We're in a myspace age, aren't we? I actually had a page that I was using to advertise my makeup business, but it didn't fly. I barely signed on to the account, and it seemed that the wedding clients were finding me on their own. I find it interesting though, this need we have for our own 'space'. I remember my mother talking about this space she needed. She wanted a room built...built! as an addition onto our Cape Cod home that would be just hers. I didn't get it. What's the big deal? Why can't she just go in her room and shut the door? Why did she need her own separate room? I didn't even understand why she fought to have her own desk, much less her own square footage. She had said that she needed a place that was just hers. Her stuff, her chair, her books. Her lamp. Her sunshine window.
Her space.
I remember too seeing that episode of the Cosby Show where Claire Huxtable has a room built, just for her. Her rugs and her curtains and a lock on the door. Dr. Huxtable spoke of how great it would be, their new room. No kids to bug us! No phones to answer! Just time for the two of us! Do you remember how she looked at him and....clarified, that it was her room? I do. I didn't really get it, but I kinda got it. Oh! This was the room my mother dreamt of. Other mommies need one too. Even Claire Huxtable!
Two babies and 18 years later, I need my space too. It seems that wherever I go, two babies follow. It seems that wherever I run off too, someone is underfoot, asking for juice or peekaboo show or if I knew where the checkbook was. So, although we won't be expanding the living room or rennovating part of the basement (a girl can dream!), I can create some space for myself. Namely, a hook and eye lock that keeps the bathroom secured. That's right. I lock myself in the potty for some Jenny Alone Time. No, not when I'm home with the kids, but when my hubby is home and on duty, I get to go and lock myself away for a moment. Without a family in the bathroom with me all at once, without having to restock my 'beauty' accoutrement or admonish a toddler for sticking her finger in my hair paste, without having to hold a child on my lap while the other one hangs on my leg while I sit on my throne. Just 10 minutes. Maybe even 5, of locked up solitude.
So for some it's a website or study or a chair at Starbucks. For right now, it's a $1.79 lock from Home Depot, and it's worth every penny.
