Liz Lemon + Chris Traeger

Did you know that Parks and Recreation is now the new 30 rock?

I'm just making stuff up, I have no idea of what is popular.

I bring it up only because John used to call me Liz Lemon and then he changed his mind. He actually made me watch the episode "Flu Season" to demonstrate how similar I am to the character of Rob Lowe.

I don't know how I feel about that or if I care - but these two clips are pretty hilarious.

Threats of a Kind

Stupidity can take many different shapes and forms.

And in all honesty, I hate the word "stupid".

So instead I'll call it "against better judgement".

The nature of my crime relates to working against better judgment.

Friday I became ill and had symptons of a sore throat and dizziness. These symptons continued through Monday.

Tuesday and Wednesday I began running a high fever and having cold sweats.

I assumed that I must be near the end of the virus as four days had already passed. So I decided I should restart my more physically demanding activities.

Sooooo. I woke up at 6am, went to work, and decided to run from work on 70th and York Avenue along the East river to East 8th St. at NYU - in 56 degree weather, in the rain. During which time I stopped at a Duane Reade to pick up a pack of tissues - which were gone by the time six miles was up.

John and I then headed home and I began to clean - until midnight.

I kept telling myself this wasn't anything difficult or out of the ordinary.

And now I feel like a cat has clawed it's way down my throat.

It's okay.

With this is mind the best course of action would be to head straight home, lie in bed, sleep and drink plenty of fluids.

My plans for today include the following:

Rush over to 42nd st.: pick up check and deposit.

Take Sparky on a walk.

Go shopping with friend.

Go to gym with friend: run at least 4 miles and do weights.

When I re-read the list above I actually thought of how pathetic of a list it was. I still don't get it!

Tomorrow I have plans to do a massive grocery excursion (which will take me more than two hours) and begin food preparation for Saturday dinner, a Mother's Day dinner for the in-laws, Monday breakfast for the in-laws, Monday dinner, and dinner for the Donovans (they just had a baby) - oh and preparing my lunch for the next week.

John is gone with his parents to Hill Cumorah until Sunday. No one is here to stop me! Please send me threats to lay down and rest and make resting sound like fun rather than extremly boring.

Saturday

Today:

Sparky decided to sound his wake-up whine-alarm an hour earlier than usual, at 5:00 am. Saturday is a special day for everyone.

My throat was exceptionally hoarse and painful.

I cancelled three of my classes for today. It took me an hour of deliberation to recognize that it was the responsible thing to do. Even though I'd much rather have taught.

Discovered that the pink pad (all the rest are black) on Spartacus's front right paw is an additional pad - making him some kind of weird mutant freak. But we already knew that.

John installed our new air conditioner today. Although we've lost some light I'm still glad to know that I won't die in my sleep of heat stroke.

John offered to do the grocery shopping today and I panicked. I really hate going to Costco when it's crowded (which it always is). It takes a half an hour to drive there, people steal your parking spot, and within the first stretch past the electronics isle at least three people cut you off and one person shoves you. There's utter mayhem at the produce and cheese isles. And forget about the sampling stations - there will be a line of middle-aged, middle-class citizens waiting for a bite of tortellini as if it were their last hope for survival. And yet, I still panicked when I thought about not going. John will buy what we need, but I worry, just like the people at the sampling station - that it will be my last opportunity to shop for food before the Apocalypse.

But I'm sick, so I stayed home. And I'm inside, on a beautiful sunny day.

However, I did take Sparky on his mid-day walk in my purple hiking shoes, light blue sweats, pink hoodie, and new sunglasses. My neighbor told me I looked like the unabomber ("UNiversity and Airline BOMber" . . . apparently). I didn't really care.

The lilacs are out and smell wonderful. So are the magnolias and tulips. I'm so happy that Spring is here.

day 10

day 10: a person you love

how could I not love this man?

he was my first and he is my only love.

the longer we're married the more I learn about love.

i am completely devoted to him.

if I could, I would go back to the time when I was engaged and concerned about the meaning of love. i would tell myself to trust my feelings for him and to enjoy taking that leap.

one of my strongest desires and goals in life is to continue to grow together with my husband, to learn to serve him, and to remember that it has gotten better and will only continue to be more rewarding.

day 9

day 9: a place you love

COSTA RICA

It's absolutely beautiful there. I haven't seen enough of the world to make a fair comparison but I still love it and want to take John there one day. This was my favorite place, although the photo doesn't do it justice.

*I never realized that the humidity made my hair look like a wig. Unfortunately it was for realz.