The alarm went off this morning and the first thing I thought was damn. I rolled over and decided to blank it all out and go back to sleep. But the pissed off feeling grew and I knew there was no getting out of today so I got up.
Thankfully my lovely husband had already made coffee so I poured myself what is normally my cup of happiness and sat down to watch the stupid morning news. What is wrong with me? Its my day off, I can do anything I want but all I want to do is punch holes in the walls. I'm angry, more than that, I'm seriously pissed off. Why, you ask? I don't know. I don't fucking know. Maybe it's because I'm having my period which seems to usually be where the bad feelings stem from. Who really cares at this point.
The morning news anchors began to recount the drama of the evening before with frigid uncaring faces. I found myself wanting to kick them in the stomaches so I turned off the tv and headed for the computer where I can at least pick and choose the news I catch up on in silence. But not this morning. In a world where new technology is obsolete only a few months after purchase, our computer would be considered to be a relic from the ice age. For one, it has no wireless capabilities so we have installed a small satelite device that picks up on the signals around us. This works about 60% of the time, and this morning was the other 40%. You catching my drift? No internet. Fine, screw the news anyway. I resorted to sitting in fuming silence while I nursed my now luke-warm cup of joe.
Maybe I needed a god damn long walk up the mountain by my house. To stay warm in the 19 degree morning heat wave, I put on layers and took to the hills. Apparently this was not going to go well for me either. Black ice patches kept me sliding around and 3 times almost landing on my ass. Can we just start this day over please? What the fuck is up with the star alignment today? Is the moon stuck in a phase? Was the planet rotation temporarily side tracked? After I was sure the dogs had gotten enough fresh air, I headed home determined to somehow find an outlet for my frustration other than beating the frozen ground with my fists.
I locked the dogs up and turned on a work out program on the tv. As I started to sweat, I started to get even more pissed. The more the workout lady said 'keep it up, you can do it', the more I started to swear at her. With each weight lifted, an expletive aimed at the universe flew from my lips. Over and over and over until I was swearing in time with the exercises. After 45 minutes of sweating and swearing, I did the cool down and laid there on my mat huffing and puffing. I was spent and shaky but I was also in a much better frame of mind.
There are many ways to get through days that are not on your side but I've never had much luck with any of them, except for a sweaty swearing work out. It does a dually good job of working out both the mind and the body. Now that I've had my temper tantrum for the day, I think I can go on. In fact, I am starting over. I brewed a fresh pot of cofee, put on my sweats and warm socks and have selected a movie to get lost in over the course of the next few hours. I'm not feeling 100% but my bitchyness is more centered and divine. Enough so that I can relax my shoulders, loosen my jaw and let the weight of the world sit on someone elses shoulders for a while.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Monday, November 22, 2010
My War With a Gluten-Free Byatch
The gluten-free world is like a commune - a community of people sharing their favorite recipes with alternative ingredients, sharing what works, what doesn't and forming a sort of comaradare among the wheat intolerant. Sharing recipes is the way we form our bonds.
So I was perusing websites and found a gluten-free blog with homemade recipes. The post that caught my eye was for pan de muerto. I was so excited I email the blogger for the recipe. Little did I know, I would be encountering over the course of the next 10 days, the worlds biggest meanest byatch. So I thought you could get your laugh on at our email exchange. Can you say CREEPY LUNATIC? You will after you read this.
Here's an exerpt of the post:
10/31/10 Gluten Free Pan de Muerto
"......So today, while I was baking my Gluten Free Pan de Muerto, I was thinking about a number of people that have made a special place in my heart. I was also thinking about how happy some of them would be to see me making this bread and sharing it with others...
If you would like my recipe, please send me an email and let me know whose life you will be celebrating this Dia de los Muertos. I would love to hear just a little bit about someone that was special to you...
P.S. ...I will be giving the recipe to a limited number of people that share their story and for a limited time."
_____________________
On 11/3/10 sas wrote:
Hi, I'd like the recipe for the GF day of the dead sweet bread! Thanks so much,
On 11/5/2010 gluten free byatch wrote:
If you read the posting it asked that you share a story. It was also for a limited time and for a limited amount of people that would recieve it. Both have expired.
