I've been very busy since the pending carpet installation in the last post. I was felled by a very nasty cold in the middle of it all. The kids brought it home, it made the rounds and I actually caught it. Doesn't happen often, but it is miserable when it does happen. And still all of the usual demands of day-to-day life were present even though I was in bed for four days. I have a dim memory of the kids gathered around my bed, shocked that I was actually physically ill (as opposed to just being nuts).

Oldest Daughter: Oh, my god. She's sick in bed!

Youngest Daughter (sounding hopeful): Wow. Do you think she might be sick for a long time?

Oldest Daughter: I doubt it. She'll be up and around faster than most. So you still have to do your homework.

Youngest Daughter (sounding disappointed): Fine!

I don't know about faster than most (it was a really nasty sickness and youngest ended up at the doctor with it), but I did end up okay as did the whole family (even though there is still an occasional cough around here - from all five of us).

I've been playing catch-up and doing a fairly respectable job of it, all things considered (sickness, whole-house re-organization, nightmares, flashbacks and general sleep problems while managing daily life including shopping, cleaning, laundry, cooked dinners and the to-do list).

Yes, there have been times during the last couple of weeks that I wished my mother were different than what she is and that I had someone to call who could come over and give me some hugs and encouragement, but I don't have that. I could have had that, if only she would have considered me at the moment of my birth for what I really am. If she had really seen me and expressed her observations, the doc might have said, "Congratulations! It's a Viking!" Screw her. I don't need her.

Those who read here all the time know that my best friend Grace is very, very sick right now. She is in a fight for her life, so please don't forget about her. My fellow Viking has been felled by something much more serious and miserable than a cold and she needs everyone to send her their energy. Send it in any way that suits you. I just don't want her to die.

And Grace, if you ever read this, who but Freddie Mercury would take the stage in nothing but his underpants if that's where he was when the curtain opened? We do what we have to do and we just do it the best that we can. THAT is what makes us champions.