free time, me time - let's chat

Last week I had a little mad money in my pocket and knew just what I wanted to do with it; buy a new magazine or two.  So I headed out to Barnes and Noble on Monday in search of the latest Mingle edition and whatever else caught my eye.

I was so excited when I found the Mingle issue I was looking for and a new Country Gardens
magazine as well.  Even as I was checking out I was thinking to the week ahead, trying to figure out the perfect time to crack them open and press that first crease in the seam.

I had already made a trip to the nursery and picked up a few pansies (they were on sale, so how could I not?) and I knew I needed to get them in the ground.

So that took care of my scheduled free time on Wednesday...

I also knew I was scheduled to babysit the grand boys three times during the week so there went Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

So that meant if I got up on Saturday and made quick work of the chores that needed to be done after breakfast I should be able to snuggle up on the sofa with a nice hot cup of tea, my sock clad feet curled under me and browse and dream and plan to my hearts content all afternoon.

By now I'm sure you know where this is going...yep, just about the time I was kicking off my shoes and waiting for the tea kettle to whistle my oldest grandson reminding me that he had a dinosaur diorama due on Monday and wasn't it important that he get it finished on Saturday and not wait until the last minute on Sunday.  (Of course, Saturday was kind of the last minute since he had the previous two weeks to get it done!)

So out came the pipe cleaners, construction paper, scissors, glue and crayons.  Needless to say, three hours came and went and nary a page of a magazine was turned.

And here she is in all her Jurassic glory.  I know what you're thinking.  That took you three hours?  No, it took my seven year old grandson three hours, I was just there to supervise, (wink, wink).

This is my second go round with kids in the house.  The biggest difference this time is that now I try not to resent the interruptions and constant mess as much.  I know too well how quickly this will all be over.  The army soldiers, Thomas the trains, cowboy boots and lego bricks will be replaced with can I borrow the car keys in no time at all.

So much for free time, me time this week.  Now I just need to figure out what next week looks like and try it all again.

xo, Patty