Thursday, November 15, 2012

It's Vacation Eve-aka Longest Day EVER

For the last ten years each Thanksgiving week I have taken the week off.  The first five was to work more at my second job and the last five to spend the week with my parents.  I look forward to this week SO much because it's the one week when I can forget work completely and just relax. I think my other half enjoys it too because he gets at least 5 days of nothing more to worry about than going to work and feeding himself.

 This year because I had not taken much time off I am actually taking TWO whole weeks! I don't have to be back to work until December 3rd! I am heading down to Mom and Dad's with the Barkingtons on Saturday and I may just spend both weeks down there.  I am not going to "schedule" anything.  Instead I will see how long it takes for me to feel like I need to be home and get some "stuff" that I have neglected done.

I know the pups will enjoy themselves.  They love, love, love being able to run free in Grandma and Papa's yard.  Unlike here, where they have to be on a "runner" or leash when they are outside, at Grandma and Papa's house they can chase squirrels and bunnies, explore the jungle of my mom's iris garden, play ball and flop down in the sun with only a fence to limit them.  Whenever I pack a bag they start watching closely to see what's going on.  When I pick up their bag- all hell breaks loose.  They know they are going somewhere.  Jumping and barking, following me around until I am ready and as soon as I say "Grandma"- they stand quivering with excitement by their leashes until they are clipped in and then dash to the door.  Due to their excitement I have to be very sneaky packing for all of us.  I actually started gathering clothes and stuff days ago but haven't pulled out my bag yet.  Tonight I will get some together and tomorrow the rest of my stuff will be packed so Hubby can help with packing my car before he goes to work on Saturday morning.  Packing for them will happen after they are at the groomer's on Saturday and then I will pick them up and leave directly from there to hit the road.

Before ANY of this can happen, I have to get through work today.  I know how this goes.  I have one several hour project and a whole bunch of little details to see to before I can go but even with all of those things to do the day will drag.  The closer we get to 4pm, the longer the hours will seem until I am wired for sound and bouncing off of the walls.  My poor staff will probably be as ready to see me walk out of the door as I will to go but what can you do? I think what I will try is this; every time I feel myself getting keyed up I will remind myself how grateful I am to have the opportunity to take a nice, long vacation and as I am giving myself that reminder I will also remind myself to breathe.  I am hoping it will keep me from making myself and everyone else crazy in the process.

Here's hoping it works because it's time to head in and get this day started!  

1 comment:

L."Wren" Vandever said...

Wonderful! You work SO hard, Jules, I'm really glad that you're getting a nice long stretch of off-days. I don't know about you, but for me, it took me most of the first week to let go and stop worrying about what was happening at work without me. After that I could start relaxing--and just as I got REALLY relaxed, it would be time to head back into the rat-race. And by then, I was ready for it: rested and refreshed.

Sending you my best wishes for a truly rejuvinating vacation with your darling Barkingtons (LOVE the name!) and your folks. Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!