The main problem with being sick on New Year’s Day is that people don’t believe you.  They just assume you are “New Year’s Eve Sick”. 

I was sick, and it was not New Year’s Eve style sick but a real fever, not getting out of bed sick.  I lost just over two pounds.  Today I am recovering and very glad school does not start until tomorrow.

As I lay there alternating between sweating and shivering, Cody came in to assess the situation.  Once he knew I was sick he promptly left, quickly returning with his beloved Kissy Shrimp. 

My long time readers will remember this fellow – Cody’s purple and white stuffed animal shrimp that he received when he turned one year old and got his own under the sea decorated bedroom. 

(You may be visualizing a Pinterest variety under the sea child’s bedroom.  Feel free.  That is not what Cody got at all.  He got a bedroom where the top 2/3 of the walls were painted light blue and the bottom 1/3 was light brown.  I then attached some sea creature stickers and large colorful stuffed sea stars to the walls and called it good.  Oh, and I bought him a purple stuffed shrimp as an afterthought from our local Goodwill.)

Cody carefully positioned Kissy Shrimp on my chest and then snuggled next to me, both of us looking down at the shrimp.  Several minutes passed without Cody saying a word.  This is rare as he loves to talk.

cody: Momma?  Do you think it’s creepy the way he stares?

me:  In the pause before I answered I was wondering if the truth would hurt Cody’s feelings.  I decided on the truth.  The shrimp’s stare was creepy as hell.  Yes, Cody.  I do think his stare is a bit creepy.  Do you think so too?

cody: Yes.  It sometimes creeps me out.

Here he pauses and then looks sideways at me, a strange expression on his face.  When he spoke it was in a whisper.  Once I had a staring contest with him.

me: Waiting for him to continue.  He didn’t.  And who won?

cody: He did. He smiles and pats Kissy Shrimp on the head.