2012 has been kind of a hard year for me.

I know, I know. All 17 days of it.

I’ve had a stubborn head cold since approximately … New Year’s Eve. It came on rather suddenly after putting away the Christmas decorations and cleaning the garage.

Coincidence? Well, maybe. But I’m starting to think I have a genuine allergy to dust (which the garage seems to collect effortlessly and exponentially).

It’s not the first time it’s happened.

Most notably, on the eve of my wedding, when I was packing up the remnants of my single life … in the garage. Long story short, my left eye swelled shut and I spent the rest of the evening alternating between icing it and begging God to heal me by morning.

Anyway, 12 years later, I think I’m beginning to see a pattern. Can anyone say slow learner?

So, I’ve been fighting this sickness/allergy/mutant disease for over 2 weeks now. Not fun. But there has been at least two good things that have come from this – silver linings, if you will.

First, I’m probably allergic to dust.

Um, hello. Is this actually a bad thing?

“I really wish I could help you clean the garage, Honey. But my allergies, you know.”

“Yes, girls, I know you’re too short to reach the top shelves when you’re cleaning, but you’ll just have to try harder. You know I’m allergic to dusting.”

“Sorry, Son, you’ll have to sweep the patio and the driveway all by yourself since Mom can’t. Allergies.”

I’ll do my best to bear the deprivation. To soldier on somehow. Some way.

And the second good thing that comes from being sick for 17 days?

I’ve been able to work on something fun and creative that I could never find time for before.

The Sketchbook Project has been a good challenge for me, as I love to journal but can hardly ever talk myself into it when there are always a million other more important things to check off the list(s). This has helped me view it as a “legitimate” project. When I signed up, they gave me 40 themes to choose from, one of which was Hope. Can you guess which one I picked?

Not saying I’ve finished or anything (even though the deadline is the end of this month), but I’ve gotten a few pages done, while thoroughly enjoying myself in the process – which is worth a lot.

Especially when you’re allergic to dust.

Here’s some sneak peeks – in case I don’t finish and you’re the only ones to ever see it …

…

Oh, and if you were wondering how the wedding story ended?

Yes, the Lord had mercy on me and my eye was only slightly swollen on the biggest day of my life. Hardly even noticeable in the pictures. Unless someone tells you …