What would YOU do with a whole day to yourself?
Well….quasi “alone.” Still got the mom-sitter.
As Josie n I wave to the rest of my brood driving away, teens to their classes and then hump-day sports activities and elementary kids to Maritime Center with my sister, I suddenly think, what the heck am I gonna do all day? I spent the last week planning this day for the kids and organizing the route the family car would take to get all the kids activities commute in one economically planned route that I completely neglected to plan for myself. Honestly I spent the week hoping my sis would eventually invite me along too, even when I finally invited myself she was pretty much like, “Go do your thing, sis, I got this.” Such a great sis but, what the heck IS my thing? My thing just drove away in the car! The last time I had a day like this was …..um…….well…….I can’t remember ever having a day like this. Maybe when my 4th child was three-four years old and my other three were in private school, I must have had quite a few days like this, but that was eleven-twelve years ago. I can’t remember what I did then. MY THING would be to clean the whole house top to bottom but I’m well too versed in how quickly THAT gets undone so I’m not too anxious to waste this beautiful day on something that will disappear right after it’s accomplished. I really want this blessing of a day to count. Count BIG. COUNT LONG! MY THING would be to scrapbook, I have sooooo much catching up to do like scrapbookers always say, “I’m soooo behind,” but again no matter what we’ll always be behind anyways because scrappers document life and life never stops happening. Plus let’s not forget I still have this one year old tot to tot along with me today so sitting in one place with a bunch of messy accessories IS NOT the best idea with her around. So I’m at a loss here- I have NO IDEA what to do when I’m left home alone on what would typically be a homeschool day or work day or housecleaning day-this just happenes to be HUMP-DAY, and I should add I have no car to go run errands or grocery shop, or get an appointment done. So I’m at the mercy of subscribers here to advise me, WHAT DO I DO WITH MYSELF when left home alone for an entire day? My subscriber list is small but its a good list of savy, experienced mama’s and I need you, you know who you are, here and now, answer in the comments, WHAT DO I DO HOME ALL ALONE? What would YOu do if presented with a day like this? How would you spend it?
While I wait for your responses I’m going to get going and not waste one precious moment. Per my usual advise to myself on any day I TAKE THREE! Have any of you read that post yet? If not scroll through the menu of posts because I have NO IDEA how to link that here (I really should learn; I apologize for that) and read it because its how you never find yourself behind and continue to get by no matter what chaos hits or how long you play hookie from your house chores. So Josie n I take my own advise and …………
Start the Laundry
Run the Dishwasher
Make The Bed
Check, check, CHECK!
So what NOW?!!!
Take Out Dinner!
Right! CanNOT forget that one. Totally forsee getting side-tracked footloose and fancy free, Tom Petty’s Free Fallin’ playin in the background, then everyone walking in the door at five o’clock, “No dinner?!” (Record scratch, buzz-kill) “You had all day to yourself and couldn’t manage dinner?! What did you do?!” (Death-stares, guilt trips, no thank you). Pulling meat out to defrost, free til four o’clock when I need to prep that. Now I’m really free with no strings attached. What next? That wasted all of like thirty minutes.
Take A Shower!
It’s amazing how many days we moms neglect ourselves in order to keep up with demanding families. More days than we care to admit, many of us flip our hair up into a messy-bun and just keep going. Not today. I’m showering (and taking my time too-shaving those legs and pits; don’t judge you all know you let it go too, when the days are cold and they’re conveniently covered) and when I get out I am actually applying lotion (cherry almond butter-dang that sounds so good, and it feels good too) I am blowing out my hair today too, resisting the urge to clean the shower or the toilet and rushing through my uninterrupted bathroom time. I cannot stress enough the importance, especially for new mommas, of taking time for a shower. It wards off post partum depression, stimulates circulation; rub that scalp when shampooing like they do in the salon; close those eyes and let the warm water hit your face. Some things however small make tidal waves in your psyche especially when it makes you feel human again and on top of things, successful, beautiful. Even with those few pesky pounds still hanging onto the hips and belly for dear life. Even if it sounds awful just do it anyway. You won’t regret it. Ever! If your a veteran mom and your kids are grown or even a single mom, and you’ve ever thought to yourself “Why bother? There’s no one to impress or no where to go. No one cares.” YOU have to care. Your reason enough. Shower!
After showering and moisturizing and hair blow-drying my unpolished gangly toes stuck out like a white girl in Harlem, but guess what?! I got time to fix those! My hair stylist, body-builder sis would say, “You got no right wearing sandals unless the toes are manicured.” I have already pulled the sandals out a few times this spring and been humiliated by the state of my toes so here it goes-choosing NEON ORGANGE too. Go big or go home, right? My feet are bruised and beat-up from my barefoot lifestyle (that’s literal I hate shoes-prob because I have a bunion, although I hate showing it, shoes hurt and barefoot feels free) they look SO much better than they did.
TEXT THE HUSBAND!
Taking a minute to text my man, and something sweet n sexy versus the usual did you pay the electric bill or what time will you be home, what’s the balance on the credit card, don’t forget to talk to your son about overdoing screen time; today it’s just plain, ” I love you and I’m thinking about you.” Most days the day gets away from me and I don’t even text at all:( So this should go over as a little breath of fresh air for him too. Sharing the love!
EAT!
Like the shower, I’ve neglected breakfast so many times for merely a cup of coffee and often too I’ve just grabbed something very unhealthy or ate whatever the kids were having. Today breakfast my way! Two poached eggs on sourdough bread and avocado. Protein, brain-food and gut-food. Life can be so good!
I feel good dun-na-na-na OH! SO GOOD!
Get OUTSIDE!
It’s a gorgeous day out! Sunshine and good temperatures so headed out to the patio to fill this diy free-standing fruit n veggie pallet planter I made a few days ago with compost and potting soil. It’s been sitting around waiting for me to finish it and add the feet to it to make it free-standing. My husband must rrally love it too cause he asks almost daily, “When you gonna finish that?” Today’s the day , my love! Sunshine feels almost as good as the shower. I honestly feel better than if I spent a whole day and hundreds at the spa, and hours on Pietra Fitness and meditation. I suddenly remember God and how good He is to have provided this day to me with healthy lungs n legs to utilize it with. Deo Gratias!
NAP
Well……my little one is down for morning nap and I’m not quite ready for one myself, just maybe this afternoon though when she takes her second I might (can you imagine?! A nap?!) So I take this moment to post this in the peace and quiet, with a hot cup of espresso, cozied up under a shawl and no thought-interruptions (kids and their millions of questions or quarrels to break-up; I’m amazed at how fast I can whip it out and how effortlessly; please note if your remarking over better grammar and punctuation, please don’t get used to it lol).
DON’T FORGET TO COMMENT
Now all that done and it’s barely halfway through my day so please please PLEASE don’t forget to give me more ideas with your comments on what YOU would do with a day all to yourself. And IF you’re a subscriber I’ll let you in on some deeper Intel on what else I get in today but THAT post will be private (subscriber ONLY, VIP-info) so make sure your on my list. If your not and I’ve sent you this post it’s because I want YOUR unique opinion on what you would do if gifted with a day like this so please, even if you don’t subscribe, drop your advise for me in the comments, and thank you as always for taking the time to hear me.
Her House 