Pajama Day

After the slightly rough start to my morning I decided to emerge from bed.

It turned out that simply giving myself permission to stay in bed was all I needed, and when I spotted the sunshine, a new plan formed.

The other day Hope made a comment in a blog post about liking to clean in her pajamas.

This morning, as I pondered the day ahead of me, I remembered that comment and inspiration hit.

I declared it a pajama day.

I made a list of things that either could or should be done today - some household stuff, and a lot of self-care stuff, and decided that I would do some or all of it, but that I was not changing out of my pajamas.

I recommend this as a way to spend a day.

And, to be honest, I didn't do much on my list.  Mostly I rested.  I got up and did a few things here and there, but mostly, escapist television, and tea and resting.

And I recommend it as a way to spend a day.

I needed this day.

A pajama day.

And I plan to continue resting, watching escapist television, and maybe doing a few little tasks here and there through the evening.

Oh, and praying.  I have some time set aside later to pray for some specific people, events and things.

It's been a good day.  (And it's been a while since I could say that, so it's really nice to say it today.)

Daily 5 - Day 119

Today's Daily "5":

1. Making it home safely in very snowy weather. It took an hour and a half, but I was really just so grateful to have made it home in one piece and without any problems. (I think I'm going to take the train tomorrow... never thought I'd voluntarily do that!)
2. I'm pleased that even after a frustrating drive home, I found the motivation to follow through on a commitment to myself to really fight for my health, and to still do the yoga workout I had planned. That is a change in me that I would never have predicted - voluntarily exercising.
3. I'm thankful that in the midst of really dark days, there is hope.
4. I'm thankful for seasons like Advent and Lent that remind me what it is to really and truly long for the Light to Come.
5. Someone told me today that I seem "cheerier" and "more myself" the last month or so. That was really encouraging, particularly on a day when I was really struggling with sadness.
6. I'm thankful that I had a bit of quiet time to myself tonight before my roommate got home with a friend in tow.
7. I'm thankful for mango rooibos tea, and a couple of the cookies I baked on the weekend.
8. I'm thankful for the smile that came when a friend was teasing me about my plans to take the train tomorrow, reminding me of all the "adventures" I have collected over the years on the train.
9. I'm thankful that I can catch up on all the episodes from my favorite television shows online
10. I'm thankful for the little things (email from a friend, phone call from a family member, chats with a coworker) that remind me that I am loved and not alone.
11. (BONUS ITEM!!) I'm thankful for an ipod, which makes driving for an hour and a half to travel 15 kilometers a much more bearable undertaking. Tonight I listened to one sermon, and one and a half interviews with some of my favorite authors/speakers. It was good times, despite the nasty roads and the slighly frozen windshield wipers that made seeing out the front window a bit challenging!
    

Warranty Issues (Alternative Plans)

When, upon waking this morning, I came to the realization that what I would have liked most to do today was not a possibility, I decided instead to tackle a task or two that I'd been putting off for months. Right after I laid in bed and watched two or three episodes of Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice. Because, after all, I couldn't do the main task until the stores were open, and it was Sunday morning after all - nothing would open until at least 10:30.

I decided that today was the day that I would once again gather up my mental and emotional energies and tackle a warranty issue with Best Buy. Best Buy is not my favorite store. I have had terrible service there, and every large electronic item I've ever purchased there has to be exchanged - it's a good thing I paid all that money for their extended warranties - I've needed them.

My television has been making a terrible squealing noise for months, usually starting after it's warmed up a bit - been on for an hour or so. Generally just about half-way through whatever movie you happen to be watching and really enjoying.

And so, this morning, I gathered myself up, and loaded the TV (which size for size could match me) into George and set off. This was the day I was going to see this problem solved. Or at least on the way to being solved.

I arrived at the store, loaded the TV onto a shopping cart, and made my way inside. Directed to the warranty desk with which I am very familiar (this was, after all, the third electronic item purchased from Best Buy that has required repair or replacement in the last year), I prepared myself to do battle.

