Weekly Recap: Summer Flu

Hi . . .
I wish I could say the trip to California was wonderful. It was for the first four days at least, but then the family came down with the flu....all six of us (our son's family and me--Vince escaped all). Sore throat, achy skin, chills, fever, cough, runny nose, clogged sinuses and ears, dizziness, red eyes, nausea, fatigue (my symptoms to be precise). (I hope my family will forgive this grumpy post). So much for the flu shot, but I assume it would have been worse without one. Online I learned that 2012-2013 has been one of California's worst flu seasons. However, I then discovered my mother was ill in Bothell, WA with the same bug, so maybe it was a west coast thing.

There is something about flu in the summer that seems so unfair. Sitting in front of a cozy fire under a comforter with a hot mug of lemon and honey tea just doesn't work. It was hot out all last week--in the mid-80s. It soured my mood considerably (you don't want to be around me when I'm sick) . . . and mostly (the worst part) it sapped my energy.

We did fit in a really interesting trip to JPL (Jet Propulsion Laboratory), swimming, dinner out, karaoke night, Wii bowling, and put-put golf.

With our grandsons - waiting in line for JPL tour

Boys having fun on the put-put golf course

Most importantly, Vince was able to help our son fix a major electrical problem in the house, which took several days to fix.

Dad and son at Santa Anita Park

 In hindsight though, more rest for the grandkids (late nights every night were the rule) and more one on one time with our son and daughter-in-law would have been nice. But it happens when you only see each other once a year. You try to fit in precious time with the grandkids because they are growing and changing so fast. Unfortunately, the children often come away thinking it's all about them and the adults come away exhausted. 

Nice photo of daughter-in-law - Farrell's Restaurant

I guess there still needs to be a healthy balance between finding time for both the adults and the children. But with families living so far apart these days, how does one do this effectively? All said, I am thankful for three loving grandchildren and their two very devoted parents.

No writing in two weeks but back to work again, although still coughing and a bit grumpy . . . Did anyone else happen to catch this notorious bug?

Copyright 2013 © Sharon Himsl