It's a little sad when

you have to take a knife to open up a 20 oz. bottle of soda. I got one at Thornton's on the way back from my unemployment review and class, because I was very thirsty, and couldn't get into it, so I came home and tried a jar opener, a case knife, and finally I was able to make a bit of a perforation with a sharp paring knife (without hurting myself, always a plus) where apparently it didn't make one. But I feel somewhat puny. I also had a light in the kitchen flare out when I got home, and had a light bulb, and got on my little step stool only to find that I barely can change a light bulb, given my short height. I need a taller step stool. There is a reason most of my overhead light fixtures' actual covers are carefully put away, as I can't put them on or take them off at all, without an actual ladder.

The class and review were fine. I got to see three former co-workers, all from different departments. I gave in my list of jobs for which I've applied, and the lady went over the various services they offer and things we have to do to keep our benefits. I have to revise my system résumé, at their request, to take off two old jobs and my references, and have that printed out and ready, along with a packet, by Thursday at 9 am, when I go in for a small-group résumé review. I'd brought everything today, because I wasn't quite sure what was expected, and I was one of the better-prepared job-seekers. I hope that means there's a job out there for me.

After I came home, I opened the windows (it's 77 with a breeze right now, but it's supposed to be humid and close to 90 degrees later), pulled a few things out of the walk-in closet, and called about the air conditioner and the toilet running. When I talked to the leasing agent, I found out that the inspections have been put off till Friday, which gives me some time to vacuum, mop, and go through some of these boxes that are stacked up. This morning I got up at 6:45 am, later than I planned, but it was good, cleaned one little bit of wall that had something on it (I think it had a little mould from where I keep a hamper there, and I thought I'd need bleach, but it turns out Citrasolv works well, as that's what I had), did the dishes, and took the trash and recyclables out. Then I got ready for my review, and I was there 15 minutes early.

I called pulmonary rehab and cancelled for the day, and they were very understanding and told me to call Thursday if I still needed time, since it's an upper respiratory thing, and even if I could breathe better, stop coughing, etc., by then, she said she didn't want me wiping myself physically with the exercise programme if I'm not up to it. I have a sinus infection, cold, and bronchitis, and of course, bronchitis sometimes takes awhile to get over. I'll try to do the actual breathing exercises tomorrow if I feel up to it. I could have worked this past week, but on the other hand, I'm glad I could get some rest. I just would have had to push it a lot more, and rest in the evening more.

That leaves me the rest of the day to look for a job, go through some things here, and maybe go get some medicine for YKWIA if he needs it, later. We talked on the phone briefly. He's still hacking, too, and there's a medicine they gave me but with his insurance I think they were more expensive, so he'd held off. But they do help with the coughing, although I wish they lasted all night. I'm waking up early each night with coughing. This morning I was awake from 3 am to 4 am because of it. The coughing subsided after awhile, and then I couldn't get back to sleep for almost an hour. I'd also like to start The Glass Magician (and I need to check on my library books and when the next ones are due) and maybe watch a couple of things sometime today.

I got a call from my former workplace. They really want me to come in and help cover for the maternity leave, and she wanted to know what they could do to have me come in. YKWIA told me to tell them a full-time job with benefits and the same salary I had before. :) I'd like to help out, but I don't think it's viable. It would take quite a bit of time from the job search, not pay more than unemployment (unless they change that drastically), and make things more complex with the parking and the like. I'll call her back and hear what she has to offer, but I just don't think it'll work. They were saying before that they needed me for eleven hours a week for about twelve weeks. But I need to focus on getting a full-time job, soon. My unemployment benefits are only good for six months, and we're six weeks in. Also, soon I'm going to have to pay for the medical end of COBRA, and between that and the dental, it's about $750 a month. The sooner I get a new job, the sooner I get benefits, including health care, and can save money.

Oh, and I need to go back to that one post, a few down, and review my agenda for today. It is one reason I do that, it's sort of my way to make lists that I'll remember to go back to.

Hope you're having a great day.

So I've gone into bronchitis

That lovely stage of illness when you're not really contagious any more but you cough like mad. Fortunately I'm not coughing every moment, but if I go without something to drink or a cough drop (which I am now out of, should have picked some up at the store earlier), within about five minutes I start to hack. It's enough to make me tired, but generally I'm feeling better than I had, even pre-cough.

I've taken a co-worker's suggestion and gotten some garlic and honey to mix for nighttime. I feel like something's just sitting on my chest. I went in for a diabetes check-up today, had my insulin adjusted, and they gave me a shot in my hip that really hurt, although I'm not quite sure what the point was, since it was an antibiotic and the original infection was almost certainly viral, and it probably just contributes to antibiotic resistance. I guess with my asthma they didn't want to take a chance of it worsening. I've never had this antibiotic before (it's in one of those families where if you're allergic to penicillin they warrant caution). I do know it hurt quite as much as I remember them hurting as a child; haven't had one as an adult. But I kept a stiff upper lip and wasn't a weenie, for which I was proud. When I was a kid, I'd cry, scream, and run and hide. Now I remember why.

I just hope it clears up soon. When I was younger, about every 3-5 years I'd wind up with a case of bronchitis for about 6-8 weeks at a time. :( And things don't get better as you age, let me tell you. On the other hand, I haven't been sick in awhile, so I guess I can't complain. Even my allergies have been...okay. After this clears up and once October starts, I'll take my flu shot, too.

I so should have watched the last episode of the 'Being Human' disc I have out tonight so I could mail it back tomorrow (it's easier to mail things from work; I have one of those keyed mailboxes that aren't conducive to outgoing mail, and no mail drop box nearby). But considering I had little sleep last night I suppose I should be happy I've been productive. And we did a big grocery run earlier and I got my own groceries for a change, enough to hopefully last a couple of weeks.

Tomorrow I've got to put this place back into some semblance of order, as my illness means I pretty much have strewn things all over. At least I finally watered the plants. I may have lost a couple, though. Thank goodness the only pets I have at the moment are goldfish. :)

Okay, I think I'll go on to bed. Have a good night, and a good tomorrow. And hey, it's the end of the week to look forward to.