Fatigue sets in

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The other evening, I sprinted — or walked — up to a vacant spot in our neighborhood to catch this view of the sun setting.

After a few super busy months, I feel fatigue deep in my bones. As much as I’ve wanted to do nothing for a few days, I haven’t had that luxury. First, there are those pesky household duties like laundry, grocery shopping and cooking. Plus, we have friends staying with us for a week. They said that I didn’t need to worry about them. They’re here to scout out a local lake for a spearfishing competition in April.

But not fussing over them is not in my nature. I cooked corn beef and cabbage for St. Patrick’s Day. Tuesday was salmon, spinach, shishito peppers and rice. Wednesday, they treated us to dinner at my favorite Chinese restaurant. Thursday was surf and turf. Haven’t figured out what to do tonight. Sleep instead of eat?

Things happen. Like a leak in the ceiling after four days of rain. It’s in my office and my husband looked up at the ceiling and said, “I’ve never noticed those stains before.”

When we stepped a few feet away, we spotted at the top of the wall next to the ceiling, hanging plaster and paint.

I walked outside with my trusty camera after taking pics inside. I went outside to see if I could see the problem on the roof.

It was in plain sight. The damage was done exactly where a solar panel support is anchored into the roof. I spent a few hours looking for paperwork online from doc-u-signs during the solar purchase and install. I read through the warranty and small print. None of this is helping my fatigue, by the way.

We went through Costco for solar. I wrote them a letter yesterday about our current roof issue. Plus, the first experience with this vendor. I wanted to contact Costco first — and not their solar vendor — to see if our problem can be solved.

When the solar panels were installed, they had to redo the breaker box. The vendor installed 220V into a kitchen outlet under the sink where the dishwasher and garbage disposal are plugged in. It should have been 120V. The dishwasher motors blew, but thanks to that little red button on the bottom of our garbage disposal, it was saved.

I paid for a repairman for the dishwasher. He said it was cheaper to buy a new one than replace the motors, which I did. Then I paid $190 for an electrician to fix the circuit. I emailed and called our rep at the solar company to tell her about our problems. She said they were so sorry! I asked the company to reimburse me for the electrician only. (The dishwasher was old and I didn’t think they should buy me a new one.)

She said they would reimburse me for the electrician. I got bounced from department to department for seven months for $190!

One day, an email arrived into my inbox from our rep, who was promoting solar to Scottsdale. The email cc’d all the solar companies in our area. I replied all and wrote about my experience with Costco’s vendor. (How many companies would love to have that contract?) A few days later, I got reimbursed.

Enough about my roof and solar issues. As Scarlett O’Hara said, “Tomorrow is another day.”

I remember my mom and what she called her “mung” days. She’d spend the entire day in her Lanz flannel nightie.

Right now, I’m thinking I would love to do that. (Hint to self — or family reading this — a Lanz flannel nightie for Mother’s Day?) I don’t have my Mom’s super power to “mung” all day. I think her manic depression as it was called back then — especially in her down cycles — helped her accomplish “munging” to level I’m not able to do. Yes, I miss my mom. I need to take a few pages from her life’s book and take a day or two off!

What is your favorite way to rest and recharge when you’re feeling over tired?

50 thoughts on “Fatigue sets in”

  1. Those pesky chores always seem to get in the way. I had a boss once who compared mental health days to paying a repairman. He encouraged his team to take care of ourselves with regular checkups. He would say “either you pay the man now or you pay ’em later.”

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  2. Wowza…I’d be fatigued, too! That’s a lot and I hear you about hosting. Even when you’re excited and happy to have friends and family around I crave a quiet house. I sure do. I think that’s what I need most when I’m feeling pooped. Shut my mouth, retreat and although that can be oh-so hard to do, it’s necessary. Sending you hugs and the hope that you can find some slow days. “Munging” or not! 🥰

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  3. Why is it that things seem to pile on when you least need them to? Rhetorical question of course, but I think we can all relate to these life moments (weeks/months) when it would be so great to simply stock up on junk food, lock the doors and do nothing more than exactly what you want whether that be sleeping, reading, binging TV or just watching the birds. Take care EA.

