Smorgasblog Bits

Tonight is a smorgasblog, since I'm not feeling coherent or motivated enough for a thematically unified entry.

First off, let me say I am now officially on antibiotics for a sinus infection. I gave up on waiting and/or "toughing it out" and called the doctor this morning because the pressure in my head was just not going away, and the snot just kept on a' comin. In a true modern medicine moment, my doctor's office (not the doctor himself, of course, he was busy all day) called me back and said "oh yeah, we've been seeing tons of people with sinus infections lately, it's really going around. What pharmacy would you like us to call in your antibiotic to?" I admit to being a little squirrely about the whole self-diagnosis thing (I mean, I'm glad that they don't have to actually see me, but what if I'm wrong? *I'm* not a doctor...) but I sure am glad to have a magic bullet in this particular case. I am looking forward to being far less snotty tomorrow, and hopefully I'll even be able to breathe during labor. Wouldn't that be nice.

Speaking of labor...everyone I run into now asks me when my due date is, and seems shocked (utterly shocked, I tell you!) when I say my due date is Monday. I can't help but think that they're surprised that a pregnant woman can still be, oh, I don't know, walking and talking like a normal person when she's this close to giving birth. I want to point them to all those horrific (well, horrific to me) examples of women in so-called primitive societies who work out in the fields or whatever until they go into labor, then go squat in a corner somewhere, pop the kid out, gnaw through the umbilical cord, wrap it up in a sling, and then go right back to work. I mean, I'm doing nothing more strenuous than maybe sitting in front of a computer or driving a car, or walking from car to store and back. Why is that such a surprise? Should I be home on bedrest, moaning and groaning, or constantly swooning like a Victorian lady, hand to brow? (Admittedly the idea has its temptations, but that's not my point here.)

Also in the preggo related vein, I went to prenatal yoga today for the first time in a couple weeks, and despite the everpresent snot issues, I had a good experience. I felt invigorated and strong and actually enjoyed the class overall. They also did a very sweet "closing ceremony" for me, since this was most likely the last time I was going to be in the class before the baby comes. Because I'm some sort of weird combination of sassy cynic and mooshy Marinite, I found the ceremony both slightly goofy and honestly touching. I had to think of a "focus word" to share with everyone (I picked the simple yet sufficiently ambiguous word "yes") and then everyone stood in a circle holding hands (and "gathering energy") with me in the middle, and they all repeated my word to me while directing that energy back to me. Then I went around the circle and did "belly kisses" (i.e. bumping bellies) with each woman while she looked into my eyes and said "yes". It made me laugh but it was also pretty cool. Then everyone did some "ommmm"s (since this is, after all, a yoga class) together, again with me in the middle. I felt a little put on the spot and slightly embarrassed during the whole thing, but on the other hand I really did appreciate the support and well wishes.

I didn't get any painting done today, but I did sleep decently last night and took a nice long nap this afternoon before yoga. Amazing what a difference amount of sleep makes in my attitude and energy level. (I know, not a surprise.) I also talked to my coworkers about a few leftover issues, ran a couple quick errands, IMed a lot with my friends, read stuff on the computer, and generally lounged around in a clean quiet house. So it was a pretty good day. Tomorrow: definitely the painting. Especially if I can get off the computer now and go to bed on time so I can actually have energy tomorrow.