Back to the real world

I feel very out of touch. Its not that I have been on vacation or anything. I have been home sick since Thursday March 26. That would be ten days ago. I finally felt decent yesterday but apparently still sound horrible. My right ear clogged as well. But I feel fine.

I have a lot to do at work today. Work that has to be done today as well because there is a meeting too. I will be busy. I hope to survive the day and then even make it to the gym - where I haven't been since Wednesday March 25.

In addition to staying home from work, I feel like I have been hibernating and not talking to anyone but my husband. Well I have been on the phone with some people but its not like seeing and talking to people, just being around other people.

I find many ailments isolating, not just colds and ear infections. But anytime you aren't feeling well, you feel like crawling into bed and staying there until you feel better. But if its an ailment that isn't going away anytime soon, your pajamas become your favorite outfit.

But now that I feel good (for a while at least) I have to get to work and enjoy not being isolated. And I don't even have a doctor appointment until Thursday.

I need a change

Things are starting to get to me this winter. Why? We have been living in the arctic tundra for weeks. I am starting to go crazy. I think. Maybe its just a case of cabin fever.

I am not asking for much. These are the things I want:

• I want to be able to wear shoes. Not boots. I have been wearing boots for weeks. I miss my shoes. Its been too cold and snowy for shoes. This morning was 4 below without windchill.
• I want to be able to walk outside. Without climbing over snow drifts or wearing boots (see above). A nice stroll without frostbite concerns would be nice.
• I want to be able to go outside and play in the garden, look at new things growing, and see what survived the winter. But the snow needs to start melting. 24 days until spring, but who's counting?
• I want one month without a single doctor appointment. Its been a while since I had a break. I have one today and then another next week I think.
• I want to feel better - no aches and pains. As if.

Maybe a vacation would be nice. But that's not happening for a bit. However in the meantime, I can plan some trips away. I'm up to five so far this year but not for a while.

I think this winter is an example of how people with chronic illnesses can't just run out the door and go have fun. I have concerns about falling on ice - that has happened before and injuries have resulted. I have concerns about getting cold - my fingers turn white with cold easily these days. And I'm sick of staying inside.

At least the snow drift outside the living room got small enough yesterday that the sun actually shined in the front window and the cat took a little nap in it.