My kid, my husband, my mother-in-law and my best friends' entire family all have been bitten with a 24-hour bug that is spreading through New Jersey like ketchup on a Taylor ham egg and cheese. I'm hoping I can avoid getting it, but I've been told, "Fuggetaboutit -- it's a guarantee." I'm hoping that's just some classic Jersey hyperbole.

Momlogic's Annie: It all began a few days before Christmas when my friend told me her daughter was on the tail end of a 24-hour stomach virus. "Can she come over for a playdate?" My kid was bored, we figured the bug was over anyway and away they played. On Christmas day my friend sat down at her mother-in-laws for her manicotti first course (they pronounce it "manigot!"). She took one bite and had to cover her mouth so she could make it to the bathroom in time. Her husband felt sorry for her, but enjoyed his delicious meal -- thankful that he had beaten it. But, the next day, he was hit and hit hard. His came out of both ends.

About three days later, we took our daughter to a diner and as she was fussing around and the waitress was ignoring us, all of a sudden she vomited all over the booth.

Naively assuming this had run its course about 24 hours later, our whole family went out to a delicious Spanish restaurant in Newark's Ironbound neighborhood where you can order appetizers like anchovies in pickle sauce. When my husband didn't order anything, I was suspicious. I should be a detective because when we finally got home he ran straight for that toilet.

My mother-in-law now has it. She had to call in to work. My husband and my baby are sleeping in a smelly room upstairs. I sit here and wonder, "Am I one of the lucky few?" Only time and a few caprese sandwiches will tell.

Obviously, our plans to ring in 2009 have changed. We'll stay in, watch some bad TV and some of us will puke. There is one thing I can guarantee when the clock strikes midnight, we'll all proudly (and this year appropriately) exclaim, "Happy F'in New Year!"