The last few days have been a bit dramatic for my liking with H being rushed by ambulance to hospital at the beginning of the week with severe abdominal pain. He was kept in overnight and had lots of tests which showed he has a kidney stone. Happily he’s now home again and has plenty of pain killers to keep him comfortable until it passes (hopefully soon).
As a result of the extra drama my energy is flagging a bit but luckily Toby has 3 perfectly timed sessions of respite care coming up and I’m looking forward to some time to call my very own. As always I have a list of things to do, people to email, chores to tackle but the thought of carrying on like any normal week has me feeling a bit melancholy.
At this time of year so many of my friends are away on family holidays, enjoying beach time, family adventures and most of all a break of the normal mundanity of life. Family holidays are something that we no longer do because those that we did have when Toby was younger so often became more stressful for all of us than staying at home. I’m hopeful that holidays will be a part of our future family life (perhaps on the other side of Toby’s teenage years) but for now they are out of the question. Anyway, since we are not going away I decided that instead of carrying on with normal stuff I would set my Toby-free-time aside for a little holiday-like activity of my own.
I’ve taken a leaf out of Nina’s book and complied myself a little bucket list of things I’d like to do over the next week, things that are not usually part of my everydays and that I hope will help me capture that lovely lazy freedom feeling that you get when you are on a proper holiday.
I’ll pop back and let you know how I get on and if I find my holiday nirvana 🙂
little cotton rabbits 
I do so hope you get a little bit of you time soon Julie! I’m sure its a very rare thing! I look forward to seeing how you get on x
LikeLike
Your energy let-down is a legitimate response to the adrenaline rush of coping with Huw’s medical emergency. Just glad it is turning out so well.
Love your plan for a home holiday. Enjoy!
LikeLike
I really hope your little holiday is everything you wish it to be and more Julie, you deserve it! 🙂
Hope hubby feels much better soon too!
V x
LikeLike
Oh my goodness. I hope your husband passes it soon.. Those are no fun. Proper holiday? I wish. I know you will enjoy the quiet. Enjoy your garden room!
LikeLike
That looks like a very good five point plan. I hope the extra stress ebbs away soon.
LikeLike
Oh Julie — sending you big hugs! I love your sweet list — there are lots of staycation things that can be done at home and yours are the best. There’s nothing like getting outside — I hope you have perfect weather for your walk and picnic!!!
LikeLike
I did a similar thing when my husband and son went off to watch the Commonwealth games….I had great fun…..hope you do too
LikeLike
That must have been so scary for you, so glad that he’s okay. Nina’s bucket list is great isn’t it . I do hope you manage to tick off the things on your list . Happy Staycation 🙂
LikeLike
Oh Julie I wish I could have given you my Not Camping week, I’m sure you need it more than I did. Enjoy your few days and don’t forget to include some delicious treats to eat and drink.
LikeLike
oh Julie, such a worry for you, glad you will be able to get some much needed time to relax, take care and enjoy your few days, and absolutely under any circumstances don’t do any housework xxx
LikeLike
Thinking of you Julie and hope you get to enjoy your wishes on your list. Best wishes to your husband for a speedy recovery.
LikeLike
We don’t have family holidays either. It is important to just have some chill days at home doing whatever you want to.
LikeLike
Such a good thing to make a list of things to do. Perhaps you end up doing something else, but it makes you think of nice, simple things to do on your own. Enjoy the quiet time! I do hope your husband is feelingathome much better.
LikeLike
Hello Julie – make sure each and every one of your ‘to do’s’ get well and truly ticked off your list. I hope that you manage to have a restorative and relaxing week on your little staycation.
Big hugs,
Kate xx
LikeLike
I hope you enjoy a very relaxing and refreshing time during your well-deserved break, Julie. It is good to make a list of things you might do, and also to go with the flow of whatever you happen to feel like! I hope your husband is soon feeling much better too.
Wishing you happy sunny days.
Helen xox
LikeLike
Sometimes a little “at home on your own” holiday is the best kind .
Im interested in the blue knitting we can see in your pic. Is it a ” rabbit knit ” ?
Looking forward to hearing about your bucket list results.
LikeLike
Hope H is very much better soon – may I suggest a book for you – have just finished Life after Life by Kate Atkinson and it is excellent, really enjoyed it and have bought copies for my Mum and daughter for Xmas. Hope you have a lovely holiday at home.
Alison xx
LikeLike
Re number two…..maybe a felt rabbit?? Xx
LikeLike
What else do you have pretty handwriting!
(Do not know if I wrote it, I do not speak English.)
