Never There When You Need It

I awoke this morning fever-free and ready to face the day, the next snowstorm and whatever else the universe saw fit to hurl at me.  This disturbingly perky attitude lasted as long as it took for me to arrive at school and be faced with any number of student-related issues but I like to think that I gave it the old college try.  Hey, if nothing else I was feeling better!

By 8:00, though, things were starting to go south in the "sense of well-being" department.  The aches 'n pains settled back in and it was apparently high tide in my right sinus cavity.  Certain that the fever was back and that I could maybe scarf up a little of that sweet, sweet school nurse sympathy, I headed down to the office to get myself checked out.

It's a little tricky trying to get sympathy from the nurse when she is suffering from pneumonia, but she did her best.  She gave me the thermometer and even let me put it under my tongue all by myself like a big girl.  We waited the requisite three minutes and checked it, all breathless with anticipation.  

97.4  Or, as I like to call it: normal.

I felt a little ripped off, if you want the truth.  What's the point in feeling all achy and having your sinuses popping if you can't claim a fever?  It's like getting that new Prada bag on sale because the label came off.  It's still a Prada...but no one else knows that.  And feeling yucky without a fever is just a waste of a trip to the nurse's office.  I did manage to score some ibuprofen for my trouble and got her thoughts on how this might be the flu kicking in.  But it was all pretty half-hearted and perfunctory.  I didn't get the cooing and coddling I'd been seeking.

Plus, she looked way worse than I did what with the pneumonia and all.  I sort of felt badly whimpering when she was suffering and having that nasty reaction to the antibiotic.  It seemed rather self-centered...

Meanwhile, with no fever to fall back on as an excuse, I had little choice but to carry on with my day and keep teaching the children who are probably the ones who gave me this feverless misery in the first place.  I even had to do the Tuesday-I-Couldn't-Hate-This-More-If-It-Came-With-A-Side-Of-Broccoli Workout.  I felt resentful all through it.  And my right sinus area was still popping conveniently in time with each sit-up.

However, the hour spent on the bike was good for the sock knitting so I suppose it wasn't a total wash.  If it weren't for the exercise bike/sock knitting, I honestly don't think I could find anything good to say about the process, popping sinuses or no.

Hopefully, tomorrow will bring clear roads and even clearer sinuses.  The snows are falling mightily tonight, but it is looking good for a changeover to rain.  And if this Winter To End All Winters can find it in its heart to stop burying us in the white stuff, then I see no reason why my Sinus-Popping, Joint-Throbbing, Head-Pounding, But Fever-Free So It Doesn't Count illness shouldn't also cut me some slack.

Oh, and lest I forget to inject a happier note into a somewhat whiny post, I should tell you that we have all had a few title changes around here.  The roster is now as follows:

Sister-In-Law Sheep is now playing the role of "Memere Sheep."

Niece Sheep has assumed the role of "Mama Sheep."

 Jarrid will be known as the new Cute Little Lambie in the Sheep family.

Oh...and Baby Brother Sheep?  He's now going by "Papa Sheep."  Cuz he's a grandpa.  That's funny.  Really, really funny...'cuz he's a GRANDPA!!!!!!!   Hee-hee!!!!!!

Those of you tempted to point out that I am now a Great Aunt should maybe reconsider that urge.  That is not so funny.  Not like my brother being a Grandpa which is hysterical because...well, it just is when it happens to your brother.  And I am sickly (but not feverish) so I can't be held responsible for anything I may do to emphasize the lack of funny with the Great Aunt thing.

I'm working on a better title.  Something with the words, "Royal Highness," and "Magnificent" in it...

SA