Guilty Pleasures

We’ve all got ’em.  Those things we do even though we know we should be tackling a To Do list or vacuuming or paying attention to the kids or whatever.

But all work and no play leaves this mama in an exhausted heap on the floor by Wednesday, so here are a few things I do to recharge.

1.  Take a long, hot shower.  I can’t tell you how many arguments have been stopped by their tracks by this escapist technique.

2.  Eat half a pint of Ben & Jerry’s.  Chubby Hubby is my first love, but in its absence (curse you, local QFC!) I’ll delve into Vanilla Heath Bar Crunch or Late Night Snack.

3.  Watch a marathon of a favorite show.  Oh, how I (still) love Netflix so I can watch five episodes of Grey’s Anatomy while in bed sick.  It was the only thing that could make my sinus headache bearable.

4.  Check Facebook, Twitter, or my Google Reader.  Extra guilty points for doing it on my iPhone while the boys are playing.

5.  Read, read, and read some more.  I’m still plugging away on my Newbery Project, because great children’s books are like ice cream for my soul, but I can get sucked into any fabulous novel.

6.  Go consignment store shopping.  I hate shopping for myself because it costs a fortune or it takes too long or I look hideous in the dressing rooms.  But shopping for the boys?  At crazy cheap prices?  Oh boy, am I ever in trouble.

7.  Leave for work.  I love having six days a week at home with my boys, but that seventh day contains one of the best moments of all:  when I walk out the door, wearing clean clothes and lovely shoes and get into the car, all alone.  (The other best moment is when I pick each boy up at the end of the day, of course!)

8.  Pause for a chai tea latte.  I survived college and grad school without any caffeine, but moving to the land of Starbucks did me in.  Instead of coffee, I fell madly in love with chai teas.  It’s a good thing, too, because I need the boost now as a mom of two munchkins more than I ever did when I was in school!

Those are not only my guilty pleasures, but what fuel everything else I have to do.  We all love our kids, our jobs, and having clean houses.  But without sneaking in a treat for ourselves now and then, we just can’t get it done.  And so, without further ado, I link you to more guilty pleasures and more of what fuels other lovely writers out there.

10 Responses to Guilty Pleasures
  1. northwestmommy
    October 17, 2011 | 11:58 pm

    So true. Moving to land of lattes spoiled me and put a major dent in my valet too 🙂 awesome list and what great blog you have here!

  2. euregirlsandboys
    October 18, 2011 | 1:47 am

    I love a great netflix tv show marathon!

  3. Rach @ This Italian Family
    October 18, 2011 | 11:52 am

    I love consignment store shopping! Great clothes on the cheap? Brilliant! 🙂

  4. Kindred Adventures
    October 18, 2011 | 6:13 pm

    What a great blend of the two topics. I love Cubby Hubby too, my go to is Cherry Garcia. I am guilty of the facebook/twitter on my phone too. I also agree with you about the work thing. Having time for yourself to be just you is a wonderful treat. I enjoyed you take on this topic. Sometimes allowing us to do what we really like fuels us for the tough times!

  5. Rebecca Lyon Allard
    October 18, 2011 | 7:43 pm

    I miss our Ben & Jerry’s nights! I love guilty pleasures/lifesavers!

  6. Natalie @MamaTrack
    October 18, 2011 | 7:51 pm

    Great things! Put me down for the ice cream. The more chocolate, the better….

  7. MEL
    October 19, 2011 | 7:31 am

    Reading, TV show marathons, and the occasional gaming (of the board variety) are our guilty pleasures for the old recharge. I’d say baking sweets is, but we do that just because!

  8. Missy | The Literal Mom
    October 19, 2011 | 7:48 pm

    Guilty pleasures – I have a few too!

    And did I tell you I finished the Hunger Games trilogy? SOOOOO good!

  9. Brianna Storch
    October 20, 2011 | 12:01 am

    My guilty pleasure(s)?
    1.) Taking a nap. After my son’s bus picks him up before school I should be cleaning or getting ready for work, but that hour before I REALLY have to start getting ready is divine silence. I will just wear my hair up that day.
    2.) Hot Pockets. I will slip in the occasionally-purchased Hot Pocket in the microwave and eat it standing in the kitchen so no one sees me.

    (Stopped by from SITS!)

  10. anymommy
    October 20, 2011 | 5:43 pm

    Chai tea lattes. Mmmmmm. I’m sorry, what were we saying? Yes! I love long, hot showers when I’ve hit the doldrums in my day.