Sunday, January 17, 2010

Peace and Quiet

Yesterday, for the first time since before Elizabeth was born 15.5 months ago, I had the entire house to myself for an afternoon - no kids, no husband. B and Ella were off in Houston for a climbing comp (Ella placed third in her division and qualified for nationals; she's headed to Virginia next month to compete.), and the little three were off with my mother-in-law for a few hours.

I made sure to do all my cleaning and dusting and such before the little kids left so that I wouldn't sit alone in the house and feel compelled to clean. Instead, I took a nap for a an hour or so, waking up in a panic at the quiet in the house. It took me a few moments to remember where everyone was. After my nap, I went to see "Young Victoria" with Wendi Aarons and another friend (one who's not a blogger - who knew such people existed?). I highly recommend the movie; it's well-acted and beautiful. And it was so nice to come out of a movie without a migraine caused by loud noises and explosions and chase scenes.

When I got home from the movie, I still had an hour before the kids arrived, so I watched trash TV (what is wrong with me that I watch Jersey Shore?) and knit.

It was divine.

Of course, today the house is back to its usual level of noise and chaos, and I found myself feeling resentful at the mess the kids had made of my previously spotless home. It's not that they were trying to be messy; they were just playing as usual, but there was still a mess of blocks and puzzle pieces strewn across the living room.


Who knows when I'll have such piece and quiet again. I hope it's not another year and a half.

8 comments:

Dee at Pedestrian Palate said...

Good for you. Sounds like a perfectly relaxing day. And congratulations on your daughter's placement. I didn't even know that rock climbing was a competitive sport. They don't have it in our schools yet.

Baino said...

A year and a half! Good grief. Even I managed to get away for a girly lunch now and again. Then it was very handing having my mum close by! Excellent day all roung. I hired Young Victoria not so long ago. Lovely movie. And congrats to Ella. It's a popular pasttime here but I had no idea it was competitive.

Unknown said...

you spent that time just like I would have!!!

donna said...

Glad that you spent the time on yourself rather than doing chores. Alone time is bliss isn't it. When I can get alone time I love to take off for a run...that is my stress relief AND my treat all wrapped up in one. Simple pleasures :-)

Gayle from PA said...

Jersey Shore? How can you not watch it? Every time you flip through the channels its on. Guilty pleasure for sure

the mama bird diaries said...

That sounds lovely. I'm so jealous you and Wendi go to the movies together.

Amy said...

Oh, heaven. A movie... like right in the middle of the day?? Bliss!! Good on you for not spending it cleaning.

And good on Ella too! Where in Va will she be competing? (My neck of the woods.)

Suna Kendall said...

Congratulations to Ella, and on you for enjoying the break.