Friday, November 14, 2008

De-Stressing...Any Ideas?


Can you hear me screaming???? Yep, under a bit of stress around my house and I need your HELP!!!

For about six weeks now, we've had an ongoing home improvement project taking place at my house. A painting crew has been here scraping that 'old-timey' popcorn acoustic junk off the ceilings. It's just ugly, collects dirt and stuff like that. So the ceilings are being done and it's like having a cloud of dry-wall dust falling down 24/7. I've been patient. I've been good. Even with the movers, hauling things from one room to the next. Let me say, this is a BIG house. High cathedral ceilings and many rooms so this was something we knew would take quite awhile.

The painters have become part of the family and are a nice bunch of guys but it's like having the fun guest that never wants to leave. They are 'getting' the family jokes and making themselves right at home. And yes, I've been patient and good. They are finally down to the final two rooms...just in time for Thanksgiving. My husband and I decided we'd had enough with all the dust and dirt and hired a cleaning crew that was supposed to come in this morning to kind of help out a little bit. Late yesterday afternoon, I called for their time of arrival and casually asked...um, have you figured the bill yet? $850!!! Okay, after I picked myself up off the floor, I kindly told them thanks but no thanks. That's outrageous. So today I'm letting my fingers do the walking in the Yellow Pages to find someone else. In the meantime, I'll be standing on my head to clean up what I can.

Yesterday frustration and stress settled around me like a dark cloud. Asked some friends last night about ways to settle myself the hell DOWN. Chocolate. Mm, sounds good. A nice bottle of Shiraz (Anne's suggestion and a mighty good one)? Hm. Thinking chocolate while the nice hot bath is running. A glass or ten of that wine and maybe some candles and soft woo woo music.

What is your recipe for de-stressing? I'm open to ideas. And don't mention S-E-X because I'm just too stressed to think about THAT!!!

13 comments:

Kelley Nyrae said...

Sorry you're so stressed. I'm a bath and a book kind of woman myself. Lock the door, run a bath, light candles (enough to see) and turn the lights out with a good book. There's nothing better.

Anonymous said...

Long walk with Sweetie and my Cocker Spanial Duncan. A visit to doggie park, with all the puppies. And don't take this the wrong way, target shooting.

Books are good, but outside the house when the house stresses me out. When work stresses me out, target shooting and dog activities.

Anne Rainey said...

First I tune out the rest of the world. I only answer the phone if its Les or the kids. Then I put in one of my favorite movies. Sometimes two movies. Grab a snack and just veg under the blankets for a few hours. Then I take a long hot shower. I feel tons better afterwards, usually!

Sorry about the stress! It WILL pass!

Regina Carlysle said...

Sigh. I KNOW it will pass but right now it's just damn frustrating, especially so close to Thanksgiving when I'll have a house full of people.

Dr. Karl, I'm liking the target shooting idea. bwah hah hah..evil laugh!!!! You are RIGHT though.Since the house is stressing me I should probably just leave it for awhile.

Regina Carlysle said...

YAY! Just contacted a woman for housecleaning and she's coming to check things out. What do you wanna bet she doesn't charge $850!!!

Genella deGrey said...

I shop.

I don't necessarily buy anything, but I wander around alone in a mall for a while. Not during the rush, but in the early morning when stores first open and the place isn't crawling with shoppers.

I may come home with some new incense or a candle . . . It just makes me feel human again.

:)
G.

Alisha said...

Wow...I'd be stressed too, Reg. All of these are wonderful suggestions! For this kind of stress, I recommend you do ALL OF THE ABOVE! Bath, candles, book, wine, walks, movies, chocolate, shopping...especially shopping...when the going gets tough, the tough go shopping! When the cleaning lady comes, leave for a few hours so you don't feel sorry for her...lol....and pamper yourself. Go get your hair done, your nails done, buy some new sexy perfume, some cozy house shoes to pad around in your new clean home when you finally get home, looking all beautiful...but by all means...GET THY OUT OF THY HOUSE, WOMAN...take a deep breath...grab cutie pie Avery by the arm, go out in that cute as hell car of hers, eat lunch, girl talk and shop til you drop! That'll do it!

Molly Daniels said...

I'm with Genella on this one. I may not buy anything, but I treat myself to a snack or meal and don't hear the word 'Mommy' for a few hours!

Otherwise, I kick everyone out of the house, turn up the music, and relax. And as of yesterday, I've found a new outlet...Rock Band! Ever play the drums, Reg?

Regina Carlysle said...

Drums??? Okay now there's an idea...lol. I'm sure I'd terrify everyone.

Regina Carlysle said...

Oooh. Good idea leaving the house while the housekeeper is here, Alisha. Knowing ME, I'd pitch in and I'm just OVER that.

Shopping sounds good too. It IS time to Christmas shop isn't it??? OMG...more STRESS!!!! LOL

Judith Leger said...

Go to the spa and get a massage. About an hour's worth or longer if you can. That will take a lot of the kinks out!

Anonymous said...

Some of my habits to destress are reading a good book sometimes I play computer games.

Regina Carlysle said...

Mmmm. Massage. Dang, that sounds good!