Many thanks to my top commenters of 2023: Phyllis (58) Stefanie (57), Patti (44), LeeAnne (41), and Sharyn, (40)
The five of you make Smithellaneous a better place to be.
Have you ever had COVID? Have you ever had the flu?
Have you ever had them both at the same time?
Well, that’s what I’m doing right now.
I came home from work Thursday feeling bad. I went to bed where I shivered for three hours even though Steve had piled six blankets on me. A fever, bad cough, and sore throat followed and the next morning I went to my doctor. I didn’t even have the strength to take off my pajamas. I just put a coat over them and threw on some flip-flops. Not the most inspiring sight in the world.
The doctor said she’s never heard of anyone having COVID and the flu simultaneously. Of course, with my lung disease, having just one of these infections is not a good thing; having them both is certainly less than ideal.
I’ve spent the past three days coughing a lot and sleeping a lot. Sarah made me some chicken soup which Gage delivered Friday; yesterday, Nathan and Meagan brought a meal by so we are doubly blessed.
Today is a national holiday and I had already arranged to have tomorrow off as a vacation day. My plan was to enjoy my 4-day weekend and get things done. My reality was working my way through three boxes of Kleenex, sleeping endless hours, and emerging from the haze long enough to eat and then lie back down again.
I am grateful that my lungs seem to be okay this time around. In the last two bouts with Covid, I ended up with lung involvement. I went to the ER Saturday because my oximeter was dropping and they did a chest x-ray and said everything looked clear so I’m grateful for that.
One of the plans for the weekend that got waylaid was that we were going to have the whole family over for a delayed Christmas meal/gift opening. Now that will be delayed a little more so we’ll be celebrating Christmas in January.
And speaking of Christmas, our dog has a few things to say about Christmas trees. She watched very carefully as Steve put the tree skirt under the tree where most humans think it should go.
However, in this dog’s mind, a tree skirt should be a Tippi Skirt. Once Steve had got the skirt carefully arranged, she tugged and pulled at it and got it re-arranged until it was exactly right.
Ahh.. The perfect place for a nap. What in the world were those humans thinking, putting this lovely napping blanket under a tree of all things?
In closing, when Steve and I were at the ER yesterday, I needed his support to get back to a room since I was a little wobbly. He offered his arm and I took it, once again, clad in pj’s and flipflops. As we made our way toward a room, I almost giggled because it felt like we were going down a wedding aisle.
And that’s what the two of us did, forty-two years ago tomorrow, in a church just five minutes from our house. I took his arm and I became Mrs. Smith.
Forty-two years later, I am still taking his arm–sometimes leaning on his strength and other times sharing my strength with him. Because that’s what marriage is.
Happy anniversary, Steven Kever Smith. Thanks for taking such good care of me these last few days when you weren’t feeling well yourself.
We’ve been on quite the adventure over these past decades. And after all the years and all the travels, we find ourselves right back in the place where it all started.
I’m so glad to find my home in you.
What about you?
Did you do anything for New Year’s Eve?
Has there been flu/Covid in your area?
Any New Year’s Resolutions?
Has anything special or memorable happened over the holidays?
My goodness! I hope you are feeling back to yourself I am just getting caught up from the holidays. I have had bouts with both Covid and the flu – never at the same time. You are quite the over achiever. Sending prayers and lots of get well wishes!
Beth,
Being sick at the holidays makes you feel like you’re in a time warp. The schedule is all different and you’re spending more time in bed and you wake up from an afternoon nap and don’t even know the day, let alone the month!
Hope you’re getting caught up from the holidays and looking forward to what the year holds. Thanks for the prayers!
Goodness! That’s not a great way to start the year. I hope you feel better soon. Praying that your lungs stay uninvolved.
Happy New Year!!
Lisa,
Thankfully, my lungs seem to be staying clear. When I first heard the double diagnosis I was, of course, very concerned. But thankful to be gaining strength.
Ugh, Becky… I’m sorry you’re feeling so lousy! There has been a lot of flu, covid, and strep throat in my area, though so far I’ve escaped with only a mild cold for a couple of days last month. I am one of the very few people I know who has not yet had covid a single time, though it feels a lot like waiting on the inevitable!
For New Years I got together with some friends to play a game called Magic the Gathering. It was a nice way to bring in 2024. I hope your 2024 is only headed up from here!
Kristina,
Amazing you haven’t had Covid. Just keep on staying healthy!
Nice to get together with friends on New Years. We’re getting together with our four kids this Friday for a meal and to play some games. We could all use a break!
