The cruelest month so far

Oh, April, I had such high hopes for you!  I realize that it's early days yet, we're only on the 6th, but so far, it's kicked me right in the teeth.

Not that I planned for things to go this way - I was actually very optimistic about the month.  But I woke up on Monday with a slight tickle in my throat and by the evening, my voice had gone south.  Still, I could speak, sort of, until I got through a few classes and by Tuesday, my voice was worse, even though 2 of my classes just wrote an essay.  Wednesday, I managed to get through my classes and then went home and slept 1.5 hours in the afternoon.  Finally, I took Thursday off to give my voice a break, went back to school on Friday with something of a voice, which I lost by the end of the day.

It's been strange because I haven't felt TERRIBLY sick, but it's been up and down - feeling better, then worse (mainly just exhausted), then better again.  I took four full days off, doing absolutely nothing, had a total meltdown on Tuesday night when I dramatically stated "It's not even worth going to Wildflower this year at this point!"  Nice black-and-white thinking about a hobby.  Jeez!

In addition to my extracurricular activities and the timing being off for that, this really is the worst time of year for me to be sick and to miss classes.  I already will miss students for so many days this month because of random fieldtrips and days of school, so I can't afford to lose classroom time.  The other frustrating aspect about the sinus/laryngitis thing, I really can't talk to people - so, I didn't call a friend on her birthday and probably won't catch up with her for another week because things aren't looking great for a chatty weekend.  Also, I can't taste ANYTHING!  As someone who likes food and continues to cook, it is strange to make meals, eat them, but not really enjoy them.  I'm also off caffeine and alcohol and have been drinking tea, water and lots of juice.  Such a boring life!

In the midst of all of this, we have started to migrate!  We returned from Chicago to a newly painted place - amazing what a difference a good paint job makes.  I actually started to feel excited about the move, a feeling that had eluded me up to that point.  Also, our appliances arrived on Tuesday.  I can't believe that I'm saying this, but I can't wait to try out the stove/oven!  We're moving what we can today and then the movers will take everything else on Tuesday.  Again, this is adding to the craziness of the month, but it's pretty dam exciting too!

So, as rough as the week has been, I am still hopeful that April will round out and end on an up note.

Changing plans: A low-key weekend

So much for a long and very hilly ride this morning; the rain washed away those plans. Yes, I happen to be a fair-weather rider, I will admit the fickle nature of my lackluster cycling passion. Looking at the forecast, it does not bode well for the rest of the week, although I will hope for the usual mistakes on the part of the Weather Channel. And so, rather than a nice ride outside, I will pretend that a super intense spinning class can make up the deficit. I suppose that it is better than lounging around the house, moping about the weather.

In addition to the weather prompting far less ambitious plans for the weekend, Michael caught the flu-bug that seems to be making its way around the part of Southern CA. I am simultaneously trying to be sympathetic and play nurse while also cursing under my breath that he had better not contaminate me! So much for being the perfect wife.

I realized, however, that it is not all bad, his being sick. Not for me, at least (it looks as though he feels like crap, and he certainly doesn't sound great). We - or I - usually push so much during the weekends, trying to go and do and see, that laying low is a nice change of pace. I have graded a few compositions, enjoyed a late breakfast, given the dogs some attention. Not bad.

I will, however, miss Michael as my date to a social/work function tonight, but a friend and I will make a nice twosome. Michael's "delicate" condition might provide me with the perfect reason to bolt on the early side, so maybe I won't curse him, even if I end up hacking up my lung later in the week?!