For the first time in 6 years....

I slept alone in the house, and had a whole day to myself.

You see, I had to work on Saturday, so Jeff and the kids went to the beach with my parents, not to return home until Sunday night. While I was a little nervous to sleep alone, at least I had the dog. He’s not very ferocious, and he tends to sleep through most nighttime noises, but somehow I felt like if I was really in danger, he’s snap to it and save me. Or at least bark in enough time for me to call 911. My cell phone was under my pillow just in case, as I was sure the intruder would cut the phone line. Thankfully, burglars, murderers and other criminals left us alone.

How he spends most of his days

My head was spinning with the possibilities…sleep in, go to the outlets, organize a closet, prepare a weeks’ worth of dinners, watch a movie, go to a movie, take a nap, get a manicure, learn Italian; so many options, yet so little time. How was I to squeeze all of it into one day? I had to prioritize and decide. I was excited. So excited just to have my very own day.

Even though I had to work until almost midnight, somehow my internal clock did not allow me to sleep past 7:30. The morning was really quiet. I found myself kind of tip toeing throughout the upstairs, as if the kids were still asleep. It was quiet, and strange.

I decided to use the morning to do something productive, so I tackled the kid’s drawers and closets. It took me a good 3 hours, but boy was it worth it. I had a big box of stuff to bring to my favorite consignment store, Max and Lilly’s, and when I got there, talk about a stroke of luck! All size 6 clothes were an extra 70% off! Exactly peanut #1’s size. I loaded up with some great back to school finds.

Lilly P, Gap, Crewcuts, Gymboree and Janie and Jack...some with the tags still on!
My mom used to lay my new clothes out on the bed at night when she'd come home from a shopping trip. I used to LOVE waking up and seeing them. I think it's one of my favorite childhood memories. The shopping addiction started early.

For Peanut #2, some plaid Sperry's $14, a Janie and Jack Shirt $5
and a brand new Kitestrings jacket original price $47, for $7!!

The total cost for everything? $60. I had a $42 credit from stuff I’ve sold, so my out of pocket expense was only $18. And I feel so great about the whole reusing and recycling of clothes. A very productive morning, with time and money well spent.

Next up, lunch. Shopping always makes me hungry. Oh, and did I mention we lost power on our street? A good excuse to go out to eat, and though in my 20’s I would have never been caught dead eating alone, now, I don’t give it a second thought. (I truly believe I “found myself” in my 30s.) Anyway, I picked Nordstrom’s café for my favorite Roma tomato soup and salad. I didn’t have to wrestle someone into a high chair, pick up food off the floor, color, or play “I Spy” while we waited for our food. I sat there, ate quietly and realized, I really, really missed my family. I suddenly didn’t care what else I did the rest of the day. I just wanted everyone to be home.

As it turns out, they really, really missed me too. It was late when they pulled into the driveway, and they were asleep in the car, but I snuck in some hugs and heard a little voice wearily say “It’s so nice to see you again mommy.” I tucked them in, kissed them bunches, and went to bed myself.

Today, while sporting the minivan to the grocery store and singing KidzBop 20 in the car, I realized THIS is the perfect day. At least my perfect day. Alone time is highly overrated.