Hope you are feeling somewhat better! I was diagnosed with Covid on December 21st (it was my first time having it). My 20 yo grandson had been diagnosed the day before (his first time too). My husband tested positive on the 24th (his first time). My daughter and son in law tested positive the same day I did but this was their 2nd go around and they didn’t really have symptoms. Thankfully the 3 younger grandkids avoided it but they have had it before. I wasn’t tested for flu but it is quite possible I had both. I was really sick. My PCP called me every day for 5 days to make sure I was doing okay. He had me on an antibiotic and gargling with green Scope! The tiredness is overwhelming at times but thankfully we are all on the mend. It will be a Christmas to remember.
Marylea,
Oh my. That is a LOT of Covid diagnoses in just a few days all in the same famly! Here’s hoping you all are done with being sick for the year and just get back to enjoying life!
And what a great PCP to call you every day to check in with you. You are blessed wth great care!
I’m so sorry you’ve been so sick! One of my friends had covid and flu at the same time recently. She was really sick. My daughter had flu a couple weeks ago, but it’s fine now… just a lingering cough. Lots of flu and strep in our area.
Our family just spent 5 days at Tybee Island over New Years. We had a really good time exploring the island and Savannah.
No New Years resolutions for me. I’m just going to try to get back on the exercise bandwagon again and cut back on the food. Nothing fancy.
I hope you feel better soon!
Gayle,
Sometimes the “non-fancy” resolutions are the best–just making simple, basic, good changes.
I’ve heard Tybee Island is beautiful; glad you got a chance to get away and do some exploring.
Nothing special in our family. We are small. I went to Chapel Hill to visit my folks and my brother. We did go visit the International Civil Rights Museum in Greensboro. If you are in the area I highly recommend it. 🙂 I haven’t had COVID (that I know of), but am vaccinated. I hear it sucks- and I’m grateful you’ve not had to be admitted as you heal. Prayers for you as you continue to get better from this double hit.
Brooke,
I just read someone else recommending the Civil Rights Museum this week; thanks for the heads up on it. I didn’t even realize it was there. BTW, Chapel Hill is such a town with such beautiful spots; hope you enjoyed your visit.
Glad you’ve escaped Covid; one of the few that has. Stay healthy and have a wonderful new year!
I hope you are well on the road to recovery by now. Knock on wood, I have not had COVID – at least that I know of. I did have what I thought was probably a sinus infection right before Christmas of 2022. I did a home test for COVID once and it was negative. I happened to have routine blood work around the time I was sick and my white blood count was elevated so pretty sure it was just a sinus infection.
One of my friends from church had several of us over New Year’s Eve for a little get together. We had lots of appetizer type foods and played some card games.
Respiratory illnesses are definitely up in this area. Yesterday when I visited my parents at their long-term care facility, I noticed the staff were wearing masks. They are not requiring visitors to wear masks YET.
Phyllis,
Sounds like a wonderful way to spend NYE with good friends and food!
I know your parents always enjoy your visits; hoping they continue to stay healthy and happy.
Oh Becky, I hope you feel better, that picture of your puppy is so cute, my son’s dog has a think against bathroom rugs staying in the bathroom, he drags them out into the hallway or a bedroom, scrunches them up and then makes himself comfortable, same with sheets and blankets if I am stripping a bed, he’s a border collie so we attribute it to his herding instinct. This was a tough New Year’s Eve for me, as you know, my husband passed away in July so it was the first New Year’s I spent without him in 41 years, luckily my son is here but we both had kind of a meltdown….my sister is coming down on Saturday from NJ and will stay with us for a couple of weeks so that is good….Happy New Year and Happy Anniversary to a very special couple.
Dale,
So glad you have family around you at this time when so many all around you are celebrating and you are feeling so much loss. So good your sister can stay a couple of weeks with you. That will be so therapeutic.
I love hearing about your’s son’s dog dragging all the rugs around to make beds. Sounds just like Tippi! If it’s a piece of cloth, it’s a bed!
Happy New Year! & Happy Anniversary blessings! Hope you & Steve are feeling better! I have heard of many cases of covid, flu, rsv, stomach bug, and some with 2 or more of these at once in our area! 🙁 Lots going around 🙁 we had to postpone Christmas with one of our girls and her family as they had the stomach bug over Christmas. Got that celebration in yesterday! 🙂
I went to a song service at a local church on New Years Eve. I stayed up and watched the ball drop in Times Square in my PJs at home. My hubs didn’t. No resolutions, just a proclamation to be better, do better in 2024!!!
Eswim,
Singing at church is a great way to usher in a new year. You did well to stay up till midnight to see the actualy turning of the calendar. I was snoozing soundly by then!
Glad you finally got your Christmas celebration in; that’s the important thing and not a certain date.
Ugh – flu and covid together sounds terrible! I hope you are on the mend by now especially with all the good nurses you have! What a blessing to have family close by!
