Thursday, October 02, 2008

Much to do about nothing

The enormous picture window above my kitchen sink is framing in the glorious wooded view of the changing autumn colors. My house is completely and utterly silent. Jay is in school, Lola at a play date, and Fifi is fast asleep after a lunch full of raspberries and cheese.

I open up all of the windows and welcome the fall breeze in. In the distance, I can hear bird's chirping in our trees over Fifi's gentle breaths on the baby monitor. I have a two hour window of time open and my to-do list is growing faster then my children. I just bought Jay new pants two months ago and he has outgrown them since AND he is considered tall enough at Cedar Point to pay full adult price.

I have so much to prepare and complete. And to dust and clean. And to chop and cook. And to organize and file. And to call and confirm. And to fold and put away. It seems that every time I get close to completing one task three more appear.

But the silence is fascinating and all I can think of is the last time it was so quiet. So not chaotic. I do not want to interrupt the glorious symphony of Fifi's sweet breaths over the monitor. I am hoping no one calls or that I don't have the sudden urge to start roasting the chicken I have for dinner.

Flipping frogs. The UPS guy just rang the doorbell. Mama, we got your package. Thanks!

Where was I? Ahhhh... the silence. I love fall in Ohio it is so peaceful. I think I might for once do much about nothing and relax. The pile of laundry will not run away, dinner can be made with Lola who is convinced she is the next top chef after your comments, e-mails can be left unanswered, and my pregnant best friend who is arriving in Cleveland this weekend has got to be nesting and will enjoy cleaning my house with me.

For now I will enjoy the silent fall breeze....

Flipping frogs. The USPS just rang the doorbell. Lola will be excited to see that her BRIDE, not Hannah Montana,
Halloween costume arrived.

Fifi JUST woke up.

Oh well, I tried to relax. Silence is overrated anyways. Right?

47classy comments:

Rachel said...

Silence is WONDERFUL -- except the dangerous silence I just experienced; yeah, 15 month old decided that she needed to climb the stairs all by herself. Wish I had the glorious silence that allowed me to enjoy the fall. I think I've got awhile before that's going to happen!

Kelly said...

I had to laugh because yesterday I actually got Aiden down for a nap at a decent time and I had 2 hours till the older boys got home from school so I was going to tackle a bunch of projects.....Aiden decided to take a short little nap. UGH. You know what they say about the best laid plans..........

Anonymous said...

Where do our similarities end? (aside from the sleeping toddler). I had my day programmed to last minute and I am cutting into the 7 minutes for a shower farting around on teh internet. I suppose none of the parents at the pool or football field really care if I am still in my gym clothes, right?

Matt Pfingsten said...

Those moments are so few and far between. An older friend of mine said something to me a couple of years ago: "I usually don't put music on in the car...I just listen to the quiet". Of course, I thought she was lame and just didn't get rock n' roll. Then I had my daughter. Now? The radio is off in my car. Glad you enjoyed the moment. Down with the UPS man.

Miss said...

Flipping Frogs. HAHA you are too adorable.

I wish fall were here.

MommyTime said...

Ah, those little moments are golden, are they not? Especially if you have a sunny fall day to glory in. I hope the breeze blew through your mind and left you feeling happy, even if the silence was all too short.

Anonymous said...

Since when do you live in MY house?? lol... silence is over=rated anyway...
Enjoy the crisp fall... ahhhh... smells great doesn't it!

Stephanie said...

I love the silence. I know it means I can "finally" get stuff done, but it always makes me feel lazy... nap-like. And why not?

Liza said...

I used to be a tv addict. Now when everyone finally goes to bed or is out (rarely if ever!) all I want is silence since it's so rare these days. I am SO there with you. Here's hoping you get another chance like that one before long! Great post!

Rhea said...

A bride costume, huh?! And is that sending a better message than Hannah Montana?!! OhMommy!

Rhea said...

You know I kid, right?!

the planet of janet said...

there is much to say about enjoying the silence and the peace.

and baby breaths over a monitor.

everything else will keep.

Caroline C. Bingham said...

silence IS overrated. giggles and chaos are so much better.

Unknown said...

That were some beautiful visuals you create. That said, what is this 'silence' you speak of? Is that something Polish? ;)

Unknown said...

OMG....I meant THOSE were some beautiful visuals you CREATED!!! Acckkkk, mama needs the weekend.

Blessings From Above said...

I completely agree!

