7 Days = 1 Week

A week ago Wednesday I came down with this cold late in the day. This Wed on arising in the afternoon I felt a definite improvement - the fever had broken, congestion was much less, more energy. I know that you aren't supposed to take anything that depresses respiration when you're sick like this but I hadn't been sleeping at all so I took a couple of sleeping pills; the rest made a big difference. Today hasn't been quite as good but I'm still a lot better than I had been feeling. I just have to make it through two more shifts and I can look forward to some rest come Sunday and Monday.

Progress; that's all I ask for....

Back To Regular Programming....

....no sex here..... nothing to be seen..... move along now....

Just another couple of hours before my workweek is finally over. It was even a shortened one with those couple of sick days and it still seemed long. Ah well, feeling better now anyway. Funny - you quit smoking and colds don't linger on. Think there might be a connection here???? In my off work hours I've been in bed....period.....resting... trying to be rid of the cold and it seems to be working.

Lately I've kept a low profile (mostly) by reading a ton o'blogs and not commenting (by and large). I'm constantly amazed at how much good writing and photography there is out there. Before logging on here I had a look at the site meter - hello Kansas; thanks for stopping in. Nice photos, but you didn't answer my question. Pushy damned Canadians, eh?

I posted recently about my perceived pressure to pack up and move quickly back to the house. We had a chat about that and it has been relieved somewhat. It's still a.s.a.p. but in a manageable, do-able way.

Saturday night's outside meeting was at my g'friend Audrey's homegroup so I let her in on the news about Lynda and I, and thanked her for her prayers on our behalf. She was pleased for us and recommended we look to the future and enjoy the present - leave past issues behind.

On arriving back here at 'the house' I found an email from one of the guys I sponsor. He'd just got back into town from Atlanta Saturday morning; by now he ought to be in Montreal. He receives a medallion a week from Monday in recognition of his first year of sobriety. In his email he was reflecting back on what his life was like just before he arrived for treatment.... and how he's willing to do anything to not return to that state of being. Recovery can be a remarkable thing to witness - the changes in him are incredible.

My sleep time Sunday will be foreshortened as I have to be up and in attendance at a committee meeting very early in the afternoon; I might get 5 hours if I'm lucky. The rest of the day will play out the way it's supposed to......

Later.

Laying Low......

.... and trying to shake this damned cold. I think the bronchitis part of it is gone but now I'm stuck with the worst head cold I can remember. My nose runneth over...... sore ears, throat, blah, blah, blah..... (whine bag).

I had intended to come home last night but Lynda wanted my car today to get my sister Linda to the hospital. She was supposed to have a day surgery and be released late today but they had to really slice her open and will keep her a couple of days. After Lynda arrived back at the house we gallivanted (doncha just love that word?) around town for a couple of hours but I quickly ran out of steam after lunch, bailed out and came home to bed. My favourite 'too sick to do anything else' video went into the machine - 'Babe' - and I alternated between watching and snoozing; all the while sniffling.

I hadn't missed any of my commitments until last night when I chose not to attend my home group - first time I'd missed that in ages. Today I called and cancelled tonights session with young 'Woody' and I'm hoping to combine a meeting tomorrow with he and his new probation officer with an outing. Just as I was heading up to bed earlier my assistant manager called to ask if I would work a day shift tomorrow and one of those long sleep over shifts Thursday. I begged off for tomorrow in order to rest but told him I'd see him Thursday a.m.

What else is taking up head space?? Well, the democratic and republican hopefuls involved in the primaries south of the border are getting a lot of talk - especially Hillary and Obama. I'm not informed enough as yet to really have a favourite but do appreciate Hillary's profile and record.

In terms of entertainment, the only new thing I have is the Eagles latest release 'Long Road Out Of Eden' and I love it - highly recommend it. I keep listening to it over and over and continue to be amazed with the intricacies of it. Beautiful........

While we were out today Lynda and I had a bunch of pictures printed to send to Sarah, Daniel and Zeph from their Xmas trip here. Along with some clothes we bought for Zeph, they'll be parcelled up and posted tomorrow. I'll have to get onto Sarah and see if she has any recent ones to send our way - which I will share, of course, as any proud Papa would.

Time for another hot cuppa, aspirin and bed. Later.....

Still Out Here.....

.....in the blogosphere; just not too active of late.

Funny how this cold didn't seem to be bothering me as much when my life was full and frantic. It has hung on for over two weeks and my bathroom looks like a drugstore. Last week it turned into bronchitis and I was prescribed antibiotics and a couple of puffers so I've used them in conjunction with decongestants and ibuprofen for the accompanying discomforts. Since I've been relieved of my work responsibilities I've taken to giving myself a break at midday and lying down for a rest.

Work - yes, I'm still deciding whether to resign myself to going back to nightwalk or not. As Lynda so kindly reminded me over the weekend, I still have a mortgage that needs to be paid. Thanks, hon. If I'm going back to that I'll have to make a call to my boss to arrange that to be set up as it involves a co-worker getting bumped from the spot. A few minutes ago I sent off one CV and cover letter to a local mental health agency to one contact I have in hopes they can use me. There is another counselling agency and withdrawal management centre that I can apply to locally so I'll get on that task this morning.

Yesterday there was a gathering of the clan - Lynda got her sons together to inform them of our plans to get back together. I absented myself so they would have free rein to express themselves, for good or ill, and apparently there really wasn't an awful lot said. 'It's up to you two what you do with your lives.' I headed back over afterward in order to have some time with Owen and play 'Thomas the Train Bingo'. He high fives everyone every time he get to cover a number - does jumping jacks when he gets a full card!!

