Tuesday, April 07, 2009

Just what I needed

I rolled out of Austin at 10:30 Friday morning and returned at 11:30 Monday morning. It's the longest I've gone since having a child who could talk without having someone yell "Mommy" at me a zillion times a day. Elizabeth went with me, but since she can't talk yet, she doesn't count.

I also went four days without e-mail and Internet, which is a record. I was only twitchy for a few hours.

My dear friends L and H and I went to Greenville, TX, to H's parents' lake house. It sounds luxurious, but it isn't really. The house is a real log cabin, made out of big East Texas pine trees, and it's probably 100 years old. The kitchen and indoor plumbing aren't original to the house. Rustic is probably the best word to describe it, but it is the most restful, relaxing place I've ever been. The house is under big old trees and the lawn slopes down to a lake. You don't hear traffic or sirens or anything but the wind in the trees, the lapping of the lake, and the birds. And the occasional dog.

H and L spent Saturday at the big flea market in Canton, but Elizabeth and I stayed out the house. I took a morning nap while Elizabeth slept and an afternoon nap while H's mother took Elizabeth for a walk. It was divine.

Sunday I took another morning nap, and then H and I took Elizabeth for a long walk. Elizabeth slept for almost four hours Sunday afternoon, so I spent those hours dozing on the sofa, reading on the back porch, and having afternoon tea with H.

It was so lovely to be able to sit and read or do nothing and not feel as though I SHOULD be doing laundry or vacuuming or cleaning or any of the other zillion little chores that make up my day.

I came home yesterday morning rested and relaxed and ready to face life again. I felt like I had beaten back a bit of the big, bad D-word that has been stalking me for the last few months. Unfortunately, I came back to a sick Campbell, bickering girls and a mountain of laundry. But I feel better able to cope with all of it having had a break.

And now to get caught up.

7 comments:

Unknown said...

a break can help a LOT!!!! yay for you

Maude Lynn said...

It sounds like paradise!

Cathy said...

what a great break--it's so important to do that so you can keep your strength up for the daily grind! Glad the baby cooperated! :)

Baino said...

You're so lucky. Even when I have the opportunity I just can't either sleep in or nap . . .mini breaks are still the best for chilling out tho

Janice said...

I'm so glad for you! I feel a bit better just having read about your break. Isn't that weird?

The Kretzings said...

So glad you had a chance to recharge and reset. Sounds like a wonderful get-away.

Unknown said...

I hope you are still kicking the Big-D's ass my dear. If not, slog on through, keep swimming