Happy Halloween!!

TWIT would like to wish everyone a happy Halloween today. And in case you've ever wondered, here is a bit of info on the history of trick-or-treating.

Some historians describe a tradition called "mumming" where people dressed up in costumes and went door to door for treats and performed simple plays in exchange for the food and drinks they received. Somehow I can't imagine trick-or-treaters today performing a scene from Shakespeare's "A Midsummer's Night Dream." But I digress. The tricking element began in Ireland, on what became known as "mischief night." People wandered through towns dressed in costumes, tipping over outhouses, unhinging fence gates and engaging in other pranks. This tradition migrated to the U.S.

The tradition of carved pumpkins also has European roots. The first lanterns were made from vegetables such as hollowed-out turnips. Some historical evidence poitns to poor early Europeans, probably beginning in Ireland, who carved out turnips and placed candles or embers in them to use as lanterns.

So whatever way you choose to celebrate Halloween tonight, please be safe, be considerate of others, and have a great time.

Flashback Friday

Since this was the last work day before Halloween, it was the day when coworkers had their kids and grandkids come in and trick-or-treat from office to office. As we saw the kids come through, I glanced in their overflowing bags and noticed that I didn't the first wax lips or whistle. How very sad that today's kids don't know the joy of the slightly sweet flavored wax items.

Attempted Home Invasion At The Compound

Yes, faithful readers, you read that right. Tonight, just hours ago, there was an attempted home invasion at The Compound. Mom was coming back from her evening walk and noticed what appeared to be two tiny handprints on the storm door going to the screened-in backporch. After careful observation, we decided they were racoon paw prints. To the best of our investigative ability, we talked through a recreation of the attempted home invasion, and deducted that the racoon was standing on its hind legs with its front paws on the glass on the storm door, looking in to the back porch. Maybe he was attracted to Mom's Micky Mouse pumpkin that was lit up. Who knows. All I know is I'd better not find those damned little paw prints all over the BMW that was just washed and waxed. And in case you're wondering, The Compound has been on lockdown for about an hour now.

A Letter To Medicare

Dear Medicare:

I'd like to ask if there was any way in hell that you all could have made the entire Medicare approved prescription plans any harder to figure out then they already are? In case you care, I spent an hour tonight either on the phone or online trying to figure out what my mother's co-payment was so I could write the amount on her a form so could order a new prescription medication. Add to my frustration the fact that I even had to enlist the aid of two friends, who spent about a half hour on their computers trying to help me find the answer. Believe me, Medicare - if my mother received any narcotics and/or sedatives in her Medicare approved prescription plan I would have been tempted to steal a couple tonight after that ordeal.

You and all of the prescription plan companies should be ashamed for the way you've made the whole process so freakin' difficult. I'm just very thankful that my parents have me to help them try to figure it all out; it almost brings me to tears to think of the millions of elderly people in our country that have noone to help them sort through all of the mess and find the answers to their questions. I see now why some of the elderly don't even get their medication; it's too damned hard.

In closing, I wish no ill toward you, Medicare, nor your prescription plan counterparts. I only wish that just once you will know our pain and have to go through the same frustrations as my parents and I have in trying to figure it all out. Maybe then you'll make some changes and make the whole plan and process easier.

Yours truly,
Puddin

THAT'S Unconditional Love

The 'Rents got an awesome new king-sized bed today. Actually they've had the frame and all; today they just got a new mattress and box springs delivered and set up. As soon as I walked in the door from work, Dad told me to go back and try it out and see how I liked it, given the fact that I, too, am in the market for a new matress and box springs. Mom kept saying "It's beautiful" and I had to think for a minute "Now, she already had the bed frame - she's just getting a new box springs and mattress, so what is there to be 'beautiful'?" So like I said, as soon as I got home from work, I went back to their bedroom, where Mom pulled up the sheet and duvet to show me her beautiful mattress set. I will have to admit -it was in deed beautiful. It even had the pattern of the sign of the 'Ville, the Fleur de lis, on it. I hopped up on the bed, because it was quite a bit taller then their last bedroom set an laid flat out on it. Believe me when I tell you I could have just rolled over on my right side and went to sleep for the night. Yes, it was that comfortable. And you can bet that I, too, will soon be buying an identical new matress and box springs for my bed soon.

