A much needed break...

I had six hours to myself today. I can't even begin to tell you what a treat that was! I have been having Tara babysit for about a year now -- she was a teacher at Bear's preschool and is just great with him. I went and got my hair cut and colored, went to pick up Calli's ashes, went to Mervyns (who was having a great, going-out-of-business sale of 40% off and I got some good deals). I went shopping and bought a new blouse for New Year's Eve, went to the Dollar Store and to the grocery store. All by myself! I didn't have to say "No, BEAR!" once! Man, what a treat.

He also had a good day... He went on some errands with Tara, went to the park with some other kids she babysits, to McDonald's for lunch, home to watch a movie... A fun-filled day for him and he didn't hear "No, BEAR!" once either!

Just a treat. I needed to fill my sanity tank up in a BIG way -- haven't had a break since August, unless you count the 3 hours at a woman's church event in late October.

I almost lost it at the grocery store... A woman in front of me just screamed "high maintenance." Perfect nails, perfect hair, expensive handbag, who did nothing but complain - nonstop - to her son who was about 8. At one point, they were moving in line, he accidentally stepped on her toe, and she went on a TIRADE about how he'd RUINED her pedicure that was less than 24 hours old. I mean, it was a spectacle -- she made a HUGE deal out of it. I felt so bad for her son. I bit my lip. Hard. When it was my turn, the cashier looked at me and asked if I was okay. She'd heard the whole thing about the pedicure too. I told her -- if the customer in front of me had said one more thing to her son about how HE ruined her precious pedicure, I was going to lose it. I said my husband died 14 months ago -- I tell ya -- there are more important things in this world than a DAMN pedicure!!! As soon as I said that, she smiled in agreement and the two customers behind me chimed in too! This woman was a flippin piece of work. I felt so bad for her son -- berated because he accidentally stepped on her toe. She needs to get her priorities straight.