Like many of you, I'm in Orlando this week at the RWA convention. Which means, of course, that I'm really at Disney. Without my kids. Or, heck, without my husband. The last time we were here, my husband spent the days attending a conference while I schlepped a 10 month old and a 4 yo around the parks with my parents.It was wonderful, honestly. My youngest actually learned to walk here. She took her first steps across the hotel room to my dad. You can't buy moments like that, people. It was a great trip.
However, when the opportunity arose to come to Orlando all by myself, I jumped at it. Not that I don't love my kids, my husband or my parents, but as a stay at home mom, I don't often indulge myself.
And by indulge, I mean consider my own needs first.
Normally, I'm always thinking about, packing for and anticipating the needs of others. I have sweaters, snacks, water bottles & sunscreen at the ready. I make sure the car is full of gas. I make sure the piano books are ready to go come lesson time. Who rounds up all the library books? I do.So going to Disney? By myself?
Yes, please. But I'm not telling the kids about it until I get home. Why? Because part of the self-indulgence is not listening to them whine about not coming. Another little treat for me--yay!
It got me thinking, though, about other things I do that are completely self-indulgent. That I sort of hide from my kids. Here, in no particular order, they are:
1) TV.We're pretty strict about screentime for the kids around here but that's because I'm a total junkie. I don't watch often, but when I do, I'm addicted. I have to wait until shows have their run, then I get the whole thing on DVD & so I can binge after the kids are asleep. My husband & I slammed all 7 (8?) seasons of the Sopranos between July 4 & Labor Day one year. It was some committed TV watching, let me tell you.
2) Poor nutrition.I'm a huge fan of popcorn for dinner. Apple pie for breakfast. Pretzels, Diet Coke & a romance novel are my version of the holy trinity. I enjoy ice cream as a meal every so often. I try to model healthy eating for my kids but sometimes...sometimes....I feed them their healthy dinner, put 'em to bed & eat popcorn.
3) Procrastination.I also try to model good work habits for the kids. Homework gets done first, THEN we play. But sometimes, oh sometimes pressure is the only thing that sparks the muse. Sometimes I have to wait until the situation is desperate then fling myself into a blissful all-nighter. I actually enjoy it. There's a high that comes with performing under pressure. It's not a habit I want my kids to pick up, but well, there you have it.
How about you? What do you hide or sneak? A piece of yourself that's out of line with your usual habits & mind set but that you indulge every so often? Don't be shy--fess up! I'm off at Disney today, so the Lair's quiet. You might get away with it....
30 comments:
Where is that sneaky GR?!?!
I have a bad feeling the chook secreted himself into Donna's luggage. :-( Just wait til I do get my hands on him!
Sneaky things I do for myself? I'm usually pretty bold about it, Smoov. After all, who would dare the wrath of Aunty Cindy?!?! Okay, I have my hidden stash of chocolate that I do NOT share with anyone under any circumstances. ;-) Not even the GR has found it.
AC
Candy ;) Good thinking, AC! And yep, keep that chocolate from the chook!
Smoked salmon. Growing up, I was the only Asian kid on the block. Mom cooked Chinese almost every night. I ate anything non-Chinese whenever I had the chance. Our neighbors were Jewish and I spent a lot of time eating at their house. Kugel, chocolate bobka, kreplachs, latkes, herring in sour cream, matzo ball soup, matzo brei...but my favorite was lochs and bagels. I treat myself once in a while...smoked salmon, capers, sour cream on slices of English cucumbers cause I shouldn't have the bagel. I make a mean Yukon Gold latke..which I eat with smoked salmon, of course!
Congrats on the GR, Aunty Cindy.
Hi Susan,
Have fun in Orlando. I definitely sneak a lot of greasy fast food. I always feel guilty after eating this stuff, but I can't stop.
Well done AC maybe he did pack himself in Donna's bag yesterday and I am sure he will be up to mischief already
Susan
Firstly whoo hoo Money Honey arrived in my order today can't wait to read it next book up YAY.
Good on you for going to orlando and Disneyland have a ball I used to love getting away from my Kids for a while when they were young I was on so many committees and usually had at least one meeting a week that I had to go to with the girls and they were so much fun LOL as for what I sneek I hide Tim Tams so as no one can find them and eat them on me and I never tell anyone how much I actually spend on books every month LOL that is my secret.
Have Fun
Helen
Potato chips are my weakness. I try hard to avoid that aisle in the supermarket.
Have fun!
I think Susan and I might be kindred spirits or cousins at the very least. I have all these same issues. I'm also a movie junkie, though. I don't limit myself to TV--I'd rather watch movies. I get picked on for watching so many rom-coms.
I am cracking up at PinkPeony's confession because as a rural class Midwesterner, every meal was meat and potatoes, which got old...so every time I went out to eat or cooked for myself, I made Chinese food. I still do...it's some of my favorite things to fix. *LOL*
I love matzo ball soup though--but I learned to make that on my own, not because I knew any sweet Jewish couples (wish I did! I'd rather eat the real thing rather than my attempts at it!)
Wooohooo Aunty Cindy!
Pink said:
Our neighbors were Jewish and I spent a lot of time eating at their house. Kugel, chocolate bobka, kreplachs, latkes, herring in sour cream, matzo ball soup, matzo brei...but my favorite was lochs and bagels. I treat myself once in a while...smoked salmon, capers, sour cream on slices of English cucumbers cause I shouldn't have the bagel. I make a mean Yukon Gold latke..which I eat with smoked salmon, of course!
OH, I would love to know how to make this stuff. I've never had a lot of traditional Jewish food. And I, also, shouldn't have the bagel, so your smoked salmon, sour cream and capers sound perfect. I'm always so interested in new-to-me food combinations.
Okay I guess I should answer the question...