I got back up from the bed and we ate our supper, and as soon as Dad finished, he went outside to the garage and started on a project. He started building a little platform/stool for Mom to use to get up on the bed, since it's a tad bit too tall for her to navigate. Now, if that isn't unconditional love, I don't know what is. And he's still out there now putting the finishing touches on her little platform. If I know anything at all about my carpenter father, he's out there now sanding and smoothing it all down, making sure it's just right for Mom to use tonight.

Charity Walk Observations

Mom and I noticed a rather disturbing trend yesterday during the breast cancer walk. We noticed that there were quite a few women wearing leather snow boots. You know the kind I'm talking about. Some were actual Ugg brands, others were similar but still leather snow boots. Some even had the the long tassles and had sheepskin. This was disturbing to use for a number of reasons. One, it was a three and a half mile walk, and people normally don't wear leather snow boots to walk three and half miles, especially when where is no snow on the ground. Second, it was 65 degrees yesterday and no snow in the forecast. Third, it just looked plain silly. And fourth, we could not imagine the smell after the women had tromped over three miles in the boots and their feet and legs sweated. Ewww.

Link Of The Week

This afternoon, Mom and I joined about 20,000 of our closest friends from the Ville in this year's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk. It was an awesome afternoon. The weather was perfect, we had a great time, and helped raise money to fight breast cancer. By now you should know that October is breast cancer awareness month. Please take a moment to visit the American Cancer Society's website at http://www.cancer.org to learn more about the fight against breast cancer, colon cancer, ovarian cancer, and other types of cancer.

Saturday Observations

I ran up to our local Staples big box store this afternoon to pick up a few things I needed, and while I was at the shopping center, I walked over to the "Everything's A Deal" store, just to see if they had any bargains that I couldn't pass by. Of course I walked out of there, having peeled over twenty bucks, but I digress. While I was in line at the Deals store, my attention was on the girl that was in front of me. She appeared to be in her early 20's. She only had two items when she checked out --- a home pregnancy test and a pack of chewing gum.

For the few minutes I was standing in line I couldn't help but think about what that girl must have been thinking. Like I said, she appeared to be in her early 20's, and I was assuming that the pregnancy test was for her. I'm 46 and cannot begin to imagine what that young girl must have been thinking if the test was in deed for her. If it was for her, when she got home and peed on that stick, in the span of just a minute or two her life would totally be changing. Either she would be relieved or would be burdened with the fact that she was going to have a baby.

Flashback Friday

It's hard to believe that it's been ten years ago today that my Grandma died. Not a day goes by that I don't think of her. And it has nothing to do with the fact that I have a 10 x 18 photo of this picture hanging on my bedroom wall. It has all to do with the fact that we all lived together and that she raised me while my parents worked during the day, and that she was the first person to show me what unconditional love was all about.

She was in the nursing home for almost ten years before she died. And I'm not ashamed to admit that it took me about a year to come to grips and deal with the fact that she wasn't at home with us like she had been all of my life. To this day, I can't listen to the Vince Gill song "When I Call Your Name" because it reminds me of that period. But I eventually was able to deal with it and accept it, and enjoyed all of the awesome memories I had of Grandma.

She was truly one of the most awesome people that I think ever existed. She loved to crochet, loved listening to Englebert Humperdink and Conway Twitty records, loved drinking orange soda, and hated mushrooms on pizza. She had a keen sense of intuition, and could size up a person after only being with them for a few minutes; and she was rarely ever wrong on this.

One of the most awesome and profound things she said during the last few years of her life will stick with me forever. She was talking to a friend of mine and said "Old time friends - they're the best." I couldn't agree with you more, Gram.

Drama Thursday

Some might think this is lame to write about yet again, but unfortunately this week's dramas have continued and spilled over into Thursday.

The most frustrating drama lasted throughout the day - the continuing saga of Mom's prescription issues. While they were out this a.m. she received yet another phone message saying that the prescription had been denied. Well, this time, I will take the blame for the confusion. It seems I didn't listen to her fully when she was trying to explain it all to me. I printed out a new prescription form from the company's website, filled it out for her and we mailed it out tonight along with the actual prescription from her doctor. And it only took us two days to get it all straightened out.

In keeping with our drama theme, there was one new drama at work today. When I arrived this a.m. I heard raised voices and saw people pretty fired up. It seems we had an issue with some defective oil that we'd received, and there were rumors that we were going to have to shut down most of the assembly lines. But that issue was resolved, thank goodness, and production went on as normal.

