That’s right. Slowly but surely I am making my way back unto the living. I’ve been down and out for a good 48 hours but currently, I’d say, I’m operating at about 70% capacity which means I’m back to doing laundry, dishes, vacuuming and general cleaning but still feeling crappy enough to be slightly bitter.
Being “out of commission” is unchartered territory for me. With a first-grader in public school I catch my fair share of colds and an occasional upset stomach but I typically still run on full cylinders and have a firm grasp on the day-to-day duties of running a household.
This time around was slightly different. This cold, or ”viril rhinitis” as I like to so eloquently put it, took everything out of me. All of my responsibilities had to go on hold and that was, perhaps, the hardest part of fighting it. The “knowing”. Knowing that for an indefinite amount of time, my laundry would go unwashed, the dishes would go unrinsed, the kids would go unbathed and the floors would go unswept.
And due to this admittedly unhealthy obsession with things remaining orderly and my wholehearted attempts at keeping up a “large and in charge” persona, I have historically not been the best patient. I have not allowed myself to rest fully for fear that dirty towels and food-caked dishes would take over my house.
But, again, this time around was a different mamma-jamma. This time I seriously could have cared less if my towels walked in from the laundry room to sit down next to me on the couch and discuss politics. It honestly wouldn’t have fazed me if my dirty dishes convened together to march around my kitchen in protest. I would have laid on that couch and applauded their demonstration.
At the onset of my snotty nose, I made the decision to take some much needed rest and allow life to go on around me. And you know what? It did. Dinner got made, dishes were cleaned up and my kids got bathed.
I realized that when push comes to shove my husband is a worthy house manager. I realized that the sun does not rise and set on a clean house. I realized that stinky kids are still happy kids. I realized that sometimes a down-and-out cold is a worthy excuse for a much needed respite. I realized that I do not have to do it all.
(I also realized that combining cough medicine and rum is not a smart decision given my somewhat unsettling hallucinations concerning my politically-minded towels and march-happy dishes.)
So, as I work on gaining back the remaining 30% of my capacity I will do so with a certain peace as I have learned a valuable lesson. I will undoubtedly get sick again and my well-oiled machine will undoubtedly come to a screeching halt but when it does…all will be okay. (Unless my towels do actually sit down to talk to me, then we’re dealing with an entirely different situation.)
P.S. I wanted to say a gracious “Thank You” to you all for my well-wishes! It was certainly most appreciated!!
Happy Wednesday,
Mindy
Related posts:
Mindee@ourfrontdoor
Mindy
I have to say, I’m proud of you! You did learn an important lesson … dishes have a mind of their own, as do towels … and no matter how hard you try to keep up with them, they’re always one step ahead of you. But when you’re sick they tend to take pity and clean themselves up. And in your case, they are entertaining as well. Good job Mindy!
(glad you feel better, too)
Thanks Shelli! It’s only taken me 10 years of marriage and 7 years of parenthood to start clueing in… =)
Mindy
You’re recovering WAY too quickly. You’ve got to milk this, baby!!! The commenter from your previous post was right – they adjust too quickly to your return…you might as well pace yourself some.
Ahh, if you’re like me, you probably are ready to get back to real life anyway. Glad you’re feeling better.
Yes, I can only take a good 2 days of doing nothing. That’s my threshold before I start going a little stir crazy (well, more than what’s ‘normal’ on a daily basis.) =)
Mindy
I’m glad you’re starting to feel better! And what a wonderful thing to learn, that you can depend on your husband when you take a turn for the worse. Sometimes I think I get sick when my body decides to force my brain to take a break. Keep feeling better!
Thanks Daphne! I think my brain forced my rest this time, too. I really had no choice but to lay down and veg a little. And, I know how lucky I am. I thank God daily! =)
Mindy
Jerry must be a saint because nothing much gets done at my house when I’m sick. Well, until I reach that almost-well-and-cranky-about-not-being-well stage and start barking orders like a deranged drill seargent. Then they make the house look better.
Glad you’re better, glad Jerry stepped up to the plate, and may your re-entry into the land of the well be a smooth one!
♥Spot
Thanks Spot! So far so good… =)
(It’s only a matter of time before I discover something that was haphazardly handled during my downtime).
Mindy
Mindy, please tell me you weren’t taking NyQuil with your rum. Although, that would explain the hallucinations.
I just might have to try that. lol Glad you’re back up and running.
Not “with”…more one right after the other. =)
Mindy
Your rum comments always get me – do you even own any rum? I just want to make sure you haven’t been sneaking over here and drinking mine!
Oh, yes. Rum and I have a great relationship. Now, am I tipping it back quite as often as I insinuate? Not…quite… =)
Mindy
Rum? That’s why you’re all better, I hope it’s not an hallucination! Glad you’re up and running.
Thank you muchly…feeling better by the minute. More, like ‘up and walking slowly’. =)
Mindy
Hey Mindy!
glad to see you are feeling better! i hate being sick and “down for the count”.
I’ve actually felt that way for the past few weeks but have also realized that the world will not end if they use the same towels for more than 3 days. =)
p.s. if you’re towels come and talk to you PLEAAAASE take a picture and send to me.
i need to be a part of that conversation.
take care!
Amen, Amber! Dirty towels do not mean the end of the world.
Trust me I will let you know if the towels start talking to me. If not me, the white coats that take me away. =)
Mindy
Glad you are on the mend!
Thank ya much! =)
Mindy
I’ve had to learn that at work…sometimes we just have to let go and trust others will help out. It’s a tough thing to grasp, though.
Very tough…and something I’ve struggled with for a very long time. Still working on it, obviously. =)
Mindy
Steroids did the trick for me. I am in roid heaven. Hubba Hubba baybeee.
Glad you got to the computer screen. Good to hear from you! HUGS. I KNOW what you are going through!
Hehehe..’roids.’ Glad they’re workin’ for ya! =)
Mindy
Does Jer realize that he’s blown his cover? Now that you know he’s competent you’re going to have expectations.
Glad you’re feeling better.
Oh, he realizes it. I’ve been bringing it up often over the last couple of days. I think he’s in deep regret right about now. =)
Mindy
So glad your feeling a little better. Nice to know that Jer can be relied on in a pinch.
Well it could have been the rum, but I’m going to go with..it was Jack opening and closing your eyes!
Yeah, Jack has that effect on people. It’s a survival techinique we’ve had to adopt. He moves, we’re forced out of the doldrums and on hyper-alert. I think it was ultimately Jack that pulled me out of sicks-ville. =)
Mindy