Hear that? No? I know, it's called silence.

Hear that?  No?  I know, it's called silence. The last time I "didn't hear anything", it was 2002.  This is when I lived alone in a small apartment in the South End of Boston, just as a JC, not even JCW yet.  But back then I didn't even realize what quiet was or how much time I had.  Such naivete.

Ching out did himself this weekend.  This was the weekend when he took the girls to Ohio and left me alone for a much needed break.  I had so much time for myself.

By myself, I discovered some oddities like I am dreadfully slow during my morning routine if I don't have to leave at a certain time.  Pokey slow...like Laurel.  I was astonished how I moved at a sloth's pace and kept hitting snooze.

I didn't rush out of the salon when getting my hair cut.  I didn't rush when trying to find the right pair of boots.  I meandered.  Probably the person walking behind me was probably cursing under their breath but I didn't care.  I wasn't going to rush.  I rush all the time but not this weekend.

I thought I would gorge myself on fatty foods or have odd feasts of ice cream sandwiches or cupcakes.  I didn't..I made myself get something that I wouldn't normally get because I would kick myself later.  I ended up getting bagels and lox--odd replacement over ice cream or cake.  But, I really wasn't that hungry.  Without having a child tell me how continuously hungry they were and couldn't make it another second without a snack, I really didn't think about food that much.

I really appreciated the quiet.  I didn't fill the air with music or t.v.--I let it be quiet.  (Of course, my talking to myself probably constituted as noise but whatever.)

I was surprisingly productive by cleaning closets and taking a trash bag to Laurel's room.  (I didn't throw it all away; that would have been too obvious.) But all my cleaning stayed put for a few days.  I put thing away and they stayed away!

I didn't feel guilty about being away from the girls.  They were with their dad and they were perfectly safe.  They were also with Ching's aunt and uncle who were probably trying to undo a lot of my mothering in the best sort of way---with bribes and sweets.

This was a wonderful gift that Ching gave me.  I am sure I will hear of some sort of difficulty but that is to be expected--it's just a mild war story.  I don't know how I can thorougly repay him for this wonderful gift.   But I know where to start and you know what I am suggesting.  Tomorrow night will be meatloaf night at the Wangs!