We did get some good news today amid the drama We found out that my cousin was discharged from the hospital this morning, and he has an appointment to see the cardiologist on the November 19. We think that in itself is a good sign - if he was really bad off, we're thinking he would be seeing the heart specialist long before then. Dad just called him, and he's in pretty good spirits.

I'm hoping and praying for a drama-free Friday. I'll keep you posted.

Dramatic Wednesday

Faithful readers, I'm shocked to report that Dramatic Tuesday spilled over into Dramatic Wednesday. Part of yesterday's drama carried over into today, and then new dramas started popping up. Before I get into today's dramas, I do have one update from yesterday: one of the Tuesday drama's involved an apple. Just sayin'.

The first and biggest drama of today was when I got a call saying my cousin (who visited us just a few weeks ago) was in the hospital with chest pains. After a dozen or so phone calls today, we found out that it wasn't a heart attack, thank goodness. He'll see the cardiologist tomorrow and find out exactly what the problem is.

About two minutes after I got that phone call, another phone call came through from a friend who needed a pump for their basement. I was able to get that drama taken care of with just two phone calls.

Shortly after that, another call came through. This time it was from The Compound. Mom was having an issue with her Medicare-approved prescription medication company. It only took about a half an hour and six phone calls for me to get that one taken care of. Ordinarily, I would have stressed out over the 'Rents calling about a drama but today it was different. In between phone calls to the prescription med company, I said a quick prayer and thanked the Lord that I still had parents to call me at work and bug me about something.

Dramatic Tuesday

I'm shocked, surprised, and excited to report that this was one of the most drama-filled days at work that I've experienced in years. We had not one, not two, but three big dramas at work today. And as much as I hate to do this, I'm not at liberty to explain any of them. Suffice to say that it was way more drama than I've had to deal with in probably a few years. Fortunately for me, none of it involved me -I was merely an observer and bystander. But it was drama nonetheless.

Once again, I apologize because it just does not seem fair to you, faithful readers, to leave you dangling like this. I can give one piece of info -- let's just say one of today's dramas involved shoes.

I promise to bring more newsworthy TWIT posts tomorrow, but until then, the mystery of the three big dramas at work will have to suffice.

One For The Record Books

As I've mentioned before, I don't watch that many movies. Well, let me correct that. I watch a few of my favorite movies on a regular basis; I don't watch that many new movies. But thanks to a friend who lets me borrow movies, I'm trying to do better. Why, just this weekend I watched not one, but two (count em, two) movies. On Saturday night I watched "Bucket List" and on Sunday afternoon I watched "Step-Brothers." This has got to be one for the Puddin Book of Records. Just think if I'd watched them at the movie theater instead of the couch - why, that would be a cause for major celebration. But I digress. Like I said, it was one for the record books. Now I'll probably go 3 or 4 months without watching another movie. And I'm totally fine with that.

Link Of The Week

Just about everyone loves macaroni and cheese. In fact, I don't think I know a single soul that doesn't. Just like with spaghetti and chili, there's lots of different recipes for macaroni and cheese. Some people even prefer the kind right out of the box. Personally, I like any kind of macaroni and cheese. This week, someone sent me a link to a site that has nothing but macaroni and cheese recipes. You can check it out at http://www.macaroniandcheeserecipes.com. Please report back if you try any of these.

Something You Don't See Everyday

I was on my way home from an errand earlier today when I saw something that you just don't see everyday.

A newer model Cadillac was in front of me, and it had an awesome pearl paint job. I'm pretty sure the wheels on the car were worth more than my Blazer and BMW put together. But I digress. I noticed the Caddy had its sunroof opened. That in itself was odd, because the temp was about 40 degrees and it was windy. Then I noticed a hand come out the sunroof and toss something out into the street. After a minute the hand came out and once again tossed something. I looked closer and noticed that the guy in the passenger seat was evidently eating fried chicken and was tossing out the bones. I wished I'd been able to get it all on film but you'll just have to rely on my vivid description of it.

Flashback Friday

The major league baseball playoffs are going on right now, and as I type this, the New York Yankees are playing against the Los Angeles Angels for the American League Championship Series spot in the World Series. My Mom is a big Yankees fan, and is probably the biggest Derek Jeter fan that there is. But my family's love of the Yankees goes back farther than my Mom's loyalty to Jeter; my Grandma was the world's biggest Reggie Jackson fan.