We had a NYE party planned but had to cancel because my husband got sick (not flu or covid but something similar) and he’s still not well 4 days later. Luckily, the rest of us haven’t gotten it yet!
I don’t do resolutions but I do have a couple of goals! I guess that might count as something.
I sure hope y’all are feeling “up to snuff” real soon so you can celebrate your anniversary and the New Year!
Suzanne,
Goals are always good, regardless of the time of year!
I am getting slowly better; plan on being back at work on Friday. I hope your husband is making good progress toward getting better.
So sorry to hear you and Steve are sick. I’ve heard of some kiddos getting 3 things at once, they are usually in the hospital by that point. Its been a hard holiday season for many. Glad you are on the mend. We also will be doing Christmas late, probably late in February after this current wave has come down. We have not had Covid or the flu or anything else. My defenses include testing, HEPA filters, cracked open windows, masks, CO2 monitoring, up to date vaccines and Far-UVc being delivered this week. Woohoo! Whatever it takes, so we can continue doing what we like to do and remain as healthy as possible.
I look forward to seeing your family Christmas photos. The kids are getting so big! And a big Happy Anniversary!! Wow!!
Lesley,
Christmas in February? Nothing wrong with that. I remember on time we didn’t take our tree down till Valentine’s Day so I’m all about it.
I’m impressed by your array of Covid/flu fighting tools. So glad you and Sarah have stayed healthy and escaped those bugs.
Keep “doing what you like to do and remain healthy!” Hugs.
Well, aren’t we lucky??? NOT!! I had covid for 13 days and it liked to kick my hinney!! My hubby of 50 years had the flu at the same time. We have not had our family get togethers for Christmas either. We are both testing negative now but seems that mess set off a sinus infection for me and bronchitis for him. I am so tired of this mess!! My brother just came home from the hospital yesterday after having covid and he was having a crisis from his Myasthenia Gravis and couldn’t swallow or chew.. some of the side effects…. 🙁 His wife had covid AND flu at the same time. Both are recuperating now. We are all really trying hard to keep my 87 year old mother well. She was in ICU last year with covid and almost didn’t make it and we don’t think she could survive all that again. It is just a horrible time for sickness all around. So many in the hospital. Lots of people needs our prayers. Hope you are on the mend down there in Charlotte and I wish you and Steve a Happy Anniversary!! Praying for you all. Happy 2024!!
kaye,
Oh my. Thirteen days is a long time. And then to have your husband sick, too, along with your brother and sister-in-law? I can only imagine how much you are all counting down the days till a new wind of health blows through your family and this unhappy season is behind you.
Many, many hugs to you all. This too shall pass!
Oh nooooo!!! COVID and the flu at the same time…. I am SOOO sorry!!! Prayers for a speedy recovery!!🙏 I have never had COVID, even after quarantining with my hubby who had it in 2020. Together for 14days back then. Still nothing. Hmmmm. I know this because I’m a blood donor and they would test my blood and could tell me if I had it or not. Amazing.
I don’t make new year’s resolutions….less chance that I’ll fail. Lol Seriously, I just go through the year and celebrate my triumphs as they come. 👍
Happy anniversary to you and Steve! May you have many more wonderful, happy years together helping each other and holding each other up!
LeeAnne,
I love the idea of just celebrating your triumps as they come. I think people forget to do that and only get stuck on places we fall short. I hope you have lots of celebrating this year.
Thanks for the anniversary wishes!
Oh, my, Covid and the flu – that is the pits. I am so sorry to hear that. I would have done the same though, forget about getting dressed, just leave pj’s on and don’t bend down to put any sneakers on – although here the temp is in the high 20’s, so probably would have used slip ons. Husband had Covid about a couple months ago and thankfully I did not get it. Daughter and her family had it 3 times and thankfully mild each one. We stayed home on New Year’s Eve – had some Welch’s sparkling grape juice and watched a little t.v. At midnight gave each other a kiss and went to bed. Oh the excitement of us old folks!!!! No resolutions, just keep doing what I have been doing as far as exercising and wondering if this is the year our Lord is coming!!! Happy New Year to the Smith family. (Oh, and Tippi too).
Sharyn,
A little tv, some sparkling juice, and a kiss? Sounds like the perfect way to ring in a new year to me!
Glad you didn’t get Covid when your husband did and the rest of your family had mild cases. Many thanksgivings going into 2024.
My husband and I are both dealing with bad colds right now. but, we are still kicking! We have both had Covid two years ago! Nasty stuff. We celebrated our 50th anniversary the first week of December! Our kids sent us to Christmas in Branson! This had been a dream of mine for awhile! We had a wonderful time. My husband says we are definitely goin back!! And he is not a traveler!!! I hope you get to do something memorable for you anniversary and NOT be sick!
