Due to my recent medical emergency, I have been directed by my doctor to take off two months (FMLA) from work in order to rest, recover and do tests and treatments. I am also supposed to avoid driving, if possible. I have just started my second week and while I have gotten a lot better with more sleep and less stress, I still feel compelled to do something, anything! with my day besides watch daytime TV. So I have become a house-husband.
I have always been the tidier of the two of us and I don’t mind doing the dishes, mopping the floors, and cleaning the counters as well as taking on the “traditional” male activities of mowing the lawn and fixing stuff around the house. Yes, I know, Cassie is very lucky to have such a helpful husband! 🙂
So even though so far it’s only been a short time off, I have been able to get into some “deep cleaning” projects that we were planning on hiring a cleaning company to do when it came time to move to Puerto Rico. Things like cleaning behind the stove and the fridge. Washing the curtains. Cleaning out the cabinets. Washing the outside and inside of the windows. Some of these were LONG past due. I have also started to sort through more of our stuff and look at what should be sold, given away or trashed.
Nastiness Hidden Behind the Wall
Nastiness Gone
Even got new drip pans
I have begun to have a routine where I read a Spanish-language instruction booklet in the morning, take a walk and start on a cleaning project or two. Cassie meets me for lunch at home when she can. If I need something Cassie can drive me there or I can walk or ride my bike to the store that is about 2 miles away. It has been refreshingly simpler with more time to think and rest and no rush except for tasks that I choose for myself.
My new friend Perico
We are normally DINKs (Dual Income No Kids) and so our first priority is on work and second on our after work goals like our rentals and third on everything else, including housework and health. So this has been a nice shift to reshuffle priorities a little and get healthy, ready for Puerto Rico and back up to speed.
Moving out furniture. The living room was packed!
It has also been a good experiment for what it will be like when we live in Puerto Rico. We will be in charge of the activities of our day, which is both exciting and intimidating. Overall, I think it has taught us that we are just naturally “productive” and will feel compelled to do something with some sort of tangible result/improvement for our having been there. While lying on the beach is great, we crave that feeling of accomplishment and achievement. So, no matter what our “titles” or spheres of influence, this break has shown me that we are sure to stay busy.
Sounds like a good time to see if you might enjoy pleasure reading!
One of the things I have learned as a librarian is that taking up the hobby of reading can be a lot like learning how to knit…you have the skills but you never knew you could enjoy it.
A lot of people who think they don’t enjoy reading got that impression because they were made to read things they didn’t enjoy while in school and instead of blaming the teacher for ruining a good thing, they blame the act of reading.
I have had countless men and women tell me stories about the novel that changed their perception of reading. Ereaders have been great for this since they make reading “cool” and techie!
Britton, you are such an interesting and interested guy, I think you would find reading as a great way to learn how to do things you don’t know how to do or go to places you might be interested in or whatever tickles your fancy.
I have adults show up to the library in a state of “giddiness” over the item that is waiting for them that they can’t wait to jump into. Books can truly become an addiction and our library here in Greeley is like a big drugstore since there isn’t much you can’t find there.
While you have this time to reflect, you might want to consider what books can add to your life. They don’t “produce” tangible results, but they do offer new friends, new perspectives, and they make you think differently about the world around you.
Britton,
First of all we are relieved you are feeling back to your regular great self, and even better have several months to just kick back and do what you like. The sleep will be wonderful! Cassie is very lucky to have you as a “house husband.” Larry is a lot like you, but not so keen on cleaning.
Second, I am so sad to hear that Snoodle is up in heaven waiting for us, as we really enjoyed having her here. You are right that she was unusually special and wise. Your family was also wise to choose and cherish her, for she taught all of us many lessons.
This has really been a “dragon” year of ups, downs, transitions and thought provoking eye openers.
It has been a dragon year for sure! I did pick up some books at the library (science books of course) and have started to read a bit here and there. It is something that takes free time, something I haven’t been used to having for years.
Although I guess I do technically “read” often, it is mostly online. I have been limiting my computer/screen time as I think it may be one of my “triggers” when combined with stress and lack of sleep. So more books and trips to the library will ensue.
Schnoodle will be missed. I still freak out sometimes because I feel like I have left her outside and she needs to be let in. Old habbits.
Go to libraries while you can (there aren’t any here) and pick up the “Practice Makes Perfect” series of workbooks by Dorothy Devney Richmond to help with Spanish (although Puerto Rican spanish isn’t really spanish). There are workbooks on verb tenses, nouns, vocabulary. Very good and better I think than Rosetta Stone. A Kindle or Kindle type thing would be a good place to amass books (easy to transport your library that way) and the screen doesn’t have glare and doesn’t bother me (I have problems with flickering lights, reflections and glare).The health thing lets you know how important health care/insurance is…and how important it is to live the life you want while you can. Sounds like you are being thoughtful and productive! See you soon!
Hi Katrina! It’s good to hear from you!
We have thought about the library situation and will definitely be picking up a kindle or kindle like device for ebooks and entertainment. And who knows, if we have the energy I think getting involved in improving the library situation would be something worth while too.
I will check on the book you suggested, I am still learning the very very basics and it will take me a while but you know what they say, if you don’t start somewhere, you’ll never get anywhere. Practice makes perfect sounds about right. I have to go over things a hundred times befofre they sink in..lol.