After a reasonably good night’s sleep—in bed—I awakened at 6:15 with a coughing fit. I shifted to the glider. Just now (8:20) I started preparing coffee. Albeit slow, I’m moving.

Check back because I’ll add information as the day goes by.

9:00 AM: I have not had an appetite but decided to eat a slice of toast with my coffee. I vomited it up about ten minutes later. Almost two weeks of sickness and that’s the first time I’ve vomited. (I want to document my symptoms because I have not found a website that tells the reader what to expect. I haven’t received a report regarding the test on Monday.)

11:00 AM: Regrettably, I’m going backward!!

.

2:00 PM: I am so weary of my “comfortable chair” (which has ceased to be comfortable). I shifted to the computer chair and did a little genealogy. I had my head propped on my left arm and hand. I wished to stay at the computer but was forced to cuddle under the Slanket, in my glider. ~~ One-by-one, I clicked the TV channels until I found “Magnolia“  (at 161). That is the new TV channel for Chip and Joanna Gaines—and they are famous entrepreneurs here in Waco, Texas. They actually live in Crawford, Texas, and are near-neighbors to former President George and Laura Bush.

.

4:45 PM: I was asleep in my glider when I heard a knock on the door. “Mr. Red,” owner-manager of this RV Park, was at the door with his hands full. “Hurry, hurry, this is scalding hot.”  I took the containers and he pushed a package inside. “What’s this? I haven’t ordered anything.”  He excused himself saying “I’ve been working all day; I’m going home.”  (Working in the cold and rain.) It was only after delicious Egg Drop Soup and rice, I opened the package and now I have a new footstool. ~~~ I am so thankful for kind, considerate, thoughtful, generous friends!!  SINCERE THANKS, Deb!!

.

Yesterday, “Mr. Red” did grocery shopping (for himself) and included a half-gallon of ice cream for Lorraine. Ice cream is so soothing on my raw throat.

Last night (dark outside), a neighbor lady brought two small containers of homemade soup. I enjoyed her lentil soup for lunch.  ~~~~ Frequently, I tell people that I am living in “a little corner of Heaven.”  I moved here two years and eight days ago. How blessed I am that God my Heavenly Father arranged my move from Livingston to Waco.

.

8:00 PM:

10:00 AM “the next day.” Yesterday, I failed to add a reference to a friend—in Kansas. She offered to come and “take care of me.” Honestly, it was more than an “offer” because she insisted she would come. I argued that “I’ll be OK.”

“Lee” (LorraineEEdwards) lapse!! After some tomato soup (easy on my raw throat), I’m experiencing a constant gut-wrenching, strangling cough again. I feel miserable!! I was so hopeful I’d “turned the corner”!!

.

FYI: “Crying the blues”  was scheduled. I haven’t been on the computer for several hours.

Rhetorical question: Unsatisfactory “smart” phone or “dumb” old woman?

Numerous times “Mr. Red” (owner–manager of this RV Park), has come to my door asking if I’m OK. He tried to call and my Jitterbug phone went directly to voicemail. I assured him the phone had been on the charger. On one occasion I told him I’d already talked on the phone that morning. If I take the time to go back through my blog messages, I’ll find references to “it doesn’t hold a charge.” On Tuesday, Jan. 4th, Mr. Red took my phone to four battery and/or phone repair shops. No battery available!! One shop is ordering… and will advise Mr. Red when it is available—and he will take my phone to the shop.

Confession:  This old lady was perfectly happy with a “dumb phone” (flip phone). The original purchase was eight years ago to take advantage of “5*” (which I have never used). In further interest for my health, a year ago, I purchased the “Wearable” and it only works with their “smartphone.” I use a minimum of the Jitterbug Smartphone features but believe I understand the phone. Gospel truth: I’ve faithfully worn the “Wearable“ on the lanyard and it has rarely been “on” (and I believe I have followed the instructions exactly).

Imagine that is my “email box.” It is collecting a lot of obituaries. Truthfully, I have no interest in Ancestry.com. Isn’t it peculiar that I am “feeling better” but “sick” of ancestry? A cousin sends the obituaries via email (which I appreciate) and gratefully he is not circulating my obituary.

Screenprint of the email obituaries waiting for my attention.

