An unexpected vacation

I'm pretty sure if we ignore the signs we need to slow down, God makes it happen anyway.

Yes, the four who caught 'flu were in various stages of sickness for a whole week. You know what else? Between the illnesses and the weather, we spent a whole week inside, at home (except for my brief outings for "sick" food and library books/movies) resting and just being together.

The way it worked out, I never had the bulk of work because someone always felt at least well enough to help out. G's co-workers kindly told him to stay the heck at home and keep his germs to himself and the anti-viral made a big difference to everyone except Curly Sue (who turned out to be very, very ill for a couple of days).

So no, it wasn't the sun-yourself-by-the-pool kind of vacation, but it was a break from all but the most pressing work and a chance to really, truly rest -- something that we all needed. Even I got enough rest because G's days were better than his nights, so when I slept very little to care for whichever one(s) needed me at night, I was able to take long naps in the afternoon when G could hold down the fort.

I am very thankful I never got sick. Our school schedule was suspended for the week, so I had lots of time to read and finished a couple of good books. I'm on a true crime kick right now and just got done today with London 1849: A Victorian Murder Story, about a couple who murdered a friend for his money. Michael Alpert wrote much more about everyday life in that era, almost like a history book rather than a typical crime account, and I found it fascinating.

Lizzie Borden didn't really kill her father and stepmother. Her illegitimate brother did it, according to author Arnold Brown. I didn't care for Brown's style of writing -- it reminded me of your hairy-eared great-uncle who won't ever get to the point in his long story, with a lot of "more on this later" and "we'll talk more about that in later chapters" and "this was important, as you will see." I didn't finish it, just read the first few chapters and skimmed the last few, because life's too short. (Also, I wanted to prove to a certain brother that I don't actually like or finish every book I start!)

Lucky I didn't finish, because that gave me time to discover Erik Larson. I started The Devil in the White City, which is an amazing historical account of the architect Daniel Burnham, genius architect behind the 1893 Chicago World's Fair, and serial killer H.H. Holmes, who used the fair to lure victims to his "castle." I'm looking forward to finishing this one and exploring more of Larson's books.

One thing my brother got right is that I can't just have one book going at a time. Joseph Wambaugh's The Blooding is on my list for tonight, and because I can't just read blood and guts all the time, I also plan on cracking open Sari Solden's Women With Attention Deficit Disorder. I recently finished her Journeys Through ADDulthood, which I found extremely enlightening.

(Oh yeah, and I also got a chance to see Duke get crushed by Villanova in the NCAA tournament. Sweet!)

A visit from Influenza A

Four of the five of us are sick. I am fine, except a little tired from monitoring fevers, breathing treatments, coughs, liquids and meds. We are lucky to have tested positive early on, so that everyone could start an anti-viral within the first 48 hours.

Based on Curly Sue's progression, today should be Moe's peak, and tomorrow or Friday should be Geddy's and Larry's. I hope to remain well, of course, and plan to work on some school and home-related projects. I also brought home books about Lizzie Borden and Jack the Ripper for "light reading" on this gloomy, rainy day.

Onward and upward!

Frugal things

I'm trying to do five frugal things every day, not only to help our budget but also to remind myself to be thankful for what I have. Yesterday, I:

1. Shopped at Goodwill for spring and summer clothes for Curly Sue. I bought two pairs of capris, four dresses, four skirts/skorts and five shirts for under $50. Name brands are American Girl, Gymboree, The Children's Place and Polly Flanders, so I can't fathom how much I actually saved. She loved all the pieces and was already sorting them and matching them with pieces she already has to make cute, trendy outfits. (She couldn't wear about five things I bought, so I'll return those next week.)

2. I skipped shopping at BJ's because we didn't need anything, though I usually go there to kill time during DD's dance classes and I always buy something.

3. I picked up an inexpensive soda from Dollar General (where I went to buy the one loaf of bread we needed) instead of having a frozen coffee from Starbucks.

4. We accepted an invitation to my parents' house for dinner (my dad's famous St. Patrick's Day reuben sandwiches) instead of eating out as we normally do on Tuesdays.

5. I decided to bake homemade treats for my small group girls for tonight instead of buying treats at the grocery as I normally do.

No, these things aren't earth-shattering, but I am working on my attitude of thankfulness for the Lenten season. Also, I hope to make a donation representing my foregone indulgences around Easter.

Hi ho, hi ho

When I left my full-time job as a newspaper sports reporter/editor more than 10 years ago, I thought I had left that part of myself behind. After all, 60-hour week is not compatible with raising and educating three children and maintaining a home. I have freelanced for a magazine, written and edited tab sections and set up a new business (writing web copy, bios, etc.) on a contractual basis, but I moved away from all my contacts three years ago.

I met with the local newspaper's publisher this morning, and I am going to write the copy for a "green" tab to be published around Earth Day. It's something I am really excited about, and the meeting went well. I'm a bit nervous because of the length of time I've been away, but I have to admit that newspapers have stayed in my blood all these years and I can't wait to get started.

Wish me luck!

My windows are open

A fresh spring breeze is blowing the stale winter away, and it makes me realize...

...there's nothing quite as revolting as the smell of blooming Bartlett pear trees.

Blech.