One day in the city.

May 11, 2012 Kate

Yesterday morning started off just like any other Thursday morning. The same scramble for clothes and bits of uniform, the same porridge and coffee for breakfast, the same hair plaiting, lunch making and drive to school. And yesterday morning there were only annoying songs on the radio, bad drivers in front of me and only bills in the mail.

I drove home from school dreaming of adventures but was greeted at the door by the reality of Miss Indi with a head ache on the couch, Miss Pepper DESPERATE for a pick up sticks partner, farmer Bren and the boys busy with the shed raising and a house that looked like a bomb had gone off inside.

Something inside me snapped! I couldn't breathe.

I could not spend the day cleaning and cooking and looking after people. I JUST COULDN'T!!

So I bundled the girls into the car and we drove to Melbourne.

This was NOT going to be a Groundhog day!

And the closer we got to the big smoke, the free-er I felt. Like I could breathe. Like I was a person and not just a look-er-afterer-er.

We almost got lost about 20 times, we laughed that my big fat country car was too big and fat for the city, we freaked out about it getting stuck in an underground car park, we hung out with my city Mum and my city sister, we drank great coffee in the coolest cafes, we walked graffiti lane ways, we ate sushi and croissants, we sorted through Emily's op shop pile and drank fizzy drinks at her work. We had a ball.

Miss Pepper told me she had dreamed of the big city and felt like her dreams were coming true. She skipped down the streets and marvelled at all the people and shops and things.

Miss Indi cried with joy at the news of One Direction tickets, totally rocked Emily's cast offs and looked so much better than she had on the couch at home.

And I felt like I'd had a holiday from my real life. Like I'd seen new sights. Like I'd spent the day living life rather than just checking things off a list. Like I was inspired all over again.

On the way home to Daylesford Miss Pepper slept, Indi and I laughed at the radio and a tiny anxious butterfly danced inside me afraid of the chaos I would find at home. The chaos I had not coped with that morning. The chaos that had the power to erase the joys of the day.

But the exact opposite happened.

We drove up at twilight and found my farmer boy, my Jazzy, a bonfire and a barbecue feast. It seemed they had needed a bit of a break from the usual too and had spent the afternoon preparing. A more wonderful homecoming I could not imagine.

We caught up and told the stories of our days, we ate, we played games, toasted marshmallows and we laughed a lot.

And after the girls went to bed I sat up in bed with my darling and knitted a sleeve.

I must remember to not be so bogged down by the everyday. To be more spontaneous. To chuck the have to's and routines out the window every now and then.

Today I've woken up happy to be here and totally inspired. I can see the beauty again. One day in the city was as good as a holiday.

So how about you?
Does the same, same, sameness of your life sometimes make you want to scream?
Do you ever feel the need to leave it all behind and have a break from your world?
When was the last time you said stuff it and headed for the hills?
Where do you go and what do you do to refuel?

I hope you have the happiest weekend!
xx

ps hugest love and thanks to you @writerbee and you @mililala and you @dayorganics xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx