Lesson Learned From my Stay-Cation

I am on a “stay-cation” at the moment. I started out the vacation with a deep tissue massage, which was wonderful. However, my to-do list has become HUGE and very taxing on my body. I wanted to do some walking every day, but because I have been so busy, I am too tired to walk.

Working in an oncology center can be exhausting, both mentally and physically. You are busy from the time you clock in until the time you clock out. It truly is an exhausting job, but I love what I do. Having great coworkers helps! We find many ways to have fun and laugh, even while working hard.

I am several days into my “stay-cation,” yet I don’t feel more rested at all. That is quite a bummer. Sadly, my to-do list has kept me very busy. Even though I made sure I did a deep clean of the fridge before vacation, along with several other chores, that list is so big! So lesson learned: A month or two before my next vacation, I plan to write a list of all chores that have been neglected. Then I will divide them up by weeks to see how many I need to get done BEFORE my vacation starts. This way, it should allow much more time to kick back and relax, go for a walk, write some devotions (a passion that fills me with energy), or reading my Bible (my favorite passion that gives me lots of energy). I will plan to make more time to meet with one or two friends. That is something I miss when I am working M-F, and have so little time in the evenings to get everything done.

I still have four days of “stay-cation” left, and there are only a couple of things left on the to-do list. My plan is to make myself kick back and relax. I will do a facial, a hand mask, and a foot mask. I will enjoy some time with my daughter on Saturday (one of the things left on my to-do list.) Church is on Sunday. Monday will be my final day, and I plan to make it quite lazy b/c that will help me be more than ready to return to work.

Frugal “Stay-Cation” Ideas

I am on vacation this week, but we never go anywhere. After being a SAHM who homeschooled for many years, then working full time (and many times, 60 hours or more, for over a decade, when I am on vacation, I want to be HOME!!! Plus, I am the only one working, so that puts a damper on wanting to go anywhere b/c I am always focused on trying to be frugal, and save as much as possible.

There are a couple of businesses that do the healthy drinks/smoothies. However, with the cost increases we have seen over the last couple of years, who wants to pay $6 or $7 for a drink? At first, my thinking was, “Hey! I’m on vacation, and since we aren’t going anywhere, we can do this. Right?” But that frugal mama in me rethought that. “Even with the price increases, we could still go to the store, and buy enough to use in our own juicer, and make at least 4-6 drinks for less than the cost of two at the other place!” Thankfully, the second mindset won, so hubby and I both enjoyed carrot juices with a Granny Smith apple in each.

I knew vacation was coming, so when I saw a deal to buy $50 in Chili’s gift cards, and you get an added $20 in bonus cards, I took advantage of that deal. So a few days ago, we enjoyed a “free” lunch at Chili’s, and I still have almost $40 left on the gift card. Plus, through a rewards program at work, I already have another $25 gift card from Chili’s. We may eventually use that, or someone may get a really nice Christmas present!