Josie Grossie and the Stomach Flu
I am so proud of myself for being so on top of [most] things this Christmas season! Christmas packages and cards were mailed out extremely early (on November 29th) and Craig and I already have one Christmas party extravaganza already under our belts! It was the best of times—and it was the worst of times :: I can't remember the last time I got hit with the stomach flu!
For as many people as I have been around during the span of my career, I like to think that I've built up a pretty strong immune system. I, as well as my husband, RARELY get sick—including any bouts with the common cold! Unfortunately, the bah [stomach] humbug found me (and my Christmas spirit) just a few days into December and decided to take us out for a several days! It came on subtly, disguised as what I thought was indigestion, but lingered too long and then made itself very well known 24 hours later. I'll spare this post the awful details and speak of the ones that make my heart smile instead—my husband, sweet and attentive, ran all the errands (even at 4.45 in the morning) for the things that sounded good. The worst was finally over, but for a thirsty girl with an empty stomach recovering from such turmoil, these important things consisted of Quik Trip ice, chicken broth, and maybe some strawberry Jello packs for nostalgia sake. They tasted just as I remembered them!
Recovery looked like not enjoying my Christmas trees out in our main living areas as I was squirreled away in our bedroom—I was busy sleeping a lot and trying to lay as still as possible. When I was able to stay awake for more than an hour, I enjoyed digging into the archives of a favorite blogger and reading fun blog posts from long ago. Cuddled up in blankets, I would return to sleep as the afternoon sunshine poured through the windows. There were also plenty of Christmas selections on TV, but after making my way through one cheesy Christmas movie on Amazon, I called it quits and stuck to what I knew—a non-Christmas 90s rom-com featuring Drew Barrymore. Never Been Kissed was basically my life as I was trying not to kiss my husband so as not to pass germs! With a carton of strawberry flavored Jello, nails to match, and a side of ginger ale, I felt the need to document such a day. I didn't pause the movie as I took the picture and I laughed thinking the capture of Drew Barrymore's face and the captions on the screen accurately described the last few days. It wasn’t Josie but me who was living up to such a horrible nickname like Josie Grossie—and it wasn't “rufus” in the least!
Thankfully, I've gained strength as the days have passed, and here it is one week later. We may have missed my husband’s office party (Christmas party #2) and my chance to wear my Home Alone outfit, but I think it's safe to say I'm finally feeling like myself again. Craig is still healthy, the house and any personal items have been completely disinfected, loads of laundry have been washed, and Spotify's cozy Christmas jazz is playing while I'm finally back to enjoying the twinkly glow of our Christmas trees. We have yet to resume our daily long walks around the neighborhood, but I at least made it outside today for the first time in 5 days and even drove to make a grocery run! After salty crackers, soup, buttery toast, and sugary snacks of Jello, ginger ale, and popsicles, the fridge was screaming for its familiar stash of fresh and healthier options!