Sunday, February 15, 2009

Winter Cold




So exactly how are you supposed to handle a cold? Are you supposed to baby yourself, tucked up into a warm bed with lots of hot tea, a good book and Kleenex? Or should you "Memmel up"* and just keep slogging through your every day life as though nothing is wrong?


I have not had a knock down drag out cold in a while, but this one is obnoxious. I have felt lousy since last Monday, traveled with it Tuesday through Thursday, tried to ignore it Friday, attempted sleeping it off Saturday and Sunday, and though I am feeling quite a bit better today, it is still hanging around, causing my nose to run (oh, how attractive) and giving me a "courage, Camille" type hacking cough when I least expect it (or try to laugh!). I keep asking myself, "Should I just lay low for a bit and see if I can get rid of this?" But the fact that there is a lot that needs doing (the Christmas crap is STILL not all put away) keeps me jumping off the couch to do yet another chore.


As long as the Kleenex is nearby, I guess I can handle it.


* "Memmel up" refers to the US Olympic gymnast, Chelsea Memmel, who competed in Bejing on a broken ankle. Gotta give credit to the local gal!! She's from West Allis, WI, practically a neighbor!

Saturday, February 07, 2009

What's in a car???


So I have to wonder, what is it about me that I love cars? Not doing stuff with them, not reading about them, but driving them, riding in them (though I am a better driver than a passenger). I like looking at them and frankly, driving my convertible in the summer with the top down and the stereo blasting is one of the simple joys in life. Not to mention a huge rush :-)


I have had the joy of driving fun cars for many years, first in 1996 with my red convertible, then in 2000 with my little yellow Focus, followed in 2003 by my yellow Mustang. Meanwhile, Dan has endured a series of practical cars, and not many of them. He acquired my parents' old Ford Country Squire wagon, then briefly their Grand Marquis (which I totaled on a deer) and most recently a Buick Roadmaster wagon. The Roadmaster was of his own choosing, and was a lovely and luxurious vehicle when we got it, but it has steadily become more and more decrepit and at 17 years old with 100K+ miles, it is less than a joy to drive.


Enter the Hummer. This big blue beauty now graces our driveway, hulking there like a giant bird of prey, ready to pounce off for a spin to the grocery store or the library. Overkill? Hell yeah! But I am so excited that my beloved gets the same silly grin on his face when he drives his car as I do driving mine. I want him to have that same rush that I get in the Mustang.


I confess, I get a HUGE rush driving the Hummer, too! Who'd have thought that zippy-sportscar-loving me would get off on driving a big beast of a truck? And with a manual transmission, no less!


I am so happy for Dan, and happy for me, and happy for us! Happy that there is a blue Hummer in the driveway and a for sale sign in the Roadmaster. All is well in our automotive world!