I Cry Uncle

Welcome to Monday. You won't see my regular Monday post because...

1. Work is kicking my behind.
2. There is barely any reading going on.
3. I am too exhausted to think.

And my baby is coming home on Tuesday, so that we can move her stuff to her new apartment, so my focus is elsewhere. 

Before I get into my photos, what you should expect here this week is:

• A guest post from Mary Lawlor, author of Fighter Pilot's Daughter.
• An interview with Caitlin Rother about her latest book, Staged.
• A guest post from Anne Shaw Heinrich about pushing characters to their limits as she promotes her new book, House of Teeth. 

You will also find a new post at the Christmas Year Round blog for "Journey through Christmases Past." We take a peek at Christmas 2020. Wasn't that a fun one? Check it out here.

On Wednesday, I went to the doctor for what I thought was a routine allergy test. I've never been tested before. I've lived with allergies forever. Why bother? But I went to the ear, nose, and throat doctor a while back, and he noticed I was congested. So, he suggested two things: surgery on my nose and allergy testing. 

This random set of dots is from the allergy test. I was allergic to the serum they use. After sitting for 15 minutes with my arms growing red and itchy, the technician brought me back into the office and said that it looked like a failed test. She washed my arm, applied Benadryl cream, and then asked, "Do you have sensitive skin?" Because, as she told me, the test often fails in people with sensitive skin. So... I drive home wondering why asking a person if they have sensitive skin isn't done before ordering the test. It is Sunday night, and I still break out in hives occasionally. 

This is me on National Donut Day. I had to order from Dunkin' that day because Dunkin' was founded in Massachusetts. At least I got something to eat in between appointments. 

This was me Friday night, as I packed my car to drive to Weymouth to co-teach my first real estate class. I am working toward my instructor's license. 

And this is me moments ago. I have not stopped for weeks. Haven't had a day off in weeks. Today, I awoke exhausted. I will go to bed exhausted. Then I will have a full day of appointments starting at 8 am. Stick a fork in me. I am done. :)