On 11/5/10 sas wrote:
Oh that is too bad. Would you please reconsider? I saw it just this week in Bobs Red Mill Blog and they listed your website as a good one to go to to get the gluten free recipe. My sister's son has a lot of food allergies and is really in need of some good bread recipes. He can't eat any gluten and they have really been struggling. I thought sharing your recipe with her would be my way of helping her out. That's too bad.
On 11/5/2010, gluten free byatch wrote:
Do you want the pear fig muffin recipe or the pan de muerto?
On 11/5/10 sas wrote:
Hi, The pan de muerto. Thank you so much! I want to surprise my sister with it for Thanksgiving day.
On 11/5/2010 gluten free byatch wrote:
The recipe is best made the day of and then if there are leftovers it is best to slice and freeze. It can be used for French Toast or bread pudding too! This is not a bread for sandwiches it is a sweet bread. Is that what you want?
On 11/5/2010 sas wrote:
Ok, that is good to know. No, I'm not looking for sandwich bread, I'd like the pan du muerto. I'm interested in the extra 'specialness' of the sweet bread for her son. I like the idea of using the bread for french toast!
On 11/8/2010 sas wrote:
Were you going to send the pan de muerto recipe? Thanks!
On 11/12/10 sas wrote:
(NOTE: i got tired of playing the 'please please give me the recipe' game by now, it just wasn't worth the trouble, she is obviously a lunatic)
Actually, nevermind! I don't need your recipe anymore. My sisters and I got the recipe from an actual chef - which is really what we needed all along. And his recipe rocks! We cooked it this weekend and it was soooo good and her boy loved it. So nevermind, we don't need your recipe anymore. Thanks anyway....
On 11/12/2010 gluten free byatch wrote:
Enjoy your attitude it will take you a long way!
____________________
Obviously she is a lunatic and possibly crazy. Her responses were so immature, I decided a retort would be childish. I'm sure her attitude will take her straight to... well, you know, I'm sure you can visualize exactly where. I do feel sorry for her in a sense. She seems to lack common courtesy and does not seem to interact well with people. Maybe she just needs to take her gluten-free bitch-ass and... Ok, that's all folks!
So I was perusing websites and found a gluten-free blog with homemade recipes. The post that caught my eye was for pan de muerto. I was so excited I email the blogger for the recipe. Little did I know, I would be encountering over the course of the next 10 days, the worlds biggest meanest byatch. So I thought you could get your laugh on at our email exchange. Can you say CREEPY LUNATIC? You will after you read this.
Here's an exerpt of the post:
10/31/10 Gluten Free Pan de Muerto
"......So today, while I was baking my Gluten Free Pan de Muerto, I was thinking about a number of people that have made a special place in my heart. I was also thinking about how happy some of them would be to see me making this bread and sharing it with others...
If you would like my recipe, please send me an email and let me know whose life you will be celebrating this Dia de los Muertos. I would love to hear just a little bit about someone that was special to you...
P.S. ...I will be giving the recipe to a limited number of people that share their story and for a limited time."
_____________________
On 11/3/10 sas wrote:
Hi, I'd like the recipe for the GF day of the dead sweet bread! Thanks so much,
On 11/5/2010 gluten free byatch wrote:
If you read the posting it asked that you share a story. It was also for a limited time and for a limited amount of people that would recieve it. Both have expired.
On 11/5/10 sas wrote:
Oh that is too bad. Would you please reconsider? I saw it just this week in Bobs Red Mill Blog and they listed your website as a good one to go to to get the gluten free recipe. My sister's son has a lot of food allergies and is really in need of some good bread recipes. He can't eat any gluten and they have really been struggling. I thought sharing your recipe with her would be my way of helping her out. That's too bad.
On 11/5/2010, gluten free byatch wrote:
Do you want the pear fig muffin recipe or the pan de muerto?
On 11/5/10 sas wrote:
Hi, The pan de muerto. Thank you so much! I want to surprise my sister with it for Thanksgiving day.
On 11/5/2010 gluten free byatch wrote:
The recipe is best made the day of and then if there are leftovers it is best to slice and freeze. It can be used for French Toast or bread pudding too! This is not a bread for sandwiches it is a sweet bread. Is that what you want?
