10,080 precious minutes and counting

At this moment eight years ago, I was screaming at two nurses while in labor. Let me rephrase that, cussing at two nurses during what felt like a revival of "Alien". Before anyone calls me a nurse basher, they were discussing lunch menus while I was waiting for my pain meds, unable to eat or drink. I'd say they earned that cussing.

Eight years later, I find myself free of both children for a week, and surprisingly, in another situation where my anger rises at someone's incompetency. Here's the Tish Tip of the Week: When in Best Buy for an exchange, always seek the youngest person to do the exchange. No offense to anyone over 50, but these kids that have played with a computer mouse before taking their first step will always have the edge over the generation that remembers when Texas Instruments calculators were all the rage.

I find myself listening for the muffled footsteps upstairs, Drama Diva's laughter, and Casper's whining "Momma, tie my shoes." Funny, but I miss them already but I need this time. Twice a year I am blessed with a week off from mothering. You'd think that I'd relax, but my paranoia skyrockets when the kids are out of pocket. Thoughts of not getting to them fast enough, or them needing me...it chews at me. Ten deep breaths. One long prayer. A calendar with a star on July 31st. That's how I'll get through this week without using all of my cell phone minutes.

As for this child-free week, Hubby and I have no real plans other than unbridled sex, sleeping late, and adult conversations.

The question now is: What will I do for the other six days?