A teeny tiny number of things accomplished today: Washed the dishes, consolidated the trash, organized things to return to the neighbors. When the weather—and my health—allows, I’ll venture outdoors for fresh air and exercise—and deliver bags to their place.

.

Perhaps “too early” but I’m seriously considering going to bed before 7:00 PM (unless the Hallmark movie captures my attention).

.

Postscript @ 8:30 AM Friday: I turned off the Hallmark movie and went to bed at 8:15 PM. Although I was “up” several times, I can report that I enjoyed “a good night’s sleep.”

I am feeling better and I attribute it to many hours of sleep last night. Humor this sick old lady and read the details about my “good” night.

My body was so tired of sitting in the glider!! Television held no interest and, believe-it-or-not, no desire to sit at the computer doing genealogy. I “went to bed” before 9:00 PM. At the suggestion of a dear lady-friend, I had improvised elevation for the head of my bed. I suspect I fell asleep shortly after nine—and awakened at 1:30 AM. I was experiencing the gut-wrenching, strangling, coughs so returned to the glider in the living room. Two uncomfortable, sleepless hours were followed by the reckless decision to go “back to bed” and stretch out laying flat. Remarkably, I fell asleep and did not awaken until 6:35 AM. I awakened screaming with a leg cramp!!

The leg cramp tore me away from a dream. A friend (identity unknown) and I were riding two-wheel bicycles. I remember the beautiful countryside and suburbs and waving to people. At the end of the dream I was at a Railroad track and a train was coming. My friend was on the other side; I had time to get across but I froze. That’s when I awakened. (I jotted down the dream details before I forgot.) Question: Would I have crossed the tracks before or after the train?

Stretching out, prone, in my bed has felt so wonderful, I returned to my bed and did not awaken until 8:00 AM. I awakened from another dream: I was in a crowd of very nice people and (in retrospect) we were probably in a large auditorium. One person asked where I got my dress. “Oh, I’ve had it about forty years”  was followed by their comment “It’s so pretty.”  Then it was time to leave and it was raining and I was wearing my forty-year-old raincoat. (A very “dressy” raincoat that was part of my “professional working woman wardrobe.” See me wearing it in the picture when arriving on Nantucket Island for the Coffin Family Reunion, Oct 1992.)

I’m feeling better but extremely weak—and tired.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Shame, shame, Lorraine!! The coat still hangs in her closet. That “vintage” item—and dozens of others—are scheduled for an antiques–collectibles shop when she stops procrastinating.

If the reader has followed my blog messages for several years, “reader” knows I was an RVer for many years.  I had a blog devoted to my Tab Teardrop Trailer Travels. One of my Tab Teardrop Trailer friends sent this extremely kind email on Tuesday, January 4th.

Lorraine, I am sorry you still feel sick, but I’m glad your RV park manager was kind enough to take you to the doctor, and others in your community are helping out with food, prayers, etc.  Thinking back to the last two places you lived before coming here, I don’t think the managers of those parks would have been so kind!  It’s a tribute to the generosity and open-heartedness of your new community, and also a tribute to your bravery in finding a new home some distance away that values you for who you are.  I was thinking about that and remembered a quote that showed up on my Facebook feed a while back.  I couldn’t find that entry, but googled it online and found the quote here:

https://mileiq.com/blog-en-us/know-the-value-of-yourself

“There is a story circulating online; its moral is a perfect tip to start your day. Know your worth!  

A father said to his son: You graduated with honors, here is a car that I acquired many years ago … it is several years old.

But before I give it to you, take it to the used car lot downtown and tell them I want to sell it and see how much they offer you.

The son went to the used car lot, returned to his father, and said, “They offered me $ 1,000 because it looks very worn out.”

The father said, “Take it to the pawnshop.”

The son went to the pawnshop, returned to his father, and said, “The pawnshop offered $ 100 because it was a very old car.”

The father asked his son to go to a car club and show them the car.

The son took the car to the club, returned, and told his father: “Some people in the club offered $ 100,000 for it, since it is a Nissan Skyline R34, iconic car and sought after by many.

The father said to his son; If you are not valued, do not be angry, it means that you are in the wrong place. Those who know your value are those who appreciate you; never stay in a place where no one sees your worth.”

I hope you feel better soon, and I am glad you are receiving so much support.  Let me know if there is anything I can do to help you.

Best wishes,

Ann Chapman