Spirit-Lifters
So here I am, in Connecticut for the week, part of a team sent here to conduct an audit of the Government folks who work at a major defense contractor’s plant. It’s not a fun undertaking, as most of the people are convinced we’re there to eliminate their jobs, or rat them out to their supervisors about something perceived or real (we’re not). To make it worse, the weather has been absolutely miserable, with constant rain and gray skies. The days have been long, beginning around 7 a.m. and continuing until 6 p.m. or later, with more number crunching and stats to pull together after we’ve returned to our hotel. Worse, I leave here on Friday and head directly to upstate New York (no offense to any New Yorkers intended) to conduct a similar audit at another office we have there, beginning on Monday. No passing “Go” and collecting $200. Go directly to Owego, NY.
By the time I hit my bed, around 11 p.m. each night, I’m completely exhausted. I haven’t had to travel like this in a long time and I’m completely out of practice. I find I’m not good company for myself. I miss my husband and my girls. My 14-year old is leaving this morning for her eighth-grade class trip to Washington D.C., and I won’t be there to kiss her good-bye, or to remind her of all the little things, like…take lots of pictures, keep your hotel room door locked, don’t go on any roller-coasters at Busch Gardens, have a ball…that sort of thing. My younger daughter is in the elementary school talent show on the Friday night I return, so I’m hoping we can conduct our out-brief in a timely manner next Friday morning and be on the road by noon so that I can make it to the school in time to see her perform. I keep remembering her face as she asked me if I would be there, and it almost breaks my heart. I’m driving back with my boss, and I’ve already told him to just buckle in and hold on…it’s going to be a fast ride!
So while I’m on the road for two weeks, I find I need to do things to keep my spirits up. I know, I know…some of you are thinking that being in a hotel for two weeks without the husband and kids might be reason enough to celebrate, but I have to tell ya…it ain’t so! Some of the things I love to do, like taking a walk, are impossible until the weather clears up. I’m also limited by the fact that I don’t know the area, and I’m sooo tired when I get back to the room, but there are other things I can do that I find help me feel better. They include:
- Giving myself a pedicure and painting my toenails bright red
- Enjoying a hot cup of tea with pure Scottish shortbread cookies
- Reading a really good book
- Calling my sister and talking for an hour or more about anything and everything
- Joining the other team members at the hotel happy hour, enjoying a glass of wine, and getting to know them on a personal level (we come from all areas of the country, and some of us have never met before this week). I’ve even learned some of the stories behind how they met their significant others, and have some ideas brewing…
So, having done all of these things already, and with another ten nights stretching endlessly in front of me, I could use some more ideas on how to keep my spirits up and not fret about the kids, or wonder if the animals…er, the kids…are being fed, etc. etc. So I’d love to ask you…what do you do to give your spirit a boost? What makes you feel good, and keeps you going? I’d love to hear from you! Bear with me…I’ll be involved in this audit all day, but will get back to you once I return to my cell…er…hotel!
Poor Karen!
I can't say two weeks like that sounds fun at all -- hotel or not. If you weren't working 12+ hours a day, maybe, but even then, I know I wouldn't like being away from home like that, either. Sheesh.
On the upside, the weather here in CNY is looking good, so hopefully you'll at least have some sunshine. :)
I have to point out, how AMAZING it is that you do this, work this hard, and have your family, and still write. You are incredible, lady! Put us mere mortals to shame. *G*
Mood boosters for me in a similar situation would be a good night's sleep, downtime with Mike, watching one of my favorite TV shows, or maybe fussing in my garden with my flowers or taking a walk in the sunshine. I also like to bake cookies (and of course, eat them) if I am feeling low. Of course you can't do that in a hotel room, but you can order them. :) When I was working, writing used to be a treat, too -- it was fun to sit down and mess with my story as an escape from work.
Hang in there,
Sam
Hey, Sam!! I was really
Hey, Sam!! I was really hoping my itinerary would allow me to get to Syracuse and maybe have lunch, but I'm driving up with several other folks, and you know how it is...besides, I still have 20K words to write on my current WIP, so I'm hoping this weekend will be an opportunity to really buckle down and get writing. But I'm so happy to hear the weather is at least going to cooperate. It's finally cleared up down here, but it's chilly!!
Hi Karen,
I agree with Sam. It's amazing you do this incredible day job and then write, too.
