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Tina P.
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| Posted: Jan 30 2008 at 12:55pm | IP Logged
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Here we are, at the end of January and I am experiencing MAJOR January blahs! The weather has been snowy and drab for the past ... ummm ... month? with frustratingly little sun peeking out every now and again. I'm so tired of school and housework (what a whiner I am today, huh?). I'm looking at bed and breakfasts in England as if we could really afford a trip that far away and for as much time as we'd need to enjoy the get-away from seven kids 13 and under! In reality, I want to escape the responsibilities I have, just for a little while and all I can think of is how self-serving I'm acting! Help others, serve others, be content with your lot ... 
I guess what I'm asking is: what do you do when you need a little sunshine in your life but can't afford either temporally or economically (or maybe even both) to make the break you would *really* like? Gosh, even that sounds so selfish. Ugh!
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Tina, wife to one and mom to 9 + 3 in heaven
Mary's Muse
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JennGM
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| Posted: Jan 30 2008 at 1:11pm | IP Logged
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Oh Tina, I hear you. I was just thinking this morning how it will be a long time until dh and I can get away again for an overnight trip. I was contemplating when I could do a weekend retreat and bring the baby.
Dh and I in the past have done just a quick overnight stay at a close B&B, or just get two hours with a babysitter to have a grown-up meal in a restaurant (with wine and waiters).
Or if I can't do that, I do miniature retreats: a long hot shower, bubble bath (Calgon take me away!), a walk alone, a nice enjoyable book that I can't put down, a visit to the Blessed Sacrament, trip to the Needlecraft store or book store. In short, just small little snatches for my sanity.
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Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to  & ds1  '03 & ds2  '07
Family in Feast and Feria
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: Jan 30 2008 at 1:30pm | IP Logged
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And you can take the kids along with you.. how about a beach party in the house?
Some luau music (we sometimes pick and choose some Jimmy Buffet) crank up the heat for a couple of hours, put on light weight clothes, have a summer meal, and some fun summer drink (pinapple juice with sprite and a splash of genedine is yummy and pretty).. turn on every light in the part of the house you're in.. light some candles too if you can (it's a natural light and helps with feeling more cheery) If you have a fireplace how about roasting hot dogs?
If you do get a sunny day.. dress for the weather but dump everything and go out in it.. it'll make you feel better even if you come in cold and wet. 
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Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
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Sarah M
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| Posted: Jan 30 2008 at 1:48pm | IP Logged
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Tina-
are there any archdiosece retreat centers nearby?
We have a couple close by (right on the water) that are very affordable ($120 for two overnight, incl all meals). I think something like that would likely refresh your tired spirit.
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stefoodie
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| Posted: Jan 30 2008 at 1:51pm | IP Logged
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When I get like this, anything out of the ordinary helps. e.g.,
- have the boys do the laundry and mom play with the little one, preferably something i don't play with every day, like Lego or "the fort"
- sit and "window shop" -- catalogs will often do the trick
- read Jane Austen 
- get a massage from the kids (they're happy with 50 cents or $1 each)
- go for a joy ride (driving around the neighborhood with nowhere to go)
= grab some nail polish and give myself a pedicure
- have the kids read aloud to me, instead of me to them!
- do a "story round" in bed -- one person says the beginning sentence, the next person supplies what happens next, and so on. we usually end up with the silliest stories and by the time we're done we've all had a good laugh: laughter is the best medicine after all.
if all else fails,
EAT CHOCOLATE!! 
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stef
mom to five
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marihalojen
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| Posted: Jan 30 2008 at 2:30pm | IP Logged
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Set up a little corner for YOU! We set up Nature Tables and such for the kids but do you have something for you?
A dish of beachy sand and a few shells with an Oceany candle would be awesome. Break out of the carnation rut from the grocery store and get those wild big tropical flowers that stand in the buckets beside the ordinary flowers (just thought of the name - Bird of Paradise) great way to spend $5.99 as they last forever.
Go British and buy some Herbs from the Produce section and a nice tea cup just for you (a new blend of tea, too?). Read a story set in Britian. Write a letter. They're always writing letters in those stories!
 Gotta run...
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~Jennifer
Mother to Mariannna, age 13
The Mari Hal-O-Jen
SSR = Sailing, Snorkling, Reading
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