Locked in the closet…hiding from children.

Yeah, I've done it! And you know you've done it too, Mamas! You've been tired, had 10 things going at once, kids raising a ruckus in the next room and you thought you might pull your hair out. So you turned down the burners, hung up the phone, made sure all offspring were in a safe, well-ventilated area and you just slipped away for a few minutes.

Hell, every Mama needs a friggin' break! Don't let anyone tell you different… hiding from children on occasion is not a bad thing!

When my kids were younger, my escapes would take place within the realm of the house: a bathroom, an empty bedroom, a closet; basically wherever it was quiet and child-free. Of course within minutes I would be found and called forth from said sanctuary because someone was hungry, needed a diaper change, had looked at someone the wrong way, couldn’t find a sock, or desperately needed to tell (for the 8th time) the story about how the squirrel in the yard chased a cat up a tree.

But this summer I've entered a whole new era of escape...{cue celestial light and angelic harp music}. My kids are older. They're off all day at camp, at friends' houses or having summertime excursions with saintly Aunts and Uncles who don't mind having children around. So with me being at home more, my escapes are... well... a bit more complex. Take today for example.

Here's me running errands this afternoon.

You know: the cleaners, the bank, the supermarket. Phew, busy busy.

I am still consulting, so I had to put in a few hours at the office...

Here's a co-worker of mine off to a meeting.

Tomorrow, I'll be stressed about the work situation, the economy, paying for college in 3 years, what's for dinner, and how the hell I'm supposed to get those black scuff marks off a white floor.

Today, I'm getting inspired. Promise me you'll go out and do the same!