Last week one morning I dumped the contents of my purse onto my bed, sorted out the hair bands, diapers, pencil stubs, gum wrappers and cheerios container before I replaced my wallet, day planner and phone. I had a separate bag of toiletries and yet another large canvas tote of school books. Rather giddily, I loaded them into the car and took off, just me, for 24 hours. I was on a quest for some brain space and quietness to plan out the coming school year. Normally I am happy with a fairly fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants schedule. However, that approach gives me a nasty feeling of loose ends flying about me during the school term. I love learning with our children, but this year August came with it’s aisles full of back to school deals and I didn’t even want to think about math and history. So my thoughtful husband gave me a day off, completely, while he took care of the kiddies.
It was odd. I haven’t been all by myself for that space of time since I began having babies, ten years ago. It was oddly fun, too. I spent so much time at Hobby Lobby that I started feeling embarrassed. Then I found a tea room and took my canvas tote full of school resources inside where I sipped chocolate hazelnut tea out of a china teacup and nibbled a cranberry scone while I read “Books Children Love” and scribbled notes.
I thought long uninterrupted thoughts. I even spaced out and didn’t think for a while. At suppertime I was pleased to find that I can still make a salad last for an hour. Being of a frugal bent, I checked into a motel with econo in its name, despite Gabe’s protests. 😉 It did have a king sized bed and I slept until I woke naturally, (Okay, it is also natural to be awakened by babies… but I slept until I couldn’t sleep anymore.) figuring it must be about seven o’clock. It was closer to nine which meant I had to scramble to get some continental breakfast. My economy room had a large desk where I could spread out my stuff and set to long range planning. Never mind that the remote was held together by duck tape. I didn’t need it anyway. I needed quietness. At noon I checked out, went to the super, back-to-school sales with a lot more enthusiasm, and stocked up on glue sticks and pencils and cheap notebooks.
I had intended to stop at the tea room again, but something strange happened. I couldn’t wait to come home.
wocket in my pocket 
dorcas, I can’t get over how fun that sounds! I’m so glad You had the chance to do it!! blessings!
Sounds delightful! I’m so glad it gave you some motivation for the next year of schooling.
For some strange reason, I feel like crying after reading this. Maybe its the happiness of knowing how fun that must have been, maybe its the fact that your hubby was so thoughtful and caring, I really don’t know. Regardless, I nearly shivered with delight! So glad you had that chance!
That made me laugh, Geneva. You are really good at rejoicing with others!