It's OVER . . . .

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

. . . . . and I think I've survived - the Holidays.  Whew!  It started out o.k. - a quick trip to Michigan and back to have Thanksgiving with the kids and my parents - the boys safely left in the hands of our wonderful dog sitter.  What I didn't plan on was getting some kind of lung rot that still has me coughing up sticky gunk from which ever lung I still have left as I'm sure that in the past 5 weeks of breathless, non-stop coughing that I have hacked a lung up.  I didn't let this slow me down except maybe for the part where I had been to the Dr.'s twice in three days after the steroids I was taking made my face look like I had tried to fry it for breakfast in a pan.  NOT attractive 3 days before Christmas.  Then other family descended here for Christmas and I amazed myself that high on codeine filled cough syrup, that I could actually crank out a delicious meal and host the 2 days of festivities.  Once they left on the 26th I had less than 24 hrs to clean house, do laundry, pack myself and dh, load up the car with food and drinks for the drive to Key West where 2 of our girls and their boyfriends were flying in for the week and New Years.  Once again the doodle brothers got left with the sitter whom they are now calling "mom" as they think that they actually live with her.  At this point I must say that Key West if a fascinating place if you've never been.  Yes there are bars, bars, bars, bars where the patrons can be nude if they choose - NO we did not go in there (trust you me, NO one would want to see me like that and besides - do they disinfect the chairs - ewww), but there is also so much history, great fishing, upscale restaurants.  I coughed my way through 5 days of fun and frivolity.  Worse than being sick though was my lack of internet, time and my DK fix, boy have I missed you guys!!!!!.  I've missed so much for the better part, on and off of the last 3 weeks.  For all you that sent me messages that received no answer, for all the posts, pictures, videos and blogs that I didn't see and comment on - I've survived, I'm back and I'll eventually get caught up on here.  I'm so happy the Holidays are OVER!!!! 

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

Be careful - I once had a cough like you just described.  I coughed so violently that I separated a rib!!!  Take care of yourself.  Happy New Year!

[Linda Karell]

Welcome back!  Hilarious about the bars in Key West.   

[Christine & Shelby]

Sounds like you had a great time.... Welcome back!

[Phoebe's Mom]

Happy New Year!  I was wondering where you might be.  Sorry to hear you are not well but drowning your sickness in BIG drinks sounds like fun none the less.  Hope you feel better very soon and that the boys return to 'calling' you Mom soon.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Yes, that is my butt getting ready to sit on Bob Dylan

OH come on, Jane.  The bar stools are famous and some of the best.  These are actual stools in Captain Tony's in Key West

:)  Happy New Year

[Elizabeth, Bailey & Bruin]

Welcome back Jane....I had the same "lung rot" as you.  I hate to say it but more than likely you had whooping cough.  It is making a comeback.  Mine has lasted from late October to now.  I only have an ocassional cough now. Was on antibiotics (2 different types) as well as the cough syrup with codiene..  Those of us in our late 40's and beyond were immunized as kids, unfortunately that immunity doesn't last a life time...... Be patient it will pass.  It has taken me about 8 weeks to feel better.....make sure you rest and drink lots of fluids

 

As for your furkids...I am happy that you are back with your babies..

[Traci -Bexter & Maggie]

Wow!  Sounds like you had a CRAZY holiday season!  You actually should take a vacation now that the holidays are over!  LOL!  Take some quiet time to rest with your boys!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

I just wouldn't wear the BRAS ( look up at the top of the picture)  That's allYes, that is me sitting on another stool.  I sat on ALL of them

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

LOL Joanne!

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Joanne - which one was yours?  LOL

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

1,017 over on the left--the really big-cupped one

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Hi Jane, glad you are back and hope you are now feeling better.

The partiers I hung with were relatives (one day off since the day before Christmas and still one brother here leaving tomorrow if he does not get "stormed" in Please God!). It's been fun but I am ready for a big nap....I don't think I have done this many dishes in the entire year of 2011!

Anyway Happy New Year - 2012, the year of the Doodle!