Happy Mama!

It's the age old saying . . . When mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy. Well, I'd like to reverse that today and say . . .
WHEN MAMA'S HAPPY - EVERYBODY'S HAPPY!!!

After my escape from reality yesterday, I felt so rejuvenated! I don't think I'd been in quiet and solace in a LONG time. Although my weekend retreat with my hubby was nice, it wasn't the alone time that every soul needs from time to time! I got 3/4 of the way thru my 'new' book. I even burned a log in the fireplace and cuddled up on the floor with pillows and blanket to read. (I'd have taken a pic but not pretty! I was in sweats and glasses and not a stitch of purtiness to be seen!) I enjoyed 2 cans of the carbonated goodness on my Sonic ice. I ate turkey/cheese/crackers and 2 bags of my 100 calorie Oreo bags. It was delicious and oh, so relaxing! Only thing better would have been snuggling with the hubby, or sitting in a hot tub.

About 2:00PM I arose from my resting spot and proceeded to clean up the evidence of my enjoyment. I turned on my cell phone - to find 12 voice mails! (Reality hit me hard - it is this reason I dread teaching privately!) I checked the house phone, which I had on Do Not Disturb. (The BEST thing ever invented on phones these days!) Only 2 messages from my sisters about piano lessons today. I quickly returned the calls and jumped in the shower. I returned myself back into clean sweats and a sweatshirt - didn't feel like squeezing into any jeans for the remainder of the day. I blowdried my hair, minimal makeup and even put some Easter decorations out. And I finally got my flowers glued into it's pot. I purchased them some time ago and they've been sitting around waiting for me to do it. I think it turned out nicely.

Kids got home. I was happy to see them and I listened to them talk about their day. Students showed up (3 voice and 5 piano) and I didn't even mind teaching the piano thing today. I normally DREAD it - even though they are my niece and nephews. Although I am much more patient with them, I have issues with piano. Just NOT my thing. Although I know I'm a good teacher, if they don't practice - what can you do with them for 30 minutes?!?! Review what you did last week? And if they didn't practice for 2 weeks? Review again? UG! You get behind in one book and all the other books have to wait for you to catch up. Just DUMB! WAIT! I was being positive, right? Right.

Well, after I finished the bulk of my lessons (only 1 voice left), I had a 30 min. break. I used this opportunity to throw dinner on the stove and rice in the cooker. We had beef and broccoli over rice. The kids seemed to like it - "homemade Panda Express" is the comment I heard. Geoff loved all the extra rice I made - he likes it with butter and salt/pepper. YUM! I finished up the last lesson and sat to relax on the couch while the kids finished up showers, homework, etc. A knock came at the door and it was Sis. VL. She was asking if I was available to come to a meeting at 8:45PM for the Laurel Retreat. Sure! It only gave 45 min., so we quickly had Family Prayers and I gathered my things, said my goodnights with hugs and kisses and left. The meeting was very productive and emotional! These girls have no clue how much their leaders care for them and are so in tune to their needs!! I am so blessed and honored to be part of the planning and on the committee!! At 11:15PM I left the mtg (I know! Late but such fun!) and came home to a dark and quiet house!! With Geoff having to be up at 4AM, he goes to bed with the kids now. A nice but odd change for him, who usually is the night owl up til the wee hours of the night. I grabbed my purse and headed out the door to Wal-mart. Kylee reminded me that she had a field trip today and she needed lunch. I am the cool Mom and always get them a Lunchable for these kind of things. They eat it and don't waste - that's important to me. If I pack them a lunch - no can do. I also grabbed some cereal, dinner for tonight (I still have yet to get to the store long enough to get groceries! I don't have a car during the day and need to just spend 2 hours with my list and stock up. Oh well.) and some other snackage for after school and stuff. I went to the candy aisle because Geoff requested the flavored Tootsie Rolls but they didn't have any! WHAT!?!?! I guess I''m gonna have to go back to Target and get some. Sometimes Wal-mart just stinks. But I did get some Robin Eggs and that will suffice me for the time. I grabbed a pkg of Reeses' Peanut Butter Eggs for Geoff at the register. They aren't handy like the Tootsie Rolls but they'll have to do. I got home way too late and unpacked the groceries to yet again a dark and quiet house. I left the cereal on the counter for the morning and put Geoff's treat on the front seat of the van with an "I Love You" note. I took out my contacts and brushed my teeth and crawled into bed.

It was a fulfilling day and I know now that these kind of mornings are going to have to be part of my monthly ritual! No tv, no computer, no radio, nothing - just me and my book and my brain! So nice!!