Hungover

This week was one big hangover. And not the “woohoo! I had a killer night and I’m paying the price this morning, but it’s worth it” kind.

It’s the first week back after the holiday. Otherwise known as re-entry. Also known as survival week. Also known as the extended holiday hangover.

It really doesn’t make sense. You live your life and all of its crazy and for the most part, things roll right along. But somehow, the first “real” week back to reality after the holidays is hard.

This year seemed even more difficult than usual. My kids didn’t go back to school until January 7th, given how the holiday days fell on the calendar. I will tell you right now – that is just too late in January. That same day, I flew to Las Vegas for the annual CES trade show. I go most years for my job, but I can’t recall a year where I departed the same day as re-entry.

So the week kind of went like this. My husband was also suffering from re-entry and was not thrilled with the timing of my work trip. I forgot the times of basketball practices (some had changed) and had to arrange carpools at the last minute – from Vegas. I was texting my nanny frequently to ensure appointments didn’t fall through the cracks – at the last minute – from Vegas. I was digging through an avalanche of email amidst my work commitments – from Vegas.

When I got home Wednesday night, it felt like I had been gone for a decade. I didn’t sleep well in Vegas – you know, the tossing and turning kind of nights. I was tired with a foggy head.

I had a busy schedule at work the last few days. And needed to ace my parenting game so it was time to rally. But the house needed to be cleaned up for the cleaning lady (you know what I mean….), we were missing some essential groceries, my car had no gas, my son needed to be prepared for his first ski bus tonight, and we had some important meetings at my youngest daughter’s school to prioritize.

This afternoon when I got home from work, I was ready to sit. And do nothing. So I cuddled my youngest and did just that. And later this evening, I took a bath.

That might not sound like a big deal, but it is! Our rental house (which we lived in for an entire year) didn’t have a bath-worthy tub. But, we built a beautiful master bathroom with a beautiful tub. But two months after moving in, the only person that had used it was my oldest daughter. It became a running joke with one of my friends – “have you used your tub yet?” Embarrassingly, the answer has been no – until tonight.

You see, I am terrible about taking time to sit. To relax. To soak in a tub. But tonight I did. I used my lovely new bathtub for the first time. And tried to shake off the hangover vibe of the week. I thought of some things that made me smile today and closed my eyes.

Life is good on a day like today. And I think the hangover is gone. I’m ready to make the most of the week-end. And actually start living those resolutions!

And because every blog is better with Zoe, look how devoted she was while I soaked tonight.