That cold I had last week that I thought was a one-day thing? It came back with a vengeance on Monday. While getting a cold from being in the cold isn’t really supposed to happen, I can’t help but think ice skating on the harbourfront in minus degrees played a part in my current lack of good health.

Monday and Tuesday were both spent wallowing in sickness, my energy levels low and a general unwillingness to do anything. Glen, who is still a bit sick but not as bad as me, has been a good nurse-maid, making omelettes in the morning for our breakfast before he heads off to on-call. He’s also been out of the house more than I have, to get groceries or to go to work. It’s been —20°C today, now it’s –14°C, and is very, very cold. I haven’t been outside to sample it.

I haven’t been to the gym since Thursday, which stresses me out. I wrote a bit on Tuesday, finishing off a new book that I’d first started eleven months ago. I feel good knowing the bare bones of it are done but the fleshing out, the rewrites and revisions, are going to be extensive. I haven’t written anything today, except this.

On Monday I optimistically booked myself to go skiing at Blue Mountain with the ski club (never mind that it was going to be –16°C at least and I was feeling rotten). I’m usually over these cold things within a few days so thought I’d be well enough to go. Tuesday night I still wasn’t right but said I’d see how I was at 6am this morning and make a decision then.

This morning the alarm went off, I turned it off, sat up for a minute and decided I’d stay in bed. I’d had a restless night’s sleep, my nose was blocked (and bloody because it’s so dry in the apartment) and I was feeling rotten. I forfeited $25 for the bus ride but better that than having a sick day on the mountain and coming back worse.

When I did get out of bed, it was to find that my voice had all but gone. Talking to Glen it would cut in and out like we were listening to a pair of dodgy speakers. I’m glad I didn’t risk the skiing. Now I have to get better so we can go on Saturday instead (and to a party in the evening). It’s going to be a long day but hopefully a fun one.

It hasn’t been all misery here though. I’ve managed to get some work done for people, luckily it’s mostly procedural stuff that doesn’t require my brain or creativity. And I’ve also booked things for our nine-days on the west coast in April.

I’m going to be there a few days longer though as I’m going to take the cross-country train from Toronto to Vancouver, which takes nearly four days. A friend back home took the trip, but in the reverse direction, in winter. She said she thought she’d use the time to catch up on some work but instead spent most of it with her face glued to the window, looking at the scenery.

The fares are on sale at the moment, which is a relief as it can be pricey. However, when you consider the price includes travel, accommodation (getting a sleeper, no way am I sitting up for four days straight) and meals, it’s not so bad.

Glen’s going to meet me in Vancouver where we’ll spend a couple of days, go up to Whistler for a night, then fly to Calgary before driving to Lake Louise and Banff, spending a few days there. We finish with a day and a half in Calgary. It’s going to be a whirlwind trip.

Not everything’s booked yet (and I’m close to maxing out the credit card again) but there’s nothing like planning (and booking) holidays to make you feel better.

This morning Glen asked what we were doing for the long weekend in February, which falls the day after Valentine’s Day. I said nothing but skiing around Toronto. He doesn’t think that was good enough, never mind the fact that we’re away the two previous weekends as well. Might look into a ski weekend in Quebec City to put him at ease. If it would make him happy, then I suppose I can force myself to go away again.

Glen’s just about ready to go to work for the evening (one only more night of on-call after this to go) and our neighbour, Pete, is making me chicken soup. How sweet is that!