When I head to bed in a few minutes. What a day- I just passed the driving test portion to getting a New Jersey driver’s license, and tomorrow I’ll get the card.
I never tire of my own excellence.
Dinner over, dishes done, kids in bed, no work to do that evening.
crossed off (well, actually wiped out, its a dry erase board) everything that had to be done that day and can just crash.
Like many others, I have 2 “aaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh” moments in my regular days. Both of them are marked with drinks.
The first (and only) cup of coffee of the day, carefully, patiently made with a manual pour-over Melitta rig, milk heated just so (I like a lot of milk with my very strong coffee). It marks the commencement of my day, but I take time to enjoy it before getting things underway if I don’t have anything pressing to do. I often don’t have anything pressing to do. Weather permitting, I love to sit out on my patio and watch the woods around me wake up. I work from home and live in the forest. It’s a lot like being on a permanent camping trip, only with a great tent, superb cooking area and a Sleep Number bed.
The second is much like the first, only instead of the coffee it’s the first (and only) glass of wine in the evening. This glass of wine has taken on an outsized importance in my life since I began working from home full time, because it’s the line of demarcation between “work time” and “me time.” It’s when I give myself permission to relax for the evening. Again, weather permitting, it’s the perfect time of day to take a walk around the farm, give the animals a little pet and treat or just sit outside and watch the stars or moon start peeking out.
I’m not very ambitious but I still make a big production out of my unspoken-for time.
Walking with the dogs after work there is one steep hill I have to climb before the fun part (the remainder) of the walk. The dogs are used to me stopping at the top of the hill (they wait there for me), catching my breath, and smoking a bowl. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
Mine both involve coffee (which has quickly gone from “bitter junk” to “comfort food”).
First cup of the day when no one’s awake but me and the dogs.
Then, while running hectic errands, I always plan in a 20-minute break when I can run into a coffee joint, grab a quick cup … and read a comic book. Ahhhhhhhhhhh…
Home from work, honey-do list done, shoes off, drink poured, cat in lap…ahhhh.
I lay in bed and read, and my morbidly obese cat lays on my chest and purrs.
My “aaaaaaaaah” of the weekend: when I wake up on Saturday or Sunday morning, realize I don’t have to get up, and just lay there dozing, all comfy with the dog curled behind my knees or resting her head on my neck.
Either that, or lying on the sofa with a good book and reading for ages, or else gently drifting into a nice nap - either version works for me! Bonus points if it’s raining outside.
When I catch the bus going home from work and realize: The rest of the day is mine.
Hopping into bed with freshly cleaned sheets. A good book or binging on Netflix to top it off.
As much as I hate shoes and socks, I have to wear them sun-up to sun-down now because of my feet swelling up due to meds. My “ahhhhhhhh” is the second I get into bed–off comes the footwear and I rub off the toejam footballs.
Just now, changing into my pajama shirt.
#1 – My 12 pound chi-weenie guarding my other pups off me, like the giant lab. You see, I’m apparently only her momma, and all those other interlopers can just go hang. This happens multiple times a day and it always cracks me up.
#2 – The “Dump the Bra Dance.” 'Nuff said.
#3 – Leaving one of my jobs, it’s usually after 8:00 and Sonic has half price shakes. Oooh, what a treat to heat a Dulcé de Leche and drive home with the sun roof open to glance at the stars.
#4 – Being hot and sticky from whatever activity and taking a cool / hot bath to wash it all away, feel squeaky and loosen up some aches. Then climb into bed.
#5 – Days off to luxuriate in the morning to sit on the porch, read and listen to the sounds of the park. Perfect.
Wherever I’ve been, even if just in the yard gardening, or out at an event, getting home, putting on the kettle and then settling down with my cup of tea. Aaaaah, it’s glorious.
I love my morning cuppa, of course. It’s my standard practice. But there is something about coming home and putting on the kettle directly, that screams, “Aaaah!”
My sunset drives to my favorite tunes-such as, of course, The Moody Blues Twilight Time (which just randomly shuffled on my computer stereo). When I come home I typically feel very mellow and relaxed.