As I sit down to write this post, my eyes dart up at the time. I have exactly 20 minutes left. Exactly 2 hours and 20 minutes ago I left my two children with a trusted babysitter. In exactly 19 minutes I have to pack up and drive home. Today is the first day of “my time,” as I have it marked in my calendar, a few hours one morning a week, every week until the end of August. This was a deliberate creation, something I needed, time to be something other than “mommy.” Time for me to get immersed in my other selves: gardener, blogger, someone who would enjoy a massage or a quiet walk all on her own. I did contemplate getting the car washed, but then decided that falls into the same category as grocery shopping and other such errands, not things that were intended for these three precious hours.
So, on this morning, I decided to dedicate some time to the plot in the community garden. I really enjoy being in the dirt, and more so when I don’t have to keep one ear and one eye on the kids. And while I love sharing my love of gardening with my kids, I also really love doing it on my own (or in the company of other gardeners if the case may be).
The call of summer is getting louder, and things still needed to be planted. So off I went with my seeds and seedlings to finish up planting the plot. While there I weeded, turned soil, harvested, sowed, planted, and watered. All the while chatting on and off with my gardening neighbors. I wanted to make sure I had time to sit down with a cappuccino and do some writing and web surfing before going home, so I forgot to take pictures. I needed both. Garden time and down time. I will have to go back and snap a few.
Being a stay at home mom is something I always dreamed about doing. Now I am doing it, but find one of the most challenging things about it is finding time for the other parts of me. Working had its own very difficult challenges, but I did get to be a teacher for several hours a day. A few hours a week will certainly not be like a full-time or even a part-time job, but they are my hours. Some weeks I may just take a book to a coffee shop, go for a walk or hike on our local trails, or buy a new pair of shoes. But, I suspect I will spend many of those morning, or parts of them, in the garden. I don’t think I can resist.
Growing Up in the Garden 
Me time is so precious. I often head into the garden when Mud is at home, shut and bolt the gate between the house and veg patch, so that no-one can get to me and I can garden in relative peace.
I’m glad you had quality me time and here’s to many more 🙂
Ha! I wish sometimes I had a gate that separated the garden from the rest of the yard (especially when my toddler “helps” by picking green tomatoes). Here’s to more quality “me” time.
This is such a great idea, but I am on a different side of the equation. I’m the one who works all day and she at home. I live to retreat into our little garden and just stand or sit. But the moment any of our kids see me doing nothing, or something, it is all “can you do this?” “can I do that?” or “please” or “pleeeease!” just a few moment peace. It is precious when I can get it.
Yep. I have been there too! I am starting to tell my daughter that I just want a little time to do the things that I like to do that she thinks are boring. So far so good. I have to leave the house though. Having time to myself in the house is a totally different thing (almost non-existent).
A truly wonderful idea, I hope you enjoy every moment, however you choose to spend it. In the garden is a pretty fine choice, and very nurturing on so many levels.
Thanks! Not in the garden this morning and every bit as lovely. 🙂
Got to have time! Your garden looks awesome!!! Great work!