It Is Apparent, Even To Me
You know what sucks?
(No, Jenny! We've got no idea what you're on about this time! Tell us!)
All summer long, I was fantasizing about all the time I would have once the kids were in school. All the T I M E. All three kids, out of the house. I would be wrapped in a warm, fulfilling blanket of child-free time, allowing me to do Great Things with myself.
And you know what? I'm so not appreciating what I have. I'm like "Ooooh, I just dropped the kids off, and then I have to go drop this other kid off in half an hour. Booo hoooooo. And then, I have to pick her up in only two-and-a-half hours. That means I have only two hours to accomplish anything. Waaa. Pooooor me."
Only two hours. What the hell is wrong with my head. This summer, I was doing handsprings over 20 minutes of alone time, and now I'm looking at the three weekly child-free blocks of time as a burden, because I can't do anything in only two hours.
I am calling myself on this b.s. right now. I have friggin' moved mountains in less than two hours. I seriously need to put the high horse out to pasture, and be appreciative. I need to make a plan for those hours, and relish the time. I need to just shut up. Yes.
Ahem. That was a little tough love for myself.
On another note, my three-year-old has been addressing me as "Homes" today, something that cracks me up, but leaves me wondering what exactly they are teaching her in preschool. She is all about colors lately, too. If she starts throwing gang signs, I'm going to schedule a conference.
Comments
Oh I needed that kick in the ass too Jenny - THANK YOU.
Call your daughter Homeslice tomorrow. See what happens. :)
Posted by: Karen Rani | October 11, 2006 7:20 PM
I swear I blink and my two three and half hour preschooler-free blocks of time are gone. I look around and don't even have a load of wash finished. I've decided I really need to start setting specific goals for that time otherwise I totally blow it and get nothing done (even though I am amazingly BUSY the whole time).
Posted by: Amanda | October 11, 2006 7:26 PM
LOL
Yeah at first two hours seems like a lot but if you are commuting any where that is more than 5 min. from preschool, it isn't as long as you think.
Posted by: Maria P. | October 11, 2006 7:28 PM
There is never enough time in the day, ever. I have a list of things to get done every day, or else I would spend all day blogging.
Posted by: Elizabeth | October 12, 2006 6:12 AM
It seems that when we have 20 minutes to do something, we know exactly how to use that to the fullest. But when there's 3 whole hours...we really don't know where to begin and next thing you know...it's chauffering time once again.
Posted by: Waya | October 12, 2006 7:55 AM
you rock, Homes.
Posted by: steph | October 12, 2006 8:00 AM
You could work out! In peace!
Posted by: Mom Nancy | October 12, 2006 12:06 PM
You know, I do that EXACT same thing! I thought I was the only one who would sit there and think "Well I can't enjoy these 5 hours, 'cause the kids will be back in just FIVE HOURS! and look 15 minutes has already passed so now it's only 4 hours and 45 minutes! That's not even five hours!" Granted, I rarely get 5 hours without the kids, but you know...when I do I do the same thing!
Posted by: Turtlemama | October 12, 2006 1:13 PM
Don't be too hard on yourself. It's part of the human condition to take what you have for granted and wish for more, or less or bigger, or smaller.
It's just the way we are, Homes.
Yo.
Posted by: Contrary | October 12, 2006 2:02 PM
Yo Homes.
Okay, a three year old calling you Homes is hysterical.
I'm going to see if I can get my kids to call each other Homes tomorrow.
Posted by: Sarah, Goon Squad Sarah | October 12, 2006 7:31 PM
MMMM self kicking. Thanks, I needed that gentle punt back ionto reality.
Another thing, I'm a homeschooler, no free time. Ya lucky cuss! *smile*
Posted by: Whimspiration | October 12, 2006 10:39 PM
Two hours....
Cook a batch of fudge and eat it all?
That would be top of my list...
Hi there- I'm Eva, and have just linked in from...somewhere....crazy addictive linking!
Posted by: Eva | October 14, 2006 1:12 AM
I think time is like storage space - it is instantly filled, and then you need more.
Even on weekends, when my husband takes over hours and hours worth of the duties, I can feel testy and in desperate need of alone time.
Maybe that's why I homeschool - if I got too much "free time", I'd be even more grouchy! ;)
Posted by: rachel | October 14, 2006 12:30 PM
Well, if you can't get anything done, why don't you count this as your "alone" time and just enjoy.
Cas
Posted by: cassie-b | October 17, 2006 8:48 AM