Tuesday, February 12, 2013

A Valid Lifestyle Choice

I don't know if it's my age or if it's my family situation - I have kids so am a little less free in some respects - but in the last couple of years I've noticed a weird trend. I'll be chatting with a friend and she'll say something like "Any plans for the weekend?"

I launch into an excited recitation of all the great stuff I've got lined up, and then there's usually a surprised pause, followed by a polite "Oh!"

These conversations always end up with a weird vibe, so I discreetly asked around, and it seems that any of the following doesn't constitute big plans for the weekend:

- "Making pizza on Friday night, then watching Buffy in my jammies."
- "Doing laundry and making cinnamon buns."
- "...stay at home, maybe rent a movie"
- "Sitting - at home - knitting and listening to podcasts"
- "On Saturday, I'm going to bring a cup of coffee back to bed where I plan to play Freecell on my iPod until the battery is completely drained."
- "Grooming the dog"
- "At home, not getting dressed until Monday. If then."
- "I'm definitely taking a shower at some point."

But these particular people really seem to disrespect my plans. Weird, right?

I guess since their weekends are full of things like winter camping, concerts, half-marathons, mechanical-bull-riding, back-country-ski/camp/summit-climbing, remote fishing lodges, and trips to beautiful beachfront whatnots, maybe their bar is set a little higher than mine.

So, what do you guys think constitutes "plans for the weekend"?

7 comments:

Carolyn said...

Plans for the weekend: Stay home, do taxes, and knit. "Absolutely nothing" also counts as a plan, as does cuddling up with a book, a blanket, and tea cup (which the well-trained son will keep full.)

Your plans sound like plans to me!

Dave Hingsburger said...

Ah, we are cut from the same cloth - although you probably used a prettier pattern. Our plans are very, very, low key. We cook, we read, we live across the street from a movie theatre so we may do that. We never stay up past 9 (that's late for us) and many think our lives dull. Ah, man, then I guess I love dull.

Anonymous said...

Plans for the week-end are exactly that - whatever your plans are for the week-end. Whatever floats your boat, I say, whether that be a movie marathon in your pjs or a full day skiing on the slopes. And sometimes both in the same week-end!

~kate

Annalea said...

I read a blog post today about motherhood that really rocked my soul . . . because it hits the truth square on the head:

http://www.renegademothering.com/2013/02/09/i-became-a-mother-and-died-to-live

And so, to me, today, your plans for the weekend (be a wife, mother, and grab a little time for yourself) sound like pretty big stuff to me. ;o)

Rona said...

I think you list of plans sound good. Personally I felt good about getting showered and dressed for the day at nearly 2 this afternoon. ;)

Totally on the same page as you.

Jeannette said...

Thank you, Shan. I also find that question odd, and when I answer it --no matter what I say -- I usually feel as if I've flunked some kind of test. Either I'm forced to brag that we're jetting to the Swiss Alps for a weekend of skiing (NOT!!), or I'll have to bore the questioner by saying that I welcome the time to sit and make chair cushions for our dining room. No matter what my response, the questioner always seems disappointed by it.
I think the question is a bit intrusive to begin with, unless it's immediately followed by an invitation, as in "If you're not busy this weekend, would you like to come over for dinner?"
And I've just gone on a rant. Thank you for your kind indulgence...

Gena said...

Those all sound like wonderful weekend plans to me! Except grooming the dog, maybe. In my opinion, a great weekend is just hanging out with my kids and husband, maybe deciding to do something on the spur of the moment. But a good weekend never involves being rushed or having to wake up early!