Bon Courage
Every once in awhile, my world goes spinning out of control. The universe conspires to test my constitution. What the universe uncovers each time, is that under stress, I am made of straw. One little match and the whole house of cards goes up in smoke. Such a pretty allusion, is my life. In reality, I’m a mess.
The Universe is an optimist. Or she has early onset Alzheimers, because she tends to forget that the outcome is always the same. I thought doing the same craziness over expecting different results was a textbook definition of neurotic—apparently, it’s the Universe’s way of being clever.
It never fails, we plan a vacation and one of us gets sick. This time it was Boy Wonder. He spent part of Sunday afternoon in an Emergency Room, official diagnosis of a Sinus infection. Joy. However, he managed to spread the little virus that led him to such, uh, green-ness. And the lucky recipient was me.
Now his little infection meant he needed to pack medication. He was still cleared to go, but he would need to stay on meds while we’re gone. If you recall, our Supermodel dog also is on medication. She was well enough to kennel but she would need to say on meds while we’re gone. You see where this is going? Yeah, well, that’s were it ended up. WHY, for the love of pete, the Universe couldn’t see it coming, is beyond me. It’s not like this is the first time I’m made such a mistake.
Of course, I didn’t discover my snafu until 10 pm. on Monday as I was settling the boy into our hotel room for the night. Uh, yeah… can’t give the kid meds out of that bottle. And then the panic set in… Oh no, Sophie. I’ve gone and poisoned my dog and deprived my very sick child of medication. I’m not fit for parenthood of any kind. At that point, I became the ultimate in mess. The knot that was growing in my stomach and had been giving me fits turned into a bowling ball of stress. And I succumbed.
Fortunately, IZ is made of stronger stuff. Stuff that does not burn down in a crisis. This is why I love him. Somehow, he managed to resolve the whole situation in under 2 hours. And his reward? A wife and child who are now competing to see how many trees they can kill in the form of lubricated kleenex. The boy is winning, but only because I’m more efficient and he’s a day ahead.
And somehow, I find myself in an amazing Inn in Santa Barbara. Sick, but on the mend. I’ve been wined and dined and treated to a fabulous new haircut. And in the midst of all this sunshine I remembered that the Universe works in mysterious ways. I’m not looking for reasons as to why I’m sick, and always sick on vacation… or explanations for why I fall apart under stress which tends to yield disastrous results… instead I’m basking in the love of a good man and the warmth of restorative sunshine. It’s good to be warm.
And so, photos. These are just going to be loaded up… and not under a cut or organized… it’s a long story and I need sleep. Unorganized is a state of grace. Or so I keep telling myself.
September 27th, 2007 at 2:52 am
Oh dear. You poor thing. Although, for a sick person who’s all falling apart you look remarkably pretty and happy. Have fun, relax, and update us if you have the inclination.
Love that necklace, by the way.
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Well, see… I’ve mastered the art of looking good while sick. And it is an Art form! I even have tools of the trade.
The necklace was a gift from IZ—who secretly bought it off etsy when he found out I adored it. I rarely take it off. 
~W
September 27th, 2007 at 4:38 am
I hope you both magically recover right….now! Poof.
And I’m laughing because before I even started reading your post and saw that you have a new haircut, I saved the picture of you and IZ to my haircut file because I though “Wow! I want my hair to look like Wende’s” - mine is currently in a shaggy bob between my chin and shoulders and is a mess. In typical fashion, the hair stylist I went to thinned my hair out, and while I know better and should have stopped her I didn’t. And now my quick growing hair is doing what it always does a few weeks after the new cut that has utilized thinning - FRIZZ and flyaway. My hair grows too fast for the thinning. Alas.
Also (and how is this for a frivolous response to your post) - do you dye your hair? Do you do it yourself? If so, what color. I need to switch to permanent dye because of my greys that laugh at semiperm now and I’m afeared. But I like your color. Because you are so pretty! Pretty pretty Wende - share your hair secrets with me.
And I love your glasses and am getting new ones myself next month. Maybe I’ll MWF you (that would be Married White Female).
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Ok, this made me laugh. I will share my secrets… because LORD KNOWS I’ve learned the hard way. However, it’s going to be a blog post because I’m always desperate for MORE posts about ME! Ha.
~W
September 27th, 2007 at 6:55 am
Feel better! And, give yourself a break. Oh, and I want my hair cut like yours too!
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You know, this hairstyle is flattering on a lot of people… so I’d highly recommend it! And thanks for the well wishes. ~W
September 27th, 2007 at 7:50 am
I hope you all feel better! Great haircut too!
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Oh, thanks…
~W
September 27th, 2007 at 8:07 am
I LOVE your haircut, Wende! and you are just so beautiful.
I HATE it when I get sick on Vay-Kay. (Vay-Kay, tee, hee. I love that movie!)
I can totally relate to keeping the “Logging Industry” going. I have a sinus infection, as we speak, ‘er, type. mine is hanging on longer though due to the fact that I’m too bullheaded to go to the doctor.
Praise MUCINEX!!!
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Might I recommend “Puffs Plus”… Those tissues ROCK! I’m sorry to hear you have a sinus infection. I feel your pain (although, I have issues with my throat and voice box). Lots of people seem to be down out in the blogosphere. And thank you for the compliments. I’m blushing.
~W
September 27th, 2007 at 8:24 am
If there is anyone in the world I would want to be sick with on a vacation - it is you!
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Yeah, me and my whiny self. Thank you, thank you for the fabu new cut. I haven’t had GOOD hair in two years and damn, if I hate that part of living in the weeds.
