Mommy takes a day off

For many moms–maybe not all, but at least for this one–it is rare to have much “alone” time. Which in all reality is really okay because I love my kids and don’t want to give up any of the time I can have with them. But, boy, does it get hard when in one day I go from working all day for clients to coming home to all three of the little bosses–and a fourth one, of course–but he’s not a boss per se…

It’s constant go-go-go, do-do-do. So when do I find time to catch my breath?

That is a great question actually.

And I hope you’ll be glad you asked!

Baby Steps

At Christmas I was gifted a book called The Lazy Genius Way by Kendra Adachi–and since I’ve read it (about a month or less ago) I realized that I can do the things now that I thought I had to wait “one day” for.

Let me explain…

First, I get it. I still feel icky when I crave me-time to read, exercise, etc. maybe even just go for a walk by myself. But that’s where the genius Kendra comes in. She broke it down like this… if you don’t have time to do a full workout just do one exercise (hers was the downward dog) and then just build from there (a terrible paraphrasing of her process). Even something so little builds over time.

So that is what I’ve started doing over the past 4 weeks. Before I get in the shower (and I now keep my dumbbells under my bathroom sink ha!) I complete a set of a weighted full body move then get washed up.

I tell you, this makes me feel on top of the world.

And might I add, strong? I’m getting reacquainted with muscles I haven’t seen in a long time. And it may be a long time til I meet them all. But that’s not the point. I am doing something now and not letting myself wallow in helplessness. Cuz ain’t nobody gonna help a lazy mama like that.

Oh, and one more thing.

I’ve even taken a few minutes of my getting-ready time to read my Bible, too–before I emerge and make the coffee and the brekky and do all the things.

God is good.

So when another year of life has come around I am allowing myself to dive in and embrace it–like a mother.

Another Year of Life

Another day, another year older on a Tuesday.

April 15.

I meant to get up at my usual alarm but I was so tired I decided to rest my eyes a bit longer. Then as I got water for the coffee heated up, I baked none other than a sourdough loaf. (Gotta start a special day right 😄).

After Chris and the kids left, I spent about an hour and a half cleaning, organizing, and folding laundry. (So then of course in several hours there was a whole new load of clean dishes and laundry to do. But we don’t have to talk about that.)

Then got cleaned up and embarked on an adventure.

A Patriotic Experience

First stop: Blue Angels practice. This would be a first for me–for any of us, really! I am really proud of myself for learning they were going to be flying about on my birthday–so I could plan ahead.

Before actually driving out to a “random spot” I anonymously posted on a local Facebook group to get input on the best place to watch the practice.

Later on, someone else posted an actual link to the base’s website. (That would be so helpful for future practices, for sure!)

I got another comment from someone who said: “Literally anywhere.” Uhh really? Anywhere? So, if I’m in New Orleans or Alabama I’d see them just fine … ?

Uhn-hmm 😒.

It was my birthday, so I chose not to mouth off. Who knows what they would have said back. Also, I wonder if I would have received overall different comments if I was not anonymous.

Well, thoughts and an experiment for another day.

Snarky inner thoughts aside, watching the practice brought on the patriotic pride! It was difficult not getting emotional watching, hearing, and feeling them roar overhead with such precision.

This was the first time seeing them on purpose. (My oldest son and I will never forget that day on the beach, when they unexpectedly flew overhead. It was one of those magical moments that you just have to be simply present for, no phones, no pictures. Just a mental screenshot living rent-free in the brain.)

My favorite shot using the Huji app.

The Haul

Now about the free treats!!

On a piece of notebook paper which I entitled “Birthday Plans” I wrote (and edited and rewrote) a list of places that had already sent me notifications for free birthday items. As I organized the options, I created a general route to maximize the hours in the day ofc…

These are just the ones I collected this year:

Bagelheads — $5 off. I got their bacon and cheddar egg bites and they were fabulous! (Only cost me about a quarter.)

Nothing Bundt Cakes — free bundlet; I chose the Oreo and the cashier spoke very passionately about this flavor now being a permanent addition to the menu. It was a serious thing for him.

Starbucks — free drink or food item. (But why would you get the food?) I asked for a venti caramel latte and oddly my hands were shaking by mid-afternoon. To be fair, I didn’t really have much to eat besides sourdough all morning.

Jeremiah’s Ice — free small treat ($1 for layers—say wat—but I was not about to complain) I tried the birthday cake one which somehow tasted like sugar cookie batter … so I am not sure I got the right one. Either way it was delectable. And bittersweetly, it was a rare experience not having to share my ice cream with anyone.

Click here for a referral code to Jeremiah’s! (Aren’t they cool??)

Drowsy Poet — $5 off. Trying to choose between the whoopie pie or an oatmeal cream pie—the nice lady wholeheartedly recommended the latter. And boy was it so YUM.

Crumbl — Okay, so I got two cookies since I had “crumbs” to use. I got a carrot cake and a strawberry tres leches. Funny how neither of them were cookies. Well, that carrot cake took the icing, I will have to say.

Panera’s — free pastry. I chose their lovely yellow tulip cookie.

Let’s Caffeinate

In case you were concerned for my wellbeing, the following coffees were redeemed on separate days. It would have been a mighty bit of caffeine for one day–even if it was a special one.

In the future I need to see how I can add Foskos Coffee Bar, Parlor Doughnuts, and Wawa to my itinerary!

Although I will not lie… by the time I collected my final free treat, I was about all sweet treated out… But all done in good fun!

The Highlights

Naturally with any great experience, there are the best parts… So what was it for 2025?

Honestly? The handmade latte and girl-time at my friend Delaine’s house! (And I’m not just saying that because she’s probably going to read this!)

She texted me birthday wishes and then invited me to stop by for a homemade latte and time with her precious little girls. It was so kind and so sweet!

When the kids and I were all assembled at home, I spread out the loot for sampling …

After he enjoyed a fair amount of the Oreo bundtlet, Caeden asked if we could go to the pool—and so we did for a bit! The water was not at all comfy for me to get fully in, but these brave little souls got fully immersed. Bless.

Additional, thoughtful little things:

All in all, Tuesday, April 15, was an amazing day. Maybe it wasn’t long enough (it surely wasn’t too long) but it was enjoyed just right.

Not pictured… my mans bought me a new phone with a case and pop-socket holder and of course he upped memory capacity for me. It arrived on the 15th and I got to write a good bit of this blog post on it.

To the next mommy’s day out! 🥂