Unwell, unfortunately - Monday, Jan. 19

Saturday at work I knew for sure I had the flu. All the people I work with had it and I'm pretty sure the guy next to me in the courtroom at jury selection had it as well on Wednesday. This flu is very contagious.

All day Saturday I had chills and then developed body aches in the afternoon. By the end of the workday, I wanted to go home and climb in bed with the heater on. People at work had recommended Alka Seltzer Plus Night Severe Cold & Flu packets. Bob went out and bought some for me. I was already under the covers in bed in my sweatshirt, jeans and wool socks when he returned.

To be effective the Alka Seltzer packets needed to be dissolved in hot water. Bob fixed it up for me and I had him drop an orange-flavored Airborne in the mug as well. The directions said to inhale the steam from the hot mixture. I did and it helped clear my sinuses. After I drank the mixture, I fell asleep quickly around 6:30 pm. I remember waking up once around 9 or 10 pm and feeling very sweaty, like my fever had broken. At midnight I woke up and fixed another mug of the steamy Alka Seltzer and got online while I inhaled and sipped the concoction. Then I went back to bed around 1:30 am and slept until almost 11 am Sunday.

Our original plans were to go to Susan and Darren's house to watch the AFC/NFC championship games Sunday afternoon. Bob had texted Susan Saturday night to let her know we wouldn't be able to make it.

We took it easy on Sunday. Bob walked over to the Rec Hall at the RV park where all the Packer fans had decorated and brought snacks to share. He just took a bag of Chex Mix and said he felt like a single guy coming to a potluck with just a bag of chips. Plus he was rooting for the Seahawks in a sea of Packer fans. He came back to the 5th wheel to watch the rest of the game here. Wow, what a surprise ending to that game!

All day I ate only chicken noodle soup, tea, and a salad. When Bob asked if I'd like for him to bring home some food, I said, "Yes, I'd really enjoy a Wendy's baked potato and chili." He went out and brought dinner home. He takes such good care of me. Thank you, love.

Before bed, I did the whole Alka Seltzer Plus Night packet again. And once again I slept very well, waking up about 10 am this morning.

Today, I felt a lot better. In fact, I got the freezer defrosted! But this evening the coughing started again. Time for the night time Alka Seltzer Severe Cold & Flu routine. As soon as I finish that I'll be headed to bed.

Hopefully, I'll be much better tomorrow.

Here are some pics of the fur-kids, Sunnie and Bowie.

Sunnie and Bowie

"Bowie, I need more room. Move it!"

Sunnie and Bowie, so content!

Travel Bug out.

First off, football - Monday, Jan. 12, 2015

Monday night football, January 12, 2015...University of Oregon Ducks versus Ohio State in the College Football Playoff championship. Our friends Susan and Darren invited us to their home to watch the game on their big-screen TV.

On our way over to their house we stopped for take-out Kentucky Fried Chicken, enough to feed seven. Darren and Susan's two sons were there along with one son's girlfriend. We had a combination of original and grilled chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, coleslaw, corn, and biscuits. We arrived early enough to eat before game time. Susan made Cookie Sheet Cake for dessert and served it with vanilla ice cream. We feasted on everything.

At game time, I took the seat with a side view of the TV since I'm not into football. Darren supplied me with Wall Street Journal newspapers to read. I feel so informed after reading the WSJ. When I finished those, I read some of Susan's Entertainment Weekly magazines. Enough reading to get me through most of the game!

Bob is an Oregon fan, so he wasn't happy with the way the game went. He was hoping the Ducks would win the championship, since they haven't ever won it, especially since they have Heisman trophy winner, Marcus Mariota. It didn't work out this time.

About 10:45 we headed for home on mostly empty freeways.

Eureka! I Found It. - Tues., Jan. 21

When we last met, you heard our excitement over the Portland Trailblazers beating the San Antonio Spurs. Saturday, I worked all day at the RV park.

Sunday, however, we were invited to Susan and Darren's home to watch football...all afternoon and evening. (Darren is in California for three months building a plane.) When we arrived, Susan had a feast laid out for us, to which we contributed homemade guacamole, chips and a veggie tray. Her homemade chili was so yummy. She also made a bacon, pull-apart bread which was sinfully delicious.

Right after we arrived and loaded our plates with food, the first game started between the Broncos and New England Patriots. Susan and Bob were rooting for the Broncos, so they were happy with the outcome of the game, even though the playing of it left something to be desired.

