Alexandra Vaillancourt
Dateline Boston — I’m in the middle of my second staycation this summer, and I’m having fun! I’m in between gigs right now. My last day of being a nanny to three was a week ago. Next week I will be taking care of a different three, here and there. As long as I get to be with kids at least once a week, I’m able to relax.
On Friday I had breakfast with two moms who knew me when I was in the thick of being a nanny—they saw me with what were then my two kids, on a daily basis. The day after my last day of nannying, I needed to be with these two moms. They really understood how hard it was for me to say goodbye.
On Saturday, Husband and I took the cats to the vet for their monthly nail trim. That night, we went to our friends’ house for dinner, then to a concert. We had a blast, and stayed out late.
On Sunday, we went with other friends to see the original Planet of the Apes in a movie theatre. It was a nostalgic trip for me. I remembered seeing it as a child with my brother and father. I didn’t remember any of the story, but I remembered the makeup. Such good makeup, even today! I was glad to be old enough to get the story line and plot twist this time.
On Monday I started cat sitting for the week. I went to the library and did one of my favorite things—I went to the New Books section and got a variety of books, only one of which I had heard of.
A Family Tradition
On Tuesday I went to a funeral. We don’t do funerals on my side of the family, but I’ve been to a few. I have to say, it’s really nice to hear people talk about the one who has passed, and be with people who have all come to pay their respects, no matter how well or how long they have known the person.
That night, I went back to the beginning of life and babysat for my friend’s baby. Turns out I’m the only one not in the family who has tried to put this kid to sleep. Each time I do it (this was my third time), he’s really not thrilled about what I’m trying to do. I held him as he cried for 45 minutes, eventually going to sleep out of pure exhaustion. I vowed not to text Mom and Dad as I had done the last time. When they returned, they thanked me for sleep training him. Oh, is that what I was doing? If what I did has a purpose, bring it! I’m going back for more tomorrow. I’m sure it will only take 30 minutes next time.
On Wednesday I got my hair done and met my friend for a cuppa and a recap of the latest episode of The Bachelorette. Then we went out to dinner with our other halves. After dinner, Husband and I went to the tattoo shop and talked to my artist about getting one of my old tattoos lasered so that it would be light enough for him to cover up with another tattoo. I only have one tattoo that I don’t like, and it wasn’t done by him. He gave me an email a company had given him about being a subject in a clinical trial for tattoo removal. I’m going to investigate.
For the rest of my staycation I’m going to do laundry, read library books, and clean the house. You don’t need to visit a resort and spend thousands to have a good time. Anyone want to grab a cuppa?
Ms. Vaillancourt may be contacted at snobbyblog@gmail.com