Energizer Bunny

"Too much of a good thing is wonderful." - Mae West

Or is it?

Usually my alone time is spent working out or running errands, but on Tuesday, while I was waiting for my friend Coreen to bring her newborn baby home from a doctor's appointment so that I could meet her, I had three glorious hours to kill with -- get this -- nothing specific to do.

So, what's a girl to do?

I spent them at the
second Happiest Place on Earth: South Coast Plaza (an upscale shopping center in Orange County, California).

Three, amazing hours by myself to wander through one of the most beautiful shopping malls on the planet. Did I mention that I was by myself? :)

First, I strolled around the bookstore, my usual "go to" me time spot and found several new books to add to my list of books to read that I hope to someday find time for, then I meandered through Pottery Barn and ZGallerie and remembered having a home without baby gates or locked toilets and then I leisurely tried on a pair of pants at Ann Taylor and bought a pair at H&M (along with a couple of things for
Lucas because I can't seem to leave the house without buying him something!) and then I took myself to lunch at Champagne Bakery. It was a wonderful, wonderful, wonderful morning! It made me feel, dare I say, human again.

I have always relished my "me time", but now that I'm a mother, it feels like such a forbidden luxury. There really is something to be said for just being on your own with nothing to do. Boredom is so underrated.

Of course, there is a caveat. You see, whenever I have the opportunity to enjoy a little time away, the days that follow are HoRrEnDoUs.

Take, for example yesterday and today... let's just say, what the H-E-L-L happened to your morning nap and where do you get all your flipping energy, because I'd like some too?!? You have been particularly feisty, irritable (which I keep telling you, as well as myself will happen when you don't take a nap) and into everything. AGGGGHHHHHH!!! I guess what they say about pay back is true.

Incidentally, I had a delightful visit with Coreen and loved meeting five day old baby Flynn. Bless her little heart, all she did was sleep.

The best is yet to be.