I spent my evening sorting and organizing forty-eight packets of photographs. Two boxes now contain the tangible proof of our lives in the years 2004 and 2005.
Now, if I can just figure out where I put the pictures from 2003 and 2002, I’ll be all set to resume scrapbooking.
Meanwhile, I came across this photograph.
Today, the twins had P.E. at the YMCA. After my husband dropped them off, he came home and picked up my daughter and the 3-year old boy we watch and took them to the park, leaving me home alone.
And how did I spend my precious quiet hour?
I cleaned out my refrigerator, including the freezer. Then I sorted through the ever-present pile of papers and magazines on the counter and relocated everything. I picked up the scattered Legos so they wouldn’t become even more scattered. I took the recycling out to the bin.
And then everyone was home. What does it say about me that I spend a rare hour home alone cleaning out my freezer? What would you do if you were home alone for an hour?
Actual Unretouched Photo 
These days, it would depend on where I was when I started the time to myself…but back in the days when there was a household full of kids, I probably would have done one of those things you can’t do and get interrupted by the kids, and then when they got back wonder why I didn’t do something that was just for myself.
When is your “me” time?
Mine was always between 12a and 3a (but then I was young and able to function for days on only 4 hours of sleep a night)
LikeLike
My choice would be a long hot bath with candles and music…Definitely not cleaning!
LikeLike
I would read blogs.
LikeLike
I would probably do something similar to what you did-because it would be done without any interruptions, but I’d have to turn the computer off before I started!
PS-My blog has moved to http://jmeg.typepad.com
LikeLike
I would probably sit on the couch and think of all the things I should/could be doing. Then I’d fall asleep.
LikeLike
I would have done exactly what you did. As much housework without assistance as possible. That’s dreamy for me!
LikeLike
Ah, so you’ve now experienced an hour of what my life has become: plenty of time home alone to do whatever I choose.
I think I appreciated it more when it was something special.
Suzanne
LikeLike
I have no children and therefore, get those moments pretty regularly (not trying to rub it in), but I almost invariably sit on the couch and read a magazine and drink two cups of tea.
LikeLike
and what does it say about me when I say it is a rare “treat” to just go to the grocery store ALONE!
LikeLike
I second the “where is your me time”?
LikeLike
Thats me exactly. I clean when I’m left alone and funny thing I went through my magazines on the shelf yesterday too. They pile up something fierce!
LikeLike
I’d probably bake a pan of brownies (so I could eat tons of batter) and read blogs.
Yippee!
LikeLike
Only an hour? I’d probably just sit at the computer. I’m not sure I feel good about my answer.
Cute picture! I totally relate to the pictures as being tangible proof. I remember you saying once that pictures were the proof that you had taken the kids to do fun things. I think about that when I look through mine. I say, “See, we have a life!”
LikeLike
These days, it would depend on where I was when I started the time to myself…but back in the days when there was a household full of kids, I probably would have done one of those things you can’t do and get interrupted by the kids, and then when they got back wonder why I didn’t do something that was just for myself.
When is your “me” time?
Mine was always between 12a and 3a (but then I was young and able to function for days on only 4 hours of sleep a night)
LikeLike
With an unexpected hour alone, I would run outside or ride my motorcycle….once I have one!
With the planned time alone I have, I generally work or study
LikeLike
My choice would be a long hot bath with candles and music…Definitely not cleaning!
LikeLike
I would read blogs.
LikeLike
I would probably do something similar to what you did-because it would be done without any interruptions, but I’d have to turn the computer off before I started!
PS-My blog has moved to http://jmeg.typepad.com
LikeLike
I would probably sit on the couch and think of all the things I should/could be doing. Then I’d fall asleep.
LikeLike
I know it’s your daughter and all but she looks EXACTLY like you.
I’ve got plenty of time for myself. That’s what having only one who is a teenager with a job and girlfriend will do for you.
LikeLike
I would have done exactly what you did. As much housework without assistance as possible. That’s dreamy for me!
LikeLike
Ah, so you’ve now experienced an hour of what my life has become: plenty of time home alone to do whatever I choose.
I think I appreciated it more when it was something special.
Suzanne
LikeLike
I have no children and therefore, get those moments pretty regularly (not trying to rub it in), but I almost invariably sit on the couch and read a magazine and drink two cups of tea.
LikeLike
and what does it say about me when I say it is a rare “treat” to just go to the grocery store ALONE!
LikeLike
I second the “where is your me time”?
LikeLike
Thats me exactly. I clean when I’m left alone and funny thing I went through my magazines on the shelf yesterday too. They pile up something fierce!
LikeLike
I’d probably bake a pan of brownies (so I could eat tons of batter) and read blogs.
Yippee!
LikeLike
Only an hour? I’d probably just sit at the computer. I’m not sure I feel good about my answer.
Cute picture! I totally relate to the pictures as being tangible proof. I remember you saying once that pictures were the proof that you had taken the kids to do fun things. I think about that when I look through mine. I say, “See, we have a life!”
LikeLike
With an unexpected hour alone, I would run outside or ride my motorcycle….once I have one!
With the planned time alone I have, I generally work or study
LikeLike
When I have time alone I usually take a nap or surf blogs. My messy house attests to that. If I can get my lazy self motivated, I sort through toys and hide the ones I think should be pitched. The ones the girls don’t ask about for six months or more disappear forever.
LikeLike
I know it’s your daughter and all but she looks EXACTLY like you.
I’ve got plenty of time for myself. That’s what having only one who is a teenager with a job and girlfriend will do for you.
LikeLike
Oh, I’d probably sit my butt down in my big, comfy chair and open up your blog and read it!! And then maybe write a blog of my own….I guarantee you that my freezer would remain untouched, and I’d be just as clueless about what is lurking in its dark corners as I am now!!
LikeLike
When I have time alone I usually take a nap or surf blogs. My messy house attests to that. If I can get my lazy self motivated, I sort through toys and hide the ones I think should be pitched. The ones the girls don’t ask about for six months or more disappear forever.
LikeLike
Oh, I’d probably sit my butt down in my big, comfy chair and open up your blog and read it!! And then maybe write a blog of my own….I guarantee you that my freezer would remain untouched, and I’d be just as clueless about what is lurking in its dark corners as I am now!!
LikeLike
what does it say about me that I among the many reasons I’m looking forward to giving birth, high on the list is that I can’t wait to be able to bend at the waist again so I can *really* clean my fridge, scrub the tub, the floor, etc.
an hour cleaning the fridge/freezer is an hour well spent my friend. I don’t care who thinks that’s weird, it’s true. 🙂
LikeLike
what does it say about me that I among the many reasons I’m looking forward to giving birth, high on the list is that I can’t wait to be able to bend at the waist again so I can *really* clean my fridge, scrub the tub, the floor, etc.
an hour cleaning the fridge/freezer is an hour well spent my friend. I don’t care who thinks that’s weird, it’s true. 🙂
LikeLike
When I get time home alone I either read blogs or clean out my children’s closets. It is easier to purge when they can’t see you! If those two things are in order I clean one room really fast, then sit down with a magazine and pretend the rest of the house is just as clean.
LikeLike
When I get time home alone I either read blogs or clean out my children’s closets. It is easier to purge when they can’t see you! If those two things are in order I clean one room really fast, then sit down with a magazine and pretend the rest of the house is just as clean.
LikeLike