Peace from a box

When Chad first announced that he was going to have to travel with his new job, I felt a lot of initial sadness, sure. But I have to admit that I then I started to picture quiet evenings by myself. Curling up in bed to watch Pride and Prejudice yet again, maybe finally watching My Sister's Keeper, or getting completely absorbed in a book for a few hours. I was going to pamper myself at the end of the day for parenting our children solo.

It hasn't exactly gone that way. Not one bit, actually. I just watched half an hour of Anne of Green Gables (Christmas gift) while scrubbing down my kitchen and loading a third round of dishes and very soon I will be collapsing into sleep. Does that count?

I have found one way of treating myself that has become a bit of a Katie tradition. Every Monday when Chad leaves for Houston, when I go grocery shopping I buy myself a couple of Kashi meals - meals that I normally don't buy because they are on the pricey side. After Ollie has gone down for a nap, I get to sit down to a very tasty, very healthy hot meal and maybe a few moments of quiet. It actually helps a lot.

What are some surprisingly relaxing ways you have found to deal?