i'm a little naughty....and that's ok

So, here I am, neglecting the poor blog again. I'm justifying it with the whole quality vs. quantity thing.

My boys left Thursday morning for their week of summer visitation with Brad and didn't get home until Tuesday night. That's the longest I've ever been away from them. It wasn't exactly an Eat, Pray, Love sort of year to myself, but it was five days where I was given some other options for my time besides the eternal round of cooking, cleaning, entertaining, and refereeing. (Not that I mind that stuff--it's the stuff of motherhood, which I love--but I didn't really have a choice here except to make the best of it).

Anyway, I used that time to stay very, very busy. I was even a little naughty. But, boy, it felt good! I was so naughty I:

*Did a two mile hike with a group of my friends...with my foot still broken...and was the second one to the top :). I'm not sure it was the wisest thing to do, but it reminded me that I can keep going through pain and the view is pretty spectacular when I get where I'm going!

*I ate. And ate. And ate. Zucchini and potatoes and cobblers cooked in dutch ovens. Ice cream pie made by my friend on her birthday. A buffalo burger and sweet potato fries. Jerk chicken. Corn on the cob. The first strawberry from my garden. Cold Stone. And guess what? I was still soooo busy running here and there--I lost three pounds in five days. That, my friends, I must admit was awesome (and probably short-lived :) ).

*I played hooky. There were things, boring and responsible things, I needed to get done--paying bills, making calls, bleaching bathtubs, putting away clothes--that I just let go. Doesn't mean I didn't work, I just chose to do it in service to others instead of doing the same ol' same ol' around here.

*I watched mindless television. Not a lot. But two more episodes of Design Start on Hulu. It was a great de-stressor and so I'm counting it as time well spent. (Also went and saw Incepetion and totally give it two thumbs up! I don't recommend movies all that often either).

*I took a two hour nap. It was after the hike, which was followed by helping a friend move in 95 degree heat. I went home, lied down under the cool whir of the ceiling fan, and crashed. A door to door salesman woke me up. That was, um, fun.

*I spent a whole afternoon just writing. I know that's kind of like my job--but it didn't feel like it that day. My ability to write fiction is growing. My plots are becoming more complex. My ability to project voice is sharpening. Now I just have to wait for the one genius inspiration idea. I plan on being prepared when the opportunity comes :)

-----When you're married, the love and relationship you have with your husband is like a great emotional well that the whole family can drink from. And--if you're doing it right--it's one that gets filled up on a regular basis.

As a single woman, I don't have that same constant rejuvenation. My well runs dry pretty quickly when there are 4 thirsty boys drawing from it--and sometimes just taking it to have water fights with each other. I actually need that little bit of time I have on my own to go seeking after those situations and people and quiet moments that help me replenish. I would never, ever, ever in a million years recommend getting divorced so you can have some alone time--BUT, if you can, I hope you find a bit of time here and there to be a little 'naughty' too. Just remember: It's only fun if it's the occasional thing, not an every day occurrence--then it's just gluttony.

You weren't expecting me to have done ACTUAL naughty things were you? Shame on you! :)