It has been an incredibly stressful month, so stressful that gardening and blogging have been the last thing on my mind. A long, drawn-out home excavation and underpinning project next door has encroached onto our property pushing me to the brink of a nervous breakdown. Walkways have collapsed, my foundation has been exposed, building inspectors have been called in, and lots and lots of sleep has been lost. It has been hard to enjoy the blue skies during a short stint of nice weather.
If you ever watched "Seinfeld" you'll know that "Serenity Now" was a popular catch phrase. George's father would scream it at the top of his lungs during trying times. That's just how I feel. I am trying really hard to put things in perspective. Don't sweat the small stuff, as they say. Everything will be okay. All necessary repairs will be taken care of. But after two years of varied construction projects I have had enough. My gardens have been trampled; I have lost plants; a tree has been damaged; and my head aches from the daily chorus of jackhammers. All I can do, however, is wait this situation out breathing deeply and fighting back both the tears and the anger.
There has been one small comfort in this latest construction fiasco. All of it has happened in winter. If this had happened in summer my nervous breakdown would have happened long ago. It is my deepest, deepest hope that all the work will all be done before spring when months and months of worry and stress will melt away into the soil, and the foliage, and the blooms. For now, I'm finding serenity in short little spurts like watching the birds for a few minutes. Hope you find your serenity now.
6 comments:
Deep breaths. This too shall pass.
Head up Chin out!!!
Darla's right - this too shall pass. Focus and/or meditate on positive things that give you joy - birds, the beauty of flowers, a walk on the beach, whatever works for you - you'll breath slower and more deeply and the stress and tension will reduce.
Hang on in there, it's nearly over!
Irena - So sorry you have had to endure such chaos next door! Here's hoping it will be over soon. What in the world are they doing all this for?
Oh my, I know exactly how you must feel. Been there, lost my serenity! And lost my bloody mind! You will look back one day at your beautiful garden wondering if that chaos ever took place. Only a relieving sigh and a gray hair here and there will remain as evidence ;-) Take care!
I'm sorry you are going through all the stress, I can relate a bit after the flooding last summer. I hope it ends for you soon! Lovely bird photos and the blue sky always makes one feel just a little bit better, doesn't it?
thanks for all the support, everyone. I'm feeling much better already. repairs are underway and the contractor is aiming to wrap up work in about two weeks. hooray. once this latest home improvement project is done I'm hoping there is nothing left to do and that peace and quiet will return.
irena
Post a Comment