Short, grumpy update

Head has been lined with some itchy, dripping, glutinous substance while I was asleep. Part of it comes out of my nose, but most of it stays inside my head, causing unpleasant sensations.
Nose it red.
So is throat.
Eyes are bloodshot.
And I'm at my office.
Because I don't have fever and thus don't feel staying home is justified.
I'm afraid my brain has been replaced by said glutinous substance.

Not all is bad, though. I had lunch with Klaus and will have dinner with brother.
Can't visit my mum at the hospital, though, for fear of transmitting the headcold. Imagine having to sneeze every two minutes when you've just had spine surgery. Definitely (even defiantly, which is a new fanfic pet peeve of mine, but does fit here) not good. Maybe I'll go tomorrow and ask the nurses for a protective mask thingy like the ones doctors use. Will be feeling very ER-ish.

NaNo word count at 39000+. I'm feeling stupidly elated (stupidly because I already knew I could write 50k words in 30 days). Anyway, when feeling lousy, I won't be picky when it comes to elation. Everything will do.

Still Anti-Subject-Line week (plus, I'm tipsy)

Mum's operation went well. I called her while she was still in the wake-up unit (or however it is called, but I'm sure you understand). She was totally stoned with painillers and the remnants of anaesthesia, but able to move her toes, which seemed to have a very calming effect on her.

Mum: But... I'm so terribly afraid...
Me: Why, mum? What are you afraid of?
Mum: I think I've suffered permanent brain damage, I'm feeling so stupid!
Me: Well, I think that's just the anaeasthesia and painkillers. Don't worry. I'll come to see you tomorrow, and we'll make a test.
Mum: OK.---- I'm very tired.
Me: That's good. So you just go to sleep, and don't worry. I love you, mum. Sleep well.
Mum: Did you just say 'I love you'?
Me: Yes... well... They only say that in movies but I thought it was appropriate right now.
Mum: 's not unpleasant, not at all.

She was very sweet. Heavy-tongued and slurry, but very sweet.
I'm so glad everything went well. Thanks to all of you who kept their fingers crossed and offered thoughts and prayers. You're great! And your comments were very important to me.

Seeing as how mother was (relatively) well, dinner with brother was wonderful, if maybe a bit too alcohol-soaked. We always end up like that. Terrible, terrible siblings, worse than ze boyz.

Speaking of ze boyz: while I was in Lisbon, Janine sent me this cryptic SMS: "Lucy and Conny are proud owners of a pink feather boa"
Upon my return, I learned the whole terrible truth ;)
Janine has bought new toyz for da boyz. One of them being a thin, black plastic rod with--yes, there's no other word--a pink feather boa glued to its end. Incredible toy. Ze boyz love it. I love it, too, but what takes me to unheard-of heights of ecstasy is the sight of the boa wrapped round Lucius's tail. He looks like Ivana Trump's poodle. Mwahahaha....