crazy

Things are getting turned upside down for us all of the sudden. I know to say that, now, when thousands are homeless, sick, and dying a few states away is pretty self-absorbed. It's what I'm living right now and it's how I feel, so I'll explain.

Karl's sister Beth is getting married this weekend in St. Louis. We've been planning on going for months -- every since we heard of the engagement. We've been excited to see our friends, they've been excited to see us. We bought our plane tickets, reserved hotel and car, had friends lined up to watch our kids, the whole deal.

Monday Corben threw up. Tuesday he started coughing and running a fever. Tuesday night he didn't sleep, neither did Nancy nor I -- I think I slept for an hour before dawn. Wendesday he was worse and Nancy took him to the doctor. Wednesday afternoon more fever and more raspy cough. Wednesday night we drugged him (as per the doctor's orders), put the humidifier in his room and we all slept. Today, he has no voice -- at all. He stopped trying at some point and just nods his head or lifts his arms to have us pick him up. This afternoon, more fever, more meds.

So we decided yesterday that if we didn't see marked improvement by today that Nancy was going to stay here. I called the airline, and we can have a credit for another flight -- minus a $100 re-booking fee as long as we call before the flight leaves. I broke the news to Karl this morning, but hey, I'll still be there so at least we can visit.

I've been cramming to tie some projects up before the holiday weekend, so I was working late tonight when I heard footsteps on the landing. I went to investigate and Emma was standing there with a scared look on her face, and as soon as she realized it was me she started freaking out and crying about how she lost her blanket and something else was wrong but she didn't know what and that she was sweaty and that her room looked like it was full of smoke. I assumed she was having a bad dream, so I picked her up, and she was burning up. She had a a fever, and was behaving very erratically until we got some ibuprofen in her.

She went back to sleep a little while ago and will hopefully get some rest.

So in the morning, unless an absolute miracle happens, I'm going to cancel all our reservations and call Karl and break the news that neither of us will be there. And that sucks.