Thursday, November 18, 2010

The cold

I have a cold. I've had it for at least a week. I took Airborne when it first started, and for four days it didn't advance. Then I stopped taking the Airborne and the cold resumed, as if the Airborne was just a postponement.

I'm okay with colds. They're predictable in symptom and length. Now that I'm not working, I don't have to go to work - or anywhere - when the cold is working itself out. So I stayed home a lot this week. Read, played Sudoku, worked on genealogy. Today I finally even wrote an article about the crew from our September schooner cruise. Pay no attention to the pile of balled-up kleenexes on my computer table.

We have changed our Thanksgiving plans. We were going to drive from Seattle to Park City, Utah to spend a week with old friends, but the weather worsened and we finally decided the stress would be too great to drive 900 miles in two days on snow and sub-freezing, black ice temperatures. So instead, we're using frequent flyer miles for a trip to Alaska to spend the time with family.

I'm big on keeping my commitments, so this change of plans bothers me. Even though people are saying, "It's a no brainer, Linda." Like maybe I should have spent $800 on last-minute plane tickets and $150 on a round-trip shuttle from the Salt Lake City airport to Park City. But then I think, no, my friends wouldn't have done that themselves. They would have cancelled the trip if something came up that made a change of plans make sense.

So I'm going to have to work on this "keeping my commitments" issue. I'm going to have to be reasonable about it.

Now that we're going to Alaska instead of Utah, I'm thinking about the RV we'll be staying in for four nights. My husband Art is allergic to my sister's four cats, so she puts us up in their motorhome. My sister is planning on buying a space heater, but the temps are going to be in the 20s and 30s and I doubt any space heater on the planet is going to keep us warm. So we'll pack long underwear and wool socks and ask for the thickest quilt they have in the house. It will be fun, she said hopefully.

In years past I've gotten Seasonal Affective Disorder. Now that I'm not working, I've noticed no sign of it yet. May that be a further blessing of not working. Or maybe I just need to wait until January.




14 comments:

#1Nana said...

But now that you're not working aren't you spending more time outdoors walking, etc? Perhaps the additional outdoor time gets you enough natural light to trick your system?

Have fun in Alaska. I will be basking in the sun in Texas.

Linda Reeder said...

I know what you mean about committments. It's easy to beat yourself up when you shouldn't.
It sure is easier to deal with stuff when you don't have the stress of work.

Arkansas Patti said...

Alaska sounds exciting. Your cancellation of Utah is on sound principals, don't beat yourself up.
Enjoy your trip and stay warm.

Teresa Evangeline said...

Alaska...Utah...the terrible choices you're faced with. :) Not having to go to work changes everything. It makes life flow in a more natural path, I think. So, enjoy, whatever you do!

DJan said...

Hope your cold is gone before heading up to Alaska. I got one a few weeks ago but it's gone now, and I'm ready to play in the snow we are likely to get today!

Ruth L.~ said...

Interesting , your commitment "issue."I have a "don't waste anything" issue. Tough to fight these mindsets.

Seems we have some things in common--the retirement path. Love it, but it wasn't a seamless adjustment. Going on my third year.

Thanks for your visit. I'll be back here.

Marion Williams-Bennett said...

I love colds as I think they give your permission to slow down and do things at a more realistic pace!

Alaska sounds like wonderful adventure, good for you for changing the plan (it does make sense, it is a no brainer, friends will be okay!)

Rosaria Williams said...

Nice to meet you. Hope your trip to Alaska goes well. Just getting away sometimes is all we need to stay sane and love where we are. Happy Thanksgiving!

Linda said...

The very mention of a cold sends chills up my spine. We have to be so careful around my husband. I haven't had a cold in almost three years and I'm not sure what I'll do when that time comes. Perhaps I'll check into a plush hotel and order room service. Only kidding. A cold would be a crisis in this household.

Probably I would wear a mask, keep hand wipes every where, use paper and plastic for eating and that kind of thing.

Alaska sounds more fun than Utah any time of the year.

Jenn Flynn-Shon said...

Now see if the choice was up to me I'd ditch everyone and head for the equator! Then again we get PLENTY of winter in the northeast so I don't think 900 miles in the snow or a 30 degree motor home sounds very good. No matter who's on the other end lol.

I've found that not working + the addition of a New England fall/early winter (read: no real sunshine, constant gray clouds) has taken a toll and brought on SAD earlier than normal. We're very likely moving to Arizona next year though so the countdown is on! Keep getting outside and seeing those you love and SAD really isn't so bad :-)

Thanks for swinging by my blog! I'm following you now too :-)

Sally Wessely said...

Linda, be nice to yourself. You made the decision that made sense to you for the right reason. Enjoy your time in Alaska.

Anything Fits A Naked Man said...

It took me a while, but I'm a firm believer in making decisions and having no regrets, no looking back! I admit, I still falter some times, but I'm getting better! Alaska sounds like a terrific idea, hope you have a BLAST!!

Georgia said...

I plan on doing the things that are most important to me. My recent experiences were a reminder how little time we all really have. I am glad you are coming.

Unknown said...

Hope you're feeling so much better now. I hear you about commitments and change of plans. Alaska sounds like a great and exciting adventure.