Lunch with the L.A. Times

Yesterday was a great day. Grandma came over and looked after the kids while I ran some errands, sneaking in a lunch at my local and all time favorite bakery in Long Beach. For company I had the L.A. times and it was sheer bliss. I could casually munch through my tuna and avocado sandwich on nine grain, drain my cranberry mix Snapple drink, devour their scrummy soft chocolate chip cookie and munch on crisps (potato chips) with out having to share any of it, clean up a spillage, distract my frustrated and very determined nineteen month old or answer the onslaught of curious and well meaning questions from my delightful four and half year old. I savored every minute of solitude with my L.A. times and it felt like the equivalent of a long weekend at the beach house (not that I've ever stayed at a beach house but I imagine its affects are similar).

I figured I had earned my lunch of solitude tenfold and think I enjoyed it that much more for my early morning run of errands. The feeling of accomplishment and checking things of my to-do list was a natural high in and of itself I just have to share with any willing readers. I dropped off some items at a local consignment store for children's clothes, toys and gear earning me a nifty thirty-five bucks and my recycling center gave me back two dollars and twenty cents for my weeks collectibles of water bottles, tin, glass and aluminum. Goodwill were grateful (as was my sanity) for taking in unwanted items from my house, the lovely mini-van (named "fast" by Maggie) got an "ultimate wash" at the local car wash and last but not least, I swung by a potential kindergarten of Maggie's and spoke to powers that be regarding her enrollment for the fall 2008.

The icing on the cake was coming home and having the two I left behind great me with excitement, hugs and kisses. They had obviously had a good time with their Grandma and she with them.

Thank you helping to make it happen Grandma!