So, the day arrived - a day I have been looking forward to for weeks. My Date with my Hairdresser. His name is Alex. He is happily married with 3 beautiful children. But he is still one of my most favourite men. I simply go in there - get my jacket hung for me, am offered beverages and then seated and asked, sincerely, how I am and what is new. Alex got an earful this morning - but he is a good listener! We have great banter, share ideas and sarcasm and although he's not my husband - he is still very special to me as he makes my hair shine! :) My other date was with myself at the gym. I enjoy sweating and feeling muscles twitch and shake as I push myself to lift more and lift it higher. It is my time to myself. A time to think of what's going on in my life right now, watch other people with idle curiosity, or plan my week- while listening to wicked tunes on my ipod. No phones to answer, no kids to deal with (they are in the day care), nor a husband to help out. I often feel like a completely spoiled housewife when I am working out. Here I am, doing my thing, feeling good and then I have a moment of guilt as I know others are out there working their tails off-some in mundane jobs, thankless work, or even a cool job....and then I realize, heck, I work too....it's just different work. It's all good. Housewife is a category to check off the employment list too. One person/thing I love more than my hairdresser (and husband and kids too sometimes) is my dog, Charlie. She is my companion and best pal. She is my snuggler and kisser. She and I have dates on the couch just chatting and hanging out. There isn't much I wouldn't do for that wee dog. I had to clean up a winters worth of her dog doo out of the back yard this evening. It was disgusting - but necessary. As I was being super-pooper mom, I realized that my dates for myself today weren't really about me at all. Yes, I do benefit from the hair and eyebrow wax, from the exercise and kid-free time, and from the shit-free yard....but at the end of the day - a day for me is really my gift to everyone else. I go to the gym to lose weight, look good and feel great. Result: my kids get a mom who looks ok, they aren't embarrassed about me, I have energy to play with them, to run around with them to their activities, and I am in a better mood all around. I can be a nice mom. The hair cut makes me feel good about myself. Some may say that's shallow, but I bet they don't have good hair. When I leave the hairdresser I feel confident and sexy. The gray is all gone....I don't feel old and frumpy. Darren, Kamrin, Mikka and Luci get a wife / mom who is peppy and ready to help them with any task - thanks to another man! :) And Charlie scores a yard with no khakha! My patience grows as does my willingness to do for others when I focus on myself within reason. So - a day for myself does benefit me, but it also a gift I can give to everyone else around me because I am healthy and happy and ready to GO!
I can't say No. No, I am not talking about when people ask me for something. I have learned that it's good to say no when I am feeling too busy or over-scheduled. What I can't say NO to is baking. Sweets are a problem for me - always have been and probably always will. Today I had a bunch of bananas that were starting to encourage fruit flys to come and hang out and party. I knew I needed to bake with them. I have a kickass banana bread recipe that my family gobbles up so I knew that I would please the girls to no end if I baked for them. I also had some fresh strawberries from the St. Jacobs Farmers Market, and rhubarb too. I love love love rhubarb...especially in a pie....with strawberries. So after tidying and cleaning today and feeling pretty good about life, I pulled out the bits and pieces and started creating yummy treats. I also made this yummy curried barley and ...
hot mama.
ReplyDeleteYou are the best looking mom I know...you have it all Marlea and it is worth keeping it in shape!!......and I feel the very same way about Geri......love that lile dog!!
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