She loved watching Reggie Jackson and the Yankees play baseball on TV. To her, autumn meant one thing -- the playoffs and then the World Series. She didn't mind at all when the soap operas were preempted by the playoff games; she was happy to get to watch her beloved Reggie Jackson and the rest of the Yankees.

We never figured out why she loved the Yankees and Reggie so much, even though the rest of the family were Cincinnati Reds fans. She just loved them and was thrilled to watch them on TV.

One Of The Best Days Of The Year

I'm jumping right into this post without background or anything. This has been one of the best days of the year because a dear friend I'd lost touch with called me tonight. We hadn't spoken in about ten years. Nothing happened bad - we just both had things that we needed to do and figure out, and just lost touch. We still thought about each other constantly, though, which is the awesome thing.

A few years ago I called his phone number only to find it was now someone else's number. I asked around and searched and searched online but couldn't find my friend. Until tonight. Through the awesomeness of Facebook, my old friend from high school and I found each other. I sent a message to him and he called me back within a few minutes. We talked as if it hadn't been ten years since the last time we'd spoken.

I've often heard people say that true friends have the ability to pick up where they left off, no matter how much time has lapsed. And tonight I found that to be true. Of course a lot of major things have happened to us both in the past ten years, but we both vowed that from this day forward we would keep in touch. And I know we will.

New Product Review

I saw an ad in a magazine a few months ago for a new style of Skechers tennis shoes, and once I read the ad I knew I had to have the shoes. They aren't just any shoes - they're "Shape-Ups." They look clunky and clumsy but they're not. They're designed to help tone your feet and legs when you walk. To quote the Skechers website,
"Shape-Ups are designed to help you tone your muscles – from your back and abdomen to your buttocks and calves. Shape-Ups will help you lose weight and improve your circulation, creating a healthier you!"

Since my wreck and foot reconstruction in 1992, I've been very particular when it comes to tennis shoes, or any shoe for that matter, and I was a bit hesitant that these would feel comfortable on my feet. After researching, I discovered that the good folks at Skechers guaranteed the shoes or else I could return them to the company for a full refund. Well, you can't beat that now, can you? So last week I got my pair of Shape-Ups and after the first time I wore them to work, I was hooked. They felt like I was walking on a cushiony cloud. I didn't feel like I was going to fall off of them, and after walking about a mile and a half at work that day, I could in deed feel some difference in my calves and thighs. One good thing about these shoes is that the design forces you walk heel-to-toe, thus giving your leg and butt muscles a workout.

I got lots of compliments on my Shape-Ups, and heard a few people say they were going to order some. They come in pretty wide variety of colors, too. I recommend the Shape-Ups for anyone that does a lot of walking. Skechers Shape-Ups definitely get the TWIT Seal Of Approval.

Awesome Quote Of The Week

A while back, we started a new recurring post in TWIT called "Effed Up Quote Of The Week." Today, I heard something and new I had to start yet another recurring thread in TWIT, this time titled "Awesome Quote Of The Week."

The inaugural Awesome Quote Of The Week is courtesy of my dear Mother, who also gave us the inaugural Effed Up Quote Of The Week. So I guess it was only fitting. We were having a very serious conversation at the supper table just moments ago, and in all of her wisdom, my sweet mother said (and I quote):

"You don't have to like everybody."

Another Fallen Idol

A coworker came up to the cubicle today to visit with us, and during the course of our conversation, we started talking about old school wrestlers from back in the day. My coworker mentioned that a couple of months ago he saw none other than Jerry "The King" Lawler signing autographs at a local flea market. Yep, a flea market.

Back in the early- to mid-70's, Jerry Lawler was, well, the king, of wrestling. My grandparents and I would watch him every Saturday evening on TV. He'd come out with his crown and cape and he was, well, the king. It's a bit disheartening to find out that The King is now evidently off of his throne and signing autographs for a couple of bucks at a flea market. Long live the king.

Link Of The Week

Yesterday was the annual Susan G. Komen Race For The Cure event here in Louisville. Thousands of people ran and walked the 3 miles to raise money for the Susan G. Komen foundation. It's one of the most worthy causes that I can think of. If you live in Louisville and didn't get to participate, never fear. You can visit http://ww5.komen.org/findarace.aspx and you can either find a race/walk in our area that you can participate in or you can just donate some money and not race/walk. It's that easy to help out. Due to circumstances beyond our control, Mom and I didn't get to participate in the Race For The Cure here in Louisville this year, but we did send in our donation. And we urge you to do the same.

