I have been watering my Mother’s flowers for the past week while she has been away on Vacation. She is hanging out at my favorite beach. Now hanging out for me and hanging out for my Mom are two entirely different things. Me = lounging on the beach, swimming, sunbathing, shopping, food. Mom = shopping, shopping, shopping, shopping. But we both love it equally.
So, back to watering flowers, I thought it would be annoying to spend the hour every day watering her flowers. But, it hasn’t been! Yes, I am surprised. To water my garden, I just put on the sprinkler and let it go, but her garden has baskets, and pretty much runs around the perimeter of her yard. And she likes to hand water so she can see what is doing well and what isn’t. This past week has been quite rewarding. My little guy has happily helped me shower the beautiful flowers, helped me deadhead and ran around my mothers back yard. As much as I love gardening, I just never really thought how tranquil it is to take the time to water, and enjoy it. So as I plan my new garden for next year, I hope I can remember this past week and plan it so I can spend some time each day caring and nurturing my new garden.
Was thinking about this moment from our trip this summer, so I decided to share. This was taken at about 8:30am, long before everyone else gets up and heads down to the beach. We always like to go early in the morning. You get the best spot, the best view, nobody kicks sand in your face and by the time the beach gets too crowded it is time for lunch and a siesta. Oh yes, and it was already 105 degrees farenheit, 120 with the humidex, so we needed to cool off in the ocean already.
I had a meeting the other day, one that I couldn’t bring a toddler to. So, I figured what better excuse to crack out the heels? I used to wear them every single day, right up until I left on maternity leave. The feel of sliding my feet into my favorite slides with nicely polished toes and smooth soles was one of my favorite things of my day. Then, I became a Mom. Now I wear sensible shoes. Nice, but no heel. Sandals for summer, but again flat. I think I had forgotten how wonderful a good pair of dressy heels can make me feel. Yes, I felt wonderful. Aside from the not so manicured toes, I felt great. I felt 10lbs lighter and 2inches taller. Now, I have to wonder why I am not trying to incorporate my heels into my everyday life again. Would it really be that hard to get groceries with a toddler on my hip wearing 2 inch heels? Would schlepping the stroller out of the trunk in my heels look ridiculous? Really? You think so? Sadly, so do I. I should add that a girlfriend of mine has a 9 month old and she manages to get away with wearing heels and not looking ridiculous, but somehow I just don’t feel it is right. She is a good three inches shorter than me though, so maybe that is why, I am already 5’10” so I tower at 6′ in my wonderful shoes. Perhaps I can meet somewhere in between, with a low heel that flatters, but doesn’t look silly. Now, I have to go shoe shopping, and get a manicure.
Oh a day at the spa, now that would be wonderful. I remember those regular appointments well. At least once a month, I would get a manicure or pedicure, sometimes a facial or a massage. Now, I am fortunate to go on my regular birthday spa day. I am glad I had that glimpse into my past the other day, it just reminded me that I really need to take some time for myself and get these feel to the spa before I have to cover them up for the winter again.
