VACA is Over
January 4, 2010Yawn. The alarm goes off for the first time in months. Ive gotten so used to sleeping i these last two weeks while my kids have been off this is no fun. Between this, the menopause, the mid-life poor sleep, the snoring husband, the son home from college making a ruckus till all hours and the damned dog in my bed, I feel fatigued before I've even begun the day.
There is nothing like breaking out of a routine. Every body needs that. And every BODY needs that. But that lucious unstructured time at night watching movies with the kids or long luxurious meals with no one scooting away to do homework. I miss it already. I am mourning it this morning.
For two weeks I slept and ate. I didnt worry about exercise or being somewhere exaclty at a particular time-- most days anyway. It was glorious. This is what it must feel like to be Paris Hilton's monther. I hear donce that she sleeps till 11:00 am every morning. Someone had asked if she could help with a school carnival and when she found out the early time required, she had to decline.
Maybe that's one of those urban legends but it still cracks me up.
On the other hand I'd hate that. As much as I'd love just a few more hours of sleep, i love my routine in the end. I love being the first one up, the dark house, the early morning routine. I love pressing the button on the coffee-maker and pouring that first, milky cup.
Vacations are vacations because they are a break from the routine. They come just in time to rescue us from ourselves and to remind us why they are so special.
So forgive yourself this week and you ease back into the routine after new years. And break a few resolutions-- just because you can!
Reader Comments (17)
As I log, I am the only human in the house. My 2 dogs, and my daughter's dog are snoozing. I have cleaned the pantry and a closet, and feel like I have reclaimed my house just a bit from the merriment/chaos of the holiday. Your words are SO true. I agree that we need both the routine, and lack of it at times, to stay balanced and happy. Thanks for putting into words how I have been feeling today. And I am glad to read that your holidays sound as if they were full of family time!
Deb
Heard that! Thanks for writing what I was thinking too. I hadn't heard that about Mrs. Hilton, can't say I'm shocked...
Also thanks for accepting me as a facebook friend! :)
Lee, we met in Vermont with the Governor when you were in Burlington. You said that our community organization was exactly the type that your foundation likes to support. How do we reconnect, please. Going through your speakers bureau does not work. Sorry to use this means, but I have not been successful otherwise.
Lee, I hear you. My 2 college students don't go back till after the l8ith. I'm sick of them coming home at all different times, and having the rest of the kids back in school getting up early. I love my regular routine--getting up before everyone else, drinking coffee by myself, it;s great. I feel an uneasy feeling everytime the kids are home from school-it breaks the regular routine. The next big time off from college now is the summer and the place is turned upside down again. Hope you had a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. This holiday season was bad for us, my husband's father died suddenly at Christmas. Times now are very busy with details and a mourning period. So maybe the house being turned upside down isn's so bad after all in the sceme of things.
Lee--you did it again--you captured it. On top of the holiday merriment, we had a wedding. Our 22 yr old son got married on Saturday. On top of my regular nostalgia, I had the bittersweet wonder of watching my son promise to love his sweetheart forever and ever. What a gift! As the newlyweds freeze down in Disneyworld this week (can you believe this weather!) I am gazing at his belongings scattered about...knowing that in 5 short days he will live at another address! I am so happy for them..truly..but wow, as a mom it is happy AND sad! My oldest son and HIS new bride (he was just married in June) were in from Cali for the wedding--but are already back in San Francisco, and school. My arms ache for them! That never completely goes away even when you are overjoyed for them! My daughter-in-law kept sending me texts as they traveled back--texts of love and thanks. And all I can say is I WILL take THIS pain of longing for them--it is painful and glorious!
My sweet college girl heads back Sunday and the county college boy starts classes next week. And with all that in mind, I am in total agreement with you regarding the first cup of coffee...the quiet..the memories. Not to mention, using the Wii Fit without a running commentary!!! We are blessed, aren't we?
p.s. I am now a firm believer in those bright pink foam ear plugs! I use them every night, to drown out my snoring hubby--but guess what! They also work when you have 6 or 7 screeching college kids playing Super Mario Brothers long into the night~! I highly recommend them! And again, there is still the 2 weeks theory. It takes 2 weeks to get back into the groove 100%. 2 weeks with no apologies!
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Hi Lee.. I couldnt find a better way to contact you, so im trying this! You might not remember me.. but several years ago I wrote you a letter after reading In an Instant, and you called me at work and left a message :)
I work at a TV station in Louisville Kentucky... and LOVED your book! (yes im STILL in tv :) Anyway, I have been trying to get involved with remind.org, and have emailed the organization several times, but have not heard back. Im trying to find out a. what remind.org is already doing in kentucky? and b. is there a way i can volunteer and help it grow. If nothing else, I want to get my boys involved in the dog tags! I'm hoping you can pass my email to the right person.
Thanks and I hope you have a great day! Love reading your blog :)
Andrea
Aren't those simple pleasures, like being the first up to revel in the dark house and the first cup of coffee, the best! Breaking away from them (or is it taking a vacation from them?) really brings clarity to what's special. Thanks for the great reminder of how special simple things are.
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