I'm at the supermarket.
Alone. No Little People, no baby.
Even though I'm simply wandering amongst aisles of food, I am high on the feeling of Freedom.
I'm amongst the potatoes (soooooo many varieties!) looking for the fresh flowers.
Its all been moved around since I was last there.
I have it in my mind that I must buy myself some Yellow Tulips.
Yes, yes I know I have to remember to get bread and milk and various other essentials, but I can't stop thinking about Yellow Tulips.
Ahh yes, the fresh flowers are there, and oooooooooo just LOOK at those gorgeous tulips! So fresh! So vibrant! Just what I need!
I marvel at the colours, at the perfectly perfect blooms.
I notice that the bunches of tulips are in two sizes :: small (£2) and large (£5).
I pick up a small (£2) bunch of Yellow Tulips and pop them in my basket.
They are very pretty. And very yellow.
But there are only eight of them in the small (£2) bunch.
No matter, eight will be enough.
I walk on through the supermarket gathering Essential Items.
Bread. Milk. Chocolate.
I go to the checkout, and I pick up my small (£2) bunch of yellow tulips to put on the conveyor belt.
They do look small.
I hesitate.
I ponder the tulips for an instant.
Then I put the small (£2) bunch of tulips in my basket and re-trace my steps back to the fresh flowers.
The small (£2) bunch of tulips go back in the bucket and I pick up a large (£5) bunch of tulips.
Yellow, white, red and yellow/red tulips in this bunch, twenty stems in total.
They are unbelievably gorgeous.
And I feel a hundred million times better now that I have the Large (£5) bunch in my basket.
You see.....the advantage of buying a large bunch of tulips is that you can spread them.
Quite difficult to spread eight stems satisfactorily.
But twenty stems are pretty beautifully Spreadable.
I arrange thirteen stems in my duck-egg blue jug and pop them on the table....
....take three stems upstairs to the bathroom to go in my old glass bottles on the windowsill.
And I put four stems in a small patterned jug to sit on my bedside table.
Oh bed, bed, Bed, you are really Tempting me!
But no, I have things to do, I have to put all thoughts of Bed to the back of my mind.
Incidentally, I managed about four hours sleep in my bed last night, four small teeny-weeny hours.
It was not a good night.
But it doesn't matter because there are Tulips in the house.
Not just a small bunch, but a Large Bunch.
And I am very happy about that.
And I do believe I'm Worth It.
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Enjoy them lucy. They're gorgeous. Sleep deprivation is an awful thing, flowers definitely help. And maybe some Essential chocolate too?! Aoife x
Posted by: little pink room | February 20, 2010 at 02:26 PM
Yes you are worth it. Well done you. I enjoy reading your blog so much. On Thursday was walking round the souks in Marrakech, Morocco, and thought of you when looking at all the lovely bright colours, spices, leathers, materials, carpets, beautiful. Like you, only had few hours sleep in our Riad that night as had emergency call from home that Mother-in-law very sick and in hospital, so quickly arranged flight back home. Maybe we will be able to go back one day. Have you ever been there? I know you'd love it, so much eye candy!
Love Karen
Posted by: Karen | February 20, 2010 at 01:50 PM
They're worth every penny - You deserve some spoiling - love visiting your blog. Isabel (South Africa)
Posted by: Isabel Rafael | February 20, 2010 at 12:52 PM
I noticed you had one of the most important essentials on your list....Chocolate.!!!
Posted by: Lizzie | February 20, 2010 at 12:51 PM
What a wonderful post! So, I'm not the only person wandering about the supermarket thinking these thoughts.
Lovely stuff.
Posted by: Nora | February 20, 2010 at 12:36 PM
Wow what a lovely bunch of tulips for £5. Bargain. I want some now hehe.
Posted by: Angie | February 20, 2010 at 11:36 AM
Oh you definitely do deserve them Lucy! I remember well that luscious feeling of a bit of space to myself (even if it was in the supermarket) after a small, small night of sleep. Enjoy your lovely flowers and get back in that bed!
