Tired, just tired...

I am now realizing that getting over that "stuff" going around this winter takes awhile.

Since Hubby was Up North and Son was at work, I did a little thrift shopping before heading for the grocery store today. I found two summer tops at Goodwill ($3.99 and $1.99) since I had time to look carefully through hundreds of blouses. When I finished there, the roads were beginning to clear so I drove Downtown to my favorite antique store which sells a combination expensive antiques and inexpensive vintage items. For just a little over $10.00, I came away with three pieces of vintage linens, the book The Scented Room, and an Emilie Barnes decorating book.

I love shopping in that store, it is a delight for the senses. There is stuff everywhere you look from the floor to the ceiling. The owner is always willing to come down on prices (if the item is one of hers and not on consignment). The book was marked $6.00 but she gave it to me for $2.00 (and the Emilie Barnes paperback in perfect condition... "Let's make it $1.00", she said). As she was folding the white tablecloth, embroidered with red designs around the edge ($3.00!), she kept commenting on how pretty it will look on my deck table this summer. (She isn't psychic, I told her where I planned to use it.) No wonder her store is always crowded with customers.

While downtown, I slipped into the tiny store that sells my favorite primitive country items and always smells like an old country store of the past. My eyes saw a lot that would have been easy to take home with me. Just the artwork alone takes my breath away. However, this time I came away with empty hands... not even a candle or a tart warmer. I have enough of them right now. I'll remember the aroma, the sights, the sounds... and save money.

So, what does all of this have to do with a couple bouts with the flu? Well... by the time I reached the grocery store, I felt like I had run a marathon. I was tempted to forget my list and arrive home with a half a gallon of milk and some bananas. That wouldn't be wise in the long run. An hour later I was carrying bags of groceries through the snow and stomping my feet on the porch so I didn't track in any accumulation. This went on until all the bags were sitting on my kitchen floor waiting for their individual attention.

Why hadn't I done this when I could have someone go with me and help me in the house? Oh yes... the snow and the ice...off and on all week. Whimper... I just want a nap. Once everything that needed immediate attention was put away and I had a chance to have a small meal, I vaguely remember my head reaching one end of my sofa and pulling a comforter up over my shoulders. There was someone interesting being interviewed on Book TV but I don't think I caught but a couple of sentences before going into a sound sleep.

I awoke at almost 6:00, just in time to set the breakfast dishes to soaking and catch the local weather on the little TV. Everything is clean and shiny and put back in order, ready for the remainder of the family to return. Hubby is somewhere between Chicago and here... but on his way home. Christopher had dinner with his best friend before running home to grab his books and join another friend to study. Sasha is taking it all in... stretched out on the living room sofa. All she wants is someone to sit down long enough to give her some much needed itchies. Sometimes cats seem to know what life is all about.

I'm off to make some tea and locate a piece of remaining Valentine's Day chocolate. Once they are in place in the family room, I'm planning on cuddling up in that comforter again and finding something good on TV. Normally Christopher has the family room on Saturday evening. Hmmm... I'll have to see what I have been missing. I'll enjoy the silence for an hour or two until the doorbell rings (for I know my husband forgot his keys again). It will be good to just sit... and heal.