Stepping Into the Slow Lane

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It has been a Very Busy Summer for yours truly. Most days, the whiteboard on the refrigerator that tracks our household schedule is jam-packed full of planned activities: Summer camps for the girl, lists of chores for the teen, and plenty of, um, fun work stuff for me (including more than a few 6 am conference calls from home, ugh.)

Life has also dealt us a few unscheduled sideswipes — some good, some not so wonderful — so we’ve also had to roll with the punches.

But, while I knew this week’s calendar was still fairly packed (three evening events in a row, for example), I also knew there was a shining beacon of healing light hurtling towards me at 50mph: My kids were leaving for a 12-day camping trip with their father. Kid-free for 12. Whole. Days? Cue the celestial chorus, someone!

(This is where I insert the standard disclaimer. Yes, I adore my children. No, I do not wish them permanently removed from my presence, nor do I lament and/or regret their existence. Really. Yes, that includes the snarky 16 year old. I just need a @5@!$*)@* break already, is all…)

So it was with completely dry eyes that I wished them goodbye at 8 am this morning. Headed back into my house for two more hours of blissful, work-from-home peace.

And then promptly celebrated my completely untethered state by barreling out the door, arms full, rushing to get to that oh-so-important mid-day appointment…and realizing seconds after the door shut firmly behind me that — oh CRAP — the keys were still inside.

The backup set of keys? Probably an hour or so outside of Bend by now. The third and fourth sets? Ditto. So I took a deep breath. Put all of my stuff down — laptop bag, purse, gallon jar of sun tea that just had to go outside right then — and made a few phone calls. Canceled that oh-so-important appointment. Arranged to pick up final set of spare keys later in the day. And jumped on the bus to head to work as I’d planned to after the appointment. Why not? I had cash, computer, and my phone, after all; was a block away from a bus line; and knew my way around, mass-transit-wise (I’d commuted/walked for close to two years before getting my car two years ago.)

By the time I got to work (exactly when I’d originally promised I’d be there, no less), I realized that I was calm. I wasn’t stressed, nor did I feel rushed. Had gotten some fresh air & some sunshine. And I’d still managed to stay in touch with the office, thanks to my iPhone IM/email access.

I also had time to come up with a goal: to give myself the gift of forced unscheduled time while my kids are away. How will I do that? By taking mass transit and/or walking as much as I can over the next 12 days, for starters.

Tonight, I finally got home at 9 pm, after a ramble that took me downtown via fareless square bus, walks to two different destinations, MAX to Lloyd Center, and a slow meandering walk home from there.

But if I’m going to do this more often, I need to think this through a bit more:

While I divested myself of all the non-essential stuff out of the laptop bag once I got to work, the bag itself, while stylish, isn’t transit-friendly. Need to dig out older backpack I used 2 years ago.
Note to self: Save all of your change for the bus.
The bus routes/stops downtown have CHANGED. (Number 14, I’m talking about YOU.) Learn them, please.
Recommendations for best TriMet iPhone app, anyone? Am betting I’ll need it…
Culture refresh: watch fellow author A.L.’s Ignite presentation — who knows, I might meet Mr. Wonderful while I’m riding the bus. (Probably not, but…)
Finally, one should NEVER walk more than a few blocks in flip-flops. Even ones with padding/arch support. (In related news: my feet really, really hurt right now. Where’s the Aleve? I sent it with the kids? ARGH!)

What else do I need to learn/remember? What else would you suggest to help me slip slowly into first gear?