Sari Annike Constantinos writes in her journal, to let her friends know what is going on with her.

Sun., 10 Feb. 2008, Ivalo, Finland~

Dear Journal~

Terve! Miita kuuluu? Kiitos hyvaas!

Sari Annike here. Sorry for not writing; have been sick with the flu. I had it particularly bad this year; it took a lot out of me. Feeling a lot better; still left with a nagging leftover cough, muscle aches (the fibromyalgia doesn't help), and weakness.

I thought I would go into the hospital; the flu nearly turned into pneumonia. I coughed so hard I threw up--more than once.

Nikolas and the children had the flu as well; in fact, it was my daughter (Birtta) who gave me the flu. She had it first, then Eric, then Nikolas after I had it. Nikolas was the last to get sick. He's still in bed; still feeling pretty bad.

Nikolas is such a big baby when he is sick: he looks so pitiful I can't help but feel sorry for him. He is sitting in the livingroom chair, wrapped head to toe in a thick, woolen blanket, and eating some hot soup I cooked on the stove. He's still cold; he can't seem to get warm.

Birtta is battling a constantly running nose; I have to chase her around with a Kleenex to clean it up. It looks disgusting; a runny-nosed kid is something I don't care to see before I eat something. Erik is coughing his little heart out; it sounds like he may be getting whooping cough, which would be a disaster. He's still a baby; he's so little! It would really do a number on him!

The weather does little to help our (recovering) bodies: it's cold, grey, nasty out. Frigid temps. Snow covering the ground like a thick, white cotton blanket. A stiff, northerly wind that makes it seem even colder. Bone-chilllingly cold.

I won't go out in it; I won't let Nik out in it either until he (and I) are both over the flu. No need for us to end up in the hospital with a raging case of pneumonia!

That would NOT be good!

The northern lights were spectacular this morning: blue, aqua, and white. Quite a marvellous display, if I must say so myself!

Well, it is late Sunday night; due to be Monday in only a few hours. I will sign off for now; have to get the kids to bed (up way past their bedtime), and try to wake up Nik so he can get to bed. Nik has fallen asleep from the warm soup; he's snoring like a banshee in the livingroom. I can hear him--and I'm across the hall in the kitchen!

Until later, this is Sari saying Nakemiin!

~Sari Annike. :)