I woke up on Bobby's birthday with stomach flu and was unable
to provide the birthday dinner that I had promised. I made the kids stay a distance from me because I knew I had germs
galore and didn't want to give them to him and his family. Ted fetched the kids to and from school.

Then last night Ellie thought she was having a stroke, called
me and I walked into their house with Adrienne in hysterics,
Ellie screaming and Ashley crying. I ordered them all into
the car and took them to the emergency room. I gave the kids
five dollars for the vending machine, which soothed them...
It is grandma medicine. By the time it was all over, the tests were all negative. I think she is converting her anxiety and panic into physical symptoms. They are no less
real, but she needs counseling and a support group. Her "heart attack" when Bobby was in the hospital came out the
same way...all tests negative. I am not as sympathetic as
I should be because I come from a family of strong women who
do what they have to do. I took the kids through a drive
through and got them some food and we got home about nine.
Bobby was the only one at ITT and couldn't get back up to
teach his classes and close up. He got home at eleven and
she dissolved in his arms and I was finally able to get home. I certainly wish that she found comfort in food. Pasta could be a true friend. Instead, she overdoes on
caffeine and eats too little. The upshot is that I have a
pork tenderloin in the oven and I will do some potatoes and
take over so she can rest for the day. More grandma medicine. Life is hard and I am glad that I can tell all to
blog friends. It has to be a safety valve. Maybe I am wrong but I certainly hope not. If Ellie gets really sick,
Bobby has very little support system left and he truly loves her and needs her right now because he was to have a
port for chemo put in Monday and now he feels that he can't
cope with that and getting Ellie well too. She is going
through the change and that may be bothering her also.

On the plus side I have a wonderful book that I was on the
waiting list for ages to get. It is by P. D. James and is
called Death Comes to Pemberly and takes up where Jane Austen left off in Pride and Prejudice. She has the feel
and the tone to write in Jane Austin's voice. It continues
with Lydia and her light weight husband in trouble. I have
only read about an eighth of the book and it is pure heaven.

I have to knock off now and cook breakfast and make some
chili for this horribly cold day. We seem to be craving
it.