Tuesday 31 May 2011

All by myself

After our holiday I needed a break, so as soon as we arrived back home I booked both kids in for an impromptu day at pre-school.  This was Dolly's first time going for a full day (and my first day on my own for several years), and so when I dropped them off, I was apprehensive; but by the time I had reached my car, having left them stabbing some play dough with scissors, I was over it.

I sat at the wheel, engine revving, MY music playing, and my mind racing.  Desperate not to lose a single minute, I frantically went through all the exciting things I could do for the next six hours - it felt like the sky was my limit.  Some time later, realisiung that I was still sitting in the pre-school car park, I aimlessly drove away.

I ended up at Sainsburys, half an hour away.  I glided into the parking space, turned the engine off and sat in my own thoughts, for about twenty minutes.  I then simply got out of the car, locked it, and effortlessly walked to the shop entrance, with my tiny bag over my shoulder, my arms swinging freely by my sides, and the Postman Pat ride not even getting a sideways glance.

Once inside, I slowly ambled up and down the aisles, with the trolley so light and undemanding, it practically pushed itself.  I saw things on the shelves I had never noticed before - lovely grown-up treaty things, all of which seemed to jump onto the conveyor belt at the till, and I casually browsed through a magazine while I waited my turn to pay.

I got back to my car, and with just one door to open, in I got, as quickly and as easy as that, and popped my little bag of shopping next to me on the passenger seat.  I sat for another twenty minutes in silence, just because I could, and then drove away calmly.

This time I ended up back at home.  I wandered freely round the house for a bit, and then I had chocolate for lunch. It was all very liberating.  I wrote a few tweets, sent a few emails, and then sat on the sofa and read a magazine.  Then I did a bit of hoovering.

15 comments:

Irene said...

How wonderful to be able to sit for whole periods of time and to do nothing. I'm very happy for you. That's what life is like when you retire.

I'm So Fancy said...

So funny how a trip to the grocery without kids takes on a whole new dimension! Glad you got "over it!"

Elsie Button said...

Hi Nora, yes it was lovely, but wouldn't want to do it for long -would get bored!

Hi Fancy, it totally does take on a whole new meaning - it becomes easy!

Beccers said...

Oh Els, you've forgotten how to treat yourself! You did chores and pretended they were fun... those 6 hours could've been spent buying clothes, getting an over-enthusiastic makeover at one of the counters in Boots, reading in a cafe, snuggling into the duvet and watching Diagnosis Murder, going for a massage, chatting on the phone to long-lost friends... anything along those lines. Next time get a childless friend along, they'll help! :)

Elsie Button said...

Hi Beccers, ha ha yep you are absolutely right - what have i become?!

PS what the heck is Diagnosis Murder?

Metropolitan Mum said...

Love the beginning of that post: 'After our holiday I needed a break...'
Motherhood - oodles of fun! :-)

Elsie Button said...

Hi MM, what i really need is two weeks on my own on the other side of the world... :)

Nel said...

You crazy lady, hoovering and food shopping!! Hope you felt nice and relaxed by pick up time.

Elsie Button said...

Hi Nel, the sad thing is I did! - despite the mundaneness of it all!

Moomser said...

Sounds like the perfect morning!

solveig said...

When Theo started playgroup and Freyja started school last September I suddenly had every Thursday morning and Monday myself. I still absolutely love to do the supermarket shop by myself and the novelty hasn't worn off yet. I am a little sad about losing this freedom when my number 3 arrives in October. But I also now know how quickly the time will go and I'll be back with those free mornings again before I know it...

Elsie Button said...

Hi Moomser, yes, sadley it was!

Elsie Button said...

Hi Solveig, I am so glad you have said that - because I did love the experience of going to the supermarket on my own - it was a real novelty! And yes, with your number 3 (very very exciting by the way) the time will soon go and you will back with your time off!

Dianne x said...

You made me laugh. I had a day off work the other week and the children were all at school, I had all sorts planned in my head and I ended up doing washing, going shopping, preparing the evening meal and housework. I loved the peace though and not being interupted.

Elsie Button said...

Hi Dianne, yes i agree, even though you are doing the normal chores, it is nice to do it in the peace and quiet!