More Good News

As if me getting over the upper respiratory crap isn't bad enough after fighting it for two weeks, we woke up this morning to discover that Mom is coming down with it. She's not too bad - her cough isn't nearly as bad as mine was, thank goodness. She already had a doctor's appointment scheduled for Wednesday, so if she still has it by then I'm sure her doctor will prescribe something for it. But till then, I'd gladly take it on again so she won't have to endure it. And on top of this, I just got off the phone talking to a friend who has just come down with the chicken pox. Yes, chicken pox. And she's 54 years old, too. She laughed and said she willed it on herself for getting cocky about not catching the upper respiratory crap that's been going around. Dr. Puddin the armchair dermatologist told her to put a half a cup of vinegar in a lukewarm bath and soak in it, and to keep herself covered in calamine lotion. I also prescribed some Benedryl if the itching got to be too much, and if that didn't work, to resort to narcotics and/or alcohol. Surely one of those treatments will help her endure the chicken pox.

Flashback Friday

We've had a lot of rain in the past twenty-four hours, and as I type this, it's still pouring. It's been a yucky day, but I have to say I've really enjoyed my last day of vacation because it's been awesome napping weather. But I digress. Yesterday morning, they were calling for bad storms and flooding in the area; thank goodness here at The Compound it hasn't been too bad, but we sure have had a lot of rain. And in the past day or so, I've kept a steady watch on Doppler radar on the computer. Then I reminisced and wondered what we did before the days of Doppler.

Back in the day, all the weatherazzi had to rely on was the radar, and in some extreme cases, the station helicopter, to bring the latest weather news. When bad storms were in the forecast, we just had to wait it out - we didn't have Doppler radar to check on the computer or our cell phones. And if my memory is correct, my family didn't even rely that much on the weatherazzi for the forecast - they checked the forecast in the daily newspaper. Or better yet, they went outside and looked at the sky or the sunrise or sunset to predict what the weather was going to be. And now, we can't do without the weatherazzi and trusty Doppler, that can pin-point the exact moment that a storm will hit a certain area. We sure have come a long way.

New Product Review

I had a weak moment on Tuesday and caved in and ate something I really shouldn't have, but oh how it rocked. And of course I ate it just so I could give a New Product Review to you, faithful readers. I'm sure you totally believe that one. But I digress. While at the drugstore Tuesday evening, spotted a familiar package of candy when I was checking out. It was yet another limited edition Reese's Cup. This time, it's Peanut Butter Lovers. Well, I had to give it a try. If my memory is correct, I believe I've tried every one of the Reese's Limited Edition peanut butter cups. So far, this is my favorite Limited Edition version.

The Peanut Butter Lovers cups are about 95% peanut butter and 5% chocolate. There is a thin layer of chocolate around the cup and on the bottom. But when I took the wax paper off of both of my cups, most of the bottom chocolate was stuck to the paper. Not a problem. I did what every Reese's Cup lover would do: I licked the chocolate off of the wrapper. There was a thin peanut butter candy coating on top and the rest was pure Reese's peanut butter goodness.

I did some checking on the nutritional value of the Peanut Butter Lovers cups, and found out that they are 10 calories less than a pack of regular Reese's Cups, and they have more protein, too.

As I said earlier, these are by far my favorite Limited Edition Reese's Cups. The Peanut Butter Lovers Reese's Cups definitely receive the TWIT Seal Of Approval.

Wednesday, Wednesday

For the record, let me say that my Wednesday was better than my Tuesday and Monday. The Rents and I did our best to keep Visiting Cousin entertained today. We're now all settled in at The Compound for hopefully a drama-free evening. At least I got to wear one of my new pair of tennis shoes today, and the weather was just picture perfect. It was truly an awesome fall day. And best of all, I felt good and didn't cough very much today. So things are looking up.

Tuesday, Tuesday

5:55 Got home from work, after making a stop at Shoe Carnival to get a new pair of everyday
tennis shoes, only to be told (not asked) by Visiting Cousin to take him out across town to a
battery store so he could pay out the ass for a new battery for his ancient cell phone. Did I
forget to mention that the store closes at 7:00?