In similar situations, I write, read and workout. Oh, and I eat. Good thing I work out, eh? I also do crossword puzzles and needlework (while watching TV.) Not very dynamic, but it's the way I fill my time.
I hope the two weeks pass quickly, Karen!
Hi Jeannie! I definitely
Hi Jeannie! I definitely have the food thing covered, LOL! I'm staying in a Homewood Suites, with a kitchenette, so while I was buying snacks for Caitlin to bring with her on her class trip to D.C., I bought some for myself, too...granola bars, Cheez-Its, nuts, licorice whips, Scottish shortbread, etc. I did pack some carrot sticks and celery, but they're still sitting untouched in the fridge!
I like to read, take a
I like to read, take a shower, go to bed early! I don't watch much TV, but I do love to watch movies, so I'd try to catch some I haven't seen on the Pay-per-view channel. (Not THOSE kind! haha.)
I'd revel in having the bed all to myself, even if I still would only sleep on one side.
M
Actually, I told myself that
Actually, I told myself that if I wrote 2K words, I'd treat myself by watching something on HBO or Showtime, which are channels I don't have at home. So I peeked at the TV listing, and am planning on watching You, Me, and Dupree at 9:00, if I meet my goal! And I absolutely love having the bed to myself; I sleep diagonally across it, with all three pillows bunched around me!
Hugs!!
Wow, Karen! First, one more round of applause for you--you are amazing, juggling all your responsibilities!!
Are there other things that you would enjoy but don't normally have time to do? Or is there something you've been wanting to have the time to learn (knitting? cross-stitch? the samba? horseback riding?...)? You could probably find some lessons or doing some DIY in your room in the evenings. Or even find some "touristy" things to try? Or if there are some friends who you don't usually get to talk to or write to, maybe you could set aside some time to do that (like you've done with your sister, but maybe you've got some other people in mind, too).
Or you could do some little things for your family--send them some postcards, or take some time to write them a little letter telling them some things you appreciate about them or some memories of things you've done together that you cherish. I know I love receiving things from people that let me know that they actually like me ;) And you don't have to mail them--you could just keep them until you get back in person. Or if you're so inclined, you could start a little journal/scrapbook for them (collectively or individual ones). For your daughters, it could be something you could use to write down things you want them to know about life or yourself or your relationship with your DH or ??? Or it could be something you use to start a back-and-forth thing with them where you take turns writing in it?
Hmm... sorry to have gone on so long! Maybe you could make a list for yourself of things you enjoy doing and want to treat yourself to--eating a certain kind of food or trying a new kind? Exploring the local culture--museums? Galleries? Parks? Gardens?
Anyway, I hope you find some good ways to fill this time you've got--I'm sure it's a mixed blessing. I always think that I'd love some time to myself, but at the same time, it would be hard to be away from my family to get that time. (Plus would I have thought ahead to bring a big chunk of my TBR with me? ;))
Take care, Karen!!
Fedora--what a great list.
Fedora--what a great list. I'm going to keep your suggestions in mind the next time I find myself away from home with nothing to do!
Fedora, I agree with
Fedora, I agree with Jeannie--what a great list!! I'm definitely sending some postcards and letters to the girls. I know that two weeks is forever to them, and it's always fun to get mail. And it'll make me feel closer to them while I'm writing the letters, and give me something to smile about as I picture them reading the letters...thank you so much!
You're so welcome!
Glad to be helpful :) And we never outgrow the joy that pops up when you run to the mailbox and there's something fun and personal in there waiting for you! It's great to know you're putting smiles on others' faces while you're writing, too :)
Hope the days just fly by! And Jeannie, hope you won't have too many such occasions to fill (unless you want them ;))
A bubble bath with a good
A bubble bath with a good bookk and then a good nights sleep helps boost my spirit.
I can do a bubble bath! And
I can do a bubble bath! And maybe treat myself to an early night (I have to say the bed here is so comfy...it's hard to drag myself out of it each morning!) and a good book. I brought a bunch with me, so I have a plenty to choose from. Thank you, Estella!
I live in CT, and yes it's
I live in CT, and yes it's been miserable! No rain today but it's cold. I want Spring back lol
Ashley
Hey, Ashley!! Yes, it is
Hey, Ashley!! Yes, it is chilly!! I left the window open in my hotel this morning, and by the time I got back tonight the room was like an ice-box! But it was nice to see the sun!
We've got the heat on today
We've got the heat on today lol My birthday is soon and I hope it's warm by then.
Ashley