On 11/5/2010 sas wrote:
Ok, that is good to know. No, I'm not looking for sandwich bread, I'd like the pan du muerto. I'm interested in the extra 'specialness' of the sweet bread for her son. I like the idea of using the bread for french toast!
On 11/8/2010 sas wrote:
Were you going to send the pan de muerto recipe? Thanks!
On 11/12/10 sas wrote:
(NOTE: i got tired of playing the 'please please give me the recipe' game by now, it just wasn't worth the trouble, she is obviously a lunatic)
Actually, nevermind! I don't need your recipe anymore. My sisters and I got the recipe from an actual chef - which is really what we needed all along. And his recipe rocks! We cooked it this weekend and it was soooo good and her boy loved it. So nevermind, we don't need your recipe anymore. Thanks anyway....
On 11/12/2010 gluten free byatch wrote:
Enjoy your attitude it will take you a long way!
____________________
Obviously she is a lunatic and possibly crazy. Her responses were so immature, I decided a retort would be childish. I'm sure her attitude will take her straight to... well, you know, I'm sure you can visualize exactly where. I do feel sorry for her in a sense. She seems to lack common courtesy and does not seem to interact well with people. Maybe she just needs to take her gluten-free bitch-ass and... Ok, that's all folks!
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Layin off the sauce
After intensive meetings with a naturopath for a few months, I have healed my thyroid and adrenals (which were very tired before), and dramatically improved my overall digestion of nutrients.
What has come out of this is a major diet change for me. I have massive food intolerances to Dairy and Gluten.
And I have an intolerance to Fruit and Sugar eaten together - this means no mayo or mustard (sugar and vinegar in them), no tomatoe sauce (unless it has no sugar in it - like homemade), no wine with dessert (wine and meats are fine, thank the good lord above), no margaritas (sugar and lime), no cashews with dark chocolate (cashews are from a fruit tree), no fruit pies, etc. I can have wine, I can have cashews, I can have dark chocolate, just not in combination. I'm trying to avoid potatoes and corn too since they are mostly sugars.
So basically, I can have nitrate free meats and lots o green vegetables and anything gluten free. Each meal consists of 80% greens, 15% proteins, and if necessary, 5% Gluten Free Grains (brown rice, rice pasta, etc). I can also substitute pure maple syrup for sugar so in theory I could have fruit desserts if they are cooked with maple syrup instead.
The good thing that has come out of all this is that for the first time in 25 years, I have the energy of a 6 year old. Not that I am running around with my head cut off like a kid or anything, but I most often now, can stay up till 11pm - which is a MIRACLE in an of itself for those who know me well. And even better, even more miraculously, I wake up with ease with only 7 hours of sleep. I'm treading carefully on this last miracle, b/c I'm waiting for the bottom to fall out on this one - deep down I am waiting to collapse with exhaustion after not getting 13 hours of sleep a night AND a nap.
When I tell folks of my dietary changes, they say they feel sorry for me. But realistically, I think this is the way that the gods meant us to eat. All I have to do basically, is throw processed foods, sauces and drinks out the window, then bring in the simple wholesome home-cooked meals made from scratch. It's healthier that way. And when you think about it, cows milk really is for only cows. The same goes for goats. All us mammals are weened at a certain age from our own species milk and only us go on to drink others milk.
With that being said, you are wondering, will she cheat? Lets just get things out into the open here. In regards to gluten, no, I won't cheat - I learned my lesson on that one. Only because any tiny bit of gluten (in salad dressings, tums, sauces, etc) will produce a lovely mustache-shaped rash around my mouth that will not go away for at least two weeks after exposure. Dairy, it is possible I will introduce a little dairy into my diet here and there. For instance, if I'm at a wine tasting and they are offering a lovely mound of homemade organic cheese to pick at, I will definitely take a bite or two. Or if I'm starved and the only food available is pizza, I will pick off the veggies along with the cheese and eat a little. But this tiny bit of dairy immediately clogs me up, making me feel like I have a cold and I become quite irritable after consuming.
So really, all in all, I'm better off without. If I want to feel like a million bucks, I've got to lay off the sauce.
