The Gift of Time

For the past couple of years, Rob and I have tried to give each other at least one gift that is more meaning than money. Though we still give each other gifts, it's something a little more personal and well, meaningful. Last year, we gave each other 20 coupons that ranged from little chores around the house to special "get-out-of-jail-free" cards. This year, I saw this idea and was inspired -- until I started trying to put together ideas and babysitters, and then I though, eh -- next year.


Originally posted at FindJoyInTheJourney.

But I did take a hint from this idea and came up with a different possibility. Rob and I are giving each other a calendar with 1 sticker each per month. That sticker is for our own personal day off.

Since Rob usually works 6 days a week and Maddie requires some attention here and there, one of my big complaints since becoming a mom is the lack of a day off. Rob of course takes that one day a week as an excuse to crash and is always hesitant to do anything that day as it's his day off.

To combat the problem, Rob and I are making a list of three things that constitute a day off. Mine are: 1 hour home by myself, a nap, and being able to cook or grocery shop alone. Each month, I'm going to put my day off sticker on one day, when Rob is off too and he has to give me my three day-off requirements, and vice versa obviously. We'll try to work in a few date nights too;)

Hello 2012

I know that New Year's Eve was two nights ago, but to me tonight feels more like the end of the old year and the start of something new. On the eve of going back to work after a long vacation, I find myself making lots of resolutions and invisioning a whole new start. It seems the time to evaluate, so here goes. On this the last day of the old I find:

• There's finally snow on the ground (please let this be a sign of lots of snow days but not a late spring!)
  
• My house is an absolute catastophe. And I've tried cleaning just about every day.
  
• I have absolutely nothing to wear tomorrow.
  
• There are precisely two Christmas cookies left and I consider it my duty to eat them tonight before the resolutions kick in.
  
• All the work I said I would do over my vacation has not been miraculously done by elvesas I originally thought it would be. (That may have been a bit naive.)
  
• I just discovered that my Christmas shopping is not done.

When I told Maddie I was going back to work tomorrow, she said, "Yea!" I'm trying not to be insulted (she followed that by "Grandma's House!" which hey, I'd be excited about too.)Well, tomorrow is a new day. So I guess there's nothing like a fresh start with no mistakes.