erika, so not a loser. And yet I sympathize with the thinking that got you there.

My fever's down, and I got in to see the doctor, who prescribed me stuff for the upper respiratory thing I've got going.

Dr. G or another doc?

While investing in a better bed is an excellent but expensive option, a lower price/more attainable option may be to get a foam mattress topper of some sort.

I had one... and lost it to cat pee. The mattress is new since I moved, but not great. I'll put it on the wish list to save for after I move. D's bed is worse than mine, but at least it doesn't hammock like StW's did.

Another thing that would really help is to engineer a more ergonomic work situation. I spend most of every day bent over at the waist working on a window sash at about that height. I try and focus on keeping my inner thighs and abs engaged, but it's my hamstrings, quads, and lower back that take the brunt of it.

Doing rehab also theoretically helps, but it's hard for a few minutes of rehab to counteract how I sleep and work.

Okay, going to try and get everything ready for tomorrow and get to bed in two hours. I did talk to my boss today. One of his daughters has anxiety issues, so he is pretty understanding that mental illness can be, in fact, as crippling as physical. He's down with a respiratory thing, which doesn't surprise me considering what I know about his Mardi Gras activities.

I had one... and lost it to cat pee.

This sounds like a country song.

I did talk to my boss today. One of his daughters has anxiety issues, so he is pretty understanding that mental illness can be, in fact, as crippling as physical.

Oh, good. Does that help your state of mind some?

He's down with a respiratory thing,

Ugh, me too.

which doesn't surprise me considering what I know about his Mardi Gras activities.

?????

Cereal: Dr. G.

Cereal: Dr. G.

Please tell me she didn't give you Cefdinir! But if she did, you might want to go get Pearls ASAP and stock up on yogurt. Not that you'll suffer like I did, but I don't want anyone to suffer like I did!

Also, I am not kidding about changing docs. I told RI about the thing with KM and some of my experiences with her (Cefdinir, birth control) and RI kind of grimaced and said, "I don't want to judge anyone professionally that I haven't watched work, but I'd like you to find another doctor." I am *not* trying to make you feel bad for going to her today, I know it was an urgent thing. But yeah, my confidence in her is gone.

?????

Oh, he just loves Mardi Gras and I know he's been out drinking to all hours and smoking cigars and such. My coworker saw him Sunday night at Le Bon Temps, and I know they'd been drinking since probably 9 am for Thoth. I mean, everyone's been drinking and eating like crap and not getting enough sleep and out and about in crowded places, so I'd be surprised if at least half the city wasn't getting sick.

I had one... and lost it to cat pee.

Another affordable bedding option to augment your foam mattress topper is a waterproof mattress pad. We first got one when we had a wee baby sleeping in the bed sometimes, but I found it also has served me well when my cats haven't.

Aw Smonster, I'm so sorry. It's brutal.

Call your boss and tell him the truth or a plausible lie, whatever you need. I've had that convo with my boss, it's not comfortable.

Sighh... my plausible lie has generally been migraine. Comes on quickly, completely debilitating, resolves pretty cleanly. Food-poisoning is good too, but I feel like it sounds like covering for a hangover.

I hate it. It's the only lie I tell. And when I or (someone else) get an actual migraine I feel like a scumbag for the fake ones. I just have never had the nerve to discuss my mental health with a boss.

It was *supposed* to have a waterproof cover. Alas.

Please tell me she didn't give you Cefdinir! But if she did, you might want to go get Pearls ASAP and stock up on yogurt. Not that you'll suffer like I did, but I don't want anyone to suffer like I did!

Nah, it's a Z-pack. And I'm taking Pearls too.

Might be time to invest in a better bed. Makes a huge difference in how you sleep especially with your achey body parts.

Oh. my. goodness. Once I went to a super soft bed with both a feather bed (cabbaged from an inn I managed years ago) AND a wool topper a friend gave me, ALL my back pain disappeared.

Now, my bed is my favorite place on earth. Seriously.

Because it deserves its own post...STEPH!

Erhmergerd, Congergerlertions!!

I am so, incredibly happy and excited for you.

I couldn't be a convincing Hulk to marry you, but I can pull off a passable Edna Mode.

It's not practical, of course, but I would be so honored to stand for the two of you.

Did I say I was happy for you? Because I am.