What has come out of this is a major diet change for me. I have massive food intolerances to Dairy and Gluten.
And I have an intolerance to Fruit and Sugar eaten together - this means no mayo or mustard (sugar and vinegar in them), no tomatoe sauce (unless it has no sugar in it - like homemade), no wine with dessert (wine and meats are fine, thank the good lord above), no margaritas (sugar and lime), no cashews with dark chocolate (cashews are from a fruit tree), no fruit pies, etc. I can have wine, I can have cashews, I can have dark chocolate, just not in combination. I'm trying to avoid potatoes and corn too since they are mostly sugars.
So basically, I can have nitrate free meats and lots o green vegetables and anything gluten free. Each meal consists of 80% greens, 15% proteins, and if necessary, 5% Gluten Free Grains (brown rice, rice pasta, etc). I can also substitute pure maple syrup for sugar so in theory I could have fruit desserts if they are cooked with maple syrup instead.
The good thing that has come out of all this is that for the first time in 25 years, I have the energy of a 6 year old. Not that I am running around with my head cut off like a kid or anything, but I most often now, can stay up till 11pm - which is a MIRACLE in an of itself for those who know me well. And even better, even more miraculously, I wake up with ease with only 7 hours of sleep. I'm treading carefully on this last miracle, b/c I'm waiting for the bottom to fall out on this one - deep down I am waiting to collapse with exhaustion after not getting 13 hours of sleep a night AND a nap.
When I tell folks of my dietary changes, they say they feel sorry for me. But realistically, I think this is the way that the gods meant us to eat. All I have to do basically, is throw processed foods, sauces and drinks out the window, then bring in the simple wholesome home-cooked meals made from scratch. It's healthier that way. And when you think about it, cows milk really is for only cows. The same goes for goats. All us mammals are weened at a certain age from our own species milk and only us go on to drink others milk.
With that being said, you are wondering, will she cheat? Lets just get things out into the open here. In regards to gluten, no, I won't cheat - I learned my lesson on that one. Only because any tiny bit of gluten (in salad dressings, tums, sauces, etc) will produce a lovely mustache-shaped rash around my mouth that will not go away for at least two weeks after exposure. Dairy, it is possible I will introduce a little dairy into my diet here and there. For instance, if I'm at a wine tasting and they are offering a lovely mound of homemade organic cheese to pick at, I will definitely take a bite or two. Or if I'm starved and the only food available is pizza, I will pick off the veggies along with the cheese and eat a little. But this tiny bit of dairy immediately clogs me up, making me feel like I have a cold and I become quite irritable after consuming.
So really, all in all, I'm better off without. If I want to feel like a million bucks, I've got to lay off the sauce.
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Easy Breezy Beautiful
It was one of those perfect English autumnal days which occur more frequently in memory than in life. ~P.D. James
I can't quite put my finger on it, but there was something about today. No set plan, an i'm-cool-with-whatever sort of attitude, and an ease with which the day flowed. I'd normally say it was because I awoke naturally with the light of day as it filtered in on the wings of a breeze through my bedroom window, sans alarm clock. That is a good start to any of my days.
After a long hike up the mountain with the dogs, I enjoyed a perfectly brewed cup of coffee with Warren. Ok, make that 2 or 3 cups of coffee. But anyway.... For breakfast I indulged in a first. I cooked waffles for the first time ever. After over-filling the waffle iron, I learned quickly how to achieve the right batter consistency and how to trust that the waffle iron was a capable of cooking all on it's own, without my interference. Pumpkin waffles, presto!
Thinking about my mental to-do list for fall, I asked Warren if he'd build me a shed door this weekend. His face lit up like I had said we'd won the lottery. A man project was in the works. He called up his friend who immediately agreed to join him in the shed door making. And to work they went. Feeling a bit ambitious myself, I winterized my keyhole garden and after that I was feelin a relaxation period was called for so I grabbed my book and read on the futon for a while. When my stomache started growling, I was reminded of the fact I should cook some hearty food for the boys who were workin so hard in the backyard. Since in Idaho time it was 5:00 and thus happy hour, I figured I'd open a bottle of red. You know, to bring out the chef in me. Which of course worked, because what I created in that kitchen was the most savory black bean soup and cornbread, I have made to date.
