My forced staycation is coming to an end. I go back to work on Monday for the 3-11 p.m. shift, and I have mixed feelings. Part of me is ready to become a productive member of society again, but the other part is reluctant to give up all the extra time I’ve found myself with.

The first week I was off work wasn’t vacation at all; it was hospital and recovery. But David has made huge improvements since then and he doesn’t need much help from me at all anymore. This past week I can accurately call a staycation, and here are some things that I did:

Slept late and lounged in bed

Now when I wake up at 4 a.m. it’s because my dogs want attention, not because my alarm is going off. But most of the time I wake up happily around 8 a.m. and get ready for the day slowly.

Hit the road running despite the heat

Even though some days I can’t bear to set foot outside more than I have to because of the sweltering heat, I have managed to start the C25k program again and complete the first two weeks. I figure if I’m going to eat an entire 11 oz bag of Raisinettes in two days I’ve gotta do something to counteract those calories!

Took up a new/old hobby

One day this week I was suddenly seized with the desire to cross stitch. I used to do it when I was young, but it’s been fifteen years at least. I went and raided my mom’s craft room, came away with some supplies, and am slowly working through a completely cheesy design. It’s a great hobby, perfect to do while watching mindless TV shows like 30 Rock, which is another new show I’ve picked up on thanks to Netflix instant streaming. Now I just need to find some designs I actually like.

Read and journaled

Of course, what’s a vacation if not time to read? I finished two books and am working on my third. I’ve also been doing some journaling and reflecting. There has been a lot of down time and I’ve been doing some thinking, mostly about the kind of life I want to live and how to make that happen. A break like this has given me time to decide what is worth spending time and effort on, and I’m sure you’ll become aware of these thoughts in the coming weeks as I write them down.

Overall, the past two weeks were exactly what David and I needed. This surgery has been a long time coming for him, and it will solve so many problems. We got to have a lot of togetherness, as you can imagine, and it’s brought us closer than ever. I feel rested, rejuvenated, and ready to go forward with work & life.