Crashing back down to earth

Two weeks ago, I was at a beautiful Southwest resort, mingling among leaders in my industry, enjoying cocktails and fine meals. A member of the staff was on hand to refresh the beverages and cheese tray in the conference room. Each evening at 5:00, microbrews and wine were available in the lobby for sampling. I slept on soft down pillows, awkakened by a call from the front desk reading me my horoscope.

Today, I am arbitrating yet another fight about whether to watch Happy Feet or Spongebob. My instant coffee has gotten cold as I try to juggle the coincidental activities of signing for the grocery delivery, putting the dog into the backyard, ushering The Younger Son onto the potty, and changing the laundry.

Newlyweds, a decade later

It was at the bottom of the drawer, since it's been awhile since my nightime attire was something other than t-shirts, yoga pants, or flannel. But the nightgown, the same one I wore on my wedding night, fit.

Things were nice last night, they were good and fun and just the way they always were. And we fell asleep with smiles on our faces.

When I woke up this morning, Husband asked me how I was doing. And he smiled again, telling me that he wanted to pick up where we left off. We locked the bedroom door, and resumed, and things were almost at the same conclusion as the night before. But some things are not the same as they always were.

"MOMMY!" came the shout from beyond the door, "MOMMY, DADDY, we need you!" said the Elder Son. "We want to show you how we made the solar system!"

"Da door is stuck," cried the Younger Son. "Open up, pwease. I need a choc-a-chip cookie."

And we put on our robes, and left the bedroom with smiles on our faces.

Mama said there'd be days like this...

It's hard to feel poised when you are juggling the grocery bags and a purse and the handouts from the grade database training while trying to hold the baby's hand to keep him from running into the street.

It's hard to feel desirable when there is glue on your hand from helping with the nature collage and your lipstick has faded and there is a run in your stockings.

It is hard to feel pretty when you've had to skip your hairwash because you overslept and your allergies are making your eyes too dry to accomodate your contact lenses.

It's hard to feel confident when your head hurts and you are retaining water and you find it hard to concentrate and you aren't sure whether you can get dinner cooked in time once you get home from work.

Sometimes, it's just hard.

If only he knew...

Husband looked at me today admiringly.

"Did those jeans used to be really tight?" he asked.

"Not particularly," I said. "Are they really tight now?"

"I was just thinking that they look good," he replied. "Very good."

"Thank you," I resonded, a bit surprised. "I've been using the treadmill a few times a week, I'm trying to tone up some."

"I noticed," Husband said. "We should...take care of that later. Whatever it is you're doing, keep on doing it."

Somehow I don't think it would be advisable to tell him exactly what I've been doing that has me feeling so much more approachable lately.