Me, I'm not a football fan, so Susan showed me her extensive library, asked me what kind of books I like. When, I said, "Thrillers," she pointed me to that section of her library. Yes, she's organized!

Vince Flynn's "Kill Shot" caught my eye immediately. Oh, boy, a Vince Flynn (Mitch Rapp) novel I hadn't read. With book in hand, I made may way to the family room, snuggled under a proffered lap blanket on the couch's recliner, and started reading. Now we're talking!

Full tummy + snuggly blanket + recliner = nap time! When I woke up Bob told me I didn't snore too loud. LOL. I woke up in time to see the Broncos win.

Time for more food.

Next up, Seahawks versus the 49ers. All of us wanted the Seahawks to win. This game was more brutal than the previous game. Bob says the two teams HATE each other. I could tell from the opening play that this game was going to be way more exciting than the Broncos/Patriots game.

Still, "Kill Shot" had its claws in me and I read 92 pages even though I looked up frequently to see what was happening in the game. Even "Miss I'm-Not-Interested-Football" thinks the last play at the 49ers touchdown zone rocked. Richard Sherman tipped what could have been the winning touchdown pass away from its intended recipient, Michael Crabtree, 49ers receiver. Sherman's tip flew up in the air and was caught by Hawks linebacker, Malcolm Smith, thereby averting a 49ers touchdown that would likely have changed the outcome of the game. I did watch that happen. Well played, Seahawks!

We headed for home at 9:00 p.m. Seven hours of football (and napping and reading). Wow.

Monday, I worked for Snelling at an insurance office, today I worked as receptionist at a doctor's office, and tomorrow I will be back at the insurance office. Then it's back to the RV park office for Thursday through Saturday.  While working on Thursday, my Escape pod will be going into the Ford dealership to have the overhead map light replaced, and they will test my Escape to see why it's idling so high.

Work at the doctor's office is usually 2-4 hours. After I got home today, I cleaned the 5th wheel.

By now, you may be wondering what I found. Remember that hearing aid I lost a couple of weeks ago? There were a couple of places we hadn't searched yet. One of those places was under the dresser drawers in our bedroom. Today, I took out two bottom drawers, got a flashlight and stuck my head under there. I found three cat toys (balls) and DUT da da da, drum roll please, my lost hearing aid. The hearing aid was pretty dusty so I cleaned it and stuck it in its electronic dryer. It works! Now I don't have to replace it. I will take it in to be professionally cleaned, however.

Life is good in the RV hood.

Travel Bug out.

Alamo Bowl - Mon., Dec. 30

Tonight's the big night for Bob. He bought a ticket to the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio. Right now he's at the game wearing green and yellow and cheering for the Oregon Ducks. It's halftime and the Ducks are up 20-7. Bob's probably hoarse from screaming by now!

He loves Oregon football and both of us love the Portland Trailblazers. Now that we're Texas residents, we also love the San Antonio Spurs. It's fun to root for some of the best teams in the NBA.

Oh, wait, I got side-tracked. I was talking about football. But really Bob should write this blog. He loves football and I know nothing about the game, except a touchdown is seven points.

I can tell you, though, people sure get worked up about their sports teams. Just yesterday, we had a camper in our park who came in a Hummer pulling a utility trailer (which they must sleep in). Outside his trailer he set up a Longhorns canopy with sidewalls and put a sofa, chair, and big screen TV...effectively making an outdoor living room.

Other people in our park are obviously Oregon fans and have their Oregon colors proudly displayed in front of their motorhome.

How about you? What teams do you cheer for? What kind of decorating do you do on big game days? Do you tailgate? Do you go to the games?  Do you have an outdoor TV on your rig and invite other RVers to join you?

If you go on amazon.com, or any sports retailer for that matter, you can find all manner of game paraphernalia: logo grill covers, hot dog team logo brands, hostess party aprons with team colors and logos, chef hats, canopies, clothing, footballs, chairs, dartboards, plastic cups, coolers, car flags, lunch bags, the list goes on and on.

Displaying your sports team colors is a sure-fire conversation starter in a campground or RV park. Have some beer in the cooler and snacks on hand, you may find some new friends stopping by.

Alamo Bowl score is now 23-7 Oregon in the 3rd quarter. Go Ducks!!

Update: 4th quarter and Ducks are up 30-7. Looking good!

Did I mention I'm partial to the Ducks because my son graduated from University of Oregon? I'm a proud Duck momma.

Ducks win 30-7!!!!

Travel Bug out.