priorities
April 6, 2012
In a perfect world my priorities would look a little something like this:
- Family
- Health
- Career
- Helping Others
- [Insert 5th important thing that shouldn’t have slipped my mind]
In reality, my priorities look a little something like this:
- Work. Lots of work.
- Furious and obsessive cleaning.
- Trying my best not to burn my forehead with a curling iron.
- Obsessing about how ugly our master bedroom looks and how I feel helpless in getting it back on track.
- Spending a few minutes of quality time yelling at Ali and Maya for _______ (fill in the blank).
The bad news is that my priorities are very messed up. But the good news is that I totally have a plan to get back on track and I’ve already taken a few steps in the right direction…
Yesterday I packed Maya off to my in-laws place, packed a carry-on each for Ali and me, and hopped on a red-eye to New York City. So now I have 4 days and 3 nights to examine the error of my ways.
And I’m going to do just that. Right after I catch up with old friends, hit up Bloomingdale’s, and have a couple of good meals at Tao and Bouchon…
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While I'm not going to win Mother/Wife of the Year Award anytime soon, I haven't killed anyone yet or shot myself in the head. And that, my friends, is how I calculate success these days. 
FANCY THAT FANCY THIS 
Hahah glad you got your priorities in tact..A kid-free trip to New York is totally necessary for your mental health right? Have the best weekend away…hope the shopping is great :)!
Exactly….a kid-free weekend is the best way to focus on one’s priorities!!
Oh man. I’m jealous. I have been craving a visit to New York. I say as though I go all the time. I’ve been a couple times but never for very long and I want to go to see a friend who moved there. So enjoy for me. Eat a black and white cookie or something. I hear conflicting reports that they are either amazing or digusting. Clearly no shades of gray concerning it:)
Eh, it’s good you are at least aware of what is going on with the world, even if you are not jumping into the fray. Sometimes taking care of yourself is the best thing you can do for other…
Black and white cookies? I am stumped…I’ve had the City Bakery chocolate cookie (not sure of the exact name?) and it is amazing. Maybe that’s the one? Now I’m intrigued…
Hmm, they are this huge cookie that has half black frosting and half black. I remember seeing them all over new york, I think particularly in delis? Smitten Kitchen had a recipe for them I wanted to try. If you need a visual:
http://smittenkitchen.com/2008/09/black-and-white-cookies/
I think I still had too many food issues last I was in NYC to try one so if you decide to try one, let me know the results!
You go girl! You are a fine example to us all lol
Let us know how you get on 😉
I’m getting on really well. 🙂 But really, I am the worst example to everyone…there’s no getting around it.
ooosssummm Ameena. I wish I could do something like that.
And why can’t you? 🙂
haha excellent Idea. I totally endorse it 😀
Well thank you Eddie! I’m glad you are on the same page here…
I love a girl with a plan. Enjoy your weekend!
Thank you!
I love that I’m a part of your messed up priorities (and proud). Can’t wait to see you later today.
Enjoy a weekend to yourself- loving the plans you have set for yourself. 🙂 Have a great weekend, Ameena!
Thanks Amy…you too!
So excited for you, Ameena…I know how much you love NYC! Have a glorious time!!
Thanks Fran…we are having a glorious time so far. 🙂
FUN! I think you got your priorities straight…a little ME time is so important. 🙂
So true…and ME time is so rare when you have kids!
NYC in the Spring (or Fall) is gorgeous! It would be even more perfect if you could just go by yourself (sans Ali) for your “me” time in NYC. But oh well.. somebody has to help you carry all those shopping bags right? 🙂
Have a great weekend and a great time!
Ali gave me some space today (he was working) so I enjoyed the fabulous weather and the shopping! So jealous you can do this any time you want Lydia!
Red Eye to New York?
How lucky can a girl get!
Have fun. Relax. Eat Good Food.
Xx
I’m eating tons of good food! I am lucky indeed. 🙂
Have a fabulous time in NYC, I don’t think there’s anything a little trip to Bloomingdale’s can’t fix.
Bloomingdale’s is a magical place with healing abilities…even for non-shoppers like me!
Yay, you are in my city! I hope you have a great weekend! It should be gorgeous weather. LOVE TAO!
Tao was fantastic! It’s Ali’s favorite and we try to go every time we visit. So jealous that you live here!
It’s hard to have our priorities go the way we want them to in an ideal world… but we do the best we can. Awww.. this is a romantic getaway with you and Ali – how nice! Again, so sorry I couldn’t see you this time, but I hope you have lots of fun. The weather is sunny this weekend, last weekend it was rainy. 🙂
I’m sorry we missed each other too! But next time for sure.
Hope all is well on your end!
Good for you! Have fun!
Thanks Madhu!
How utterly fabulous! I hope you two have a great time. And man, I cannot WAIT until little man is old enough for grandparent weekends 🙂
We started leaving Maya with her grandparents when she was 6 weeks old…how’s that for terrible?
I really want to know what your secret is to staying so dang thin while eating all this glorious food. Are you on my gallbladder diet?
Have fun friend.
My secret for staying thin is to walk and walk and walk off all the food I’m eating. Today I walked at least 10 miles!
Love this city!
enjoy your time in NYC, Ameena!
Thanks Daisy!
Your plan sounds fantastic! Enjoy your time!
Katie 🙂
Thanks Katie! Hope you have a great weekend!
Oh, I’d be a sidetracker for your priorities then and go off to NYC with you in a second! I always find that prosecco helps me get things back in order….
or cheesecake
or both!
