Laurel and Charlie have the flu or something like it. Charlie was tired Sunday but agreed to go out sightseeing anyway. When we returned to the apartment, he napped on the sofa. I noticed his neck was throbbing – a pulsating jugular vein – and it really scared me. I called Barb for nursing advice and she suggested I take him to an urgent care. The urgent care places in this area close at 4:00 on Sundays, and it was nearly that time; but I found a doctor who makes house calls! He came to the house/basement and said he didn’t think the pulsing was anything to worry about, but took Charlie’s temperature which was 103.5. He thought Charlie might have bronchitis (Charlie’s had a cough for a few weeks, but I attributed it to autistic nervous habit because he used to cough all the time – liked the feeling in his throat.) and gave me a Rx for antibiotics to be filled within two days if Charlie didn’t improve. I walked to Walgreens Monday morning and stocked up. I bought an over-the-forehead thermometer which we’re having great fun using. Charlie’s doing much better (so I never gave him the antibiotics), but Laurel had a temp of 105.4 this evening. So I called Barb again who said to put ice packs on her, give her Ibuprofen (which I had), and have her drink lots of water. Just getting her out from the blanket and drinking water dropped her temp dramatically. Within 20 minutes it was 102.4 and a half hour after that was 100.8. So…I don’t know how accurate that Braun thermometer is although it had good reviews. Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play? We’re lovin’ the inside of this tiny, cramped, basement apartment! I did actually get out today a couple times including buying Clipper cards at the Ferry Building that will allow us to ride the bus and ferry when we get well.
Laurel and I joked today about all the fun things Charlie and I would do without her on Christmas.
“You’ll go to Ghiradelli Square and eat chocolate. You’ll eat mussels at Fisherman’s Wharf,” she said.
“We’ll go hang gliding,” I added.
“You’ll get home and show me the pictures on your iPhone of all the fun things you did,” Laurel said.
“Then I’ll tell you that I did all the sightseeing I care to do in San Francisco, so it’s a good thing we have a Netflix subscription,” I said.
Merry Christmas, Everyone.

We hiked the Twin Peaks Saturday afternoon. The Golden Gate bridge is in the distance.

On top of one of the Twin Peaks with the bridge in the distance.

Awww. It’s a one-cup saucepan.

My pitiful Pooboo

Lookin’ spunky and feeling better

Let’s ignore the writing in blue chalk…I saw this on the sidewalk on the walk home from the train station today.

Partaking of his chocolate Santa

Looking sprightly despite her illness