For birthdays, anniversaries, etc. when my husbands asks me what I would like...I always request for him to take the kids somewhere for a couple hours so I can just stay home (by myself) and enjoy the peace and quiet.

Unknown said...

me, clean?? why do you think i'm bringing my hubby?? he LOVES to clean! he's your man for the job.

Anonymous said...

silence?????
and what is that???
lol!!!!

Angie @ KEEP BELIEVING said...

It is a rare moment that a mom of 3 little ones can enjoy such silence.

KEEP BELIEVING

Courtney said...

Silence is nice sometimes, but fall in Ohio is wonderful! It is my most favorite season because of the peacefullness that seems to be.

Diva's Thoughts said...

Yeah, silence is definitely overreated.

Anonymous said...

Sounds like our house over hear. Complete silence, time for nap time and then people ringing the doorbell or neighbors decide it is time to ride the dirt bike. It doesn't matter what time nap time is it almost NEVER fails.

Kate Coveny Hood said...

If you are usually that productive - then you deserve a break to do nothing. I can't even remember the last time I dusted...

Dreams and Designs said...

Cute post! My 3-year old "helped? me make 4 dozen cookies last night. After she stirred the dish of flour with her bare hand then wiped it on her pants for the 18th time, I decided this was a game Mommy better finish up AFTER she goes to bed!!

Anonymous said...

Oh there is nothing like that perfect Fall silence, that crisp cool air. Aaaaahhhh...while it lasts anyway. ;-)

Kat said...

Those moments are so precious. Ahhhh silence.

Beautiful.
:)

AGSoccerMom said...

I too enjoy the silence. Here at work.
My UPS driver always comments about how quiet it is in here. I tell him can't you hear it? He says no, then I laugh and tell him I have to enjoy my silence when ever I can get it. I have 2 kids at home.

Jaina said...

At least you had a few quiet moments. :)

Skiplovey said...

That is some sweet time there, nap time before you make yourself get up and do all the work that has to be done. Just enjoying a little bit of the day, very nice time.

Unknown said...

Pete, my UPS driver and Steve, the mailman know NEVER to ring the bell. They know nap time is precious to Mema. Silence is so NOT overrated

enthalpymama said...

Ooops. There goes the buzzer. Better get soccer clothes on. Guess my moment wasn't long enough either . . . glad you had one.

A Crafty Mom said...

Sounds like a beautiful fall day, I can almost picture it (or look out my window and see it here!!). I'm a bit envious of your silence . . . we are still not there yet at this house. But I know it's coming, one day, in the not too distant future, lol.

AutoSysGene said...

Wow, you had a least 15 minutes of silence...isn't that your allotment for the day ;)

Here's wishing you some more silence tomorrow.

Anonymous said...

Oh my, how nice silence would be right now. I am sitting in the middle of a monsoon of a mess and I keep checking my email hoping to find the answer to how I get out of cleaning.

Lisa said...

Right now Hubby's gone & the girls are sleeping. I'm tempted to watch TV or something, but I'm with you. Silence is golden!

Unknown said...

Some time is better than no time, right? ; )

Mama Smurf said...

LOL hope you were able to enjoy it while it lasted!

carrie said...

That was absolutely perfect.

CC said...

Beautifully done. Hope those frogs aren't too dizzy!

Putting the FUN in DysFUNctional said...

Sounds lovely.

Crystal D said...

Oh you can always leave it up to the UPS and FedEx deliveries to crash a nice quiet naptime. BUT it is nice to get all the goodies the bring. :)

Anonymous said...

Loved your twits and tweets! That's a new way to watch a debate, and so much more entertaining. I slept through the whole thing.

April said...

Well, it does sound like you enjoyed it while it lasted!

3 Peanuts said...

Oh I simply LOVE a quiet house for a few minutes. Doesn't happen often though....

I am SO jealous of you getting to experience FALL!!!! It is hot here in Texas!

Have fun with your BFF. Have you moved house yet? I know before your trip you posted about downsizing....I was wondering how that was going. I know (first hand) how hard moving can be.

hugs,
Kim

Anonymous said...

I love fall. I love that window of time when everything is quiet, just you and your thoughts. Enjoy!

Anonymous said...

Great post, acknowledging those moments.

Anonymous said...

I don't remember what silence sounds like.. although tomorrow I will get my first peek into it (first day off alone in FOREVER..) .. TMI I know.but I am giddy about it..

 

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