Just Joy
(post written Saturday but posted Monday so past tense now)
Weekends bring something really really good out in me.
They re-energize me for the week ahead exactly as I assume they are meant to do.
Thank God for weekends. I just wish they were longer.
And don’t get me wrong. I love my weeks too. Love my
work, our routines and lots of others things. But there are a lot of things
about the weeks that are hard too; this year especially as we only have one day
carpool and the rest of the days it is us driving. Out by 6:55am or 7:05 am are
early starts. And I don’t even have too explain the housekeeper situation…which
has made this school year tougher during the weeks (especially that the one we hired
5 weeks ago just left too for a full time job yesterday!!!) Shit!!! Shit again!
Anyways weeks are good but very very jam packed and full.
Lots of work, stress, school and routine.
Weekends however fill up my joy tank..alot.
Today I am grateful for (and the weekend is only half
done)
-Kids having plans on Friday nights and all out having
fun with friends. Last night Hubby and I found ourselves alone all evening! We
had planned a fun chicken wing and coleslaw dinner for kids and their friends and
ended up eating 99 cent TV dinners on our own. We were lonely for them ( we like
time away on vacations and a planned weekend away here and there) but not too
often as weekends only time we have quality time all together), but we were
happy for them too..that they were out there growing up and enjoying their
lives. It’s a weird stage for that..happy for them but miss them too.
Paradoxical feelings about it. Like next weekend Bear has a marathon and will
stay back in city one night and already I am sad we won’t all be together
Saturday night (I know I am a total wimp). But also happy we will hang out with
Chase and Beauty just four. Paradox. The whole teenage stage is. Overall it’s a
hoot.
-Ikea. We spent 4 hrs there as a family and had a blast.
All three of their rooms are being redone and decorated and we went to start
the first steps. We had the best lunch ever. 15 meatballs trio for 5.99 is
right up our alley. Yummy. We had such a good time at Ikea and choose most of
what we were there for.Chase and I walked (believe it or not!!!) with our arms
around each other a good part of the day and had many strangers smiling at us.
Bear was all affectionate and kissy and lovey dovey and kept hugging me. And
Beauty was super sweet and cuddly too. It was soooooooo nice.
-I tried to suggest a “let’s go to Ikea for Valentine’s
dinner every year tradition” but it did not work. Kids said that too many traditions
are annoying and let’s stick with the million we already have. Bear and I however
decided to go for an Ikea lunch twice a year anywaysJ
-Lots more shopping at Aubenerie and Bureau en Gros and
just leisurely shopping which we never have time to do together. Then
milkshakes at McDonalds which was a real treat and everyone bought their own
with their own money (also a real treat)
-We had a good social media discussion and I told the
kids all the discussions and debates on blogs about it this week. I let them
read mine of last week. Their answer in response too: “should I just take the
plunge and get connected guys?’” “Do it Mom just like on Supersize your life. Inundate
yourself and you will either love it or hate it just like the guy who ate at
McDonald three times a day for 6 months and a movie was made about him”
Their
guess? I won’t like it a ton, but will like parts (as I love texting, emailing is
my life and love I pads and have 8 laptops in the house so am not too archaic!)
But as one of them said “you just like real talking too much-you won’t like
social media that much..it's cool for teens but a bit lame for "older" people”. They wanted me to start my experiment right away but I
told them I just can’t before I have more of a need too…when I publish
book or need for career purposes…sometime early 2014. That their rooms being decorated, my work, getting
prepared for ski season etc…take priority for now but that I thought their idea
was a cool one and that I promised to deliver at a later date and keep them
posted (and befriend them on Facebook)!!! hahah. I am sure they are overjoyed about that! I can tweet all about them one day! Everyday!
-Grateful for the cottage cuddles. Only here do my man and I take a nap as we arrive at 5pm on
a Saturday and then have the kids wake us up at 7pm and lie in bed with us. It
is heaven.
-Grateful for the beautiful landscaping we arrived too.
This week my Hubby hired a guy to put gorgeous natural stone stairs down to the
lake and lots of bushes and plants. It is so beautiful and makes the cottage
even cozier. What I loved the most is how excited the kids are to arrive and run
down and see it. We all share in the bliss about this place.
-My kids are pitching in that is certain. They said that
the (second) housekeeper who left was slow anyways and that we would all take a
big task on ourselves and forget about her. Bear said he could be a “mean
muffin maker” Beauty agreed to make a salad a week and cut up veggies” and
Chase said he is very good at cleaning toilets. On top of a long list of chores
they have nightly and on weekends they will take this on……god bless their
hearts.
-Grateful for homework at the cottage at 7:30-9pm for two
of the kids and Bear making dinner with Hubby in the kitchen while I do this
blog. For the season two of Modern Family that we just downloaded to start
watching tonight and the cuddle on the couch time that I cherish.
I love weekends. I love my family. I can be pessimistic
but very very optimistic too. I love the life we have and the life we have
created together. I love the fact that we nurture what we have and cherish
what we have as a family and don’t take a minute for granted.
I love the gourmet cracker I just popped into my mouth
with hummus and the iced tea that I washed it down with. Grateful for the glass
of wine my husband drinks slowly as he prepares dinner and that pleasure he can
still enjoy from it despite trying to cut out harder alcohol.
Grateful for next week and the lunch I have planned on
Monday with a great friend, the phone conversation with another great friend
that same day we have planned and the get together on Thursday night to
celebrate a milestone in a friend’s life with three girlfriends.
Joy.
Just pure and simple joy.
Weekends are joy.