I don't know that I "sneak" anything. All our children have fur or feathers, so if I tried to sneak something, they'd smell it and come running, and then they'd mostly look on and say, "hey mom, yum, gimme some gimme gimme gimme."
And I do try to institute rules that make for THEIR good habits and health, but they don't care what I do. And Steve doesn't either.
So any "sneaking" on my part is that I'm sneaking time when I desperately need to do something else. And for that? It's a little fire in my fire pit, a big moon overhead, frogs on the pond, bats diving on mosquitos, and a bottle of good wine at my side. Maybe some cheese if I'm feeling ambitious about getting out the basket and carrying it down there.
Yup. I have to sneak TIME for me away from the "must-dos" Oh, and reading. I know, I KNOW that when I read it feeds the muse for writing. But I have to sneak time to read. Because of the aforementioned list of "must-dos"-- And there's something a little wrong with that. :0/
Nevertheless....
I don't watch tv because I become an addicted zombie. Don't get time for many movies. Don't eat junk as a rule (though I will admit to a screaming addiction to ruffles wavy potato chips--which is more a salt fix than anything else). I don't indulge it except in moments of severe emotional events--grief or loss or a deep need for comfort food--and I think those are all excusable.
So sneaking....it's time and reading for pleasure.
Sheesh...is this freaking long enough? Sorry y'all.
Oh, and I'm in Orlando for RWA!
Squeeeeeeee.
I didn't get to be here last year. I'm so excited!
I so wish I was there with you all! My daughter lives in Orlando, so the two of us often hit the parks on our own. Our favorite is Epcot, especially England, Japan and Morocco. She and I are going to Chicago for my niece's wedding, otherwise she could suggest all kinds of things for you to do. Have a blast!
Hey Becke!
Have FUN in Chicago and don't forget the Museum of Science and Industry -- one of THE BEST anywhere, IMO!
And Cassondra, I hear ya about the reading. I don't have nearly enough time to read ever since I started seriously writing. :-( It's a trade off I guess, but I'm still not happy about it.
AC
LOL Helen on your secret total spent on books!
My mom used to do that with fabric. She would buy it and then leave it in the car or hide it in the house until my dad wasn't looking. Then she'd bring it out to start a new sewing project and say, "Oh, I've had this for ages!" ;-) By then, it was the truth.
We've actually had a cool breeze that started last night and the chook is enjoying himself immensely in the nice sunny weather. He hasn't even asked about Tim Tams... YET!
AC
Pink and Hellie,
I am cracking up over your Jewish food addictions! I LOVE Asian food too, though rice tends to reek havoc with my blood sugar. :-( But give me a huge plate of stir-fry ANY TIME! YUM!
And Pink, I LOVE Yukon Gold potatoes so those latkes sound FAB-U-LOUS! Since we have allowed Sven and most of the cabana boys to take a little vacation to Orlando with the bulk of the Banditas, you'll have to come and cook up some latkes for those of us left behind.
AC
Hi Scorpio,
Whomever wrote that potato chip commercial about "bet ya can't eat just one" certainly knew what s/he was talking about! I seldom eat chips because once I start, I really CAN'T stop.
AC
I firmly believe that the GR hid in someone's suitcase, made it through the security check, and is living it up at DisneyWorld, AC!
Great post, Susan!
I firmly believe that is momma doesn't fill her well, she's not gonna fill anyone else's. Put your own safety mask on first, right?
LOL at the food. The first bit of "cooking" my daughter taught her daughter was how to make microwave popcorn. She believes that popcorn and cheese together fulfill three of the major food groups -- fats, grains, and protein. Viola!
I indulge myself by staying up late after Dr. Big hits the sheets. That way I get to watch the shows I want. My fave I-ashamed-to-admit-it show? True Blood!
Yum, yum, yum, Pink! I shoud've been born Jewish -- those all sound delicious! Hmmm, maybe I'll convert.
Hi, Flichen, chocolate is such a decadent treat. I keep chocolate kisses in the freezer, not a good idea.
Jane, why does fast food taste SO DELICIOUS??? I'm going to the state fair today and I'll be up against all kinds of deep fried stuff.
Hi, Helen. MONEY HONEY is delightful. You'll enjoy it. Susan has a very clever writing voice.
If my husband ever found out how much $$ I REALLY spend on books, oh boy!
Scorpio, my friend Kelly is not much of a sweet eater, but she LOVES chips. If I had to choose, it'd be hard.
I hide my stash of chocolate. If I didn't everyone would eat it all.
I also stay up and watch late night tv shows by myself. I might not watch during the day or early evening but I love the 9 and 10 pm shows that come on.
Hi, MsHellion! Is matzo ball soup hard to make? I'd love to try it.
Oh, Cassondra, I hear you. There's always something to do, isn't there.
I finally decided that I'd only do the things that would kill me or someone I love if I didn't do them. So I ask myself, "Would I be doing this if I knew I'd die tomorrow?" LOL, the answer's usually no!
Oooh, Gigi, that's one of the cardinal rules of womanhood. HIDE THE CHOCOLATE STASH!
Loucinda - my son and his girlfriend just bought a condo right across the street from the Museum of Science and Industry, about 2 blocks from Lake Michigan. Love the location!
WOW Becke!
I wanna visit them the next time I'm in the Chi Area! :-)
Gigi,
I don't watch much TV either, but I LURVE the late night shows -- Letterman, Leno, and my fave coz of his accent, Craig Ferguson. ;-)
AC
LOL Jo-Mama,
I think you are right about those cardinal rules of womanhood including several that relate to chocolate. Men just don't truly understand and appreciate chocolate the way WE do... Well, except for maybe the GR.
AC
Susan isn't really alone here..she has ME to watch after...SPF 150 anyone?
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