Ready, Set...???????

I have been struggling mightily today to do nothing. I have forced myself to just sit. I know that I said on Tuesday that I was doing a marvelous job of returning to my Summer Vacation Ways, but I'm finding today to be a trial.

No one is going to sympathize with me. I know this. But I've been consumed with trying to do nothing today so that is all I have to talk about right now. This is probably the sort of challenge that requires more gratitude on my part, now that I think about it...

For ten months straight, Sunday has been about getting ready for the week. I need to get the commuter breakfasts ready. I need to get the coffee maker ready. I need to get clothes ready. I need to get my brain ready.

Now I don't have to get ready. This is a good thing and I'm not complaining. I'm just kind of surprised to find myself struggling with the need for readiness. I suppose it didn't help matters that I had a plethora of appointments last week. It was busy even without the need to go teach children on a regular basis.

I made a calculated decision to not set the alarm clock last night and forced myself to stay in bed even though my brain was telling me that I needed to get up lest the day trickle away without my being ready. I made a trip to the grocery store to get stuff so I don't have to go out tomorrow. That sort of felt like getting ready. And yet it still didn't really seem like I was doing enough.

Everyone else around here seems to be getting into the swing of things. The Big, Fluffy Kitty is a flexible being who likes to live in the moment. She's good no matter what the schedule. The Absurdly Gi-normous Kitty has some difficulties with this, though. Leaving the house generally involves my having to wave his favorite Dollar Store Cat Cave around until I have his attention. Once he begins to attack this little tube and is engrossed in play, then I can sneak out the door.

He doesn't deal with separation very well.

My being home last week was like a dream come true for the AGK, but I don't think he completely trusted the whole thing. He pretty much stuck to me like glue. Every step I took, he was right there. If I sat on the couch, he sat on my foot. If I went to the kitchen, he followed and stood directly behind me while I was there. I got good at shuffling. Should I happen to wander off while he was not paying attention, he cried piteously until I reemerged.

I used the restroom judiciously.

Today, though, he seemed to be able to let go. He finally left my side and explored other areas of the manse.

He returned to last summer's spot of choice: The recliner by the window.

He even slept there for most of the day.

I figured that, if he could do it, then I could as well. It is summer vacation and there is no need to get ready. I resolutely parked myself on the couch, ignored the urge to iron things or make a week's worth of lunches (that I never eat...) and picked up the needles. I did pretty well, if I do say so myself. I've knit up almost five inches of sock cuff which is, by my standards, quite impressive. More so if you consider the lack of FOs coming off the needles over the last few months. I even took a nap with the assistance of The Big, Fluffy Kitty.

Of course we are now coming into the evening portion of Sunday Night and I can't help but worry about the things that aren't ready. There is nothing that needs to be ready. I can't think of a single thing. But the urge remains.

And the AGK? I guess maybe he's having a few Sunday Night Qualms, too. About an hour ago, he suddenly awoke with a strangled cry and cast his eyes about the room until he saw me sitting on the sofa. He returned to my right foot and has been sitting there ever since.

Maybe we all need to work on this summer vacation thing a bit more...

SA