Later, as night fell, I read my text messages, emails and chatted with one of my sisters. As I caught up on their days, I realized that this easy, breezy, beautiful day was catching for them, too. One sister harvested her summer's bounty and planted in it's place a winter garden. Another sister slept in, started the day later than usual, nd enjoyed a leisure walk and dinner out. She said it was the air today. Something was up with the air. It was fresh and cleansing, crisp yet warm, with a touch of easy in the breeze. Ladies, we call that the last day of a well-deserved Indian Summer. Finally, my other sister called to chat and described to me her day. "Well, I got up and did 45 loads of laundry. And that made me very cranky". I laughed my ass of with her about this household duty that never ceases. But her day was still good and her mood was easy.
It's days like these when I not only know magic exists, I see it in action. I am a part of it's act. There's a bit of magic at the turn of each season but most of all, at that moment when summer says it's final long goodbye, leaving us with the most beautiful, cherished, and memory longed for during the winter months.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
The Weather Dance
Spring and Summer have been waltzing around each other for a while now. Spring should have said it's goodbyes long ago and you'd think Summer would be nicely settled in by now, just beginning to think about packing it's bags. But tradition does not have it's way this year. Spring has delayed it's departure, pushing away our hot Summer sun, bringing warm rains, soft winds, and cloudy skies. Summer struggles against odds to bathe us in hot rays and coax the shy flower buds out of their shells. This weather dance has us in a suspended state of extremes. Should I bring an umbrella and shawl today or sport sandals and sunglasses? It's anyone's guess because this struggle for season supreme has left us guessing almost daily of what the weather will bring, or more accurately, which will be leading the dance today.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Hairy Tales
I've been a long haired beauty (ha!) for most of my life, if you don't count the few mishaps in between. But those debacles are always spur of the moment and I regret them almost instantaneously. Luckily for me, my hair grows at super speeds, spurting out at least an inch every 3 weeks. You'd think with this super high power growth, that I'd have hair like Rapunzel by now. Well, I would except....
When I was about 7 years old, I begged my mom to cut off my lovely locks which fell well past my shoulders. I have no idea what my little mind was thinking at the time but the second it was cut off, I immediately regretted it. I looked like a boy. A boy that wore dresses. So I set out on a quest to get it to grow back as soon as possible. Anytime I was alone in the bathroom or near a mirror, I pulled and pulled on the ugly short strands, trying to coax them to become longer. With time, I was me a again, with long hair and life was good.
Although I was a young child of the 70's, the 80's did not spare me and thus began the decade of not just bad music, but bad hair-do's. In fact, most of those years my hair was feathered, curled, sprayed, permed and spiked at one time or another and most always cut above my shoulders.
I don't like to think much about those so let's just fast forward to the 90's where I became a blonde but at least my hair was long again. But not for long. As life would have it, I got a job at a hair salon where I fell victim to the stylists wanting to try all the new do's on me and am ashamed to say that during my tenure there, I went from permed to straightened, long to layered, from light to dark, and ultimately, got the 'Rachael' do. Yes, I did. And don't you dare laugh because you know you wanted one too. But all of those do's were time consuming as I spent mornings washing, conditioning, putting in endless arrays of products, blow drying and curling. I felt like a big vat of hairspray and god forbid if I had to go camping or got caught in a rain storm. It just wasn't me. So I began to grow my long hair out once again. I chopped off the Rachel 'do' and wore my hair back in a short bun until it all grew back in long.
Things have been a bit better since we entered the new millenium. I've learned my lesson - keep the hair long. But that hasn't stopped me from messing with what's already perfect. Again, I've gone blonde for a few years, and then hopped on the dark brown bandwagon and kept it that way for the most part. Sometimes though after watching back to back episode re-runs of ANTM, I will get inspired and chop off some locks to make some cool 'bangs' or some model-esque long layers. Of course, I hate it instantly and have to wear a head band for months to hide the bangs until they grow back out. Just this month I decided to go blonde again over a few glasses of wine with my sister. We put in some bleach blond highlights which turned blonde at the roots and red farther down. Of course I went back to dark brown soon after - closest to my natural color and easiest to cover the gray, yes gray strands, that insist on appearing out of nowhere.
