A week or so ago, I realized I needed a break.  My attitude was reflecting it and my body was shouting it.

I planned Monday and Tuesday off.  I SO wanted three days in a row with nowhere I HAD to be!!

My time off was granted!!!  My inner physically, mentally and emotionally exhausted woman summoned the energy for jazz hands and cartwheels as I read that email.

Then one of my bosses mentioned a presentation he was giving at a real estate office and that he wanted me to go with him.  Tuesday.

Sigh.

So, three days in a row was not to be. I switched my days off to Friday and Monday.

That’s fine.  Two days in a row is better than no days in a row. (I do my second job on Saturdays if the days aren’t adding up for you.)

The last three days, I worked sick.  My body must have caught wind of the upcoming time off and gave the order: “Okay!  Shut down!  Head, stomach, ear, muscles – feel free to fall apart now.  Fever, kick in!  Let’s go! Let’s go!”

I kid you not, I was standing outside in 94 degree weather with goosebumps on my skin.  Chills … dizziness – just generally unwell.

I was D-O-N-E!

So, let me tell you about my first day of ‘sickation’.  Yes, we took the scenic view to get to my point.  You’re welcome. 😉

I don’t know if it’s primarily a woman thing – (and I don’t want to be sexist, but from years of observation, I’m pretty sure it IS primarily a ‘woman thing’) but I can NOT relax until everything that needs doing has been done.

Seriously incapable of chilling out if there are dishes in the sink, dog hairs on the carpet, dust on the furniture, errands that need to be run.

I awoke at 5:30 am and wanted nothing more than to curl back into my sheets and close my eyes.

But, Butters had something urgent to attend to outside.  A bird must have flown by the house,  or a rabbit must have looked over at her yard.  Those are the sort of emergencies that she tends to.

Far be it from me to deny her the feeling of accomplishment.  And, she is a woman, probably she couldn’t relax knowing she hadn’t barked at an early morning passing car.

I feel you Butters – I get it.

So, up I got.

And up I stayed.

By 7:30, I decided to ‘just do it’.  Nike my way through the morning and enjoy the afternoon.

Grocery shopping entailed 3 separate shops as they each had different items on sale. By 10:00 am I was home.

Of course, Nic was still sleeping, so I hauled in the goods and put them away.

I do try to carry all the bags at once – but this cold/flu thing has rendered my muscles into jelly.  SO! Three trips later, I was done.

If you’re like me, this is also the moment you take to clear out the fridge of expired foods and uneaten leftovers.

I stood and looked around the kitchen.  Whimpered a little.  And sprung into action.  Next was the living room – which extended into my bedroom, connected to my bathroom.  Then when it became apparent that Nic’s bathroom wasn’t going to clean itself, I did his too.

In between cleaning (and placing this adorable pumpkin in my kitchen!)

I took advantage of the heavy winds outside.  I washed my fake plants and put them outside to blow dry.

House done.

Check.

Next, the side job I took on.  I finished the last 500 of thousands of envelopes I have been stamping, labeling, stuffing and sealing.

Finished with that, said goodbye to Nic and his girlfriend and vacuumed for the second time today.  Wind + desert sand + shedding dog = multiple vacuum moments.

Finally got to sit down for a few moments after that … to pay bills at the computer.

I realized I had forgotten an item on my shopping list – and I would have just let it go if it was something I could do without.  Went BACK to the store for dish liquid.

I didn’t leave with just dish liquid though – I decided to treat myself.  I guiltily put a small bouquet of flowers in my cart.

Do you love my little art model? It’s like it’s saying “Whoa! Where did those come from?”

I think I deserve them.

And now, at 5:33 pm, 12 hours since my eyelids parted on this Friday – I am FINALLY on the couch.  After a achingly wonderful, welcome shower, and baking some cookies.

I can now take some medicine and  exhale.

Until it’s time to make dinner.

I know I’m not the only one – women, I salute you!

And as for Butters – I think I exhausted her with my whirlwind of determined activity.  She actually rolled her eyes at me!  I caught it on camera to share with you.

Wishing everyone a very happy weekend!  And I hope you find time to recharge.