Wednesday 7 May 2008

What A Difference A Day Makes

Well, I had a lovely day yesterday. I had an early doctor's appointment on the other side of town, and once I had finished there, realised that I had the day to myself.


It was lovely and sunny, so I sat at an outside table at Pret-a-Manger and ordered a latte and something delicious containing ham and cheese, and I whiled away half an hour watching the world go by. What I noticed was that nobody actually speaks to each other - they're all on mobile phones. Even two people walking together have two different conversations.


The Football Fanatic had said she would pick the kids up from school, so, unbound by time restraints, I spent the afternoon shopping. Well, I did my best. I have to say I was very disappointed by the summer fashions - all horizontal stripes and frills - not me at all. I was hard pressed to buy anything, but I managed a couple of purchases.


After a leisurely jaunt home (and disregarding the minor details of making the tea, bringing in the two lines of washing I had put out before I left and rushing up to the presbytery to make the tea for Fr. J's Enquirers Group) I even met the Father of This Lot in the pub on the corner for a pleasant evening drink.


Later it occurred to me that perhaps my day had been so stress-free because it involved absolutely no kids whatsoever.


Maybe I'm in the wrong job.




21 comments:

Maggie May said...

Glad you had a lovely stress free day! You know you'd hate it for long without the kids!

ChrisB said...

Everyone needs a stress free day once in a while!

Renae said...

I often have to remind myself that one day they will be gone, and I will miss them terribly!

But it sure is nice to have a breather now and then!

As for the fashions, I agree! I am not at all pleased with what I've found. What is the deal with the criss-cross fronts on blouses, with no modesty piece! Why do the "fashion-powers that be" think that we all want to show everything we have?????!!!!!!

Also, the bold horizontal stripes - I lived through the 80's once. No need to go there again.

--r

Daryl said...

I dont have kids and stress still sneaks in ... as for the new summer frocks .. feh ... :-Daryl

Sarah - Kala said...

Agreed about today's fashions. If you can call it that!

Aw, you know you'd miss your little ladies if separated too long. Enjoy those moments of alone time - sooner than later they won't be moments, but passing of chunks of time. Okay, with my oldest being 14, maybe I dont know that exactly just yet, but I'm trusting my mum on this one. I moved away from Seattle at age 23, now I'm 38 with three grandkids she is watching grow in pictures!

Blessings,
JOT

Katney said...

The sweetness of that time away from them would not be so sweet if they were not a part of your life. It is a break, and breaks are good when needed (either on a regular routine or just once in an unsceduled while) but if there is nothing to break from, it is not a break.

I blather.

Glad the football fanatic could help to make the break a reality. You are now officially refreshed.

E said...

Nah it's just the dichotomy...we all need a change now and then.
Glad you had such a lovely day. i am gonna go get one of those for myself....

Kimmie said...

Sounds like a nice day indeed.


Kimmie
mama to 6
one homemade and 5 adopted

Amrita said...

Glad you enjoyed your day.

I too need a day off very badly, but with the 'job ' i have i can 't have it.

2 days ago someone said something real mean to me and I sank to the bottom of the earth. Thought of going to MacDonalds to lick my wounds, but then decided against it as it is too dear and I don 't want to entertain self-pity.

Then the electricity crisis came up and the other one faded away. Sometimes a fresh crisis overshadows the last one and you recover from them both.

Frog in the Field said...

Ahh, bliss!

meggie said...

Much as we love our kids, a day apart from them can be such a treat!!

Anonymous said...

One day isn't long enough! A couple of nights in another country is just the job. You feel a little bit 'needed' when you come back!



Misslionheart
Mum to five. Four homemade, one kidnapped from Barcelona.

Renee said...

I know what you mean. God has a wicked sense of humor to give some one like me, disorganized, scatterbrained and very noise sensitive, seven children. I hear Him laughing every day.

Grit said...

how lovely to have a moment of child freedom! (usually in my case it is followed too quickly by guilt.)

Jane said...

Had 3hrs like that last Saturday (with some girlfriends.) Amazed me how easy it was to shop without 3 people trying to talk to me at once.

Akelamalu said...

A day to yourself how lovely and it sounds like you made the most of it too!

Suburbia said...

Horizontal stripe and frills yuck! Sounds like a great day other wise!!

Laura Paxton said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Laura Paxton said...

I was just thinking, whilst rushing kids to various practices and games around town that I SERIOUSLY need one of those days...just a minor vacation...just a couple of hours even...it would be helpful becaue I find I am getting close to the point of...something desperate...

Glad you had a restful day!

Cath said...

Hi - sorry it takes me a while to get over sometimes (sunshine beckons!) but catching up now!

I'm with Katney on this one in reality, but with the tongue permanently in the cheek, I also find that my stress free times are when I have no children around me (or husband for that matter sometimes!)
And I love them all dearly, would not change them for the world (well, might tweak them a little) and wouldn't want life any other way right now.

Carolyn said...

Mmmm. Your day sounds lovely. Mind if I borrow it for a while? I shall now commence living vicariously through this post...