Can't you just see it - 'Rapunzel, let down your hair'. 'Why I can't Prince, I was bored and I've just cut it.' Why do I do this? Have there not been 100's of hair lessons lived and learned by now? Just the other day I was going through old photos (remember those days? the ones where we actually had to get film developed!). Almost every other roll of film showed a differed hair color or a funky do. I can't say I've found a happy medium - just yet - as of now I am working on growing out these long layers that I cut on a whim last winter. Only one rule I have now - keep the long hair. That's the me I've always felt best as. Learning to curb the urge to cut and then regret is a cycle that I must not repeat!
When I was about 7 years old, I begged my mom to cut off my lovely locks which fell well past my shoulders. I have no idea what my little mind was thinking at the time but the second it was cut off, I immediately regretted it. I looked like a boy. A boy that wore dresses. So I set out on a quest to get it to grow back as soon as possible. Anytime I was alone in the bathroom or near a mirror, I pulled and pulled on the ugly short strands, trying to coax them to become longer. With time, I was me a again, with long hair and life was good.
Although I was a young child of the 70's, the 80's did not spare me and thus began the decade of not just bad music, but bad hair-do's. In fact, most of those years my hair was feathered, curled, sprayed, permed and spiked at one time or another and most always cut above my shoulders.
I don't like to think much about those so let's just fast forward to the 90's where I became a blonde but at least my hair was long again. But not for long. As life would have it, I got a job at a hair salon where I fell victim to the stylists wanting to try all the new do's on me and am ashamed to say that during my tenure there, I went from permed to straightened, long to layered, from light to dark, and ultimately, got the 'Rachael' do. Yes, I did. And don't you dare laugh because you know you wanted one too. But all of those do's were time consuming as I spent mornings washing, conditioning, putting in endless arrays of products, blow drying and curling. I felt like a big vat of hairspray and god forbid if I had to go camping or got caught in a rain storm. It just wasn't me. So I began to grow my long hair out once again. I chopped off the Rachel 'do' and wore my hair back in a short bun until it all grew back in long.
Things have been a bit better since we entered the new millenium. I've learned my lesson - keep the hair long. But that hasn't stopped me from messing with what's already perfect. Again, I've gone blonde for a few years, and then hopped on the dark brown bandwagon and kept it that way for the most part. Sometimes though after watching back to back episode re-runs of ANTM, I will get inspired and chop off some locks to make some cool 'bangs' or some model-esque long layers. Of course, I hate it instantly and have to wear a head band for months to hide the bangs until they grow back out. Just this month I decided to go blonde again over a few glasses of wine with my sister. We put in some bleach blond highlights which turned blonde at the roots and red farther down. Of course I went back to dark brown soon after - closest to my natural color and easiest to cover the gray, yes gray strands, that insist on appearing out of nowhere.
Can't you just see it - 'Rapunzel, let down your hair'. 'Why I can't Prince, I was bored and I've just cut it.' Why do I do this? Have there not been 100's of hair lessons lived and learned by now? Just the other day I was going through old photos (remember those days? the ones where we actually had to get film developed!). Almost every other roll of film showed a differed hair color or a funky do. I can't say I've found a happy medium - just yet - as of now I am working on growing out these long layers that I cut on a whim last winter. Only one rule I have now - keep the long hair. That's the me I've always felt best as. Learning to curb the urge to cut and then regret is a cycle that I must not repeat!
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Staycation
What to do when it's late summer, you've got vacation time built up and your husband doesn't get any time off until next fall? You take a staycation! Staycation's are spent at home, in town and cost little to no money. But most importantly, to have a true staycation you must follow one simple rule: Prepare to get some shit done but leave plenty of time for some rest, relaxation and fun. It's also good to stock the liquor cabinet or the wine holder.
I prepared beforehand by making of list of items I wanted to accompolish on my days off. Stuff that I wish I could get done on the weekends but never do because weekends are just too short to spend the time working. Clean the attic, clean one room a day from head to toe, emtpy the fridge of all rotten items, wash the moss off the sides of the house and gutters, prune the climbing rose, etc.