6:10 After swallowing whole what I believe to have been ham, green beans, and corn, I
get in the car with Visiting Relative and direct him out to the battery store.

6:35 Visiting Cousin pays $40 for a battery for his ancient phone, even after much "discussion"
from me about how he could get a new phone probably for free.

6:50 Visiting Cousin realizes that his car charger is not working. I was almost ready to just
jump out of the car.

7:15 Make an impromptu visit to WalMart, where Visiting Cousin pays $36 for a new wall
charger anda new car charger for his ancient cell phone. Once again, I repeat that the
Rents' phone is newer than his.

7:25 Visiting Cousin finally wrestles the car chager out of the very secure packaging and plugs it
into the cigarette lighter in his car, and is happy that it is now charging the new battery on
his ancient cell phone.

Monday, Monday

It's been a rough day today, faithful readers - one of the hardest days I've had in years. It was hard because I made a phone call today to my boss who had to tell me that her cancer was back. We'd suspected it for the past week, but we didn't want to think that it could be back, but hearing her say those words just ripped the heart right out of my chest. She's a fighter, and has an awesome attitude, and I know she's going to battle this with every bit of strength she has left in her body. There wasn't much I could really tell her, except that I loved her, and to reassure that she had people all over the city of Louisville praying for her.

This is part of life but it sucks that bad things like this happen to make us realize that don't really have it that bad after all.

Link Of The Week

If you know anything about me, then you know that I love pizza -- especially old school pizza. Meaning, I love thin crust pizza. It doesn't matter what toppings are on there, as long as it's think crust. I cannot stand all of the doughy crust pizzas that everybody is just gaga over. But I digress. The first thin crust pizza I ever had was from Pizza Hut. And let me tell you it's still as good today as it was wayyy back in the day. Last Sunday, I had a hankering for thin crust pizza, so I went online to check at the Pizza Hut site for coupons, and much to my surprise, I found out you got 20% off of your first online order at Pizza Hut. I couldn't sign up and order my pizza fast enough. And to make it even better, the next day, Pizza Hut emailed me a coupon for $5 off my next order over $15. You just can't beat that with a stick. So please visit the good folks at http://www.pizzahut.com and sign up to order your pizzas online. You won't be sorry.

That's What I Call A Marching Band

My cousin from Alabama drove up this afternoon to spend a week and a half with his favorite relatives, and as soon as he got in the door, he asked Dad to turn on the UK vs. Alabama football game. I'm not a college football fan, but to be polite and sociliaze I sat on the couch and did homework while everyone else watched the game. I wasn't paying any attention to the game on the TV, until the UK marching band caught my attention. It wasn't halftime; they were in the stands just playing random music like they usually do. But this wasn't just any random song; the UK marching band was playing "The Immigrant Song" by Led Zeppelin. Yep, a marching band playing a Led Zeppelin song. I'm just sorry that they only played about 30 seconds of the song.

Flashback Friday

Today was a Payday Friday for us at work, and I couldn't help but think back to the Fridays when as a kid I would get my allowance. At first, I got a dollar a week. And then as I got older, it increased to five bucks a week. But I only got to actually spend or keep four out of the five -- I got five bucks a week with the stipulation that I would put one dollar in my savings account at Citizens Fidelity Bank each week. Every Friday evening, I would go with Mom and Dad to Citizens Fidelity Bank, and while they would cash their paychecks and take care of their banking business, I would hand the teller my little savings passbook along with my dollar and she would record the transaction in my little book. And I would have the satisfaction of knowing I was saving. If only saving was that easy today.

Illness Update

Well, it's been officially two weeks now since I came down with a cold/upper respiratory crap, and for the record I'm sick of being sick. I feel a hell of a lot better than I did just the first part of the week, many thanks to the Z-pack antibiotics, but I still have a cough and I still am very tired in the evenings. In fact, I've had a nap every evening this week, and I haven't been able to do any bike riding. But my cough is better, and at least I've been able to make it to work every day this week.

Not riding my bike is taking more of an emotional toll on me than physical, I think. It's been two weeks since I've felt like riding. In addition to still feeling a bit sick, I just feel bummed this week - borderline depressed, even. I actually have missed riding every night, and for my sake, I'm glad that I do miss it. I'm sure I'll be stronger and less tired next week and will be back in the saddle again.