know till Nick told me that the light bulb has mercury in it. Nothing I can do about it now, I guess, except not throw away the light bulb in the regular trash.
On an ending note, towards the end of our run Gasthof and I were about to cross the street from the park over to the sidewalk, crossing a busy 30 mph street at the bottom of a hill. Two boys were riding skateboards and two were riding a bicycle (one wearing a mask). Gasthof got so spooked by the skateboard as we were about to cross the street. I fell into the street, lost the grip on the leash, and Gasthof ran across the street onto the sidewalk. For the second time in a week I prepared myself for the worst. I yelled "Gasthof" and "wait" and walked over to him. Thankfully he didn't run into the street again and waited for me. I now know to keep a stronger grip on Gasthof if we are around skateboards or bikes!
Time to go to obedience training! Both Nick and I have to work Tuesday and Wednesday...then it's off to Paris and London! Hope everyone had a safe weekend!
