A Near-Perfect Day

Since today was my first full day after ending my employment, I wanted to take some time for myself before the crazy move goes in full swing. Vivian is still in day care until moving day so I wanted to plan a half day of just Mandy time.

What did I do? How did I spend my hours alone, before I become a full-time stay-at-home mom and a full-time aspiring writer in the coming months? I'm glad you asked!

I decided to begin this new chapter with physical exertion, music, pampering and beauty treatments and artistic inspiration. Not a bad combination, I think.

Awake at the usual time, I walked and jogged on the treadmill. If you read my last post, then you know about the songs I listened to that started my day off right.

Oh yes, a healthier Mandy is coming soon! I even began a blog (set to private right now) to track my quest to becoming healthy. Not skinny, stick Mandy. But someone who won't freak out over wearing a bathing suit to the beach next summer. I want to feel more comfortable in my skin and now is the perfect opportunity to do something about it! The time on the machine went by fast as I grooved to various musical artists. Moving to music is a must. I can't exercise without it. Well, I can but it's harder and far more boring.

I then spent some extra time in the shower before removing Vivian from her crib and feeding her breakfast. We didn't have to rush in early morning traffic. I actually had time to speak to her and play with her. Truthfully, we were both in great moods and did lots of dancing around and exaggerating of our hand motions and words. She was probably thinking.... Who is this happy, half-crazed woman and what did she do with my mommy who is normally moody in the morning?

After some quality time and one episode of Sesame Street, I brought her to day care. I had about a half hour prior to my haircut appointment so I visited a local coffee shop. Of course I just had to order my current seasonal favorite - an iced pumpkin spiced latte. Okay, throw in a biscotti treat too.



Time to get beautiful (or as close as I can get to beauty since my hair and skin is aging)! Now I don't know about you, but sitting in the shampoo chair while you receive that scalp massage is just about as close to eating a slice of heavenly chocolate cheesecake as you can get. Except it is calorie and guilt free! That is the most relaxing pampering you can receive - when someone runs their fingers through your hair and scratches your scalp. Aaaahhhh! My stylist Kris gave me one last trim and style.

After my hairdo, I walked next door to a nail studio to have a pedicure and manicure. I had received a gift card for these services from a co-worker over a month ago for my birthday. Yet another great way to celebrate my new freedom (and at no cost to me)! More pampering took place. All wonderful. All thoroughly enjoyed by me. Plus my toes and nails turned out pretty.



A closer view of the color I chose:




After all this work, (LOL), I needed a semi-healthy lunch for my growling stomach. So I stopped in at Kabuki Japanese Restaurant for sushi rolls. Nothing cleanses the palette like an assortment of fish, rolls and a heap of wasabi. Mmm, what a work of art and it was all mine to devour. As I promised to myself, I ate slowly and savored each tasty bite.



While enjoying lunch, I had the pleasure of sitting next to a young female law school student. We chatted about how I can't properly hold chopsticks and how she was looking for a new hairdresser. She gave me some pointers and I offered the name of my stylist whom I had just left. So it was an interesting and educational discussion.

After stuffing myself full of sushi that resembled artwork, I headed to the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts to check out their adult art exhibits. I have been there twice before, but only to the children's section with Vivian.

I have not taken the time to look at artwork in YEARS! The exhibit is free so I thought.... why not?

Here is an exterior view of the museum:



If you ever feel bad about your own artistic abilities, just visit a local art museum. Why, you ask? Because while there are some wonderful, talented pieces hanging on the walls, you will also see a half-dozen or so very odd things. Quite frankly, you will note that some of the "art" resembles something that your two-year old drew or created. So if you feel like your stick figures just aren't good enough, just look around you in everyday life and art events.

I wanted to share some of the highlights with you. So here goes.

Of course this museum had your typical creepy paintings (below):



Not to mention several naked ladies (below):





Artwork that made me scratch my head like, what the hell were they thinking (see below)?





Two art pieces (below) that my toddler could've done a better job at creating:





A strange one (below) but I liked it anyway:



Very lovely artwork (pictured below):







Just a random lady I stopped to take a photo with:



She became shy and ducked out of our closeup shot together though:




I realize that art is subjective and some may find it to be a true masterpiece. So if you liked any of the above pieces that I teased about, I'm truly sorry. Perhaps I am not quite refined enough when it comes to art.

(Note: I only half-way joke about the above pieces. After all, just because I don't understand or like art, that doesn't mean it shouldn't still be valued and appreciated. It takes courage to put yourself out there as an artist. Goodness knows, someone may think my work and words are crap someday too. In fact, I'm quite sure that a person probably feels that way about me now and that's okay. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder).

After my visit to the art museum, I headed home. It was about 2 o'clock. Kirk said he'd pick up Vivian from day care. So I enjoyed an hour of quiet at home to myself before they surfaced.

And do you know what? I couldn't wait for them to arrive! I missed my family. After being away from them for a few hours, I always look forward to seeing them again. I wanted to give them the biggest hug and kiss and share stories about my day.

Happily, I was not disappointed. They both greeted me with a huge hug and kiss. What a great way to end my day.

Oh yes, a near-perfect day indeed. I would not call it totally perfect because none of my friends (like you) or family members were with me. Although it was nice to be alone, I would have enjoyed conversing with someone about what was happening around me.

Still my chosen activities were a terrific way to start my path to happiness. Also the weather was breathtaking - bright sunshine with a high of 78 degrees.

I hope you are able to have an ideal day soon as well, whatever that may be for you. And don't be envious of me. After all, reality sets back in tomorrow - cleaning, doing laundry, washing dishes and more!! But at least I had today.