Waiting...

It seems that I'm always waiting for something. I don't know if that means that I'm not "living in the moment," or if it means that someone is always keeping me waiting. Why do I even bother making appointments? Here are some examples:

• Going to get my hair cut - average wait time = 30 minutes - that's ridiculous
• Going to the OB/GYN - average wait time = 30 minutes - really? It was worse at my old practice...we're talking 45 - 60 minute wait. I had to leave!
  
• Doctor's office - average wait time = 20 minutes - the fact that I'm happy that it's only 20 minutes is pretty sad.
• Bloodwork - average wait time = 30 minutes

So, why do I bother making appointments? Sometimes I think that if I just showed up and needed something, they'd fit me in. It really irritates me when you go through the hassle of making an appointment, rush to get there on time because you don't want to mess up their schedule or make them run behind, and then you sit there forever! It really drives me nuts! There are so many other things that I could be getting done if I hadn't been sitting in a waiting room. Here are some places that I don't have to wait:

• The pediatrician's office - the longest we've waited has been 10 minutes.
• To get my flu shot - I went to my local grocery store's pharmacy and it was so quick!
• To get my car serviced - granted, I make an appointment, rush to get there, but while I'm waiting, they're actually working on something...for me!
• The tailor - always happy to see me.
• The nail place - again, always happy to see me, but I do get there less and less frequently these days - I'm in desperate need of a mani/pedi and someone to watch the babies while I indulge.
  

I don't know. Maybe my time has become more valuable to me now that the twins are here...I just want to be spending time with them or with Bill. I just don't get why places think it's okay and hardly ever apologize, let you know how long it may be, or offer an explanation. If I'm late to an appointment, I call the office to let them know. I just think it's the polite thing to do...although I usually arrive on time (I make the call b/c my OCD is kicking in) and have to wait anyway.

So, here's my new solution. I'm going to start to call ahead (particularly to my hair place) to see if whomever I'm seeing is running behind and to let them know that I'll be there, but I may be a little late. Why should I keep their tight schedule when they don't? Then I ask myself, am I just feeding the problem? If I am late with everyone else, aren't I just making it worse? Who knows?

Here are things that I feel like I'm always waiting for:

• The babies to wake up from their naps - sometimes I want to see them and sometimes I could just use some more time alone to get things done (i.e. showering, eating breakfast, the basics).
• The mail lady - I don't know why...we don't even get any good mail.
• The sun.
• Hailey and Matthew's smiles (especially when they're upset and they come unexpectedly or when they first wake up and they're totally happy to see me or when one is crying and the other is just beaming at me...don't know what it is, but it makes everything better).
• Time with my family.
• A kiss from Bill when he gets home from work.
• Someone to come and clean up the downstairs while we're bathing and putting the kids to bed...no, seriously...someone should offer that service - we'll clean up your living room and start dinner while you're spending quality time with your kids.
• Spring/Summer

There...that's my contemplative thought for the week!