Thursday, August 21, 2014

Alone at Home

It's officially back-to-school time at the Rush house.

The big girls are in Virginia and just started their first week of classes. And Bird went back to school today.


Looking super styley in her first day of school outfit. 


So what does this time of year mean for me?

A little bit more alone time. 

I don't know about you but I am one of those people that is just a little bit nicer to everyone if I can get just a few minutes of alone time every day. (I know. I know. You're finding it hard to believe that I could ever be anything but nice, aren't you??) After being by myself for a little while, I feel refreshed and revitalized and ready to face whatever comes my way. 

And home is the place I most like to be alone. 

So what do I do with my time when I'm home alone?

Well sometimes, I do productive things, in spite of my best efforts to avoid them. I mean, Lily's in school five days a week and Ryan's occasionally going to ask what I did all day, so at least one of those days should be spent doing something constructive, right? 

My more productive home alone days include things like doing laundry, baking treats for school lunches, meal planning, and making grocery store runs that involve lots of label reading.

But setting aside boring chores, let's get to the good stuff. 

The stuff I don't run around telling everyone because it might make me seem lazy or Heaven forbid, like a real-live-human-being-who-sets-aside-her-to-do-list-occasionally-for-no-good-reason-other- than-she-needs-a-break kind of person. Because, who would do that, amiright??

Here we go.....   

For one thing, I read. 

You know how everyone puts out all those fun summer reading lists? I do read in the summer but probably a whole lot less than any other time of the year. Mostly that's because I don't get large chunks of uninterrupted time when Bird's at home. She'll hang with me, lying on the couch for about 30 minutes while I read, and then she's ready for something with a little more action. 

I bookmark all those summer reading lists, pull out my own TBR list (to be read, for those of you not up on all the hip literary lingo like myself), and get to reading. In fact, after dropping Lily off for her first day of school, I went straight to the library so that I'd have a good size stack of books on my nightstand. Because along with some alone time, a good size stack of books on my nightstand makes me a happy girl.

But I do much more than just read when I'm home alone.

I do lots of very interesting stuff, like.... 
  • immediately change into sweats after delivering Bird to school
  • wear no make-up
  • listen to podcasts of This American Life (like reading, another one of my favorite things)
  • watch TV shows that no one else will watch with me, like Call The Midwife and Downton Abbey
  • eat peanut butter foldovers, cereal, and avocado toast - but never sitting at the table
  • take naps (yet another favorite thing)
  • catch up on all my favorite blogs
I told you it was interesting. And unproductive. Unless you count watching Call the Midwife as educational preparation in case I'm ever in a situation where I might be called upon to deliver a baby. 

Now it's your turn. What do you do when you find yourself with a little free time and no one is home with you? Please tell me I'm not the only teensy-bit lazy person out there.... 
"In Search of Identity: Three of 2013's Best Translated Novels" were chosen by Juan Vidal for NPR Books.
This post was inspired by A Cup of Jo, who has cute illustrations to go with her home alone activities, which maybe you could check out right now... I mean, if you just happen to be at home right now.... alone.... you know.  


9 comments:

  1. No, you are NOT ALONE! LOL! I almost feel guilty if and when I get time alone. I am a list kind of gal and like to remain organized most of the time. Some days are productive like you said with all the normal chores. I do get tired of everyday chores just like I am sure every other housewife, but it is a necessity. However, in my time alone (which I can sometimes snatch in bits and pieces, but not too often) I too like to read. I also like to get comfy and never wear makeup unless I am going to church, the dr, etc. I like my skin to breathe. I like eating whenever I want to eat not having to worry about preparation for others, and taking an afternoon nap if I want. I also like to work on my Ancestry, which I can get lost in for days if I am not careful..haha, but I do love it and find it extremely interesting. Then, of course, I like to sew. I never seem to have the time to sew for me. Then of course there is watching a movie marathon of movies I love and everyone either makes fun of if I watch them (Janette Oaks Love Come Softly series...I have all the DVD's in that series, among others) or possibly something on TV like Project Runway or Law and Order reruns, to name a couple. These kinds of things slow me down to relax and enjoy things. Having time alone refreshes me as well....especially if I decide to sing and dance in my livingroom to the Lord and just have a great time in Him. Now, if anyone saw me doing this, I would be mortified in my flesh...LOL! Then of course if I really need some alone time....I can plan a time to go see my great grandson in Louisiana...LOL! That is a lot of time alone in a vehicle, but aaaahhhh the results are spectaculard! :)

    So, you are not the only one who likes to be a teensy bit lazy (and don't feel guilty about it either! I have gotten to where I don't anymore and it is an awesome feeling)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I read the Love Comes Softly series way back in high school. Loved them. Have only seen one of the movies but remember liking it. Will have to add it to my "to be watched" list. ;)

      Delete
  2. I love taking a long bath and either read a book or watch a show on my iPad. I just recently finished watching all four seasons of Downton Abbey. I also like eating chocolate while doing this! :) I am wanting to start watching Call the Midwife. My friend recommended it to me and I have been looking for the first season. You are not alone! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh baths are good, too! And I probably should have included chocolate but figured it probably went without saying. :) Thanks for the comment!

      Delete
  3. I try and scrapbook those pictures from vacation from many years. Catch up on reading too. De clutter the house of unnecessary things. And the usual things such as laundry etc.

    ReplyDelete
  4. First, Lily looks adorable on her first day of school! As for "home alone" times . . . you nailed it: reading and watching Netflix - after I've done just a few productive things to make me not feel guilty. (A recent indulgence included eating Ruffles potato chips and green onion dip as well.)

    ReplyDelete
  5. I don't know what alone is..last time I was alone, I was pregnant:-) it's a season and I'm loving it! If Ross is napping and I have free time I like to watch tv. In the evenings I enjoy reading:-!

    ReplyDelete
  6. This is my last year of sending kids off to school and having some free time. (Time flies when you're having fun!) I too watch the things no one else likes watching with me including Downton Abbey, Call the Midwife and now just this week the Last Tango in Halifax.

    I also occasionally take long showers and the time to shave my legs!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Great post - I too love to read but I also have a guilty secret - I love to play video games on our Wii. So last year on a whim I bought Zelda Twighlight Princess. Now I am not terribly good at playing it and am only just past halfway, but every once in awhile I will waste an entire day playing it. SHHH - don't tell :)

    ReplyDelete

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...