LikeLike
Poor H, I do hope he’s all better soon, I know they are very painful. I hope you have a lovely break, do try and indulge yourself and make it really special. You definitely deserve it, and you will feel all the better for it too. CJ xx
LikeLike
Sounds like a great plan! Some of my favorite things to do. Sometimes just taking time to read a book feels like vacation to me. Love your rabbits and am going to learn to knit because of them.
LikeLike
Glad to hear H is OK, hope the passing is not too painful! Enjoy your time at home – sometimes a day by yourself is better than any holiday!
LikeLike
Poor DH, I had a similar experience last year very upsetting for all. I love your bucket list, and I hope you enjoy your well earned rest. I have visions of you sat under a shady tree on a pretty picnic blanket having your picnic with your book, sounds bliss.
LikeLike
When I have a me afternoon I love to watch an old b & w movie, preferably a Bette Davis weepie, curled up with a throw and a big bar of chocolate. Give it a go…
LikeLike
May your “holiday” be calm and drama-free! Hoping that your husband recovers soon and you are able to relax somewhat. Can’t wait to see what you decide to do for #2!
LikeLike
A little regenerating time is good for the soul. I was reading back through my old blog and found some lovely comments from you and came on over to check you’re still blogging as so many people from that era (2006-8) aren’t any more. Funnily enough today I’d just written something myself about lists, it’s in the air! Hope you have fun x
LikeLike
I hope that your husband is better very soon and that you enjoy taking some time to do the things on your list. Take care of yourself. xx
LikeLike
Wishing you some care free holiday time Julie. And hope that H feels better soon. I’m spending my time this weekend knitting rabbits!
LikeLike
Wishing you a happy – and well deserved -‘holiday’ and hoping your husband will soon (and painlessly) part company with his kidney stones.
LikeLike
Good for you, Julie. I hope you enjoy your free time. Best wishes for your husband’s health.
LikeLike
What, no knitting on the list? 😉
Enjoy!!
LikeLike
Dear Julie! As a kidney stone sufferer my condolences to your hubby but the meds do provide much begged for relief. I am inspired by your bucket list. When I get respite…which isn’t too often I am either lost and don’t know what I really want to do or I end up doing all my neglected chores around the house. I think writing down your intentions will keep you on track and remind you to take the time to prioritize YOU! Just having less responsibility will hopefully give you room to breathe. Can’t wait to hear how things go and my guess is the blue knitting is a little cotton rabbit dress 🙂
LikeLike
Hope everything rights itself with your husband and I love your idea of a holiday at home – sometimes we take for granted what’s around us and unless we conscientiously look for the beauty and exciting it just fades into the mundane. xxxx
LikeLike
I do hope you have a good rest, hubby is ok and you thoroughly enjoy holiday time
from that list ☺
LikeLike
I’m new to your blog but am enjoying your posts. Enjoy your me time, you deserve it. I love your bucket list, it sounds perfect. I work in day services with adults with learning disabilities and absolutely love my job, no day is the same and everybody that I support are great but I’m ready for a break so I can imagine how much you need yours. Take care, Jane x
LikeLike
Love to hear from you…. You have become a loved friend. I send you all my love from across the ocean: every thing will work out for the best!
LikeLike
Have a lovely time, Julie.
LikeLike
Hello! I understand what it feels like to not have time to oneself over the holidays…and to not actually have a ‘going away holiday’. It is always nice to have a break from your surroundings. But, your plan is a good one. I hope it helps recharge you enough to make it to the first day of school. Here, I have been trying to do just the same-when I can-grab a break and pretend I am away. Glad to hear your husband’s pain was a stone instead of something else. I find a jaunt into the big city (sans kids) gives me a boost of energy. All the best, x
LikeLike
GO HAVE A GOOD TIME ,HOPE HUSBAND GETTING BETTER.
LikeLike
Enjoy your holiday at home – it can be so nice to make time for those little things which make life a little brighter 🙂
LikeLike
Dear Julie,
Hoping you have been able to all of the items on your list and had some “me” time. hoping too that H’s kidney stone has passed – I know too well how painful they are – went through similar with my other half last year, and the relief when it was taken care of was immense!! I’m “enjoying” a week with other half at work and kids camping away – the house is getting a thorough clean before I let myself have any crafting time – although I am stopping for coffee and IT breaks!! Sending you positive and relaxing vibes! x
LikeLike
So glad your husband is okay and hope the pain meds are working. And hope you’re having a lovely holiday at home–all the ideas on your list sound wonderful! xx
LikeLike
I love your handwriting!! I hope you’re enjoying your holiday… you deserve it!
LikeLike
I love your handwriting. It’s like you. Lovely. So sorry to hear about H. Is he well now? Those gut wrenching traumas. They really do take the stuffing out of a person don’t they? I’m proud of you though. I get not being able to go on holiday. I’m proud of you for making your list and proud of you for accomplishing them. You’re a wonder!
LikeLike