Trying to take some time alone often requires doing the Hustle!
We make it to the game with time to spare. Big sigh of relief given we woke up so late. Drive home from the game, drop my tween off, head to the grocery store. Half way there she texts me. I am annoyed, she knows I don’t read texts while I am driving. I pull into the parking lot and read the text. She is already working on her plans for the day. I call her back and we discuss the details. I promise I will rush so I can drive her to her friend’s house. My husband will be with our other tween so this may mean I actually will have a few hours to myself. Now, I have an incentive to rush!
As I am walking out of the grocery store she sends me an impatient “Where are you?” I let her know I am on the way. I get home, my husband is on the way out. I employ my daughter to help unpack the groceries. Usually she is not so eager but since I can’t take her to her friend’s house until they are put away she is more than willing.
We finally leave the house. Within thirty minutes I am home, ah but what to do with myself for the next three hours? The dogs stare at me longingly. I hadn’t realize it was that time. I walk each one. All tolled it takes about thirty of my precious 180 minutes. I walk into my room and there it is, a pile of laundry a mile high just waiting to be folded. I hadn’t realized my husband had done a few loads. The least I should do is get it folded and put away. Not too bad, I can watch HGTV while I fold. Just as I am starting this task, my cell phone rings. I recognize the number and pick it up. It is a work related call. For the next forty minutes I fold and discuss. So much for HGTV!
I finally finish folding the laundry. Now what should I do next? I quickly glance at the clock to see how much time I have got. To my dismay I realize I have to leave to get my tween in ten minutes. Just enough time to make a cup of coffee and scan the paper. As I go to sit down the phone rings. I promise myself I will not pick it up. I glance at the caller ID and realize it is my husband. I pick it up. I am grateful I do because he wants to pick up dinner and would like to know my order. One less thing I will have to do on the way home from picking up my daughter.
By the time we hang up it is time to go. I grab my purse and rush out the door. Half way to pick her up I see a text come in from her. I pull over to read it. She has been invited to stay for dinner. I text back telling her no. My phone rings within seconds. She begs and pleads. It is a Sunday night however, and she knows I won’t bend the rules. She accepts my response in a huff. “This should be a fun ride home,” I think to myself. Luckily by the time she gets in the car she has accepted the situation and simply asks what’s for dinner.
We get home, eat dinner, encourage showers, and getting organized for school. Before I have a moment to take a breath I am exhausted and ready to go to bed. The dance has ended for today, until tomorrow….
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