The mystery illness that plagued me for around 3 months last fall is back...with a vengence. I spent most of the day yesterday in bed. I went to bed about an hour before Iohn last night.

This morning I woke to dry heaves before I could have a sip of coffee. I went from chills to sweats throughout the day yesterday. Been warm most of the morning, but now I am chilling again.

The coughing spells have left me drained and breathless. I have ate very little over the last week. The most I ate was a couple of small omelets Iohn made for me Friday. Even saltines turn my stomach this time. The thought of the crackers make me nauseous. I managed to eat a couple of jello cups last night, but had to follow it immediately with seltzer.

My weight had already fallen again to 151. With what is happening over the last week, I am probably losing more weight. At the same time, like in the fall, it's been nearly a week since I had a bowel movement.

Iohn has been holding up well under the circumstances. Of course he doesn't really know what to do...not sure anyone would.

So here I am with clusters screaming, my depression darkening, my POHS taking a toll. Then to just compound it all, this stupid mystery illness has to hit me again.

This is not a good day at all. I froze most of the night. When I got up, spent first 5 to 10 minutes in the bathroom coughing and dry heaves. Three hours later and I feel worse and not better. Feel like just going back to bed and staying there and never getting up.

Iohn is feeling good about his unemployment hearing yesterday. Apparently, the hearing got my Dad's wife, Susie, in hot water. She came in to Dollar General last night and jumped Iohn, telling him he needed to drop his quest for unemployment and his lawsuit over wrongful termination. Susie and her granddaughter, Ashley, still work a Pure Country.

We are hoping to hear something from the hearing as early as tomorrow. Iohn and his attorney expect it to be in his favor.

Think I need to stop now and get in bed. Ugh!

Technically today is George Washington's birthday, but we have merged his and Abraham Lincoln's birthday on the 12th of this month into a different holiday, Presidents Day. Instead of honoring two of what have always been consiered our greatest presidents on their birthdays, we now honor all presidents, whether good or bad.

So in keeping with the new tradition, salute to our Presidents.

Keep your toes crossed. Today at 1 p.m. is to be yet another hearing and hopefully final one on Iohn's unemployment issue. We are hopeful that he will successful in his quest for those 6 weeks he was out of work due to no fault of his own.

With help and $20, Iohn was able to get the Kia towed back to the Den yesterday. It appears the problem is with the alternator. The guy who towed the vehicle for us agreed to also swap out the alternator, change plugs and change oil for $50. We just have to buy the alternator. Can't beat that labor charge.

Right after today's unemployment hearing Iohn has to hightail it to work where he is closing tonight. He closes every night this week except Friday. He is off that day.

Julie came over for coffee this morning. Been awhile since she has visited.

With the Kia down, Mom agreed to come and take Iohn to his hearing.

Health wise...getting nowhere. Nothing is changing. Not getting better. Don't seem to be getting worse though at this point.

A chilly start greeted the day with temperatures in the upper 20s. The mercury is not expected to rise above 41 today. But the sun is shining with clouds here and there and moving in through the afternoon and evening. The temps will drop into the low 20s tonight.

The Kia is still parked at Boot City (at least we hope it hasn't been towed). A customer came into Dollar General last night and offered to tow the vehicle back to the Den. Iohn is call him today to make arrangements. The guy also offered to do the needed repairs for a song.

I slept in late today for me. I didn't rise until around 10 a.m. That is never good for me. I even went to bed before Iohn last night.

Iohn has 36 hours scheduled this week. This is great news. He goes in today at 2 and works until close. He went in at 3 yesterday until close. His only day off will be Friday.

Tomorrow is the new hearing on Iohn's unemployment claim. With the Kia broke down, we are struggling to find Iohn a way to Terre Haute for the hearing tomorrow. Hopefully either Mom or Bill will be able to take him. Iohn will have to go straight from his lawyer's office after the hearing to work.

We keep debating what to do eventually if and when Iohn's lawsuit is resolved. As I have said before rationally and logically at this point we are better off where we are. But there is also the issue of my continuing deteriorating health especially my breathing. The climate in the Southwest US of A would be much better for me. We also are concerned that there may be mold in our building or it could be the bat droppings in the attic causing problems.

I think it's going to be a very long day. The week ahead looks to be one where each minute will pass slowly, very slowy as well.

Things in general seemed to be looking a little better or at least was not slipping backwards yesterday...until...

The text message from Iohn could not have been more disheartening. The Kia had broke down along side the road on US 41 as he was coming back from Terre Haute. He had gone up to have the Kia put on the meter at AutoZone. He found out the #1 and #3 plugs were not firing. I had told him I thought there was a problem with the plugs. Now it was confirmed.

After the meter readin, he got in the car to drive back home. The car wouldn't start. He was able to get a jump and it started right up. The battery is fairly new, just replaced in November. As drove south on 41, Iohn said the radio went out. The speedometer started spinning like crazy. He lost power in the engine. The speed dropped to 35 and he couldn't get it over that low speed.

The vehicle finally just quit as he managed to steer the Kia off to the side of the road. A guy working at the fence company which was where he broke helped Iohn check everything. They tried jumping the vehicle no good. They checked the wires, cables. The Kia wouldn't go into reverse or drive. Iohn was able to put the key in the shifter, which allows the vehicle to be put in neutral when it locks.

The guy at the fence company found a chain. They managed to tow the vehicle down the road and cross over to park it in the Boot City parking lot. Managed to start the Kia, but when Iohn pressed down on the gas it died immediately.

The Kia has set at Boot City since yesterday. Not sure how we are going to get it back to the Den. Iohn is working 37 hours over the next 6 days plus has to be at his lawyer's office on Monday.

What are we to do now?

Iohn's tax check has not come in yet. That would help, but it's still in the pipeline.

So now on Saturday, we are at a quandary not knowing what to do. We need a vehicle. We need to get the Kia home. We need to either get the Kia working or get it sold. We need to then get a more reliable vehicle.

And yeah...all of this is playing havoc on me physically and mentally. Can we say a volcano in my head getting ready to erupt?