My Guilty Time Waster

Over the past few nights I’ve realized I have a silly useless guilty pleasure, making online shopping baskets. No, not online shopping but adding items to a basket pretending I’m going to click purchase.

This sounds innocent enough no one gets hurt and no real money is used. It’s a “win win” situation. After I buy the latest People Style watch, I circle all the items that I should own, then find them online for a closer look. I get to browse Piperlime and view all of Rachel Zoe’s must haves. When I receive online sale notices from Gap, Loft, Nordstrom and J Crew I know I am really saving money. The shopping basket I’m creating is a bargain. Another good part is, I can close the laptop and leave my items setting in the basket for days. Taking my time to think about my needs. Stores only let you hold items for 24 hours. More time means the chance to search more sites and compare shop. I am really becoming the savvy shopper if I do say so myself.

Being a mom really cuts into time spent browsing at the mall. Some people get a nice 25 minutes before the kid starts squirming in their stroller and items start flying out. Unless a diaper needs to be changed you can forget about dressing rooms. Make sure the store has a good return policy. When a “free shipping” notice pops up on my email it’s like holding a cup of juice in front of my daughter, I’m on it. Free shipping takes away any guilt I might be feeling. I didn’t have to waste gas driving to the store and now I don’t have to pay extra for delivery.

There are some sites I purchase from on a regular basis, Diapers.com, Soap.com and Amazon. However, these are go-to sites for Olivia, when I don’t see visiting Target in my near future. Not to be a complete weirdo, I do occasionally buy for myself online, shoes, a handbag, or any other item that keeps calling my name. I just try to be cautious. You can take the shopper out of the store, but you can’t take the shopping away from the shopper.

Eating out again

Well it finally happened, we ate in a restaurant, all three of us. On a beautiful Sunday afternoon we headed out into the public just to stroll around town. We are always thinking about what we can eat while out, but unfortunately, Subway and McDonald's are the usual choices. This day however, my husband suggested we try a restaurant. The words, "serious, really, and are you kidding", came to mind. But it was a Mexican restaurant and they serve margaritas so count me in.

I walked up to the host stand and added our name to the wait list. The manager asked, "how many"? A simple question, but how do I answer? Technically, we are still two but now there is a little person attached to us. Does she count as one? I responded, "two please". My husband added, "and a stroller". The Manager informed us, "that it will be a bit longer". Perfect, now we are being punished for pushing a stroller around.

As we sat waiting, buzzer in hand, I wished 'O' could understand the 'evil eye' stare that only a mother can give. The one that says "be on your best behavior". After 20 minutes the manager sat us in the center of the room with plenty of room for our Bob stroller. I have to admit, I was afraid of having my baby cry, causing people to look at us. I know those people well, I use to be one of them. Once the server approached, we were ready with our drink orders. Knowing I was once again going to enjoy a margarita, along with chips and salsa, made the wait worth it. We made it out of our lunch without any injuries, minimal crying and no ugly looks. That was our first step into being a party of three..please.

It's Good Enough

I now have a new phrase that I recite at least three times a day, "good enough". These two words are perfect for everything I do during the day. I often say them when I'am finished with a chore. Being a new mom means having less time. It's either speed things up or don't bother doing them at all.

When to say "good enough"...

Your to do list has 5 items on it but you only have time for 1.

Your baby usually wakes up the second you start a chore.

Your baby is crying and soon the cry will get louder, possibly grabbing the attention of neighbors.

When chores require "good enough"...

Taking a shower. You might have 3 minutes and use one all over soap for hair, body, and face. But hey, at least you are using soap. GE

Giving the baby a bath. It can be difficult to undress a screaming baby then place into a plastic tub of water. You do your best to clean the important areas. However, if they won't move their head to wash under the neck, oh well. GE

Eating and drinking coffee. No one cares that you are starving. You make your morning coffee for the taste and to wake up. Just a sip is all you get before the baby is in need of something. Forget eating meals you now get bites. There will soon be plates with half eaten stuff laying around and cold coffee to enjoy. Breakfast becomes dinner. GE