Sleepless in...yeah.

I soooooo do not do well without sleep. I was never one of those people who could pull off all-nighters, even as a teenager.  And it's 5:17 am and I'm still up. No, it isn't because of cake. Tonight as I was getting ready for bed, the THIRD heavy cold hit me. This isn't as bad as the last one--the sneezes are so explosive--but my nose is utterly plugged (and runny at the same time). I've tried sleeping on the couch, but even sitting upright isn't enough. It should be the perfect time to write, right? But leaning over the keyboard without dripping is hard. Everyone gets up in an hour. I have to bring everyone to school/work, go to the library today, and pick up DH later tonight. I really hope I can stay awake and alert. ARGH!!!

sick book recommendations

(That's books for when YOU are sick, not when the book is.) It's a lovely, sunny day and I'd love to be taking a walk right now. Unfortunately, chains saws reign, and the sidewalks still have branches on them. I don't think I could maneuver the double stroller over the steep curb to go around the fallen trees--with two kids in it, on a 45 degree incline--to pick up the other kids. Plus, the snot issue is just a little overwhelming right now. And I've been awake for um...how many hours? Yes, uphill coming and going, in the snow. I suffer, you see.

Anyhow, my attempts to write have turned into something I'm scared to look at once I've slept, and sleep isn't an option when you're the Only Responsible Adult, so I kicked back and read Ruth McNally Barshaw's new Ellie McDoodle book, New Kid in Town. Yay! It was the perfect book to read when sick. I love her sketchbooky illustrations and chaotic family atmosphere. My 8-year-old doesn't care that the MC is a girl--he really likes these books and the cartooning and the jokes and the exploring. Ellie is sort of a female version of him (except, without some of his more unique quirks). Ruth is extremely cool, too; I met her at SCBWI things when we lived in Michigan. Check out her sketch book on line--it's really fun to "read"!

What books do you like when you're sick?