I know that not everyone shares my opinion on this, but I am feeling pretty good after two weeks of vacation. I have always felt that my brain doesn’t fully refresh if I take a day here and a day there without taking a full week off, and this was the first vacation of at least a week since last Christmas, which didn’t really count because I was working while we were in NC. So I’m not sure when the last true full week was.

Donia asked the other day if I wasn’t bored with all this time off. I’m honestly not, and I think most of the jitters about going back to work are there because I know there isn’t another viable option, so going back is inevitable. Because of that, I think I tend to shut down and enjoy some tranquility, knowing that the chaos will start up again soon enough. The kids certainly get stir crazy, and that translates to me getting a little crazy. But left to my own devices, I feel like I pass the time without getting anxious. Which, again, I know is not for everyone.

This vacation was broken up into stages, which may have helped keep things interesting. First there were the days before NC, which ended up being busier than I thought since there was a ton that needed to happen and we were also kind of reeling from Kate’s diagnosis. Then the drive down to NC, the time there, and the drive back, which I’ve already covered. Finally there were the last few days here at home. I was surprised at how much got accomplished during that time. I never thought I would get as far with the 2011 photo book as I have, the Christmas decorations came down in a hurry on New Year’s Day, and we even entertained the Grosses on New Year’s Eve. Even with all that activity, I was able to let my brain hibernate. I might not say I’m looking forward to getting back to work and the whole routine, but I think I am ready for it.

More than anything, that has been my favorite part of this vacation: the feeling that my mind is ready for the challenges ahead rather than struggling through day-to-day survival. Even looking at the calendar today, I found myself thinking about the whole week ahead and not just Tuesday. Unfortunately, I don’t think my wife would share my enthusiasm and mental clarity. Our minds work in very different ways, and it is pretty rare for both of us to be feeling refreshed and calm at the same time. My goal is to hold on to my feeling while helping her find her own. With the new school and work schedules, I’m optimistic that we just might be able to make it happen.