Beyond stress

There is nothing like the impending arrival of house guests to suddenly bring on a boost of energy to do major home renovations. I know that if there was no pressure, things just wouldn't be done. Therefore why not take the 10 week notice and turn it into an opportunity to work our asses off. Mind you that 10 weeks has actually turned into the 4 week scramble, starting off with last weekend when Carpenter and I ripped apart our one and only bathroom. You guessed it. There were some interesting challenges for 36 hours until we reinstalled the toilet. We were graciously allowed to use the neighbors', then, during the night it was a toss up for the kitchen sink or the back lawn. Seriously folks, I do not recommend ever ripping apart one bathroom, unless you have another to use. But it can be done, and I have to gloat;I love my marble tiles and my new deep soaker tub. Even while we were still grouting around tub and floor I would sneak in and lay in my tub, and just lay there. I love my tub, almost as much as my coffee mug. Yes, that bathroom door is about to have a sign on it saying "Mom's room".
There were times though during this process that it tested our marriage, I handed him the wrong tool and drill bit, 3 times. I was utterly "Painful to watch" while grouting. But I know better than to ever question the Carpenter when it comes to building, I just stay out of his way and crack open the odd Corona with Lime and Tabasco sauce for him, depending on the time of day.
Now in less than 3 weeks, we have to build a new vanity, paint, finish the tree house, clean the yard and house. Apparently Gran views these relatives as kin to the freakin' queen, because she's on my ass almost daily to come over and clean my cupboards. Of course because they are coming to see them. The countdown has begun. Where did I put that broom and dustpan?

My cousin and his family fly over a big blue ocean and arrive here for a10 day holiday. They will be spending time with us, and then we are all off to Vancouver for a few days. I am in charge of booking a van, tours, a means to Vancouver, and hotel accommodations.The hotel has to be somewhat central to all the places they would like to see. I'm having trouble finding a place that is central to all the sights on their wish list. All I know is, I'm stressed, I promised my self I wouldn't be, but I am. It has been almost 10 years since I have seen him last. He is my cousin, actually he is my second cousin, but we are pretty close. I want it their vacation to be perfect and wonderful. They are only here for 10 days and I want to enjoy that time to the fullest. I know that it doesn't matter that the treehouse isn't done- just a safety rail would do, I really don't care about new paint or a vanity. Just clean and tidy. That's all I need. I think. I don't know how I should cope. I'm starting to feel like the rabbit in Wonderland!
So I have a question for all you readers out there , How do you cope with stress?
Do you sit in Starbucks and people watch, wondering what her life is like behind the til?
Do you grab your favorite copy of Old English lit, say Chaucer's Canterbury tales and sit in the middle of an open field and read it out loud?
Or, like me, do you wake up at 4:45 am, because you can't sleep, strap on your water bottle, tie up your favourite runners, and hit the pavement, for a long run. No kids. No Phone. No Computer. No Ipod. No talking. No traffic. Just me. Just my legs. Just my feet hitting the pavement until I can't run any more. And it feels good.
Later in the morning, over coffee I literally fall apart explaining to Ferf why it is that I NEED to wear waterproof Mascara. Go figure. Guess I didn't need a good run. I needed a good cry.