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  4. I understand why you’re fatigued. You’ve been on an “it’s always something” roll. For me a way to re-group would be a quiet jammies day, complete with reading a book, refusing to exercise, baking some muffins or cookies, an afternoon nap, and then playing word games while sipping a glass of wine. Just doing nothing in my own way.

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  5. I’m sorry Elizabeth that there is so much going on in your life right now. I try to walk, listen to music and write when I’m tired. All three help.

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  6. Sounds like fun. Glad I missed it. When the solar guys come knocking I layout may requirements ($1 million, insurance policy on my house of the neighbors, perpetual guarantee for workmanship including and not limited to electrical, roofing, panel, etc, I get paid for electricity produced and not consumed by me. and I charge $150/hr to listen to their sales pitch. Minimum charge is $75 for 15 mins starting now and I take cash and Venmo. Most thank me for my time as they turn around and leave.

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    • Ha! I wish I would have known what you did. I stopped in Costco to talk to the Solar guy and my husband asked “What are you doing?” I had made an appointment for the sales guy to come over to our house. I think it’s because we left California where our AC summer bills were $1,200 a month! But it’s much cheaper here and I don’t see that much of a savings with solar. In fact, after we repair the roof, repaint inside — we’ll be underwater.

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      • It is a scam here. I have to pay for the panels, the install then agree to give the installer my electricity, they reimburse my for my electric consumption then they sell the excess to the electric company

      • It’s similar here, too. We are signed up directly with the electric company, so there is no middle man. But the electric company bills us for electric consumption at a much higher rate than what we get credit for our generated electricity.

  7. Doesn’t your husband have a fabulous rib recipe? Maybe that should be dinner tonight. I’m with you – it’s hard to successfully make down time. You’ve had a busy few weeks. I hope you can find a way to recharge that doesn’t involve solar panels… 🙂

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    • Yes, my husband has a great rib recipe. Great idea. He’d be more than happy to cook! I am waiting to hear back from Costco, but I have a feeling I won’t. They do say they take pride in their vendors, so I thought they’d want to know about our experience.

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  8. A Lanz flannel nightie for Mothers Day! Fantastic idea! I am currently Lanz flannel nightie-less and your post makes me want one again. Lace trim. Tyrolean (is that what it is called?) pattern. Floor length. Like a private retreat you can wrap up in. ❤️‍🩹 Here’s to getting comfort and rest!

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    • You described the Lanz nightie perfectly! I haven’t had one since I was a child. I would get a matching one to my mom’s for Christmas. Yes, here’s to comfort and rest!

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  10. I am very tired, also. Husband’s new medical treatment, a cold, stress at my job, watering the plants, even the pug on the best days. I read a book and sleep in to feel better. A trip to the pedicurist is needed shortly! I would love to go to the beach when it gets warmer and I have some time. I do plan on stepping back at work but I am well prepped for a busy week. Sometimes over prep gives me confidence.

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    • Yes, you have a lot on your plate, too! Sleeping in and reading, a visit to the beach, all good things to feel better. Also, over prep makes me feel better too in everything.

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      • I am in a new situation where most of the student work is done on computers. Over prep is a little different. Maybe one day after I retire, I will write about this thing and where I am.

      • My photography class through a local community college is online through a program called Canvas. My daughter is an academic advisor at UC Berkeley and she said they use Canvas, too. She’s helped me navigate it. I’ve never taken a class on computer before. I remember my son in fourth grade had all his homework done via computer. We were on Apple and the program always failed on him when he clicked submit What a headache!

    • I agree. I get worn out around people too many days in a row. I’ll be alone tomorrow while my husband entertains our last house guest. One left this morning. I have to say they were easy guests and a joy to be around. I’m the one who makes it difficult for me! I’m looking forward to a quiet day with “Red” tomorrow reading in the backyard.

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