Empowered, Accomplished and Helpless...

Yesterday must have been opposite day.  There were so many times I felt accomplished and empowered.  At other times, I felt helpless. 

It all started when my husband left at 8:15 AM Sunday for a business trip.  My foundation is leaving? For the first time in our marriage, he will be away for 6 full days and five nights.  I have mentioned that I was once a nanny and have spent multiple nights/days caring for little ones.  In my nannying days, I cared for 2 year old triplets one summer, and for a newborn, a four-year-old, and a 9 year old my senior year in college.  For some reason, the thought of "going it alone" with my little one frightened me.  As soon as dear husband's car left the driveway, I glanced at the clock and had an awful feeling in the pit of my stomach...how am I going to do everything that needs to be done without his help?

feeling EMPOWERED and ACCOMPLISHED:  I took "Lucky" to church and enjoyed an hour with my eighth grade class. They are finally coming out of their shells! 
 
feeling EMPOWERED and ACCOMPLISHED: We enjoyed a lovely lunch of Kraft  Macaroni and Cheese, mixed fruit cups, and turkey slices.
feeling EMPOWERED and ACCOMPLISHED: He took a 3 hour nap while I straightened the house and baked a loaf of banana bread.  I even got a 30 minute nap!

feeling HELPLESS: He woke up fussy.  Where's Silly Daddy when you need him?

feeling EMPOWERED and ACCOMPLISHED: We took a 30 minute walk and he practiced walking in the driveway.

feeling EMPOWERED and ACCOMPLISHED: We stocked up at the grocery store. Saved $20 by using coupons.

feeling HELPLESS: Put a load of wash into the washing machine.  Hear a loud "CLICKING" noise at a time when it should be spinning, spinning, spinning....enough to put me over the edge.  I seriously contemplate buying a new washer to replace this 10 year old one.  I even go so far as to look in the Sunday circulars for a "good deal." 

feeling HELPLESS: Don't even want to "think outside the box." Tell husband when he calls that I'm planning to get a new washer.  He reasons me into seeing how much the part/labor will cost to fix it.

feeling HELPLESS: Baby is fussy - throws a major temper tantrum.  Kicks, screams, and pounds his fists on the playmat in his playyard.  I can't figure out what he wants.

feeling HELPLESS: My sister isn't coming to help out.  She's facing personal challenges of her own.  Insert frowny face with big crocodile tears here! :-(

feeling EMPOWERED and ACCOMPLISHED: Give baby a bath.  He's happy for 10 mintues.  Dry his hair and give him a bottle.  My eye is on the clock...it's only 6:15.  Bedtime is at 7:00 PM.  I take a chance and put him in his crib.  Within 30 seconds, he is sound asleep.

feeling EMPOWERED and ACCOMPLISHED: Finish taxes and file them. 

Thankfully, I ended the day feeling EMPOWERED and ACCOMPLISHED.  Still, this week is not going to be easy.  I'm going to try looking on the bright side of things. Updates coming soon!