8 In Thoughts & Observations

Lessons Learned – Staycation 2013

Wow. I haven’t seen this side of seven am in sixteen, glorious days.

Yes, it’s true. For sixteen consecutive days, I either worked from home or took time off and pretty much ignored the outside world. And it was perfect. The ultimate in staycations.

Thank God hubby bought me a stack of new sweat pants for Christmas because my wardrobe pretty much consistent of those and pajamas. (Which, by the way, allow ample room for cake balls, sugar cookies, and holiday pies. Just sayin’.)

But now, here I am, back in the office—dress slacks and all—and I’m loathe to leave the peace of my time away behind. Ashamed as I am to admit it, I’ve already pulled up the calendar, researched what days the 2014 holidays fall on, and calculated I’ve got three hundred and forty-seven days to go. Sad right?

Well, maybe not.

There’s nothing to say I can’t tuck the lessons—or should I say reminders—given to me in the last two weeks in my back pocket to take with me in the year to come:

  • If you’re going to sit down, do it with one or both of your kiddos tucked next to you. In a handful of years you won’t be able to talk them into it, so enjoy it now.
  • Help your kids wrestle daddy more often. He might pretend to complain one woman and two girls stacked on his back are too heavy, but deep down, he’s a happy camper and knows he’s well loved.
  • No, you don’t have to do everything in one day. You can spread your tasks out over a decent time period and no one will die from it. In fact, there’s a good chance you’re the only person who thinks anything has to be done right away. This includes cleaning the house.
  • Step away from the computer. Yes, you absolutely must get your writing time in each day, but after that, turn that baby off and go watch a movie or find a spot to people watch. (Note: The iPad is excluded from this lesson since that’s where the books are located. 🙂 )

Seriously, the last several days have been a huge blessing. A much needed bout of decompression after a challenging 2013. But 2014 looks mighty bright on the horizon and its rays feel pretty good already. I’m glad I’m rested up and armed to face it.

What did you do over the holidays? Did you get time off? Have any fun or special stories to share? What are you looking forward to in the New Year?

 

 

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8 Comments

  • Reply
    Ashlynn Pearce
    January 6, 2014 at 8:39 am

    That sounds awesome, Rhenna! Since I stay home and the kids do online school, it was nice to have a break from all that stuff. They are pretty self sufficient but high school math is kicking their butts! I decided to re-focus and really look at what I really wanted and shove all the bs to to side. 🙂

    Glad you got a much needed break! Keep writing!! 😀

  • Reply
    Gretchen Wing
    January 6, 2014 at 9:49 am

    That advice about sitting down with your kids? Applies just as much when they’re in their mid-twenties. Maybe even more so. But no wrestling Daddy; they’d probably kill the poor guy. My son & husband did attempt to make chocolate-covered espresso beans together: chocolate-wrestling, or at least that’s what the kitchen looked like when they were done.

    • Reply
      Rhenna
      January 6, 2014 at 7:52 pm

      Ohh….chocolate covered espresso beans sounds like fun! Although I’m afraid to get my kids around caffeine. LOL

  • Reply
    Paula Millhouse
    January 6, 2014 at 11:38 am

    I’m already missing the holidays too, Rhenna.

  • Reply
    Marianna Heusler
    January 6, 2014 at 12:05 pm

    Nice blog and there is nothing better for me than cuddling with my dog in bed and watching endless reruns of Monk or Murder She Wrote. Total relaxation!

    • Reply
      Rhenna
      January 6, 2014 at 7:51 pm

      Writer dog (sitting beside me now) agrees with you whole-heartedly. 🙂

  • Reply
    CJ Burright
    January 6, 2014 at 5:34 pm

    I must say, I’m jealous you had all that time off. While I was extremely happy to have a few extra days off for the holidays, it blew by so fast, I don’t feel especially refreshed or recharged. I need a vacation from my mini-vacation. 🙂 Happy new year – expect GREAT things!

    • Reply
      Rhenna
      January 6, 2014 at 7:50 pm

      Happy New Year to you too! Bring 2014 ON!

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