Michelle Richards' Day Off

Richards? Richards? Anyone?

As selfish as it may make me seem, I admit: when my wonderfully selfless husband asked me what I want when it comes to Mother's Day, our anniversary, etc. I ask for a day off. A day to myself, to (within reason) do whatever I please and go wherever I please. A day to leave the responsibility of caring for our daughter to him and just be Michelle for a day. I love being his wife and I cherish the privilege I have of being someone's Mummy. I need to make that clear. Both are titles I dreamed of, longed for and hold dear. But I don't remember the last time I wasn't accountable to someone and I wanted, just for a few hours, to be a lone wolf. I hope that anyone reading this will understand and perhaps empathize and know that I love my little family with all of my heart and just needed to give that full heart a little time to unwind.

At any rate, Brandon delivered. In a big way. He packed a bag for Teagan (with a little advice from me) and set off after breakfast for the park and the library so I could enjoy some quiet time at home. I took a picture of my darling duo off on their Daddy-Daughter Date and Teagan winked at me while I did it. She must have known that I was about to do a whole lotta nothin'.

I started by running the dishwasher and putting in a load of laundry - just to say I hadn't done absolutely nothing. Then I sat and ate junk food and watched some bonus footage on the Breaking Dawn DVD I'd borrowed from the library - glad I didn't pay anything to see it. Then, I took the longest shower I've had in almost 3 years. I didn't live in fear of what I might discover when I exited or who might pop into the bathroom, carrying who knows what. I shampooed AND conditioned - separately - 

I made the mistake of going shopping - not that I spent too much money but that this particular Saturday was akin to shopping on Chrismtas Eve. I had totally forgotten that kids go back to school on Monday and was faced with wall-to-wall moms and whiny children. Of course, it was a huge relief that none of those crying, screaming children belonged to me, so I didn't mind it so much. But even though it was my happy place (Target, by myself - it isn't happy unless I'm alone) it took up entirely too much of this precious time, maneuvering around carts full of pencils, children throwing fits on the floor and waiting my turn at check-out. 

Then it was off to the library, to enjoy some peace and quiet and catch up on the blog. Well, it wasn't as quiet as I thought it would be, and since I decided to squeeze in some grocery shopping while I was solo. Here's where I emphasize the fact that it wasn't wanting to "escape" the life I'm living and love so much, I just needed "an escape" for a few hours, if that makes sense. I spent the bulk of my lone library time blogging about the husband and daughter I left at home.

-shopping - compared to Christmas Eve, back to school shoppers are crazy!
-wasted too much time at my "happy place"
-ran dishwasher and did load of laundry (just to say I'd done something)
-took longest shower in 3 years, not living in fear of what I might discover when I exit or who might come in with what