Friday, August 11, 2017

Back To Life. Back To Reality. Almost...


It's the last day of Lisa's vacation. Lisa scheduled this vacation a couple of weeks beforehand. It was much needed for so many reasons, some of which we had no idea about at the time. What we did know, at the time Lisa scheduled her vacation, was that a few of our neighbor friends were taking off for vacation the week she requested off. We were responsible for the house and fur-kid sitting. Two of our neighbor friends were leaving for a little over a week. Two more of our neighbor friends were leaving for three days.

What we didn't know at the time was that Lisa would be diagnosed with Lyme Disease for the second time this year. She was bitten on the head. An inch away from last year's bite. Then, the week after our backyard anniversary party, Lisa tested positive for Mono.

Needless to say, the past few weeks have been extremely challenging. The second round of Lyme Disease in a year's time. Mono. A regimen of medications with heavy side effects. Finishing up a temporary work project for a client. Planning and prepping for our backyard anniversary party. Dealing with Mother Nature.

That's all on top of our usual daily work and home life schedules. And, on the Bodacious Biscuit Love end of things, we're making more changes.

We had a few plans for this week, but we made a few adjustments because Lisa is unable to be in the sun or heat while on one of her Lyme medications.

Last weekend, while having our early morning coffee chat in the living room, Lisa told me to listen and not reply until after she was done.

Okay. I sat back and listened.

"I know you want me to relax this week and we've had to cancel what few plans we had. However. I know this is a work week for you. There's a lot you need to catch up on and do before your next client. I'm going to give you that time every single day to do just that. I will take care of housework and pups and house sitting. I want to spend as much time as I can with our kids because my time is limited with them during typical work weeks. That should give you a good chunk of work time per day. This is what I want to do for you. I know it's difficult for you during the week when I'm at work. This week, I won't be at work. I'm puffing out my chest. Putting my foot down."

I inhaled. Exhaled. Took several sips of my coffee.

When Lisa is adamant about something, I know she means it. It's pointless to reason with her. Once her mind is made up, that's it.

"Okay. That sounds like a plan. I would also like to add something. Each day, we're going to do something spontaneous. Something we don't normally get to do because of work and weekly schedules and weekend chores and projects."

Lisa took a sip of her coffee.

"Sounds like a plan."

That's exactly what happened throughout this entire week. Lisa's vacation was my vacation too even though I worked. I wrote over 30 blog columns. I got caught up on work stuff. I organized my desk and our home office. I was able to sit and think about this blog, my other blog, my career, the paths I'm on, we're on, changes, evolution, what needs to happen, growing pains, the next steps, etc.

We also embraced the fine art of spontaneity. We had lots of extra snuggle time with the kids on the sofa while watching Netflix. We ventured out and I spoiled Lisa with new jeans, an insulated lunch bag, and a new power tool and accessories. One night we ordered fried seafood for dinner and ate at the table while playing cards. On Thursday, we invited a couple of our dear friends over for a cookout, great conversation, and a few laughs. Earlier this evening, we had a neighbor friend, who has become like family to us, over for dinner and drinks.

It was a fantastic week all the way around. Lots of us time. Lots of family time. Lots of conversations. Lots of laughs. Lots of down time for Lisa.

Tomorrow is Lisa's 49th birthday. We have plans to eat breakfast in our vehicle while visiting some yard sales and flea markets. For dinner, we're having lobster at home with the kids. And, we'll enjoy key lime pie and family snuggle time and a movie or two in the evening.

We have the weekend ahead of us and then, she's back to work on Monday.

Then, next Saturday, we're having a cookout to celebrate Lisa's last "40-something birthday" with our friends who have become family. A very small party. We would have had it tomorrow, but a lot of "our tribe" had plans or weren't going to be back from their vacations.

Back to life. Back to reality.


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