Simple Pleasures

I have been on vacation for the last week with my fabulous husband working on our house and completing tons of things on our ‘to-do’ list. From the moment I was done with work I felt like a giant weight was lifted off of my shoulders. I was moved into my new position at the end of January and since day one it has been very hectic and stressful. I have let it follow me home and take a big toll on me physically. I needed this time away to center myself and recharge my batteries. And over the last week I have learned that I have been missing out on some very simple pleasures that I have let fall into a ditch since starting this job.

The big project for us was painting the house. There were three rooms that I had previously painted that I was not happy with at all so we had to do some color corrections. The last time I painted it was hell because I was doing most of it alone (even though I did have some help from Sophia). This time I was stunned at how easily the painting went with both George and I splitting the work. It was also a really nice just spending that time together talking and laughing and getting back in touch with each other. Since I started this job I have felt a little disconnected from him and quite a few of my friends because I have let it take me over.

We also went a little nuts cleaning the entire house and completing little projects that we have been putting off as low priority for a while. We cleaned out the fridges and freezers, all the closets, shampooed the carpets in every room, hung up different curtain rods down stairs as the old ones did not fit right, cleaned off the top of the fridge in the garage, organized my painting supplies, when through mountains of mail, had our rings cleaned and serviced, went through my library of books and got rid of over half of them, went through my shoes cloths and purses and got rid of a bunch as well, organized and hung up pictures, cleaned out our linen totes, gave the boys baths, cleaned out their kennels, cut their nails, and we did tons of yard work. I am tired from just reading that list.

We did take some time away from the house and went shopping and to the movies. We have not been to the movies in months and it was really nice to have a date night. We saw Thor which was fantastic and I highly recommend it. I also went and got a pedicure, went shopping with my mom, went to dinner with my parents, and hung out with Marcus and Nikki next door.

In this week off I rediscovered the simple pleasures of my life. In addition to everything else I got to read books, paint a few pictures, catch up with friends on the phone, and walk the boys. I got to spend time with my husband talking about everything from our opinions on politics, our hopes for our future children, and how to make sure we stay connected even after the vacation is over. Over the last few months I have had headaches that have been almost debilitating. Every few days without fail I would wake up with a headache that went from the back of my neck all the way to the back of my eyes. Some days I could not even make it through the work day because of it. Since I have been on vacation I have not had one headache.

So as I return to work I have a clear vision of how I need to handle it going forward. I am going to calm down, realize that certain things are just out of my control, and above all I have to leave work at work. I cannot continue feeling like I have been hit by a truck being driven by me. I have created this and I am going to make sure I do not go back to feeling that way. It is not healthy for me or my relationships. My husband has been patient with me throughout the last several months and has been nothing but supportive. And enough is enough for us. From here on out I am getting back to the work/life balance that I used to have down to a science but have recently forgotten. As I go back to work I just have to keep reminding myself…life is grand.