A Quiet Break

Posted on January 8, 2023 by

29 Comments

We enjoyed our winter break. It was a quiet Christmas with good food and good company (my mom and J). We made a pretty simple meal with a small turkey. My mom made some yummy dessert: it was like a pumpkin pie, but with a ginger snap crust. Oh, and whipped cream on top! Holy smokes!

J left for Colorado on Dec 26th with E and her BF. They drove and had an easy trip. Long but uneventful, so that was good! They did some hiking and took a couple of trips to Denver. My FIL is doing well after his Thanksgiving hip surgery. Using a walker and having PT 3 times a week, he is making progress. Just not as quickly as he would like for sure! The traveling party returned about 2 a.m. New Year’s morning to a very quiet house. The dogs and I were fast asleep LOL

This is Jo. One of 5. All asleep on NYE!

I just tooled around while J was gone. I was definitely not very productive. I decided not to make a To Do list for the break and instead, pretty much did what I could and what I wanted. Last winter break 2021, I ended up in a severe fatigue, EBV, and fibromyalgia flare and was unable to go back to work until February. Who knows what triggered that, but I wasn’t pushing myself this break at all.

We’re back at work now, and I’m there this year, so that’s a win! This past week went well. All of us, especially students, were struggling to get back on the school schedule. Y’all, our high school classes start at 7:15…..7:15 a.m.! It’s kinda nuts. After all the research out there that concludes teenagers need more sleep ….not less….and we still keep doing things the same old way. *Sigh

Our new semester for the college portion of this class starts up in a week or so as well. Usually, this semester can be a real struggle for some students. It’s a bit tougher curriculum, and they are burned out. I’m hoping that the way we’ve structured things (with the burnout and stress in mind) that we can keep all of our students in the class through May and that they can be successful.

With work starting back, I’m doing my best to let things go and also to make sure I rest as needed (and to not feel guilty about resting). I’m almost a decade into this chronic illness journey. You would think I’d have it down to a science by now. But, I don’t.

I still struggle with giving myself permission to feel how I feel and to not do certain things if I just can’t or if I know it will push me over on the energy limit I have for that day. I’m not sure if that makes sense. It’s still all a learning process for me dealing with the ins and outs of being chronically ill, and there are times I myself am just not a good student!

While I know the holidays can be tough in so many ways, I still hope everyone had some bright moments and good cheer. Happy New Year, my friends. May this be our best year yet! Do you make New Year resolutions or not?

Take care and peace to you – belle

Category: chronic illness, The Present, WorkTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

29 Comments on “A Quiet Break”

  2. Welcome back! It sounds as if you are teaching an excellent grade level-…new semester for the college portion’ and that is 3/4 ths of the battle. We can’t control Admin or changes unexpected but if you have students on task and ready to work, this is the battle won!! Good for you. I have been to the PT for my hip as just on the right side, I have mild arthritis but it appears to be getting stronger, for now. Wishing you much health and a happy New Year!

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    • Hi friend! I’m extremely grateful for the course I get to teach and for the students. It’s junior level for HS and Freshman Comp & Rhetoric for the college. Most of the students work hard; some are even on track to earn an Associate’s degree when they graduate high school.

      I’m glad to hear the PT is helping. That’s great! I’m sure it hasn’t been fun, but it sounds worth it for sure. How did you find out about the arthritis in your hip? I hope you had a good break, too. Did you return to school yet? Happy New Year!

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  3. I love that squirrel photo. Of course, I have this ‘thing’ for squirrels, so…

    I’m glad you had such a good time off, with good food, safe travels, and plenty of time to just relax and do as you pleased. I do understand about your giving yourself permission to do-or-not-do certain things. There were jobs that I could do quite easily when I began working on boats, but with age comes the need to adapt. The first time I told a customer that I could do his job, except for a certain portion of the work that required the agility and strength of someone much younger — I really didn’t know how it would work out. But he was perfectly willing for me to subcontract that portion of the work, and on we went. People are often more understanding than we realize.

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    • Hi Linda, I can’t take credit for the photo; my husband took it in Colorado. It’s a great shot! So, you like squirrels? They are pretty cute and onrey!

      You are right that most people are understanding. It was hard at first and still to admit to things I just can’t do anymore or to ask for some accommodations. That was/is probably more a pride issue on my part. I’m still learning just to be honest and that seems to be better for all parties involved most of the time 🙂 I hope you had a good weekend!

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  4. Sounds like a heavenly break and I’m glad your FIL is doing better.

    A 7:15 start of teens is ridiculous. Depending on where they commute from, they’d have to be up before sunrise! I do think if high schools start later and end later, it might do a works of good. Might even keep teens out of trouble during the traditional after school hours before parents get home from work. Ah well.

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  6. That sounds like a lovely a relaxing break. I find it so interesting that as you are working to let yourself honor your limits, you are working to do the same with your students. That is so lovely – like paying forward your life lessons. Beautiful!

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  9. Belle, if I had classes starting at 7:15 am in high school I never would have graduated. In our area, there has been a lot of talk about rolling the start times back to 8:30 or so, but it runs into after-school activities, sports, etc. so it hasn’t really caught on yet. Glad FIL continues to trend upward with his health. Nice to hear you had a relaxing holiday season.

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    • Hi! I’m pretty sure this is why our start time doesn’t change because of all the after school practices, events, sports….You name it! We used to start at 7:25….then 7:20 because of COVID, and now at 7 :15 due to less bus drivers. When I was in high school, I think we started at 7:30 or 7:45 and released at 2:30. 🙂 I hope you all had pleasant ho

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  10. I taught at a high school for one year that started at 7:30, and that was rough. 7:15. Ouch. The part about giving yourself permission to feel how you feel resonated with me. 🤍

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  11. I am glad you had a nice holiday break. With or without chronic illness, you deserve it if your classes begin at 7:15. Take care and I hope 2023 is a wonderful year for you and yours.

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  12. Thank you for sharing!!.. sometimes we need to briefly stop the world, get off for a bit and reboot…glad all went well and you and family had a pleasant time and not ready for the new year and new adventures… 🙂

    Hope your life’s path is paved with love and happiness and until we meet again..
    May your troubles be less
    Your blessings be more
    And nothing but happiness
    Come through your door
    (Irish Saying)

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