How do you indulge?

Ah, I feel like I shouldn't be taking the few minutes it takes to post a blog as there's so much to be done, but sometimes in the middle of it all, you have to stop and take a breath. I've done a little of that lately. Last week after my husband sold a cool custom towable Jeep grill he'd made, he came up and put $100 in my hand. Although there are always bills to be paid and no shortage of places that our funds could be funnelled, I thought it was so nice of him to just give me some money to spend on myself. I asked him what it was for. "For you," he responded.

As with most moms, it's hard to spend money on myself and not feel guilty. The next morning I went off to get a pedicure. It's been probably 9 months since my last one...and spring is around the corner (although it doesn't feel like it outside), so I wanted my feet to look presentable for when it's warm enough for flip-flops. When they mentioned it was only $10 more for a manicure, I accepted. The pedicure was only $22, so I didn't feel too bad throwing in the extra $10. It felt wonderful to be pampered for an hour and have pretty nails when I was done!!!

The remainder of the cash went to necessities at Walmart - allergy medicine, toiletries, detergent - that kinds of stuff. And a cute $12 summer top. It's amazing how a cheap shirt can make everything better.

I'd already had an appointment for a haircut and highlights. I consider myself a pretty low-maintenance chic. I only get my hair cut maybe once every three months. Once or twice a year I get highlights for one reason only -- to cover the gray. So, I got that done the other day. It always feels great to have someone else shampoo your hair and style it for you.

Today, in the midst of deadlines, I drifted off to Facebook where I noticed a quote on Ryan Seacrest's page - "The time to relax is when you don't have time for it." - Sydney J. Harris. Boy did that fit! I decided to do just that. I grabbed my 7-year-old and we set out for a lunch date. A couple hours later, full from a half of a chicken fajita sandwich and a bowl of broccoli cheese soup, I felt so refreshed. Now I better get back to work.

So, what are some of the little things you do to indulge and relax?

Being around babies again

Well, after eight years of being a work-from-home/stay-at-home mom after leaving my full-time job to raise my family, I'm now back in the working world. When I started seeking out a part-time job recently, I thought about my work experience and what kind of job I might enjoy. I didn't want to go into it knowing it would be a place I'd dread going every day.

I worked at a couple fast food places back in high school, but have no desire to go into food service -- just don't feel like dealing with the occasional crabby customer I'd encounter and I'd probably put on 50 pounds being surrounded by food all day. I also remember that is was really hard work and really low pay, which is easier to tolerate when you're a high school student.

During and after high school I was an administrative assistant. I loved it. The office environment suited me well. I liked working with people, paperwork and computers. I sent out some resumes, but decent paying part-time office jobs don't come along that often. I also knew I'd continue writing and wondered if it would be too much to sit at a computer at home and do the same at work.

I've always wanted to work a retail job, if only for the holiday season. I consider myself a people person - friendly, helpful and like to help find information or problem solve. A bonus would be that if I worked at one of my favorite places, I'd get a heads up on the sales and probably a nice discount. I considered it, but the places I seeked out required long weekend and evening hours.

One day I was searching online and found a job posting that was intriguing. I always thought it would be neat to somehow be involved in weddings or with new babies -- somehow able to share a life changing day with someone. I've also always liked the hospital environment and especially the nursery, which is full of caring people on a floor that usually results in a happy ending to a hospital stay. I think I have the compassion for nursing, but maybe not the stomach. Besides, my kids are still young and I wouldn't want to jump into going back to school for nursing and then likely onto a midnight shift as the lowest person on the totem pole working all the weekends and holidays. I knew I wanted something part-time for now. Anyway, I spotted a job for a newborn photographer in a hospital. It sounded like a great fit. It was part-time and allowed to be around babies and use the photography experience I've gained over my years of freelancing.

I'm still pretty new to it all, but so far I'm having a great time. How can you not be happy being around newborn babies? I get to go to work everyday and see a new miracle that has just entered the world. Even though it's quite difficult to catch a smile on the face of a 1-day-old, I'm around smiling parents, grandparents and staff each time I go to work. A smile can go a long way.

Never a dull moment

Moms sure do live exciting lives. Not glamorous, luxurious rock star lives, but not dull by any means. There's always some action. And when it's quiet, you know it's that calm before the storm and you're just waiting for something to happen.

Tonight, before doing dishes, I instructed my nine-year old to vacuum the living room. Next thing I know, there's loud sobbing coming from the living room and I run to see who has gotten hurt. I'm thinking something has fallen on someone or a body part has been sucked into the vacuum. Turned out my 7 year-old lost his first tooth, which happen to fall out onto the floor as my older son was vacuuming. He was sure it was gone for good and that he wouldn't be able to tuck it under his pillow. (Translation: no tooth = no money from the tooth fairy.)

While I tried to reassure him that she'd be understanding and we'd write a note explaining what happened, he rambled on about how it fell out right in front of the sofa. As he was pointing to the spot where it fell, he noticed a small white piece among the carpeting. His tooth has managed to escape being sucked into the vacuum filter. Suddenly all was good again. A big smile came across his face, with a big empty space on the bottom left.