Vicky,
Still kicking is always a good thing.
And congratulations on fifty years! What an occassion to celebrate. So thoughtful of your kids to send you to a place they knew you have been wanting to go for so long. Glad you had a fabulous time.
I’m so sorry you are dealing with both Covid AND the flu. I’ve had both, but never together. My household has been dealing with “the crud” but tests have come back negative, so for that I’m thankful. Happy Happy Anniversary tomorrow! Rest, take care and enjoy having your family nearby to care for you.
SueEllen,
Thankful for negative tests for you. ‘Tis the season for all sorts of yukky infections to ome to to vist.
Thank you for the anniversary wishes; we are going to go out to eat when we both feel a little perkier!
So sorry to hear you got hit with a double whammy and on a Holiday weekend no less. I had covid last New Years, but not with the flu. There is covid and flu hitting our area, but we hope to avoid it and did get our last booster and flu shot this month. Prayers that you get better soon and that Steve doesn’t get hit by it too.
We had several late Christmases, one even on Valentines Day, when my nephew was deployed and we waiting for his return.
We spent New Years Eve with my husbands friends who have been meeting 50+ years. This year we got a hotel nearby the hosts home as it was an hour drive and we don’t like driving in the dark. We were so surprised to see the hotel extremely full and busy with all ages. The pool was open till midnight and they lengthened the breakfast hours till 11 the next morning. When we got back to the hotel at 1:00 it was actually fairly quiet and we got to breakfast around 9 and avoided a crowd there. I had no idea that families would opt for a hotel stay for a New Year Eve get away.
No resolutions, just my list of 52 things I need or want to do. I did 22 of my list last year.
Happy New Year and Happy Anniversary
Patti,
That’s a good accomplishmnt to get 22 things done from your list last year! I like your idea of choosing 52 things.
I guess I never would have thought of families renting a hotel room on NYE either. How blessed you are to be gathering with the same group of friends for over 50 years. That is wonderful!
In so sorry you’re starting the New Year feeling so lousy! Sending prayers the worst is behind you and you start feeling better very soon. Hope Steve is feeling better too. Happy Anniversary to you and Steve and how the coming year brings you both good health.
I love the pictures of Tippi and the tree skirt. Thanks for sharing them. Such a cute dog and story.
Lisa,
I love telling (and hearing) stories about dogs. They are such fun and amazing creatures. Glad you enjoyed the Tippi Story.
I am making some progress but still haven’t made it back to work yet. Am shooting for tomorrow. Happy New Year!
You poor dear! I can’t imagine having both at once. I’m glad you are well taken care of.
Our post-Christmas activity was moving to a new state! We are almost all unpacked and start at new work/school this week. It’s been a whirlwind.
Robin,
When we moved, we were not having to start jobs immediately OR be concerned with a school schedule. Yikes. I can’t even imagine, especially right on the heels of Christmas!
Hopefully it won’t take more than a couple of weeks for you to start feeling settled in a little more and right at home in your new spot. I hope you make a million happy memories there.
Sure glad you seem to be past the worst of this. And that Steve is such a faithful, helpful husband to you. Happy Ann. To you both! Blessings upon you in the new year.
Ruth
Ruth,
Yes, Steve is definitely a keeper; he’s been taking very good care of me this week. And every week!
Blessings back!
I’m sorry you’re so sick! Flu AND Covid at the same time? Either one, alone, would be horrible but both???? Ugh!
Mike had a cough and aches/pains that lasted about a month but he consistently tested negative for everything. I do have a few coworkers who’ve been dealing with family-style Covid: one gets it, the next one gets it, another one gets it, etc.
We were asleep long before midnight. Where we used to live, fireworks and gunfire would wake us up but here we didn’t hear anything last night!
We both took the week off and have been painting our kitchen cabinets. 🙂
My only resolution this year is to take care of ME. My health, my habits, my goals, my mind, and my surroundings.
Happy New Year!
Stefanie,
Steve’s been like Mike–not feeling well for a month but not testing positive for anything. Crazy how that happens with some people.
I know you’re thankful to not be hearing fireworks and gunfire (!) on NYE anymore. Not hearing anything is fabulous; the sounds of silence.
We’re getting our cabinets painted soon; waiting for curtains to arrive before finalizing a color. I know you’re loving your new look!
Oh no, Becky. I was just wondering if you could get both at the same time. I myself have Covid right now. I’m fortunate I’m not too sickly. But definitely not feeling well. I hope you (and Steve) are on the mend now.
Paige,
I’m always glad to be of service to my readers. You asked the question, I answered it! 🙂
I hope you get over your Covid and get back to things you love to do very soon.