Love
Stephx
Posted by: Steph | February 20, 2010 at 11:05 AM
Oh they're beautiful Lucy! I have a strong love affair going with all things tulipy at the moment! What a treat to discover such an abundant and colourful bunch!
Have a lovely weekend, Im glad you enjoyed your little break of Freedom too!
Julia x x x
Posted by: julia | February 20, 2010 at 11:01 AM
You are indeed worth it Lucy!
xxx
Posted by: Fruitful Fusion | February 20, 2010 at 10:56 AM
You are definitely worth it! :) xxx
Posted by: The Curious Cat | February 20, 2010 at 09:46 AM
You have practiced excellent tulip economy today.
Posted by: hill upon hill | February 20, 2010 at 09:36 AM
Overall cost never makes sense where beauty is involved. We all deserve it!
Posted by: Lauralee | February 20, 2010 at 09:20 AM
What beautiful flowers!
This is totally unrelated to todays post, but I have been reading back over your blog and am lusting after your fabulous supply of buttons! - Where did you get them and are they available online?
Posted by: Sharon | February 20, 2010 at 08:34 AM
I love your blog!
Posted by: Elena | February 20, 2010 at 07:58 AM
You are worth it!!!! So much work for the kids, for the family.
You are worth it !!! For your soul, for your health, for your heart, for you.
Have a nice weekend.
Annegret
Posted by: Annegret | February 20, 2010 at 07:22 AM
Oh, Honey, you are SO worth it.
Good for YOU!
I was gifted with a lovely big bunch of tulips for Valentine's Day from a faraway friend, and I can't TELL YOU how they have brightened my days since!
I'm SO glad you treated yourself - and US!
Hugs!!
Posted by: Stasia | February 20, 2010 at 06:40 AM
So glad you got the larger bunch and were able to spread the color and cheerful blooms about your lovely home. Here's hoping you get better zzzz's tonite. Blessings, Tammy
Posted by: Tammy | February 20, 2010 at 05:12 AM
Hi Lucy! I used your pattern for the summer/crochet squares. Thank you so much...I get it! I have been obsessing over all the different patterns available...finally decided to use your tutorial!THANK YOU!!
Posted by: elizabeth Shahbazi | February 20, 2010 at 03:57 AM
Ahhh Lucy, I do agree that a big bunch of tulips is just about always a better choice than the frugal-based small bunch.
Tulips are exuberant expression of the Spring that will arrive.
Wonderful way to be cheery after not much sleep.
Hoping that the land of nod welcomed you tonight. xo
Posted by: frances | February 20, 2010 at 02:47 AM
Oh, so sweet! I bought myself tulips for Valentine's Day and swoon every time I pass them : )!! They are a delightful flower. So glad you had something bright and cheerful to enjoy!!
Posted by: Shelley in SC | February 20, 2010 at 02:22 AM
WORTH IT!
Posted by: Lori Daly | February 20, 2010 at 02:08 AM
whoospies. this! http://mannafrombrooklyn.blogspot.com/2010/01/what-is-that-thing.html
Posted by: brooklyn codger | February 20, 2010 at 12:02 AM
Beautiful flowers! I also love tulips and also have tulips-am-I-worth-it moments! I think you will identify with this... http://mannafrombrooklyn.blogspot.com/2010/01/what-is-that-thing.html.
Thanks as always for your writing and pictures.
Posted by: brooklyn codger | February 20, 2010 at 12:01 AM
Tulips and babies - even with not enough sleep you'll remember it as a good tme!
Posted by: Angeljune | February 19, 2010 at 11:47 PM
Happy tulips, indeed! You deserve each and every one.
Do check out the Mason-Dixon blog http://masondixonknitting.com/ and click on the YouTube link. You'll love the backdrop in some scenes. Made me think of you.
Posted by: Madeline | February 19, 2010 at 11:43 PM