~W
September 27th, 2007 at 8:46 am
Your family is too cute! Sinus infections are the worst! I hope you all feel better soon - glad you are someplace warm!
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Me too… and thank you.
!~W
September 27th, 2007 at 1:24 pm
Dang. I am so glad there’s a level-header around when you need one! I tell you, it’s been a bit of a struggle to be both the freaker-outer and the level headed one around here…it’s really a bit of a split personality thing. I suppose it’s the universes way of teaching me that I have all that I need within…but once in a while it’s nice to have it without isn’t it? I hope you guys are on the mend…at least you look fabulous (which is the most important if you’re having pictures taken, no?)
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Yeah, see… I don’t know how you do it. I’m sure there are feminists out there who are appalled by my absolute imeshedness with Iz… but… uh, yeah. Not changing that. And you know, I totally agree with the looking good part for pictures. Especially while on vacation. Of course, I’m so vain, I just delete all those photos that tell the truth. heh. ~W
September 27th, 2007 at 3:32 pm
Wende you are so cute! That was my first thought when I saw your post and cute picture. I hope you and BW feel well enough to enjoy your vacation. No fun to be sick when you are not home in your comfy cozy environment.
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Thank you! And it does stink to be sick on vacation. However, IZ put us up in the nicest of places so it’s been a lovely place to rest. ~W
September 27th, 2007 at 8:27 pm
OH, good grief! I’m so sorry for you both! (and IZ, it’s also hard to be the well one, I’m sure. Like you, I’ve never tried that part!)
You do look awfully pretty and happy, so hope you’re having somewhat of a good time. And like you said, it is warm down there so that is a wonderful thing. Hugs to you all…
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We had a fabulous time despite being sick. This virus was manageable with the right meds, and fortunately, we packed them. Thanks for the hugs… hope to see your fabulous self soon!! ~W
September 27th, 2007 at 8:54 pm
Bon Courage indeed, my dear one. In French, it has the connotation of Hang in there, so it fits your post beautifully. I don’t know why I am hopeless in stressful situations either sometimes, but my husband is a rock. I’m glad that your dynamic is the same. Sunshine and time away, whether sniffling or not, is well worth the effort. Get better.
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I am lucky to have found a mate such as IZ… and we are well suited to each other. And Bon Courage has been my motto as of late, for reasons you can well imagine. ~W
September 28th, 2007 at 6:26 am
Well, you LOOK great, but I hope you two feel better!
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All these comments are cracking me up… because, of course I look at the picture and think, “Damn, I look puffy!” heh. But thank you. We’re on the mend. ~W
September 28th, 2007 at 11:14 am
Lovely pics! I’m a bit jealous that you look that good when ill! I have to admit that I laughed about the medicine exchange. Not that I would have found it funny if I had been you. Still, it makes a heck of a good story!
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Oh, I know! And it was an expensive mistake, let me tell you. IZ assures me that I will laugh about it later… I’m not so sure. Fortunately, nobody was injured and the kennel had the sense to double check the meds. ~W
September 28th, 2007 at 2:36 pm
Oh no! What a story, I hope you’re all feeling better and enjoying the sunshine… promise not to stress. You’re haircut is as cute as can be. I’m so envious!
I think Snickers is missing her family, she held me captive for a wee bit this afternoon… I could tell from her meowing I wasn’t allowed to leave until I sat down with her and gave her some love. Since you guys left the tv on, I indulged in watching Tim Gun’s (a.k.a. project runway) new bravo show for a few minutes…while she snuggled on my lap. That made two happy kats.
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Oh, thanks so much Kathleen. I know she was well loved and cared for. She is such a love muffin! ~W
September 28th, 2007 at 6:14 pm
For someone who is, by self-report, made of straw under stress, you look remarkably happy and lovely in these photos. Your nose is not noticeably red and your smile is radiant. I think you do better than you think. And lucky you, that Iz is.
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Well, in full disclosure… that photo was taken in lovely Solvang outside the mission, a place I adore being. And the sunlight has a way of making everything look better than it is. As I told Miz S, I have mastered the art of looking good under pressure. However, my stomach and the pain radiating from it in waves doesn’t photograph. Not that I’d ever post a photo that showed proof of my misery. Uh, hello, I thought we established how vain I am?? :D ~W
September 28th, 2007 at 6:27 pm
Loverly lovers and their lovely little love lad!
Pass the Peet’s, please.
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I miss Peet’s. But, honestly, IZ makes better coffee.
~W
September 30th, 2007 at 10:01 am
WHAT??? It’s Sunday! Where’s the sermon?
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Heh… yeah, see… VACATION. Some of us know the meaning of that word, dear one. Of course, I’m kinda always on vacation considering I’m RETIRED, but that’s beside the point. ~W
October 1st, 2007 at 9:15 am
‘Every once in awhile’ your life goes spinning out of control? I need some of whatevah you got, Lady
Our life is a regular circus over here.
But, man, sinuses can kill a good man, can’t they? I finally had to have surgery or face a life of living death…I chose the surgery.
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Well, here’s the thing Katie… it’s about perspective. I’ve decided to only classify really HUGE screw-ups as being “out of control” It’s my way of relanguaging my reality. Because, uh, I like Denial.
~W
October 3rd, 2007 at 11:38 am
That’s why you and IZ have each other. Marriage is all about complimenting one another, right? Hope the green goo goes away and you can enjoy the rest of your trip.
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Thank you… and yes, in the best of circumstances, it is how marriage works.
~W