Weekend Update
Date: Monday October 5, 2009Posted in: Family, Random thoughts, Sundry, Workin' It, domestic bliss, me
I finished marking my last assignment, filed my final report and found myself looking up and around, seeing my life through different eyes. For while I am under contract, it is so overwhelming and all-consuming that it filters all that I do. I go through the motions of the every day with the ticker of work deadlines clicking away in the background. I am present, yes, and involved, yes, but there is a haze or a weight or whatever you want to call it that has wrapped itself around me and skews my happenings.
With that burden lifted I am free and light and can breathe deeper than I have in the last two months.
The two weeks off that I have laid before me are like this, I don’t know, gift that I’ve been given. Or something. I have made a list of all that I want/need to get done and while it looks a little overwhelming, I’ve had the distinct satisfaction of crosses items off of that list over the weekend.
If you are a Facebook or Twitter friend you know that I am suffering from a certain, uh, affliction. It’s something that only happens to women and occurs every, oh, twenty-eight to thirty-five days (or so)(for me). You also heard that said infliction causes enough pain that I (used to stay home from high school one day a month, and) take prescription painkillers for that One Bad Day. The pain is not eradicated, but brought down to a level where I am able to stand upright. (How’s that for TMI?)
Saturday was the One Bad Day and I did what I have figured out works best to help me get through it; I kept very, very busy. A large part of me would rather lay on the couch with a heating pad and whine about how much it huuuuuuurts. The problem is, spending that much time focusing on it makes it seem even worse than it truly is. So I cram as much stuff in that I can and keep moving, moving, moving. Tie this in with that nice long list I have sitting here and I was a woman on a mission.
The first order of the day was to tackle my closet and craft room. Not only were they in shambles, it was time to put away my summer gear and haul out my winter gear. In the process of doing so I pulled out every single article of clothing that I hadn’t worn in the last year. I now have two (TWO) large garbage bags of clothes to drop off at the ladies auxiliary. I went through Emily’s closet with the same force and she was left with a pretty barren closet. I sure hope that the US shopping outlets are ready for us next weekend.
The craft room is also back to pristine condition and you can actually see the floor. I was almost taken out by rabid dust bunnies but I pulled out my ninja moves Dyson and vanquished them. I thought about taking an “after” photo but it looks pretty much identical to what it did when I first set it up.
The Great Purge of 2009 had a brief intermission while we took Emily to ballet.
I keep telling myself that I don’t need to bring my camera every single week but then they are so cute and sweet and…sigh. I may have to buy a separate external hard drive just for ballet photos. That one was taken for me by Amanda while I caught our girls on the Flip. Video to follow this week (as part of my review), once I figure out what song to use. We watch from the other side of the glass which means that all you can hear is Graham telling story after story after story. That kid does not. stop. talking. I have no idea who he gets that from.
Upon returning home and finishing up the Great Purge of 2009 I crossed it off my list and moved onto the next task. I want to stock up my freezer with some meals I can whip out when I’m back at work. I much prefer a freshly cooked meal but sometimes it’s nice to just take something out of the freezer and fire it into the oven. I made a quadruple batch of Samosas, which we had for dinner along with plum chutney. I also made four lasagnas, one of which was our Sunday dinner.
To sum it up: I cleaned three bathrooms, attacked three closets and a craft room and made six meals to eat at a later date, all before 5:00 pm. Do I get a gold star? Or something?
Sunday was less, shall we say, insane. I went to church for the first time in two months, only to find out that we had to go to an event for Nathan. I didn’t get to go to service or see the bulk of my friends. But I was IN THE BUILDING, so at least there’s that. Or something. The rest of the day was more of a putter here and a sit in my bay window seat and read a book there and a walk to the creek kind of day.
Despite my, um, affliction it really was a great weekend. The past eight weeks consisted of my family going on grand adventures while I sat here chained to my laptop. I missed out on some fun times and also saw the pile of house things that needed to be done grow almost exponentially. This weekend was a whole new world again. It was nice to get stuff done while the kids played outside and Matthew worked on his shed addition. It was great to harvest the last bits out of our garden and to do a bunch of cooking (which I love to do). Sunday night Matthew and I talked about something that has been asked of me and while we had already thought it was a great idea, this weekend confirmed it.
