Thursday, November 13, 2008

Mental health day

I truly was chilled yesterday and with such cold, damp weather outside, it was perfect for a mental health day. In my former life, back when I was that person in suits and heels, I had a boss who believed greatly in mental health days.

No one had to call in pretending to be sick when they were burned out and barely hanging on, for he knew corporations could use you up and wring you out to dry. We just had to call and tell him we were taking a mental health day.

That's what I did yesterday. I finished the gotta do housework early in the day and since we had leftovers in the refrigerator and the cookie jar was full, there was no cooking or baking one had to do after lunch. Except when the decision was made to turn on the oven to bake a dozen or so potatoes and warm the room at the same time. :)

I opted for decaf coffee and a cowboy cookie for a snack while losing myself in Cranfield. At first I felt absolutely slothful for spending an entire weekday afternoon in Old England but quite soon guilt had been replaced by the enjoyment of the movie. I must return it to the library tomorrow but it had the affect I needed yesterday... an inexpensive (well, free as it came from the library) and fun mental vacation.

The little vacation worked as I felt relaxed and refreshed.

My husband spent the day making an excel spread sheet of food banks and relief agencies in the area. You must understand, that makes former engineers happy. They must have the whole picture in front of them in a logical format. I prefer a list but that is but one difference between we literary types and those who studied... math.

He was up early this morning to stand in line at the first of three food pantries open today. I much preferred shopping my own pantry as these tend to rely on high starch "poor people" food as well as dented cans and old bread. There are good things, too. I am thankful they are there for that time when one's own pantry is looking more like Mother Hubbard. We are blessed there are people, churches, and organizations that care.

However, it has strengthened my resolve to preach the "stocking up the pantry" message even further. I'll work the remainder of this week to get that sidebar of good links started and slowly add to them as I do research. I will also get caught up on e-mails. That is, when hubby isn't working on another excel spread sheet. :)

In the meantime, this is a great post about living through the Great Depression on Dry Creek Chronicles.

Photo: After Hours by Janet Kruskamp; allposters.com (the spitting image of my Storm Girl)

4 comments:

Vickie said...

Good morning. I tripped across your blog today and have been reading back. I enjoy your writings, your simple approach to life - which is what I long for in these hurried, uncertain times. I love thrifting and collecting, too.I wish you healing, much love, and the peace that passes all understanding from our dear Lord in heaven. :^) Vickie

Rain said...

I read through the depression article, very interesting. I'm reading a G.L. Hill novel right now that takes place during the depression as well. It really stops one in their tracks as I see the things that have been taken for granted for so long. Very sobering.
I pray that God will bless you and fill your pantry once more.

Susan B said...

Hi Brenda,
I'm glad that you had a relaxing and refreshing day yesterday. I haven't seen Cranford yet, I missed it when it was on tv. I will have to check our library. I look forward to reading more of your "pantry" posts. They are very encouraging, and helpful. Hope today is a good day for you. God bles you.

Manuela@A Cultivated Nest said...

Hi Brenda, Everyone needs a mental health day now and then! I'm glad you feel a bit refreshed. I'm a list maker myself (I've never been able to figure out excel). I enjoyed Cranford but then I really like that kind of thing. I'm watching Persuasion tonight. My daughter just rolls her eyes when she sees the DVD covers (not her kind of thing - she'd rather watch Japanese anime)! Thanks for the link to the article - I'll read it later tonight.

Manuela