peelosophy

I’m blogging about my mornings this week because I want to be intentional and accountable about how I spend my time without kids.  To see how I came to be with out kids and how I desire to spend my time click here.

This morning I did do more running around than in days previous.  My mother-in-law, Peggy, had a procedure done this morning and needed a ride.  I was glad that it landed on a week that I wasn’t babysitting so I could help out.

After I dropped off Peggy, I kidnapped my friend Jen who just had a baby 3 weeks ago and headed off for coffee at Starbucks in Old Orchard.  I had a tall vanilla latte (my standard) and a buttery croissant.  We had a really sweet time.  It made me vaguely remember what the first couple weeks with a newborn is like – I’m not ready for that yet.

I picked Peggy up from her procedure and went to Strattons Cafe in Old Orchard for brunch.  It’s seldom that Peggy and I get to hang out with out kids and by ourselves, so it was nice to spend some time with her.  I had the French Toast, which I wouldn’t get again, it was so much and I needed something else to counteract all the bread.  I did get the Island Oasis smoothie which I will get again – it was delicious.

So I guess today’s theme was food and good adult conversation.  Does it get any better than that???

I’m blogging about my mornings this week because I want to be intentional and accountable about how I spend my time without kids.  To see how I came to be with out kids and how I desire to spend my time click here.

This morning I had no idea what I was going to do.  Nothing was planned.  I figured I’d head over to Kaldi’s in Kirkwood with a few books I was reading and go from there.  I ended up popping into Madison Avenue Salon to see if they had any openings for a pedicure. They did and could get me in right away AND they were offering a special, buy a pedicure and get a manicure for FREE.  What the heck? Only if I had “time”, they said.  And I did have time, so I did.

I ended up having a great conversation with the nail tech, Catherine.  She is a mother of five, ranging from 22 to 9 years old.  She was very encouraging and just real about being a mom. I really enjoyed our time together.

At the salon, I also started to read a book Kim lent me called, “I Was a Really Good Mom Before I Had Kids“.  I LOVE it so far.  I’ll probably blog about it in another post.

Afterwards, I headed up to Kaldis to grab a quick lunch before I got the boys.  I tried something new – the Turkey Artichoke Sandwich and the Berry Tea.  I was not disappointed, really delicious, but a bit messy – glad I was alone.

Kara is the little girl I have babysat twice a week for over four years.  I have cycled several kids in and out of babysitting, but Kara (and her brother Jacob) have been the ones that have gelled the best with our family.  The dynamics just work for us on Mondays and Wednesdays.  I do love the time I get to spend with her, the house gets an extra shot of estrogen twice a week – it’s great.

My friend Dana, Kara’s mom, sent me this email a couple of days ago and I thought it was the sweetest thing ever.  Here’s what it said:

I had to email you before I forgot this.  Yesterday when Jacob was napping,
I heard the sweetest thing come out of my daughter’s mouth.  She was
playing hard core with her barbies, and all of a sudden went into prayer.
It went something like this.  “Dear God.  I really want you to give Ms Jill
a baby girl.  She really really needs one.  Thanks.”

Adorable.  She might just know what’s best for me or maybe she thinks that they’ll be Barbies at my house if I have a girl.  If Kara can promise that the baby girl will come out with her sweet personality and excitement about everything under the sun – I’ll take her.

F.Y.I. I won’t know till July….

The origins of our Tuesday playgroup began when John erected our swing set a couple summers ago.  “If you build it, they will come” right?  Greta started coming over on Tuesdays and eventually a couple more friends, some friends of friends, some cousins, some husband’s work friend’s wives and other random connections.  It’s basically been, if you are a mom (or a nanny) and you need a place to connect with other moms, someone told you about playgroup.

We’ve mainly met in my backyard, but has moved to other houses in the winter and in rain.  Now Missy has a new playground so we are meeting their for May.  I’m excited to start back up again.  I enjoy the old and new people there each week and the encouragement I receive when we are together.

I have lots of hopes and dreams for playgroup.  Tangible and intangible.  I want it to be a place where new moms feel welcome, where encouragement is felt, and where supermom facades can be deconstructed and we can all just be real with each other.  We are not there yet, I don’t know if we will ever be, but it’s still a hope I hold.  Hopefully, this intangible hope is more attainable than the following pie in the sky ideas I have for playgroup…

1- Our own Starbucks Barista.  Actually, Starbucks/Kaldis it doesn’t really matter.  I do want coffee provided and not only that, served to our very deserving moms.  Somebody must have a marketing degree that we can use to go solicit this one to Rock Hill Starbucks.  I’m sure Starbucks can write it off as an act of goodwill or something.

2- Next, is some sort of invention, that when the kids leave the backyard to go home, they would be instantly clean.   Think Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory…the Wonka Wash.  Except without the Oompa-Loompas – they freak me out a bit.  The idea is that it would be fun for the kids and it’s always nice to have clean kids (so I’ve heard).

3- Lastly, a bit of pampering for the moms.  Massages would take too long; and I don’t know how relaxing it would be to hear screaming children outside.  So, what about an esthetician on hand?!?! I think it’s genius.   My brows have likened to that of Salma Hayek in Frieda because I’m terrible about doing my own and the time to get a sitter for a (maybe) 10 minute appointment seems ridiculous to me.  The possibilities are endless and what a time saver that would be!  I can hear it now, “Hey, can you watch the boys for 5 while I go inside and get my lip done?”  I’m not crazy…someone else agree with me!!!

For the last four years, John has gone on a fishing trip and I throw a girls party.  Its usually the first weekend of May, so this year it was last weekend.  The party is something I look forward to months in advance, because I enjoy it so much!

I wish I had pictures to share – but I didn’t think about that…next year for sure.

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