Down another 0.8. Not so backed up, anymore. I’m aware of my calorie needs. It looks like I’m moving in the right direction.

My daughter is sick. She came home pale yesterday evening, coughing and behaving the way she does when she’s unwell: clingy, weepy.

She has a fever. She refuses medicine. I can’t force her to take it, but I wonder if I can sneak it into a beverage of some kind. While I don’t like deceiving her, I’m worried about her health.

Is it purple? Is it clear? I don’t remember, have to get up and check. She doesn’t like the grape flavor. If she sees any purple in the drink it’s game over for Mama.

Derek is also sick. Desmond and I are fine, except that Desmond has had a cough for a week or so, and my throat is tickly-scratchy.

I haven’t been doing my breathing, which probably isn’t great. I don’t want to get pneumonia. So I’m starting that up again today, just in case. Every 15 minutes I have to inhale twice into this odd-looking little contraption and move the small green disc up to the smiley face. It’s hard to explain. It sounds bizarre, though, doesn’t it? I’d take a picture of it, but I’m sitting here in the semi-dark, and I don’t feel like getting up just yet.

My calorie requirements turn out to be right in my most recent after visit notes, which I failed to read again. She must think I’m such a dingbat. 600-800 calories per day. So no wonder I wasn’t losing weight.

The kids have a traditional snow day today. So that means no school, no remote learning, and plenty of time for fighting. Nah, I’m juskiddin.

Actually, since Aislyn’s been sick, Desmond has been very supportive, talking to her, giving her hugs, making her laugh. He is clearly empathetic.

They think I don’t ever see the positive, but I do. They’re both very good kids. I wouldn’t change a thing about who they are.

Maybe we can do some kind of fun indoor project that requires them to call upon their strengths.

You can tell I’m a teacher.

Maybe I will get some cardboard from the store. Kids love cardboard boxes.

I’m going back to work part time at the store next week, at least until March 3. I’m hoping I can manage to avoid any boxes over 20 pounds. Of course I can always ask a coworker for help, but I’m reticent to do so most of the time. I want to be able to complete tasks myself.

That is what I had to do for a while at Lowe’s, though, after a different surgery.

I’ll figure it out. I can’t continue to be out of work until March.

That’s it for now. Have a thrilling Thursday, stay safe. Stay warm.