Low on me. I feel snappish, impatient, unkind, tense. I resent the effort it takes to do almost everything. I’m tired. In trying to remedy this, I’m using entirely wrong methods – junk food, caffeine, quick fixes that leave me feeling worse, and that make even the things that do help me (running, yoga) less effective and more difficult.
Last night, Eric had to work late, so I had to take the kids to church by myself. I growled at them on the way there, and then I sat through choir practice with a sour feeling and, I’m sure, a sour look on my face. Heart-shaped Valentine’s Day cookies had been brought in, so I had a sugar hit that I didn’t need, and then I was sharp with the kids all the way home again. 
Eric was home by then, and he must have had a premonition, because, God bless him, he was folding laundry when I walked in the door. He assessed the situation, helped wrangle the kids into bed, and then told me firmly that I have Saturday “off”: I’ll go for my run, come home and clean up, and then hit the door and not return until at least dinner. He told me to go to a bookstore, if I wanted, get a book, and then read most of it over coffee (a relaxing mug, not the copious amounts with which I’ve been dosing myself and hardly even tasting). “Relax” was his order.
I don’t deserve this man.
I confessed to him that on an ordinary free day, I’d probably see about asking a friend to meet me, but the only thing I really want right now is an extended period in which I don’t have to open my mouth to talk to anybody. I need peace. I need to be with just me, to refill myself. Then, perhaps, I’ll be able to get back to normal.
I’m doing this race as my first 50K/ultra in July 2012. I’m so tardy to the party but...
*hugs*
Good man, hope your day relaxes and refreshes you!
What a blessing to have a partner in life who know just what you need most. Yay for Eric! And I hope you enjoy your day to yourself to restore and replenish.
I’m right there with you. My ex was on a business trip last weekend so he couldn’t take the kids for their usual weekend visitation. So, for the last 2 weeks, I’ve been trying to balance work deadlines (I work out of my house) and household duties all while trying to keep my 3 year old and a 4 year old from killing one another.
I’m used to having at least one day off a week so these last few days have been trying to say the least. I find myself biting my tongue a lot just so I don’t snap at them. Nevermind that my sleep as sucked – up too late getting work done and up too early, thanks to two noisy kids.
I’m sooooo looking forward to this weekend…I plan to sleep in, do the grocery shopping…and then crash. No kids, no work, no NOTHING! Woot!
*raises coffee cup* Here’s to surviving to Saturday…
I hear what you’re saying. I’m a homeschoolin mum now and I love my kids to bits and being with them all day is a joy – something that I never, ever thought I’d say
But there are times – like the end of the last school year – when I needed some *me* time. I was like a bank where all the funds had been drawn out, but there was still a long queue waiting to withdraw cash. I had nothing left to give anyone. The solution was a few days where “Mama!!!!” got replaced by someone else’s name; two hours when Ian took the kids Christmas shopping and I was home by myself in blissful peace. Half a day spent at a local kids’ indoor playground where they had coffee and cake for the grown ups…the kids played, ran, jumped, slid and shouted for all they were worth and I sat absorbed in a new book and good-ish coffee, wvaing at them every now and then.
It’s impossible to give, give, give, give, give all the time, unless there’s some regroup time there somewhere. Bless Eric for understanding that and sacrificing some of his time to give you what you need. And now you have two days to look forward to it, too