Why every wife should get sick just once a year...

On Thursday, I felt the crud that has been creeping around our house - one victim at a time; one week at a time - come creeping up on me. I protested vigorously, but to no avail. By Friday morning, it had hit hard. I was so bummed because Friday is a no school day for us and I had a nice list of things I wanted to get done. Also, Abe had a game that night and I was looking forward to it.

Change of plans.

I spent the day on the couch. I thought if I took it really easy, drank a lot, slept, etc, then I would be fine by game time and could make it to the game. (Right) That's what I did all day.

Then around 4:00, I got up and took a shower and put on real clothes. (Psyching myself into feeling good.)

Tim came home, took one look at me and said I could not go. (Bossy)

Another change of plans.

I climbed back into my nest on the couch.

Tim and Marci cheerfully left for the game.

Conni stayed home with me. (Before you start thinking, "Aww. How sweet of her to stay home from the game to take care of her mom," let me tell you this: Conni doesn't really like basketball. She is done with it by mid-December.) But yes, it was nice to not have to be here by myself. At some point during the game, Tim texted me the score. (We were winning.) At that point I had to eat some crow and tell him he was right. It was a good thing I didn't go. I felt awful and now had a fever. Like the loving husband he is, he refrained from saying, "I told you so."

When they all got home, I got a blow by blow report. We won the game and Abe had a new career high: 29 points! (Why did I have to miss THAT game?)

Saturday was a repeat: couch day.

I did accomplish one thing though. I learned how to run the remote! Yes, I know. Some of you are laughing...including my children. But I am pretty proud of myself. I actually got pretty fast at it.

I had fever all day. Tim and Conni were out and about running errands. Abe was at a friend's house and Marci had a photo shoot. So it was just me, myself, and I. By the end of the day, I was getting on my own nerves.

Tim called and told me not to worry about dinner - he would do it.

Nice.

As Conni and I watched a movie later, Tim worked in the kitchen. Lots of banging, chopping, and good smells kept coming to me.

I went upstairs at one point and just had to smile. The kitchen was....well, let's just say it was being "worked in". Food, pans, and grocery bags were everywhere. And Tim was cooking in typical "Tim" fashion...with purpose, determination, and speed. But it smelled so good! I had complete confidence that whatever he made would be yummy.

Mar and Abe came home and finished watching the movie with us. Then came the call to come to dinner.

It was amazing! The table was set so nicely. He served soup first. It was a veggie soup packed full of you-better-get-well-or-else yumminess. Then came fresh haddock with creamed broccoli and cauliflower on the side. Mmmmmm. So good!

I managed to help clean up the kitchen then collapsed again.

This morning, Tim scored again. Left-over haddock broiled in the oven, fried potatoes, caramelized onions and peppers, and fried eggs. Delish!

After everyone's belly was full, then came the announcement they all love:

Time to go get wood!

I got out of it this time.

Too bad it's one of the coldest and windiest days of the winter. I cleaned the kitchen, swept and mopped the kitchen floor as I listened to the new John Denver CD Tim brought home, and watched my hard-working family out the window.

I am feeling better - at least there is no fever today. I do hate to be sick, but I love the way my husband spoils me when I am.

So the next time one of you wives are sick, here's my personal recommendation for making it all better:

Puffs Plus (in our house, this is a splurge and reserved only for times of definite illness),

John Denver CD ( a favorite of mine and always makes me smile),

and your favorite man to fix you dinner.

May you all have a happy, healthy, flu season!