And a battle it was. The guy at the service desk informed me that my warranty would allow for replacement, but I would only get a credit for what I'd spent, not a straight replacement to a current model. And, I would have to purchase a new extended warranty to cover whatever replacement product I selected, at a cost of around $100.00. When I asked if he knew if there were any models available in that price range, he replied curtly, "You'll have to look in that department."

And so, in full fume, I took myself off to the television department. Hunting around, I managed to locate a sales person. He looked like he was about 12 years old. He clearly wasn't shaving yet, and I could look him in the eye. I'm five foot two inches, and the only guys I can look in the eye are generally under the age of fifteen. I was all set to ask "Is there a grown-up that I can talk to?" but decided to explain my problem anyway. He showed me some options, and it seemed that not only would I get the privilege of paying for a new warranty, it would also cost me approximately an extra $150 to purchase a new television model. My frustration was growing when he stopped me, "Let me just go check on something for you."

When he came back five minutes later, he was my instant hero, and made me regret my initial internal desire to ask for service from a grown up. "We can do a straight exchange to this model for you." (He selected the model I'd been planning to select anyway.) "You'll just have to pay for the warranty." I was delighted. Especially since I'd already asked the customer service clerk about this possibility, and been told that it was impossible.

He carried the new model to the customer service desk for me, and stayed there (earning me a much politer experience with the customer service clerk) until I'd finished the exchange, and paying for the new warranty.

I left the store, vowing to fill out a customer satisfaction survey that praises this young man, and speaks strongly of my dislike for the customer service representative (who I've had the misfortune of encountering on previous trips as well.)

I got back into George, and wanted to cry. That says something about the level of my emotional energy these days. The tense moments, anger, frustration, adrenaline and relief of a bad customer service experience wore me out. I wonder where I can exchange my emotional health? Does it have a warranty? Who can I see about that?

In any case, I was exhausted. And overly emotional. About a television of all things. And about finally getting some decent service. And feeling guilty for having pre-judged the young man who finally helped me.

So I took the rest of the afternoon off.

Well, actually, I went grocery shopping with my roommate.

And then I worked on a project a friend asked for about eight months ago. It took me most of three hours to compile the list of items she'd asked for.

I read a little, alternating between Anne Lamott, and Teresa of Avila, the sixteenth century nun whose book I'm working my way through just presently.

I took a walk in the cold through our neighborhood with my roommates.

I watched a movie while I worked on some of those other things.

I made myself eat a whole plate of dinner.

I snacked. Cheese. Yogurt (mango pineapple - so good). Cashews. Blue corn chips with parmesan artichoke dip from the farmer's market.

I took another LUSH bubble bath.

I lit candles.

It wasn't really the day I was looking for when I woke up this morning. I had warranty issues, and made alternative plans. It brought odd emotions, and a sense of accomplishment from finishing two separate items on my mental "to do" list that I've been putting off for at least 6 months.

And now, I'm resting again.

I'll be hunting for another snack in a few minutes.

And going back to reading. Teresa next. I just finished one of Anne's essays.

I'm so glad it's a long weekend. I've needed three days of mellow unplanned, mostly resting.

Tomorrow will bring a wedding dress fitting with one of my roommates. And a family party later in the day. But mostly it will likely bring rest as well. Much needed rest.

And hey, I have a new TV. One that doesn't squeal half-way through your favorite movie. (I tested that theory this afternoon.) One that's all modern looking and flat screened. And it only cost me $130 in new warranty charges, and federal government taxes and electronics recycling fees for the privilege.

What Unhappy People Do

I found this article rather fascinating. I've been watching less and less television the last while, and am actually thinking of canceling my cable, as the three shows a week I like to watch are all available free online.

Resting before the crazyness

I'm tired again.

I survived a half-day of work today. Kind of pointless, not much accomplished. No one very motivated to be there. It took all my energy to haul myself out of bed for that this morning. I'm glad for the next couple days off.

I'm crashed on the couch, playing games on my laptop, and rewatching a past season of Grey's Anatomy on DVD.

I think I might just let myself drift off to sleep for a while.

