another day off...

I woke up this morning with zero voice again. (FYI: yesterday, my voice did start coming back...sort of. Technically it wasn't my voice per se, but a voice; something you could hear, and something louder than a whisper.) So I went to a church activity and talked a bit (but mostly listened) and came home and...slept badly.

As it turns out, besides the tickle in my throat and the lack of voice, I also have this awful dry cough that gets worse as the day progresses, and it's downright awful when I lie down. So, yes, I slept badly.

And, like I said, I woke up without a voice. For the second day in a row.

I did my "research" (googled laryngitis), because I was pretty dang sure that's what I've got. Wikipedia validated my suspicion, and I texted my mama to see if going to the doctor would be a smart move (because, really, what can a doctor do for an inflamed larynx? I'm smart enough to know that vocal rest is the best medicine). Further "research" made me wonder...is this laryngitis bacterial? Fungal (ew!)? I knew it wasn't from overuse of vocal abuse (I've had no reason to yell and scream and shout lately). Mom told me to call the nurse and ask her if it was worth coming in...and then I let Mama know that my voice was, in fact, less than a whisper. So I just bucked up and went to the redicare. (I was mortified that somehow I'd developed this fungal infection, and that maybe I'd be voiceless for a super long time and turn into a mushroom? I get paranoid and panicky when I'm forced into it.)

The redicare doc said what I knew in my heart (and not in my crazy imagination): I had bacterial laryngitis that I likely picked up from a small child (maybe one of my clients?), and that vocal rest and hot beverages were the way to go. Also, it should last only three days, and if it goes beyond that I ought to run myself to the pharmacy and fill a prescription she'd written out.

"Three days," she said. Today is the second day. But I'm super hopeful that, with all this vocal rest and relaxation, maybe my voice will come back enough that I'll be able to work tomorrow? Because I kind of like work. (And I really like to have money, which comes from working, you see.)

So what did I do with another day off?

Well, I went to work to ask them (kindly) to cancel my appointments.
I went to Target to purchase the new Muppet movie.
I bought a salted caramel hot chocolate at Starbucks.
I watched The Muppets.
I've played Draw Something on my iPod touch.
I've taken a nap.
I've watched an episode or two of Numb3rs.
I've done some laundry (it was time for me to do my whites!).
I painted my toenails a sparkly red color (fun!).
I went to Porters to buy a new wreath for my office door at work.
I cooked some dinner (and ate it).
I blogged. (Well, I am blogging. Currently.)

This movie makes me laugh like a child...

 I mentioned up there that I've been playing Draw Something. This is a totally wonderful app that is way more fun than I'd have ever expected. (Think along the lines of Pictionary, but cooler.)

My problem is that I'm not a wonderful artist.

And my other problem is that I've drawn the wrong pictures. Three times. Within, like, 24 hours. With three different friends. (You get to choose between easy, intermediate, and hard for different points.) It's totally embarrassing, I'll have you know. You'd think I'd have learned after my first screw up, but no. Not this ginabean. (Can I blame it on the laryngitis?)

Anyway, here are a few of the pictures I've drawn:

Not TOO horrible...

I drew a picture before this one of a woman who was clearly EXTREMELY pregnant

I think the stripes helped. Otherwise, it could have been any number of four-legged animals

This is the one that's completely embarrassing.
I've also drawn the wrong thing for Brooker, although I can't remember
exactly what I was supposed to have drawn (I remember drawing meatballs, though)

Fortunately (for me), my friends are better artists than I am...

Here's to hoping for a healthy voice tomorrow!!!