I am not one who knows how to relax, really. Plethora of current jobs aside, I have a hard time just “being.” Call it Type A, or Oldest Child Syndrome, or Anal-Retative Ridiculousness but I always feel like I need to be doing something “productive.” With three kids and a husband and whatnot it is so easy to just keep going and going (and going and going) in the never-ending quest to Get Stuff Done.
The thing is, it will never be “done.” And all work and no play makes for a particularly fiery Angella. I JUST WANT SOME DOWN TIME. EVEN THOUGH IT GOES AGAINST MY VERY NATURE. I AM SO CONFLICTED.
Pray for my husband, if you could.
I worked nine hours on Saturday, so that I could be “caught up” (HA!) and then I closed my laptop and joined my family outside. The kids were busy playing road hockey and swinging on the swings and I walked around with my camera and snapped this and snapped that and kind of got lost in the flowers in our yard. I married a Green Thumb and between what he has cultivated and the wildflowers that grow on the hill behind our house, I had ample subjects. Flowers are my Happy Place, whether it be sniffing them or arranging them or photographing them. They calm my soul.
(More on Flickr, because I let myself play.)
Sunday consisted of church and a then a run with the dog, who cools off in the creek every chance he gets. There are only a few points where the creek meets the trail and he knows exactly where they are.
One day, I’ll join him in order to cool off. It’s getting hot in here. (Old school reference.)
I arrived home to a husband who was staining our re-sanded deck. The kids were “bored” and so I pulled out something I’ve been waiting to share with them. My friend Kim posted about making your own sidewalk chalk paint and it was a hit. Why wouldn’t it be?
While they painted, I say on the lawn and read. I offered to help Matthew stain the deck but he told me to enjoy the sun and so I did. I just SAT. And READ. And DIDN’T FEEL GUILTY. WHO AM I?
This week is going to be ridiculous between work and extra work and that whole family wedding deelio, but taking time for myself is exactly what I needed. I really should do it more often.
Hooray for “Angella time”! I’m a lot like you, I don’t like doing nothing. I hate being bored. I find it hard to have time to myself that doesn’t involve DOING something (like scrapbooking, or reading). I really cannot just sit and BE.
P.S. Those flowers are so pretty!! They made me smile
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angella Reply:
June 28th, 2011 at 8:42 pm
We really are twins.
Flowers always make me happy, too.
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Yea for you! Getting just enough done, then spending quality time making memories for the kiddos and appreciating nature (and your hubby) and doing something creative, then a “indulgent”. Refreshing for your soul, I’m sure! ;.)
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angella Reply:
June 28th, 2011 at 8:43 pm
Yes! And looking forward to next week when I can do it again. I just need to survive this week…
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Sounds like exactly what you needed and have earned!
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angella Reply:
June 28th, 2011 at 8:43 pm
It was! And thanks.
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Niiiiiiice. That’s my girl.
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angella Reply:
June 28th, 2011 at 8:44 pm
I try to pay attention to what my friends (you) figure out and share.
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Yay! for happy places. The woods are definitely one of mine.
Also: That song is totally going to be in my head for this entire grant meeting.* That or: “Now back to the good part!”
Haaa.
*Multi-tasking with the best of ‘em, awwh yeah.
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angella Reply:
June 28th, 2011 at 8:46 pm
I’ve been ridiculously swamped, but ever since I saw this comment I’ve been stuck with the Captain Jack Sparrow song in my head.
I can see us doing a remake in Cannon Beach…
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You need that time to keep you sane! I’m the same way, and I’ll feel horribly guilty when I spend a whole day doing NOTHING, but I need it sometimes. I work hard so I should be able to enjoy my time when I’m not working, no matter what I’m doing!
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angella Reply:
June 28th, 2011 at 8:46 pm
YES!
Can you move here and live with us and remind me of it every day? Because I so quickly forget…
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See…even though my life is SUUUPER hectic these days, I feel like as my children get older, their needs are different…and I am getting some more “me” time, and I SOOO appreciate it.
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angella Reply:
June 28th, 2011 at 8:47 pm
Right? The baby stage was super busy and insane, but now most of the insanity is self-inflicted. These guys will play for HOURS together. It is so, so great.
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I know that Oldest Child Syndrome well. Noah and I are both oldest children. “Doing nothing” does not come easily. Good for you, though!!!! And soon, it’ll be JULY!!!!!!!!
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angella Reply:
June 28th, 2011 at 8:48 pm
July 8th is ten days away. TEN DAYS. I can do this.
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Dude, I SO understand the feeling that you can’t relax because you should be doing something productive. Good for you for fighting that instinct and getting some YOU time. It’s good for the soul
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angella Reply:
June 28th, 2011 at 8:50 pm
AMEN. And thank you.
I hope you get some YOU time before Sir Willie arrives. I kind of enjoyed the time I was off work before G arrived.
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I have these pockets of time where I can actually let myself relax and I don’t recognize myself. But they are rather glorious when I let myself relish in them. I feel ya!
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angella Reply:
June 28th, 2011 at 8:51 pm
I know you do! Which is why we are friends.
Here is to more down time this summer for the both of us, Amen.
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I love the photos. So pretty.
You definitely deserve ‘me’ time!
Thanks for the shout out. See you soon
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