I really tried not to get my hopes up about AloneFest ’06 because there’s that point where expectations get out of whack with reality, and I didn’t want to be all hyped up and then be bored out of my mind, wondering why, why did I ever agree to let David and Alex go out of town at the same time, why would I do such a foolish thing, why.
But, oh, my friends, AloneFest ’06 did not disappoint.
I decided yesterday morning that I wasn’t going to get a salon pedicure because I didn’t want to spend an hour feeling like I had to make small talk. If I was having a day out with the girls, I would’ve been all for it – but the point of the day was not to socialize. The point of the day was to be totally, completely, and gloriously alone.
And it was glorious.
Once David got on the road yesterday afternoon, I sat on the couch for at least two hours – reading blogs, sending emails, enjoying the silence. And then I cleaned, and ate sushi, and watched television, and took a bath, and gave myself a pedicure, and slept like a log.
I did miss my people – I did – but I was so grateful to have a little “me” time.
I think D. was more excited for my “Mamacation” than I was. He knows my personality better than anyone, so he gets that while I’m mostly an extrovert, I have just enough introvert in me that I sometimes need to be away from people in order to really re-charge my batteries. Only I’m NEVER by myself. I think that’s the hardest part of motherhood for me…the fact that there is little, if any, “down time.” It’s like being a doctor who’s on call 365 days a year. Without the six-figure salary.
Anyway, to fully cement my nerd status, I took some pictures of the lively festivities at my house last night. Wanna see? Good.
First I got my sink just like FlyLady likes it. I like to run scalding hot water in each side, then add some Mrs. Meyer’s lemon verbena or lavender all-purpose cleaner. Makes the whole house smell yummy.
Then I ran some more hot water. For me. With a combination of my favorite Bath & Body Works soap and some great Arbonne stuff that my friend NK gave me. And I know, I know that InTouch is tacky. I’m sorry. I was alone, and I had a big ole bubble bath, and I wanted to read some celebrity news. By the way, did y’all KNOW that Jessica is wearing her wedding band on a chain around her neck? She is. Very Carrie Bradshaw-ish, if I do say so myself.
Afterwards I adjourned to the den, where I fixed myself a BooMamapolitan. That would be diet Coke. On the rocks. Neither shaken nor stirred.
I kept my standing weekly appointment with Jack Bauer, who didn’t get very far last night in his attempts to Save The World From Peril, but he did knock a guy out by elbowing him in the neck, and that was pretty cool.
And while I was watching Jack, I gave myself a pedicure. I actually took a picture of my feet so I could show you the results, but then I decided that was gross. So you’ll just have to take my word that my toes look cute.
So that’s about it, I reckon. D. and A. will be home later this afternoon, and we’ll get back to the business of our normal routine. I’ll move from AloneFest ’06 to ToddlerDetox ’06, because A. will be rotten after three days with grandparents (which is fine – spoiling is their job).
But it was fun, y’all. It really was.
I am so glad you had a fab time! I too look for the day when Terry takes both girls away for a day or two. But, I have a feeling that is going to be a while!
I’m sorry. Did I miss something, Miss Memoirs of a Geisha? You did say sushi, right?
I am so out of touch. I need to read this bloggy thing way more.
Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto, indeed!
tt
Yeah, since when did you start liking sushi? I thought me and Liz were the only ones!!??
Oh good grief. I’m going to edit the post to say I ate fried chicken! :-)
I DO like sushi, but I never eat it because D. doesn’t like it. And ever since y’all were here back in the summer, Merritt, and we went to that Japanese place, I have developed a craving for it.
So I took advantage of D. not being here to partake of the sushi. I mean, the fried chicken. :-)
First things first. Have you tried Coke Zero? I know you love your diet coke and all, but I’m ADDICTED to Coke Zero. To me, it tastes SO MUCH BETTER than Diet Coke. Ok, enough of the important talk. Now on to frivolous conversation.
I think the introvert comes out in all of us, once we have kids. It has seemed to get stronger and stronger within me, with each new addition to the family. Good Lord, If I had ten or more children, I would probably run away to live my remaining days in a cave.
Deep thoughts, by Jack Handy, er, uh, I mean Addie
Hey, Merritt, I love sushi too. I’m the one that forced us to go to that INCREDIBLY HOT (and I don’t mean Paris Hilton’s version of hot; I mean I was sweating to death) Japanese restaurant last summer. I am all about all sushi all the time!
Daph,
Come on over to my house — it’s as hot as the sushi restaurant we went to — our air is out!
I love sushi, too, and we eat it as often as we can. May and I never eat anywhere else when we eat together!
Sounds like a great day, Soph. I hope you get another day alone soon. That’s the hardest part of motherhood for me, too, is not having alone time, and also hearing “Mama, mama, mama” from a chorus three!
Liz – Please tell me that a repairman is on the way. Please?
Addie – I have not tried the Coke Zero. But now I will.
Daph – The irony of our dinner is a burning up hot restaurant is not lost on me. Because you hate to be hot more than anyone I know. Except for Elise. Who keeps her house a cool 65 degrees. :-)
Your photos cracked me up! I need to appreciate my “lots of alone time” life more. Good reminder to stop taking all the little things for granted.
Enjoyed your post and pictures. You actually got alone time??? I can’t remember the last time I’ve been alone. Maybe for like an hour when BayouPaPa takes the boys for a hair cut. It sounds like you enjoyed it to the fullest! Good for you!