I need a sidetracker! So how perfect that you are up for the job. 🙂
Ooh! Make sure to shop for me! You can always re-prioritize later.
Any stores you want me to hit up for you?
That sounds delightful! Sometimes our individual mental health needs to be priority #1 and all else will follow. Safe travels!
Thanks Susan…I hope you have a great weekend too!
I am so jealous of your NYC visit! I love it there. Adam has never been, and I’m convincing him that we need to go 🙂
You definitely need to take a trip…there is nothing like this fantastic city!
My mom burned my sister’s forehead with a curling iron when she was about 6. It left a scar. She never let my mom curl her hair again. I think it was kinda damaging. That priority was right where it should be 🙂
Someone who understands the impact a curling iron can make! I love it.
Go girl – no time wasting here. Have fun.
I had a fantastic time! And now I’m at JFK heading home. 😦
Haha. You are the funniest Mom on Blogger. Do enjoy the trip and comeback with your priorities straight! 😛
Thank you Zeba…I’m on my way home. Not sure if my priorities are any straighter but I’m trying…
Have a great time in NYC! Not that you need anyone to urge you to do so…
Thanks Kristina! I’m heading home right now. So sad…
Hey, you gotta do what you gotta do and sometimes life just happens. Enjoy your trip!!! I HATE red eye’s but I endure them b/c it mean’s I’m going somewhere.
Exactly. My eyes were redder than red but it was worth it!
Ameena, you lucky woman! So glad to hear you are getting some time off. I hope you have a wonderful time. Think of me while you are shopping and eating.
I can’t imagine your master bedroom looking ugly from what I’ve seen of your lovely house, but I’ll take your word for it. You can get some design ideas while your in NYC-perfect. Do you see how I’m helping you make your trip more efficient? 🙂
Take good care,
Shauna
While I feel like the rest of our house is on track, our master is hideous. I hate everything in it from the ugly duvet to the old-fashioned furniture. Where to start is the question?
I took your advice and did some research in NY. 🙂
Of course you of all people would find a way to sneak off to NYC this weekend! I hope that you enjoy a lovely, civilized (in a way that is completely different from LA) time in what can only be described as Your Spiritual Home. Do something selfish, buy something you can’t justify (You Know What I Mean), sport 11/10 Hair and enjoy the vacation.
I did several selfish things including buying an overpriced shirt, and some overpriced macarons and truffles. Everything was worth it!
And the hair? The hair cooperated Kat!
Maybe the lines have died down at Ladurée and you could get your macaron fix without an international flight.
DD and I both think they don’t taste as good as in Paris but what doesn’t taste better in Paris? Wait. Don’t answer that.
Enjoy your trip Ameena!
Thanks Lisa!
I did get my macaron fix…although I didn’t wait in the Laduree line. 🙂 They don’t taste as good as Paris for sure…someone mentioned something about the water making a difference? Not sure if that’s true but it’s a thought…
Did you go to the Macaron Cafe? That is another favorite spot in NYC for my daughter and I.
*sigh* I totally need another trip to NYC in my life soon.
No – I haven’t heard of this one Lisa! It’s on my list for next time – thanks for the recommendation. 🙂
Add this to ur priority list –
1. Being happy!
🙂
That’s the best priority I’ve ever heard of Hari!
Yay for giving yourself some “me” time :)! Hope you’re having lots of deserved fun!!
Thank you my friend!
I wish i could admit freely what you have. I think my priorities aren’t ideal but you will never hear me declare it out in the open. Now forget i just said that. Have fun in NY.
I only wish that my acknowledging my messed up priorities would make me do something about them…but nope…
I am such need of a kid-free vacation myself….
Was so good seeing you!
You too Sam! Thanks for coming out!
You’re priorities aren’t that far off! At least you know what your priorities are! Hope you had a nice weekend getaway.
Thanks Melinda! 🙂
Ah, lovely. New York City. Bring home take out leftovers in a cooler for me please! I am not picky…will eat anything. Although, ethnic food would be nice. Enjoy your travels!
Thanks Andrea…if I could have brought home some leftovers I definitely would have.
Enjoy ur time gal!!
Trust me there is no better way to stream you priority list than having a kid free weekend…
I am so in need of such weekend myself, my priorities are not messed up they are SCREWED!!!
Enjoy!!
Well the truth is that my priorities are rather screwed up too! I was just being polite. 🙂
I do believe bloomies can help solve the bedroom debacle. They have a housewares deptartment right!? I am always too busy in the shoe section to notice. Option A for my US wedding shoes are from bloomingdales. I won’t tell you how far into the alphabet I am. Priorities. Priorities.
Bloomingdale’s has a fantastic housewares section! But unfortunately I didn’t make it there. I spent too much time in the shoe section. 🙂
Ha! Definitely time away should help you re-prioritize. Or something.
Or something is right!
haha – have fun in New York Ameena!!
Thank you Leah!
Oh my goodness how I love your blog. 🙂
Thank you Jennie! 🙂
OMG – we were in NY at the same time!!! Wish I would have ran into you!
That’s the way to do it! Wish I could go 🙂
I wish I could go back. 🙂
Came across a page and thought of you.
Here’s something on # 19 for your real priority # 3 😀
Love this link Nisha…I totally want to try the honey idea! I just hope that I don’t make a giant mess…which I am usually prone to do .
Yeah, lots of interesting tips on that page!
Honey works great on my dry skin, I add it to my usual natural (chickpea flour+turmeric+lemon juice, etc) face packs.
A giant STICKY mess, no no no!
Wow…that is quite a face pack. 🙂