Life of Red

November 29, 2006

The Crud Continues

I worked until after midnight last night, starting about 14 hours prior, to meet my deadline. At least the deadline was on the West Coast and that helped a lot. This did not help this crud I have thus making today horrible. I did feel better for maybe 5 minutes but it passed.

I called my Aunt this morning to wish her a Happy 94th Birthday. The conversation went something like this:

Red: "Happy Birthday Aunt Dot!"
Aunt: "Ohhh, Happy Birthday to you too!"
Red: "How are you doing?"
Aunt: "Oh I'm just fine! How are you and Mini Red?"
Red: "We're just fine but I'm calling to see how you're doing and to wish you a great day."
Aunt: "I'm just fine."
Red: "Well what's going on? What does your Doctor say?"
Aunt: "I'm just fine. What is Mini Red up to?"
Red: "How's your left arm?"
Aunt: "Oh about the same."
Red: "What about your troubles swallowing your food?"
Aunt: "It's coming along. I'm starting therapy today."
Red: "That's a good sign. What if Mini Red and I come up there this weekend for a visit?"
Aunt: "OH, that would be nice!"

Looks like I'm not getting much information from her. I've just got this bad feeling so even though I really don't want a road trip it looks like Mini Red and I are going up there this weekend. Maybe I can get some real answers.

I'm so exhausted I was falling asleep at my desk. It felt so good and I could have had a really nice nap but I couldn't give into it. I figured since I hadn't had a coffee since Friday the caffeine could really help. Coffee just doesn't go with colds but desperate times call for desperate measures and I needed something to help me get through these test plans so I could go home and my second deadline would be met.

I've decided that Friday I'll leave work early, pick up Mini Red as soon as school was over and drive up to Scranton. If all goes well we will arrive around 8pm and crash and be refreshed to see my Aunt Saturday. We could then head back home around 3pm on Saturday leaving us Sunday to get our Christmas tree. I really don't want to spend any more money than necessary, considering the time of year, but one night at a hotel wouldn't be bad.

While searching for a hotel in the area I got a call from one of the Sisters. They are offering us a room at the convent next to the hospital. That would be convenient but… The Sisters mean well but they pretty much paw us when we get there. I had my Mom laughing at my impressions of the sisters but she's right… I need to stay there and save the money. My Aunt would be pissed if I didn't accept their hospitality.

The convent is becoming a habit this year.

Puny, puny, puny. I crack myself up. It must me my medicines.

November 27, 2006

This might explain why I was losing my mind

Saturday I was a bit of a bum. I did some research to find out which hospital my Aunt was in since I hadn't heard much since Friday. I found out where she was and finally got in touch with her. Of course I was calling to find out how she was but she was intent on asking how Mini Red and I were and about our Thanksgiving. I told her we were fine but the big question at hand was how she was doing but she didn't want to talk about herself. She sounded so weak but at least she was very alert. We didn't talk for long but I felt better having talked to her. I did some more looking and found the number to the nurses' station and talked to her nurse, Larry, who tells me it was a mild stroke. At least now they know to call me, heaven forbid, anything happens. Thanks to everyone for your prayers and well wishes.

I finally got out to pick up a few gifts but really wasn't into it so I headed down the road for a bite to eat and to catch a movie. Saturday night is date night so I was taking myself out. Potbelly's is next to the Regal Theater in Rockville so I grabbed a sandwich and listened to some of the live music before I headed into the theater. I debated which movie to see and even though I've wanted to see The Fountain the reviews weren't good and I was in no mood for a bad movie. I decided on Casino Royale cause I've heard good things and what could go wrong with and action packed Bond movie?

When going to a movie popcorn is a must so I decided to get a small and a bottle of water. I looked up to notice the dude behind the counter was staring. They all tend to stare when a cute chick, like me, is out on a Saturday night alone but I really don't give a damn. If I waited for someone to go to the movies with me, on my schedule, then I would never go. So the dude getting my popcorn finally says, "Is that your natural hair color?"

"Yup.", I said.

He then says, "That's cool!"

I told him, "Now you're supposed to tell me how nice it is."

To which he replied, very enthusiastically, "It's awesome!"

We both laughed. At least I could break up some of his monotony behind that counter.

I found a seat I was happy with and figured the theater wouldn't be that crowded

since the movie had been out for at least a week, I think. I was wrong cause it was packed. There were a lot of older couples and the dudes were obvious about trying to impress their dates. I could smell the cologne on the gentleman next to me. Thank goodness it wasn't bad but I will forever associate that smell with Daniel Craig, the actor who played Bond. Then there was the gentleman behind me who kept making comments he thought were witty but in reality they sounded idiotic. Things like, "I gotta get me one of those" in referring to a Bond gadget or, "I hate when that happens" when the guy finds a hot chick in his room. On my right was a little boy who was there with his parents. I was surprised to hear him use the word "ass" and his parents said nothing. His mother talked through most of the move asking why this and why that. Oye!

I sometimes prefer going to movies alone because there is no one to bother me with talking through out but how do you shut up the strangers?

By the time the movie was over and I got out of there I wasn't feeling so well. I couldn't help but think of the scene in the movie Outbreak where someone coughs in the movie theater and everyone gets sick and dies. Then again I kinda suspected something was on it way since I haven't slept well lately and I've had really crazy dreams. My suspicions were confirmed when I woke this morning sick as a dawg.

I've spent most of the day sleeping and I've just put on one boring movie after another to fall asleep to. It wasn't til 4pm that I've finally managed to stay awake for longer than and hour. Thank goodness Mini Red was being brought home by her Dad this time because I don't think I could have made the drive to get her.

It's time for more medicine. I just hope I feel better by tomorrow cause I have deadlines to meet at work