I have been asked if I would be interested in returning to work full-time in January. Details haven’t been hammered out yet but I told them that I was indeed interested. I would return to the office and regain that sense of normalcy that I got a taste of this weekend. Matthew would return to Daddy Daycare and have the chance to cross some of the house projects off of his list. He is more than willing to work full-time but the initials behind my name means that I make almost triple what he can. When I went back to work part-time in the spring I loved the freedom that it gave me from the weight of work. When I walked out of my office door, work was behind me and my family was before me. Anyone who is self-employed knows that while there are benefits (Working in your yoga pants, for one) there is also the feeling that work is never done.
I think it will be good for me, for him, for all of us.
Wow. I sat down to write a quick post and ended up spewing some verbal diarrhea. It felt good though, just like my weekend did.
How was your weekend?
33 Comments
I had such severe cramps that I would vomit. Really. I discovered that a handful of yarrow leaves and flowers (in a knee high stocking) infused in bathwater cleared up the pain and bloating for the whole cycle. Twenty minutes in a bath! Who knew? I didn’t need so much as an aspirin. I hope it grows where you live. If not, I have harvested and dried some to help a suffering woman.
witchypoo´s last blog ..Poopy Small 
Once you get into your new full-time (in an office!!) groove I think you life will be so much calmer. And the fact that the kiddos likely won’t see much change since Matthew is switching gears to “Daddy Daycare” is all the better. I WOTH full-time and CANNOT imagine how much of a stress case I would be if I worked from home while family life happened around me. I love that I can come into my office and focus for 8-9 hours then go home and focus on my girl, my spouse and housework. Weekends are 90% family fun time. We are busy and exhaused just like any other 2-parent working family but I love that I can give all my attention to one thing at a time. Good luck!
kakaty´s last blog ..Go Check it Out
angella Reply:
October 5th, 2009 at 10:05 pm
Thanks for the encouragement, Katy. A part of me dies inside about returning to the office, but I think the positives will outweigh the negatives.
This weekend was nice. I painted and then went to an excellent football game on Sunday afternoon with my one cousin that I rarely get to spend anytime with. She is the 3rd in a bunch of four. They live in NY and we only got to see each other 1-2x a year, her other siblings are much more…um, loud, so she kind of sunk into the background. She was a hoot to hang with and I can’t wait to do it again soon, as she is only 3 hours away in Pittsburgh for culinary college for the next 21 months.
Heather @ Domestic Extraordinaire´s last blog ..The Post Where I Get Sappy & Sentimental
angella Reply:
October 5th, 2009 at 10:07 pm
True confession: I don’t understand football. I love how it’s such a part of the American culture (and that you got to hang out with your fair cousin.)
Ugh – I hear ya about being totally out of commission for that time of month. I still haven’t found anything that works wonders for me, but it’s generally bad enough that I have to stay at home from work.
My weekend was great – I was outside a lot, and spent most of the time re-connecting with old friends. Super cool. It was a good mix of busy stuff and not-so-busy stuff, which I love. Glad you were able to enjoy your weekend! 
Sharon´s last blog ..Friday Love List – Rocktober is here!
angella Reply:
October 5th, 2009 at 10:08 pm
Reconnecting with old friends is all sorts of awesome.
Samosas? You lost me after that, printing out that recipe pronto.
We didn’t do too much this weekend and it was fantastic.
Kami’s Khlopchyk´s last blog ..Harvest on the Prairies
angella Reply:
October 5th, 2009 at 10:09 pm
Make the samosas. Seriously. They are too amazing for words.
I started a purge but I am lazy and unmotivated so I now I have a half-finished purge. Good for you for finishing yours
hillary´s last blog ..If My Team Loses I’ll Be Mean All Night If You Tell Me To Relax We’ll Get In A Fight
angella Reply:
October 5th, 2009 at 10:10 pm
Oh, I’m not finished. I need to tackle the boys’ room. (Hold me.)
Your weekend kicked my weekend’s butt! But, am glad you got things caught up. I used to complain that “there just aren’t enough hours in a day” to accomplish all my to-do’s. But, now I know that it is just sheer laziness. I didn’t make my bed, do any laundry, pull a single weed, or even cook! I did however, manage to see Credence Clearwater Revival in Concert Saturday night. If you call that productive.
E´s last blog ..On Facebook and Ownership
angella Reply:
October 5th, 2009 at 10:15 pm
CCR??? I LOVE CCR.
I grew up listening to them, thanks to my parents. I have their Greatest Hits CD.
So, yes, I call that productive.
