Time Out

I’m officially taking a time out. A much needed, very welcomed and self-initiated time out. Nashville got 8 inches of snow on Sunday/Monday of last week. It is the most snow we’ve gotten in Nashville in the 7+ years we have lived here. It’s been A LOT of snow for us! I love snow. I don’t mind the cold (I hate being hot). I love the quiet and the beauty that snow brings. BUT, NASHVILLE. Nashville breaks when it snows.

This week there was, unsurprisingly, no school due to the snow (plus Caroline’s school was out the Friday before due to excessive illness). I had no babysitters. I have no family in town to help or offer a break. And, my husband left on a golf trip the day after the snow (don’t ask me how he was on the one flight that didn’t get cancelled leaving Nashville the day after the snowstorm?!) Me, a 5 year old, a 6 year old and a 6 month old puppy, no school and inside for 4 straight days without my husband? Not for the faint of heart. Come Thursday, I was toast. I woke up not feeling 100% and completely burned out. I needed a full stop. A time out. A complete break from my home and my kids. And there isn’t a single thing wrong with that. 

Moms, we have to pay attention and make a FULL STOP when we need it. If I’m crumbling, everybody is crumbling. Period. Time out.

My mom, especially, always sees/hears when I really need a time out. So, I asked my dad for Mariott points so I could have a night alone to rest and reset. Not even going to pretend I can just casually head to a nice hotel in downtown Nashville for a night anytime I want it. Nope. Dad to the rescue! This is just one of the many, many ways my parents are incredibly gracious to me and our family from afar. My sister and my brother and their families have both sets of grandparents down the street from them in Kentucky, all of whom can usually drop what they’re doing to help when someone is sick, when someone needs picked up, when daycare is closed, when the nanny is sick, when logistics are just crazy, etc. If you have family in town, you are blessed. Don’t ever take it for granted. Dad, thanks for the Mariott points. You’re the real MVP and ILYSM. 

I didn’t ask permission. I initiated, I verbalized I needed this, figured it out and said “see ya tomorrow!” I enjoyed breakfast with my family yesterday morning, left for work and off I went! My mom calls my little job at Magpies, “therapy.” And I simply couldn’t agree more. It is such a treat for me to go spend a few hours at Magpies amongst all the happy, all the fun, and see lots of familiar adult faces while I’m there. It brings me so much joy. So, that’s where my TIME OUT started - Magpies! 

After “work,” I headed downtown. I scheduled a massage for myself and it was amazing. Obviously said “yes” to the scalp massage and the complimentary glass of champagne following; delightful. If you get the chance to enjoy the Spa at the JW and want a massage, ask for Kitty. She was a 10/10. Post-massage, I ordered room service; a club sandwich (that somehow came with no mayo? - a tragedy) + sweet potato fries + honey mustard + a lemon merengue tart for dessert. I had a minor panic attack when the menu only showed PEPSI and no Diet Coke (I simply don’t know a single person on this Earth that prefers Pepsi over Coke), but upon calling, they did indeed have Diet Coke. Washed it down with a crisp Diet Coke on the rocks to the tune of Jeopardy. Heaven.

I thought about watching a movie but if you know me, you know I’m not even remotely a movie person, so why now? Chose to sit in silence instead. The best choice. I sat in bed, got my ducks in a row for the week, made lists, took note of what I need to take OFF my plate (which is a lot), what needs attention (blood work at the doctor! appointments! we have to take care of US!), turned the lights out at 9 PM and slept like a rock until 6:45 AM! Mom is revived!

All this to say, TAKE THE TIME OUT. I received so many messages encouraging me and my night “off.” It’s likely you need one, too. At some point, we ALL need one. We all have breaking points. We all hit walls. And for me, it was this week. Pay attention to when you are toast. And give yourself a break. There are lots of ways to carve a time out for yourself. Figure out what suits you and your needs and DO IT.

I’m now in bed, well-rested, not rushing to get home, enjoying hot coffee and reveling in the SILENCE. I’m waiting for the call that school is cancelled again tomorrow for Tripp (because the side roads are straight ice). But, I’m going to be a happier mom regardless of the call because I called a TIME OUT for myself. Here’s hoping it doesn’t take another 8 inches of snow to do this again. Lord knows I needed this way before now. Choose you, my friends.

xo, Caroline

PS: thanks, MPT, for not asking a single time “when are you coming home?” Because had you, I would have booked a second night ;) ly.