Run down, break down or just down

Liz,

The others here have said it well.  You are so giving to so many.  Take time for yourself.  THe daily grind gets to everyone and like Mary suggested, even a one day break often helps.   And a therapist is a great idea.  I have been helped tremendously by mine.  I've been going three and a half years now which is the longest I ever stuck with it.   One of the most important things I've accomplished with her is that I know it is OK to put myself first.  Yes, guilt feelings still arise, but I just keep telling myself that after years of putting others in front, my time is now.

Hugs

arlene 

Liz... everyone else has already said it, but I just wanted you to know that I am  here for you, too.  Take time for yourself.  You need it.  You work hard, you provide for everyone else.  Now, it's time for you.    Really try to make plans for you and Chris to do something where you are getting pampered or just plain doing nothing for a weekend.  You are so busy cooking, entertaining and everything else for everyone else.  Take the time for you.  As much as we love getting together at your house for the cooking classes, that's as much as we would all rather you took that weekend off for yourself to make YOU #1.  If that is the only weekend that you have free in a month, don't worry about us.  I'm sure we can find somewhere else to get together.  Maybe we can rotate or something.  It's time for LIZ.. so take it.

You have my # and email.  Please use them if you need them.

We love you and care about your well being!

Thanks Lisa!! Believe it or not cooking class IS stress relief for me! I love it and love seeing all of you! I do have to re-drect though and am going to have to do some serious thinking about how I am going to acheive balance.

Thanks again!

Liz

So I am really really late in posting this...sorry honey.

The balance thing is incredibly difficult to figure out.  As you know - I've recently been there, too.

I don't have all the answers for you....I don't have many of the answers for me for that matter.

However....definately do some thinking and some re organization of yourself and your life if you find out that is what you need.

I know how much you love to entertain and you've been doing a lot of that lately.  And with all the prepping and cleaning and cooking and then the actual gatherings and then cleaning up after they leave....it leaves very little time for just you or just you and Chris.

And when you are not doing that - you are doing house projects or gardening etc.  I know how much you LOVE all that....but what needs to be determined is how much of that can you do and still spend time alone with Chris or just you watching tv?

I don't mean to sound mean or hypocritical, it's just my little perspective.

Call if you need anything - you know how to get in touch with me!

Pam