Sometimes all you have to appreciate in a day are little things. But that's okay. I'm okay with little things. I was raised to be content. Now, before anyone shouts "Whoa girlie, wait just a minute", I will admit that I'm also a whiner. But bottom line is I don't expect much.
Today I got to work early enough that I could make a slight detour and check out this bakery that is only one block away from my office. While I expected aromatic artisan breads, I was delighted to learn they also had breakfast sandwiches, lunch soup and sandwiches, and an array of completely indulgent looking deserts (including canoli.) They were slow in making my breakfast sandwich (small establishments are not typically quick), but it was definitely worth the wait. As I waited, the person working the front busied himself with inserting long baguettes into paper sleeves and arranging them in a huge vase-like container on the front counter. Only $2.50. (Note to self - stop by at lunch one day and pick up one to take home.) Anyway, back to the sandwich. I'll have to remind myself to ask them to only use half the amount of egg for the next sandwich - it was so thick with egg that it kept falling apart. But completely delicious! All for about what I would have spent at the 'arches' for a breakfast sandwich.
And if that serendipitous discovery wasn't enough for the day, I found a parking place right in front of my house when I got home. My day was complete - what more could I ask for?
Until tomorrow.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Quick Trip to the Grocery Store
I stopped at the grocery store last night on my way home to buy ant traps (yes, it's that time of year again.) But there is something Twilight Zoneish about the grocery store for me because I go in thinking I only need one or two things and end up with a cartful. Last night I spent $25 - not too bad.
I know other people have issues with other stores (my daughter's is Target) but for me it's the grocery store. I just can't go in and get one thing. I suppose that would be a credit to someone's design layout or marketing plan or something. I've heard that there are specialists who plan every detail in how to get you in, how to get you to the back of the store, and how to make you pass everything tempting to get back out again.
I worked at a department store one time that I continually got lost in. I just couldn't get through the store easily. I asked the Operations Manager one time about it. He laughed. He said that Corporate paid big money to make sure that people saw every part of the store before leaving and that there was no quick way out. I wonder what that person's job title is? Manager of Store Mazes. Director of Labyrinths. Vice President of Quagmire.
It never ceases to amaze me how easily we can be manipulated.
I know other people have issues with other stores (my daughter's is Target) but for me it's the grocery store. I just can't go in and get one thing. I suppose that would be a credit to someone's design layout or marketing plan or something. I've heard that there are specialists who plan every detail in how to get you in, how to get you to the back of the store, and how to make you pass everything tempting to get back out again.
I worked at a department store one time that I continually got lost in. I just couldn't get through the store easily. I asked the Operations Manager one time about it. He laughed. He said that Corporate paid big money to make sure that people saw every part of the store before leaving and that there was no quick way out. I wonder what that person's job title is? Manager of Store Mazes. Director of Labyrinths. Vice President of Quagmire.
It never ceases to amaze me how easily we can be manipulated.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Rain, Rain Go Away
We used to sing a little song when I was a child asking the rain to come back another day. Now, I don't mind so much. Don't get me wrong, I don't like driving in it. I don't like it when my basement leaks. And I don't like getting wet on my way to and from my car. But I don't mind the rain.
I like rainy nights for sleeping. I like hearing the rain tapping on my windows. I like watching the rain through my office window. I especially like watching people get wet as they walk the promenade (through my office window.) I really like watching storms - it's better that "must see TV". Something akin to the people who watch fish tanks I suppose.
What part of growing up changes you from not liking rain to not minding, or even enjoying, it? Maybe when we stop going out to play daily. Maybe when work takes up most of our lives. No, that can't be it. I remember as a young mother hating to see the rain because that meant my son would be drenched by the time he got to school - he felt the need to jump into every puddle. And huddling everyone around one umbrella (because the kids surely couldn't be trusted with one of their own) meant my butt was going to be in the rain. And listening to children whine about why they couldn't go outside was shere torture. So the dislike for rainy days carried into adulthood.
So, when did I start liking rainy days?
I like rainy nights for sleeping. I like hearing the rain tapping on my windows. I like watching the rain through my office window. I especially like watching people get wet as they walk the promenade (through my office window.) I really like watching storms - it's better that "must see TV". Something akin to the people who watch fish tanks I suppose.
What part of growing up changes you from not liking rain to not minding, or even enjoying, it? Maybe when we stop going out to play daily. Maybe when work takes up most of our lives. No, that can't be it. I remember as a young mother hating to see the rain because that meant my son would be drenched by the time he got to school - he felt the need to jump into every puddle. And huddling everyone around one umbrella (because the kids surely couldn't be trusted with one of their own) meant my butt was going to be in the rain. And listening to children whine about why they couldn't go outside was shere torture. So the dislike for rainy days carried into adulthood.
So, when did I start liking rainy days?
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Children by Marriage
I think I've realized one of the reasons I love my children-in-law (and the reason some mothers probably dislike their children-in-law.) I am no longer the first person my children run to - in good times and bad. They now turn to their spouse. These spouses have releived me of a burden - not a bad burden or a burden that I didn't carry willingly, but definitely a time-consuming one.
I know that there are some things that both my daughter and son still come to me for - and for that I'm blessed, but they now have a partner to help them guide through life. I don't know my son's marriage as well as I do my daughter's (son's aren't as chatty.) But in my daughter's case, she picked perfectly - and by that I mean she chose someone who had strengths that she was lacking and who needed the strengths she brought to the marriage. I'm a big believer that, while in many ways you should be alike or very similar, opposites defintely can help grow a relationship if you are wise enough to let them lead you in the areas they are strong.