Glad you had a good weekend. Mine was work work work, nothing new there. But I did enjoy the sunshine and crisp air with the windows down as I drove between locations and blared my music loud. So, it was good.
Danica´s last blog ..The Lowdown on the Slowdown
angella Reply:
October 5th, 2009 at 10:17 pm
Windows down with music blaring is the only way to drive, in my humble opinion.
I have to take a chemo type drug every Sunday, which leaves me feeling like SH!T! I know how you feel. Regardless, we had a great weekend.
My hubby cleaned the yard, we had way to many toys sticking up out of the snow last year. The HORROR!
I had a 1/2 dozen neighbourhood kids over (they’re always here), and we decorated cupcakes, made shrinky-dinks and homemade pizzas. Lots of fun and HUGE messes to clean up!
Have a great week!
mommyknows´s last blog ..Anthropologie Giveaway
angella Reply:
October 5th, 2009 at 10:18 pm
I need to know what shrinky-dinks are. Because their name makes me giggle.
It feels SO good to get caught up doesn’t it! Good luck with going back to full time!
This weekend the boyfriend and I were going to go to Calgary and stay at a friends. Well, the friend cancelled and we had no where to stay. I heard about priceline.com and bid on a room at a 5 star hotel. My bid was $80.00 (yes I thought there was NO WAY) and I got a room at the Hyatt for $100CDN. Spent a GLORIOUS night in a beautiful hotel room that would have normally cost $279.00!!
Oh, and the ballet pictures don’t need to cease. Too adorable, how could you stop? 
angella Reply:
October 5th, 2009 at 10:19 pm
SWEET DEAL. I’ve heard of Priceline, but haven’t used it. SCORE for you guys!
I can SO relate to the “affliction” (I am usually bed-ridden and also on very strong drugs for at least one day/month) but I’m proud of you for soldiering on and making it through!! Yay for getting back to church, for cooking meals to freeze, for spring cleaning, and all that other stuff that will make you feel warm & fuzzy because you’ve done it and crossed it off your list.
Hannah´s last blog ..Upside-down
angella Reply:
October 6th, 2009 at 9:26 am
I’m still working on that list and it feels GOOD to cross things off.
My weekend was fantastic. Insanely exhausted from working nights and only getting 2-4 hours sleep Saturday but worth it for the giggles and grins of a certain incredible girl. Congratulations on inching toward normalcy. I hear it’s lovely there.
Jennifer W.´s last blog ..A title would be nice
angella Reply:
October 6th, 2009 at 9:30 am
That’s what I hear too
Wow, that is going to be a change for you! But yea, it IS nice to walk away from work and be DONE with it.
My weekend? I worked. Just like I do EVERY SINGLE DAY.
Jen´s last blog ..backack
angella Reply:
October 6th, 2009 at 9:35 am
Yeah. I’m still working every day but at least it’s at a dull roar for the next two weeks
Sweet. Sounds like some great things on the horizon for you guys. Many blessings…
Elizabeth´s last blog ..All Is Well
angella Reply:
October 6th, 2009 at 9:37 am
Back at you, with your new baby love
Good for you! I totally get the “leaving work behind” thing. Sounds like we’re both in transition – I got a new job closer to home!
Trenches of Mommyhood´s last blog ..Half Full
Um, I’m exhausted about just reading everything you did this weekend! Puts my weekend to shame! Which included putting a grill together for my mom and eating the home cook meal I demanded as payment for my hard work!
That’s exciting about the full-time gig!
Kristabella´s last blog ..LOL Smiley Face
Can I just say that it makes me feel so much better to see that I’m not the ONLY mom with a cluttered room? THANK YOU for posting it!!
My weekend…well I FINALLY updated my blog with 2 posts about my weekend. Vastly different.
And Emily looks so cute in her leotard!
Lisa´s last blog ..Mom’s Worry…but like this?
[...] I was so excited to have this chunk of time “off” (The “off” is in quotes, because when is a parent ever really off duty?) and I still am. Excited, that is. That overwhelming burden of those eight weeks of work nonsense has lifted but it’s not as though I have been merely lounging on the couch and eating bonbons. Obviously. [...]
Comment by Where The Streets Have No Name | Dutch Blitz on October 8th, 2009 @ 12:13 am
angella Reply:
October 5th, 2009 at 10:04 pm
I don’t know if we have yarrow leaves, but if not I will take you up on your offer.