« who wins now huh? | Main | 98 was a good year »
pulling threads
By heather | May 20, 2008
What is it about being an adult that makes us unable to relax on vacation until it’s almost over?
Or maybe it isn’t adults in general, maybe it’s me.
I’ve never professed to be easy going. I will freely admit that I have control freak tendencies.
Am I wound so tight that it just takes days for the thread to unspool? Or am I out of my comfort zone and I can only truly relax once I know that I’m close to returning to the zone? It’s always taken me a while to relax but as a mom, I’ve taken not relaxing to a whole new level.
This weekend we took a long weekend and went to the beach with some friends. Before we even left, I stressed about getting there in traffic.
I worried about Alex not sleeping and spent the first night on edge unable to drift off because I was waiting for him to wake up.
I fretted over food and toys and weather and if I’d brought enough diapers. And by the way, this was not a remote beach – it was an hour from our house and 10 minutes from a grocery store.
I took 800 things I didn’t need and very few things that I did including a strapless top and no strapless bra; 9 tank tops and no t-shirts or sweats; no pj’s and before you get any ideas about marital bliss there were 16 people in the house.
It was Sunday before I started to chill out. I hate that about myself. Where is the switch that would allow me to fully enjoy every minute? I must be the most hypocritical yoga instructor ever.
Alex on the other hand, was happier this weekend than any time in distant memory, continuing to prove Brett’s theory that Alex likes to be the best behaved kid in any situation involving other kids. He napped, he slept, he played happily, and stared wide eyed when other kids had meltdowns.
He smiled and flirted and took walks with us on the beach. With each adorable toddler thing he did, I let go just a little more.
And when we got home, I downloaded these and I finally let go all the way.
Topics: vacations | 5 Comments »
Tags:
May 20th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
I am so jealous. I want that.
Beautiful pics!!
Miss’s last blog post..Blah, Blah, Blah? and a tag
May 20th, 2008 at 7:02 pm
If you were uptight while we were on our shopping trip, I couldn’t tell. In fact, I was worried about being too rigid. Hey! You even made fun of me for all my obsessive planning!
As per my post last week, I’m learning that I can’t, in my own power, make things better or make myself feel better. It’s cliche, but when I “let go and let God”, things feel better more quickly.
Agree with Miss. I totally would dig some beach right now! Pun intended
Vicki’s last blog post..School’s Out For The Summer ? Musical Stylins re: School
May 20th, 2008 at 10:38 pm
Great pics…..when you start to feel overwhelmed, just think back to the hot tub and how nice and relaxing it was.
May 21st, 2008 at 6:52 am
hi. i clicked through from vicki’s post to find out about rss subscription rates and how to determine them. but how funny and timely your latest post is…i’m leaving for vacation soon, and will try and remember to relax BEFORE it’s time to come home. thanks for the reminder.
May 22nd, 2008 at 12:55 pm
These are awesome pictures!!!! Alex is so cute!! At least you can look at these and convince yourself after the fact that you had a great time.