Sanity is essential.

Everyone has their own way of escaping from reality for a few minutes and just breathe. As a mother if you don't do this you will lose your sanity and your ability to be rational. Yes, this is true, it has been scientifically proven that you must take a break to just be alone to breathe or you will lose all common sense before your job is completed as parents.

I have a couple of ways I do this. First, one of my favorite ways to lock out the world for a few minutes is to lock the bathroom door, open the door to my room, turn on some blues music loud, turn off all the lights and lay in the bathtub soaking in Epsom salts with the candles lit to fill the air. But, not before letting the tweenies know, that it would be in their best interest not to disrupt me while I take a bath. Yes, i am guilty of trying to escape from my family at times. I admit, I have a tendency to take too many baths.

One of my other favorite things to do other than sit on the ocean and watch the sun come down is sitting outside own my swing, just relaxing in front of the fire drinking a cup of hot tea. It is so relaxing and I don't have to be alone for this one. I even enjoy my quiet time I spend in front of the fire with my children.

One thing I love to watch in the dark is a fire. No, not a burning house, I am not that demented. I like tiki torches, fire pits and soft lighting. Here are some pics of my sanctuary.

My patio, with my antique umbrella that actually shields the sun
and rain.  This was made in the U.S.A.!!!  This has been used as my work space a lot through
 out the week. I surrender the house and seek shelter outside.

The perfect fire to stare into as my thoughts drift off and I am able to sanely
return to my family. 

My favorite swing. I have done a lot of thinking on this swing.

Don't be ashamed if you have a secret hide out to regain your sanity in. It is essential to your mental health and your child's opportunity to grow up to be a healthy productive member of society. 

Schools Back In Session

All the holiday decorations are down, the kids are finally back in school after winter break and my oldest is off to her first day of college. The morning started off a little ruff as the kids were having a hard time getting ready for their first day back after winter break, but the house is finally quiet and I feel like I can finally start the new year.

It just doesn't feel like the New Year until the kids are back in school, because everything feels the same. They have hit their tween years, so they don't like going to bed at night or getting up in the morning. It was a challenge to get them out of bed by 11:00 am. As I tried to get them out of bed, all I heard everyday is "It's Christmas break, why do I have to get out of bed early?" 11:00 am is early?

While the kids are were break, I decided it was time to clean out the closets and throw away anything I didn't need. There was too much stuff just building up that has no purpose. But, the task became complicated with the kids home. Who would have thought it would still be difficult to accomplish tasks when your children are 11 and 12 years old? They still make it difficult for me to complete something when they are home with the constant interruptions of I can't find anything to eat, the endless dishes and the messes on the kitchen counters every time you walk into the kitchen and lets not forget the constant mediating I have to do between the both of them. Something as simple as a phone call became a difficult task. Maybe I can finish what I started now the kids are finally back in school. Ahhhh..... I can finally breath and focus on the things I was trying to accomplish again.