Neurotic Workaholic is the winner of the six different kinds of Godiva chocolate. Congratulations, and I hope you can power down long enough to enjoy the sweets.
The rest of you take heart: Another Godiva giveaway is in the offing. Not right away, but soon.
Two carnivals, no waiting
I’m in a pair of blog carnivals this week. Both entries are from MSN Money’s Smart Spending, though.
“20 minutes to keep your house clean” was selected for the Carnival of Personal Finance at My Personal Finance Journey.
“Carelessness can cost you” is in the Carnival of Money Stories at Out of Debt Again.
Many thanks to the carnival hosts. Go see them.
Off the road — and off the crutches!
It’s good to be home again. I left my daughter’s Phoenix apartment at 8:45 a.m. last Thursday and didn’t hobble through my own door until 11:15 p.m. That’s a day that could have taken the starch out of a much younger person who wasn’t using crutches. (If you’re just coming in, see “Injured in action: Some of us just never learn” and “Limping toward Phoenix” for an explanation.)
I slept about eight hours Thursday night and was still weary when I got up. On both Friday and Saturday nights I slept for 12 hours straight, with a little help from my friend Advil PM. (Extra frugal points: It was free Advil PM, thanks to a promotion from that company.)
That extra rest did the trick. I’ve felt great ever since Sunday. Apparently I had a sleep deficit — understandable, since I’ve been traveling so much lately. I was in:
- Anchorage from late May to early August
- New Jersey from the end of August through the end of September
- Chicago from Nov. 11-17 for the SaveUp 2010 conference
- Anchorage again from Nov. 27 to Dec. 27
- Los Angeles from Dec. 31 to Jan. 5
- Phoenix from Jan. 6-13
That’s not even counting the three trips I took in January, February and March. Never before have I traveled so much in one year. It’s fun but it can also be tiring, especially when I have to get work done either in advance or while I’m in a strange place without a comfortable workstation.
None of that should be construed as a complaint, by the way. I’m fully aware of how blessed I’ve been to be able to visit aging family members (and the young ones, too). Since it’s all been frugal travel (e.g., house-sitting, frequent flier tickets, staying with relatives), it’s even been affordable.
Yesterday it finally stopped raining for a while and I took my first real walk since Jan. 5. It was about four blocks round-trip, to the local Asian market. My ankle was still a bit tender but it functioned. The weather was relatively mild — there was even a little sun! — and it felt good to walk without leaning on sticks. What a delight to be out and about instead of sitting, sitting, sitting with my foot elevated and iced.
The walk tired me out, a matter of some concern. I’m anxious to rebuild my stamina. After all, I leave Feb. 22 for three weeks in the United Kingdom.
I think that you should really rest before heading off to the U.K. I’m glad that you are functioning a bit better but don’t over do it, so says Dr. Sonya.
Glad you are feeling better. You should be in fit form for the UK! Wow. I cannot wait for that recount.
Glad to hear you’re doing better.
I’m glad that your health has improved, especially since you’ll be leaving for the UK soon and you’ll want to be able to take full advantage of your trip. And thank you for letting me know about the contest! That made my day!