It's officially winter and I've got the blues. I woke up this morning to blowing snow. It had taken over the neighbourhood overnight. All I could make out from my bedroom window were white outlines of cars and roofs. Everything outside was buried in the fluffy stuff.
Winter makes me feel trapped. The big snow banks looming by the side of the road induce claustrophobia. The kids' soggy mitts, hats and boots piled in my shoebox sized mudroom make puddles on the floor, which inevitably leave us with wet socks and cold feet. Going anywhere requires an extra 15 minutes because I have to shovel out the driveway then brush off snow from my car before attempting to carefully pull out onto the road. I won't even mention the battle to get the boys into their snow suits. But I guess it doesn't really matter these days because I've got nowhere to go now that Z is home full time.
Last week I suffered a traumatic break up with my little one's preschool. After months of unresolved complaints, I had no choice but to pull him out. So he's home with me... 24/7. My precious three days of quiet are suddenly gone and it's wearing me down. As I'm trying to write this blog, he's yelling out for more M&M's. Note to self: 20 M&M's only buy you 12 minutes of peace and quite. Next time double the amount.
I had a taste of freedom for the last year and a half. I had a few days a week to post my blogs, to start planning my freelance business, to do some projects around the house, and to just have some quiet time to think. Those days are no more. I seem to be back to full time mommy mode. If I'm lucky, I get to sneak in a couple of minutes of me time on the toilet... although the broken lock on the door often causes a problem.
I keep thinking about the movie Date Night, where Tina Fey tells on-screen husband Steve Carell that her biggest fantasy is to spend time in a room alone, where she wouldn’t be bothered by anyone's demands. Although it doesn't always seem feasible, isn't that what all mom's want at some point or another?
So why not make it happen? I think I will start making dates with myself. If I can't get away while the sun is up, then I will wait until Mr. Sandman has paid the kiddos a visit. Once a week, I will take myself out. Think of the possibilities: the movies, the book store, the coffee shop... even the mall! And when the weather has me bummed and housebound, my iPad or a good book will do just fine.
I'd love to hear about any original "me" dates you ladies have been on lately. Send me your pics and a brief description and I may just post your ideas on my next blog! And don't forget to share my posts with your friends or sign up to follow me online.
When the kids were little, my morning jog was my alone time, my little escape. I used to say "I don't run, I run away". It was the only time in the day when i could have an uninterrupted thought.
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