I am alive, I think...

Whooping Cough: Yes, dear reader(s), I have officially been diagnosed with whooping cough. I am apparently the only adult anyone knows who has been inflicted with this disease. I guess that immunization shot that I got as a toddler has finally worn off. Supposedly, whooping cough is on the rise in adults. That's not well known outside of the medical community though, so when I tell people what I have, they look at me like I just told them I have leprosy or something, and then they back away slowly. At least I don't have people invading my circle of personal space anymore.

Kidding aside, it does suck. Whenever I'm not experiencing deep dry coughs, I'm either taking the crap-load of meds I've been prescribed or I'm high from those meds. Whoever invented cough syrup with hydrocodone should be sainted, because that part does not suck. I'm on another round of steroids for probably the next month or so, and I'm trying out a new inhaler. From what I've read, this could last weeks or months. Good lord above. I better not gain any weight from these steroids, or start growing facial hair and getting a deep voice. And, while many illnesses cause one to lose their appetite, and lose some weight, this one doesn't. Darn the luck.

However, whooping cough will not stop me from running San Antonio next month. No way. I honestly feel just fine everywhere else except my chest and my throat which is sore from coughing. In other words, it sounds a whole lot worse than it feels. It frustrating as hell though. Someone did point out to me that at least its not called hookem cough. Ha ha. Get it??

Good news is that I'm well beyond the contagious stage. Bad news is that I've still been advised to not visit my new neice or nephews, who just turned 2 on Wednesday, October 15th. HAPPY 2nd BIRTHDAY HAYDEN AND KOEN!!!! I'm greatly disappointed to miss their party tomorrow, but I hope they know that their Auntie Kiki loves them very, very much and that I'll make it up to them.

And speaking of my neice and nephews, here are a couple of adorable pics:


And speaking of adorable, my Goddaughter Emily had her first middle school dance, and here is a picture of her and her friends. She is the one on the left. I am in awe of what a wonderful and beautiful young lady she has become! I remember so vividly holding her in my arms when she was like 4 days old. They really do grow up so fast.


Running update: Well, not much of that has been going on. I did not run with my training group last weekend, but I got in a 45 minute run on Monday, and a 50 minute run on Tuesday. They were a struggle for reasons mentioned above. I have never huffed and puffed so hard after a short easy run. Just such a hard time catching my breath and taking deep breaths. The 'roids should help with this. We'll see. I've also thrown in a few workouts on the elliptical, just to try to stay in some sort of shape. Like I said, this is not an illness that takes away your appetite.

Aggie football: I'm just patiently waiting for the end of the season. Unfortunately, its going to be a torturous road there. Its almost laughable now. I don't even want to think about what Tech might do to us tomorrow. So scared. I want my mommy!

Property tax appeal: So, on Wednesday, I had my formal hearing for my property tax protest. If you are ever looking for a great spot to people watch, the HCAD office is the place for you! I enjoyed my 2 hours in the waiting room, just watching people, and watching them try to nonchalantly get away from me when I started coughing. When I was finally called for my hearing, I was taken to a room where the 3-person review board and an appraiser were waiting. All were older gentlemen. Score! I thought I would easily charm my way through this! Well, not so much. They were pretty tough, but I did manage to get my property valued at a little less than what I paid for it in March, and overall knocked off about $27k from HCAD's first value, which I promptly protested, then turned down their second offer, hence ending up in the hearing. All in all, I'm glad I protested, but the amount of time, work and research I put into determining what I thought my property was worth was pretty unnecessary. Those guys already have their minds made up before you even get into the room.