Ten days off and I'm on day seven. It's actually taken me a good five days to fully come out of work mode. I caught myself quite a few times checking my work email but I've slowly weaned myself to peaking once a day now. When I wake up, sans alarm, I have my morning coffee with the news, lounging on the couch until I feel awake enough to begin my day. If that motivation never comes, I just pull a blanket over me and find a good lifetime movie to get lost in for a few hours. That's what I love about staycations, there's no agenda. If miraculously, the motivation hits me early, I get a good walk in with the dogs and then throw on some Budos Band and begin one of my projects. However as soon as the afternoon sun comes through the windows, that is my signal to chill it out again with a glass of wine and my book of the week. Dinners are relaxed and could vary from a wonderfully aromatic steaming crock pot of happiness or simply take-out burger and fries. And who needs a bedtime when the next day promises anything I wish for and involves no going to work.
The thing about staycations is you have to love being by yourself. You have to be ok with being your own company. Because my hermit genes run extra high, it's good to get some socialization too. Get outta the house every other day and visit someone or invite a friend over. I highly recommend it or once you go back to work you will forget how to interact with the public and you will mourn for your staycation cave.
I have to admit I have been quite productive as well as slothful. My wine is now running low and my projects are almost complete. Relaxation has hit a full-time high and thoughts of work have slipped way way into the background. I've slowly rejuvenated my senses and gotten my groove back. I am always one to raise my glass to getting away from it all but if the away part can't be on a private island, then I make damn sure that I use my staycation time to the fullest.
Usually as staycation draws to a close, that old friend 'anxiety' tries to call. I conquer this intrusion by booking a full body massage the day before going back to work, then a late afternoon nap and being fully organized and prepared for the first day of work. I highly recommend a staycation to one and all. Now don't get me wrong, there really is nothing better than getting the heck outta dodge and that is just what I plan to do next - vacate the premises, and take a friggin vacation!
I prepared beforehand by making of list of items I wanted to accompolish on my days off. Stuff that I wish I could get done on the weekends but never do because weekends are just too short to spend the time working. Clean the attic, clean one room a day from head to toe, emtpy the fridge of all rotten items, wash the moss off the sides of the house and gutters, prune the climbing rose, etc.
Ten days off and I'm on day seven. It's actually taken me a good five days to fully come out of work mode. I caught myself quite a few times checking my work email but I've slowly weaned myself to peaking once a day now. When I wake up, sans alarm, I have my morning coffee with the news, lounging on the couch until I feel awake enough to begin my day. If that motivation never comes, I just pull a blanket over me and find a good lifetime movie to get lost in for a few hours. That's what I love about staycations, there's no agenda. If miraculously, the motivation hits me early, I get a good walk in with the dogs and then throw on some Budos Band and begin one of my projects. However as soon as the afternoon sun comes through the windows, that is my signal to chill it out again with a glass of wine and my book of the week. Dinners are relaxed and could vary from a wonderfully aromatic steaming crock pot of happiness or simply take-out burger and fries. And who needs a bedtime when the next day promises anything I wish for and involves no going to work.
The thing about staycations is you have to love being by yourself. You have to be ok with being your own company. Because my hermit genes run extra high, it's good to get some socialization too. Get outta the house every other day and visit someone or invite a friend over. I highly recommend it or once you go back to work you will forget how to interact with the public and you will mourn for your staycation cave.
I have to admit I have been quite productive as well as slothful. My wine is now running low and my projects are almost complete. Relaxation has hit a full-time high and thoughts of work have slipped way way into the background. I've slowly rejuvenated my senses and gotten my groove back. I am always one to raise my glass to getting away from it all but if the away part can't be on a private island, then I make damn sure that I use my staycation time to the fullest.
Usually as staycation draws to a close, that old friend 'anxiety' tries to call. I conquer this intrusion by booking a full body massage the day before going back to work, then a late afternoon nap and being fully organized and prepared for the first day of work. I highly recommend a staycation to one and all. Now don't get me wrong, there really is nothing better than getting the heck outta dodge and that is just what I plan to do next - vacate the premises, and take a friggin vacation!
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