To Amuse and Delight

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

My day off

Everyone can use a day off. Working folks get holidays off.  Moms at home usually work overtime during holidays. My husband often suggests that I go off and do something "fun" by myself. My problem is that I can never think of anything worth doing. Or the day finally arrives and I decide it's just too much trouble. Everything I really enjoy doing I do at home, all the time. Fun events or nature excursions I enjoy most with my family. But, when my husband suggested that I go down to the city (NYC) to my favorite store (Kinokuniya Bookstore) and also browse the fabric shops I took him up on his offer. I am not a person who sees shopping as a form of entertainment, if fact it is quite the opposite. Except at my favorite store where I can stay for hours looking through oodles of japanese craft, sewing and food books. All of the sewing books come with full size usable patterns, ahh...love.
Working in the garment district for years, hustling and bustling to meet deadlines, I could never appreciate it. This time I just puttered along browsing from one fabric shop to another. Imagine, if you like fabric, streets of nothing but fabric and trimming stores just waiting for you to come in and haggle over prices. It can be fun once in a while. As for the noise and crowds, I've had my fill for a while.
Speaking of noise and crowds, Grand Central Station. I decided to go home a couple of hours earlier than I had planned. It's funny that I felt like I needed a day out to get some peace and I end up running home early for the same reason!
Ahh, home. They picked me up at the train station and the girls beseeched us to let them pick up driftwood by the water. The train parallels the river. It's good to keep a pair of  rubber shoes in the car, because you never know when you might need them. It's also good to get out once in a while so that you can appreciate what you have to come home to.

5 comments:

  1. That last sentence of this whole post says it all. I'm so glad you took the time to do that!! It must have been so fun for you to look at all the fabric and trimming! I love to do that and I don't even sew!!

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  2. Sounds like a good balance of a day:) I can relate to my husband encouraging me to go--and me having reasons not to go. My problem is wanting time alone at home, but I don't want to kick out my family! I'm glad you took a day, explored, and could still end it wearing rubber shoes.

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  3. I think the best part of "me" time for moms is how it makes us appreciate the humdrum time with our families more. You beautifully illustrated this in your post. I'm glad you had a good day and I love the energy in your post!

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  4. Oh, I have the same trouble... cannot think of anything I'd like to do away from my family and my home. I much prefer the hubby to take the kids and leave me to watch tv and read at home! Looks like you had a nice relaxing time. The only store I enjoy browsing is Whole Foods or used book stores when I have credit :)

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  5. I came here from Andrea's blog and I have to laugh that many of us are echoing how you feel, about home being the place where you enjoy being. Although a book/craft/fabric store is a great place to get out to! I too like to putter away at home at this-and-that. Great to find your blog!

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