Getting back to Lynda - things are still pretty abstract as yet and we still have to see how this develops but we're certainly headed in the right direction. I'm happy in that I haven't tried to coerce, persuade.....or any of that other sort of negative management of another. I've simply tried to be consistent in my messages to her about how I feel, proposed ideas and perspective for her consideration and let her make up her own mind. That is what has lead us to this point. We still have to look at a couple of specific issues and talk about overall expectations of each other in this renewed life together. There has been a lot of prayer and guidance at work here between ourselves and also from family, friends and significant others (like you out THERE). Thanks for your input and care; I appreciate your ongoing support and aid.

With having been ill there are a number of people I haven't been in touch with - some close, some afar......but I intend to pick up my end and get on those connections once again.

Self Care

During a conversation the other day with my boss John, the house manager, he referred to how I'd been driving myself lately and how I needed to be mindful to take care of myself - take some downtime, get some rest, ensure I eat properly, have some fun..... 'Yes John, I know, ... I will.'

Turns out there was something to what he had to say..... I woke today sick with a cold (slightly), have medicated myself appropriately and am looking forward to a couple of light days basically lazing around recuperating. Sounds like a good plan; we'll have to see how that works out.

I've spent some time today cleaning my place, sorting through a bunch of papers, hooking up my printer and getting my DVD player working again. David Gilmour's 'Remember That Night' DVD is playing now - love it!!

Tonight I'll either join up with Lynda for the evening or go to a meeting; I need a speaker for Monday night when I chair. The last couple of times Lynda and I have been together we've talked about where we are to live - the house (her place now), or my place (the townhouse), or sell them both and find something that suits us both better. Bloody amazing changes going on. I really haven't had time to consider all this as much as I'd like.

A Real Quick One

I ain't dead yet; I've just been feeling rough which has prevented me from doing much of anything this past week. Managed to get it together just in time to come back to work. Very strange week tho! If you're enjoying good health, you are truly blessed.

So what's up??

*I'm still doing the night gig here but I've taken on a new area of responsibilty in order to help out and earn a few brownie points.

*I did get out for a while one day last week to apply for a job elsewhere. Closer to home, better pay, great benefits, a couple of people on staff that I know slightly.

*It's Canada! In winter!! It's incredibly cold!!! Not surprising but very 'in your face' -40 with the wind chill sort of cold. I broke down yesterday and got out 'Big Red', my down-filled coat. What a difference it makes. So much for style.

*Lynda and I have hit a rough spot; there are things being left unsaid so as to avoid a major blow-out. Cooler heads need to prevail - let some of the steam ease off before some sensible confrontation. Ever notice that men and women perceive the world and our relationships very differently?? Too true.

*Grandson Owen was out with his parents for the day Saturday and he continues to develop into a very bright and entertaining little character. He'll be 3 in a couple of weeks and we'll be headed off to his party.

*My quit date has passed and although my smoking is drastically reduced I continue to smoke. 10 a day is better than 30 to 40, but it certainly isn't as good as none.

*Last week I managed to get my camera and computer talking again (or was it before last week - it's a big blur to me now) so I'm really hoping to figure out how to start posting some pictures. Possibly this week. Don't hold your breathe tho.

That wasn't as quick as I was planning but I do carry on a bit now and then. There's some work to finish just now though. Later.

Ramble on

My assignment to cover for a sick collegue is over; I started back on nights Wednesday night. That's fine, too. I knew it was a time limited thing and it was good while it lasted. I enjoyed taking an active part in the guys early recovery. Last night was a busy one getting organized for the balance of the week. It's a short one - just 4 nights instead of 7. Even with being busy I had an opportunity to write here but chose not to as I was in a pretty lousy mood. I put it down to my lingering cold - I can psych myself to put up with one for a week or so but when it drags on into 11 or 12 days well, enough is enough. 'Nothing that a big bottle of rye wouldn't cure.' - stinking thinking.

I took time to check in by phone tonight with my son Russ in Calgary and daughter Sarah in Vancouver. Russ is busy working 2 jobs getting himself into better financial shape and fitting a busy social life around his work. Sarah is struggling through this early stage of pregnancy; she's prey to sudden mood swings and admits she's hard to live with and be around. I encouraged her to make a conscious decision at the beginning of each day to make the best of it.

One thing I've been thinking about a lot lately is making another attempt to quit smoking. The plan is coming together but needs more work. The date has been chosen but I need to sit down and write about positive expectations & benefits as well as minimizing the negative aspects i.e. severity of withdrawal. It was brought home again today when talking on the phone to Lynda - a good friend of hers at work was in remission from one type of cancer and has just been diagnosed with another in both lungs. Death sentence. She's younger than us and has never smoked. Lynda is coming up on 4 years smoke free and is very supportive of me quitting. If I get much more 'cleaner-living' I'll soon be eligible for the sainthood. What's left??

After lights out tonight I had a long wide-ranging discussion with one of the clients who was having trouble settling for the night. What I'm finding is that it's often harder to lead someone back to faith once they've lost it rather than introducing a faith-based solution to someone who has never had it. I wound up telling him that we'd have to change his name from Peter to Thomas (of the doubting variety). If you've ever read 'Games People Play' - this guy was playing a perfect game of 'Yes, but...'. Always another challenge, doubt or question. Close your eyes, believe, get off the gunwale of the boat and start walking. When you open your eyes and see you're walking on the water you'll have your proof that faith works. Don't ask for assurances up front. Believe and then find your own evidence.

Enough sermonizing for now - must check on my charges.