I like my new role as mother. It's not nearly as daily or hands-on, but still feel needed. Sometimes my role is just that of listener. Sometimes it's a role of helper. Whatever it is, I'm grateful. I enjoy being needed, but my days of helping them through their daily activities is over. As it should be.
Thanks to my children-in-law.
I know that there are some things that both my daughter and son still come to me for - and for that I'm blessed, but they now have a partner to help them guide through life. I don't know my son's marriage as well as I do my daughter's (son's aren't as chatty.) But in my daughter's case, she picked perfectly - and by that I mean she chose someone who had strengths that she was lacking and who needed the strengths she brought to the marriage. I'm a big believer that, while in many ways you should be alike or very similar, opposites defintely can help grow a relationship if you are wise enough to let them lead you in the areas they are strong.
I like my new role as mother. It's not nearly as daily or hands-on, but still feel needed. Sometimes my role is just that of listener. Sometimes it's a role of helper. Whatever it is, I'm grateful. I enjoy being needed, but my days of helping them through their daily activities is over. As it should be.
Thanks to my children-in-law.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Clean House
I cleaned house today. I've been putting it off for a few weeks because the weekends just always had so many things planned into them that I just didn't want to add one more. But I decided yesterday that I was going to get up and start cleaning before I did anything else.
My good intentions were somewhat waylayed by a poor night of sleep followed by sleeping in. But by 10:00 am I was awake, fed, and ready to start. I cleaned until 2:00 pm and quit. I had one or two things left to do, but I was tired and hungry.
There is something about cleaning that feels good. It's so obvious when you finish that you accomplished something. It's a good feeling. Unfortunately, the good feeling lasts a day or two and then everything is covered with dust again and the little items of day to day life are strewn about in organized piles of clutter.
But, for a day or two anyway, I'm going to enjoy the decluttered home.
My good intentions were somewhat waylayed by a poor night of sleep followed by sleeping in. But by 10:00 am I was awake, fed, and ready to start. I cleaned until 2:00 pm and quit. I had one or two things left to do, but I was tired and hungry.
There is something about cleaning that feels good. It's so obvious when you finish that you accomplished something. It's a good feeling. Unfortunately, the good feeling lasts a day or two and then everything is covered with dust again and the little items of day to day life are strewn about in organized piles of clutter.
But, for a day or two anyway, I'm going to enjoy the decluttered home.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Friday
Sometimes all you have to look forward to in a week is Friday. You wake up almost giddy knowing that it's the last work day of the week. There is almost nothing that can happen on Friday that will ruin the mood - and trust me, things happen on Friday a lot.
Sometimes I can't hold in the excitement and I take myself out to lunch on Friday. But that typically doesn't work out to be as fun as I want it to be. Today my bread was a little stale. I went to Subway, but didn't leave for lunch until almost 1:30 pm. I guess the bread is made in preparation of the lunch crowd and if you wait until 1:30 to eat - what can you expect?
Driving home on a Friday is a killer. I think the DC workers must stay in the city during the week and all drive home on Friday. Even getting on the highway is difficult. Sometimes I'll wait in line for quite a while as one care at a time in front of me squeeze into the highway. But, again, it's hard too bothered by it because it's Friday.
The problem with Friday is that it heightens expectations. It's really hard for any weekend to live up to a Friday "high."
Sometimes I can't hold in the excitement and I take myself out to lunch on Friday. But that typically doesn't work out to be as fun as I want it to be. Today my bread was a little stale. I went to Subway, but didn't leave for lunch until almost 1:30 pm. I guess the bread is made in preparation of the lunch crowd and if you wait until 1:30 to eat - what can you expect?
Driving home on a Friday is a killer. I think the DC workers must stay in the city during the week and all drive home on Friday. Even getting on the highway is difficult. Sometimes I'll wait in line for quite a while as one care at a time in front of me squeeze into the highway. But, again, it's hard too bothered by it because it's Friday.
The problem with Friday is that it heightens expectations. It's really hard for any weekend to live up to a Friday "high."
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Clothes Make the Woman
Sometimes when you dress in the morning, everything is right. This morning was one such morning.
I bought some new clothes a few weeks ago. One shirt was a bit bright and very stylish. I saw it on the hanger and thought it was okay. I knew the colors would work with pants I already had. I tried it on and liked the way it fit. It looked much better on me than it had on the hanger.
This morning I wore it for the first time. The longer I had it on the more I was impressed with it. The fabric was very soft. The fit was wonderful. I felt like I looked good in it. I felt good.
It's not often that clothes can make such an impression. Most of the time, clothes are just clothes. Today my clothes made my day. I like it when that happens.
I bought some new clothes a few weeks ago. One shirt was a bit bright and very stylish. I saw it on the hanger and thought it was okay. I knew the colors would work with pants I already had. I tried it on and liked the way it fit. It looked much better on me than it had on the hanger.
This morning I wore it for the first time. The longer I had it on the more I was impressed with it. The fabric was very soft. The fit was wonderful. I felt like I looked good in it. I felt good.
It's not often that clothes can make such an impression. Most of the time, clothes are just clothes. Today my clothes made my day. I like it when that happens.
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