I’m afraid there may be a stomach bug in our midst. At least it’s not a flesh eating bacteria. I’m a glass-half-full kind of person.

On Saturday morning, Steve and I went foraging for food in the kitchen and quickly came to the realization that our cupboards were bare and we had to make a dreaded weekend grocery shopping trip. Steve informed me that in the three years he’d lived alone in the apartment, he’d never had to make more than one trip carrying groceries in from the car. I’ve ruined his streak with the increase in the number of groceries without a significant contribution of the brute strength variety, but he assures me it’s all worth it.

We had lunch and then I ignored the guilties about neglecting my book for a good part of the afternoon while we cuddled on the couch and watched Bravo’s “100 Scariest Movie Moments.” It was a good day.

I finally sat down to work at about 3 p.m. and cranked out about 3,000 words. I was still woefully behind in my word count, but it was Saturday night, and this meant that we needed to go eat chili at Hard Times Café in Arlington with Todd and Heather. I got the Frito Chili Pie, which should be called Crunchy Salty Goodness That Will Make You Fat. Heather’s stomach was feeling all achy breaky, and so she forewent the bacon and cheese on her fries and had them plain.

She thought that maybe it was something she’d eaten earlier that day. I suggested perhaps the eggs she had for breakfast? Apparently Todd makes delicious eggs (Steve says, “They’re just eggs!”) and so Todd was very indignant at the implication that his specialty could have been at cause.

After the chili and French fry fest – the staff was incredulous that our table of four ordered three heaping bowls of fries; I guess we’re just gluttonous that way –  Mister Days was calling so that Todd, Heather and Steve could take in the sports bonanza on 100 TV sets, while I gaped around the room at the women dressed like Disney-Land hookers in their Halloween garb. [Note to the woman dressed as "sexy Hermione" of the Harry Potter series: need I remind you that character is not "barely legal." You dressed up like a slutty child. I hear "To Catch a Predator" is hiring. A gig like that could help you land the pedophile of your dreams.]

Once the Red Sox were secure in their lead over the Rockies, Heather called it a night. She was feeling like poo. Since I had paced myself poorly in the drinking department, I was happy to head out myself.

Sunday morning, Steve made us whole wheat pancakes for breakfast. He formed beautiful little embellishments: one pancake in the shape of a ‘K’ and another like an ‘S’. After our delightful pancake feast, Steve settled in to watch some football while I finally sat down to write in earnest. I wrote 10,000 words over the course of the weekend. It was quite a challenge and my fingers were tired from typing and I certainly got slower as the evening wore on, but I’m proud that I’m closing the gap on my shortfall and I no longer feel panicked about missing my deadlines, as long as I remain steadfast in my mission.

This morning I got out of bed and headed for the shower. Steve put the covers over his head and burrowed further into our nest. When I was finally ready for work and Steve was still hunkered down, I gave him a little peck and asked him if he was okay. The answer was an undeniable “No.” Steve is afflicted with the tummy scourge.

Advice? Remedies? I need to nurse my honey back to health. Also, Halloween commentary welcome. In fact, commentary of any kind is encouraged.