I have to be at mom and dad's at 6:00 tonight for the family stuff.

My roommate and I may go to mass somewhere later.

yep, I think I'm going to sleep.

Friday night...

A friend paid my home the highest compliment I could ever ask for the other night. A friend with a great deal of spiritual discernment. She said, "I like your house. It's peaceful. I feel the Lord's presence here." That's been my prayer for this place since we moved in... That Jesus would be present in my home to all those who enter it.

I hadn't really thought about that comment until I walked into my front door tonight.

There's something about atmosphere that either adds clarity or confusion. I've been really sensitive to the spiritual atmosphere in various places lately - it's a new thing for me, and is taking some getting used to. I've also been picking up the emotions of other people - beginning to feel them. I sort of tend to forget that these things have been affecting me because it's so new...

I walked in my front door tonight, and my whole mood changed.

I realized quite suddenly that some of the things that made my day feel completely miserable, were not actually mine... some of the hopeless and despair, the anger and frustration that had descended belonged to some of the people I work with, and to the atmosphere. So I spent a large portion of my day, exhausted, frustrated, angry, fighting off things that weren't even mine.

Let's just say that I'm really, really glad to be home for the evening.

I rented several episodes of "Studio Sixty on the Sunset Strip". I love Aaron Sorkin's writing. I love his idealistic characters. I love the fast and witty dialogue.

I have books nearby - approximately the same titles I listed in my post last night. I've lit candles, I'm going to make tea pretty soon. I'm going to eat a mandarin, and I'm going to rest for an evening.

kind of without words....

What happens when a writer discovers that she doesn't have any words left?

I'm feeling that way a little tonight...

Thinking and praying for people across the country and around the world...

Two hours of quiet after I got home from dinner with a friend tonight - one hour for accomplishing stuff (dishes, emails, making tea) one for resting (candles, incense, drinking tea, prayer and reading).

This week I'm doing better at taking advantage of the free moments as they come and using them for rest. I hope that lasts.

I had a savoury breakfast crepe for dinner, ham and cheese and scrambled eggs, wrapped in this great crepe and topped with mozzarella and this great sauce. If you haven't eaten at this tiny little restaurant in Kensington with 70 plus varieties of crepes - sweet and savoury - then you need to. It's rapidly becoming one of my favorite dinner stops (and affordable too - less than 10 bucks for a filling meal).

Read entries in a Bible dictionary tonight... incense, hands, oil, wine... interesting reading...

watching "House" at the moment... then bed... tomorrow is Wednesday... Wednesday's have been not been very good days for me lately... wanting to be rested and prepared...

work is going to be nuts for the next six days... thousands and thousands of copies to print... and have to have it all done because I'm taking Thursday and Friday off next week...

It hurts to grow...

I just watched the season 4 premiere of Grey's Anatomy on the internet. I get mocked, and even feel a little guilty sometimes for enjoying this show so much. It's basically a soap opera in prime-time.

But here's the thing - time and time again, the writers, in the midst of all the extraneous sex, the ridiculous, never happen in real life medical stuff, manage to communicate deep truths that grab at my heart in ways I just never expected.

And today, one of the lines is summing up some of the things I'm thinking about coming away from a fantastic and incredibly stretching weekend, and finding myself flat on my back all day with a stomach bug. The line?

It hurts to grow. Anyone who tells you it doesn't is lying.

Suddenly Sleepy

I’ve been hit by a sudden attack of that middle of the day exhaustion.

The sort where you find yourself staring blankly at the computer monitor in front of you on your desk, fighting to keep your eyes open, and to not drift off into happy oblivion.

Thankfully, there’s just over an hour left in my work day. I’m not sure I’d make it if it was much longer.

Just over an hour, than a ten minute walk to the train, 40 minutes or so on the train (probably a bit more given the stampede crowds that are having me transfer on the opposite end of downtown from where I normally do), a 15 minute walk to my house, and then supper, cleaning, and flopping down on the couch to watch Grey’s Anatomy or The West Wing on my laptop for a couple hours before bed.