The Thick of It

Last week was my birthday.  I am officially in my late - and I mean late, thirties.  My birthday was a nice and relaxing day.  In the morning I dropped my daughter off at preschool.  I enjoyed a quiet breakfast by myself at the diner.  After breakfast I treated myself to a manicure and came home to enjoy some uninterrupted television time.  As I looked down at my newly manicured nails, the thought came over me that I should be doing this more often.  Taking time to invest in myself. 

When you have a newborn and a toddler, it's hard to find time for yourself.  I have a friend that I see when I pick up my son from school everyday.  We both have second graders and have known each other since they were in a play group when they were one.  Where my second grader is the oldest child in my home, hers is the youngest.  I always compliment her how great she looks.  She works part-time and also has two teenagers - yet always seems to have it pulled together and has a friendly smile.  Every time I compliment her, she always responds by reminding me that I'm "in the thick of it".  She tells me it gets better, things become more manageable, and eventually I will find time for myself again.  It will all balance out.

I have to say, as I look down at my manicured hands a week later, I believe I am emerging from being "in the thick of it" that I've been in for the last couple of years.  It's been trying at times being a parent of two young children attempting to balance it all.  Keeping the children happy, keeping our home in order, teaching them to be good little people in life has been, and will continue to be my priority.

It looks like I might begin making a conscious effort to incorporate some things in my life that I used to enjoy "B.C." - before children.  I deserve to spoil myself a little too and replenish my spirit with the little luxuries that make a big difference.  I don't know what I will choose next, another manicure or maybe a massage.  I'd really like to enjoy a nice cup of coffee while I browse in the bookstore.  It's the little things in life, isn't it?  I have decided this will be my birthday gift to myself.

How do you find time to care for and invest in yourself?  What little indulgences do you enjoy?  When is the last time you had a quiet morning or afternoon all your own?