14 ~ Wednesday. March 17, 1999 ~ North Shore News I'M not an accom- plished traveler. But I do get the occasional opportunity to flee this interminable rainy weather and sun my bod in warmer climes, and when I do, I grab it. “These tips, however, have always involved cither a hus- band or kids. Last week T got an oppor- tunity to travel without my miby when friends of minc i, > evan. a condo in Cabo San uw 7 had to cancel a trip they rad been planning there for business reasons. “Yon should go to Cabo and stay at our place, Shannon,” they generously suggested. “There wont be anyone there for the week, and you could use a break from the family,” they urged. 1 couldn’s belicve my good fortune. Lately Pee been teel- ing a lite sorry for myself. After all, 1 spend most of my waking hours working as a short order cook, laundress, and caxi driver for my kids. ing jobs, and they rake 2 ton of my time. “Go, Mom” was the unani- mous advice of my chifdren when I told them abour the nity. “Dad can handle things while you're gone.” Dad himself seemed to be agrecable to the idea, and even w Ultimate » home the dogs looked completely unconcerned that T might be considering abandaning the home front for a week. a fact. everyone seemed so excit- ed about the prospect of me leaving, that I decided t0 go, hooked a flight for the next day, and packed my bag. Ane -é, what a week | had. 1? ¢ weather was beauti fal, } haa a couple of great books 19 read ( Memorrs of a Geista had me completely cap- vated for three days) and | slept, and slept, and slept. OF course, in between slecping and reading U had tc cat. Pace well, to put ic mildly: well and often. I love Mexican food, and Mexican beer, and I inter- Tupred my tanning and read- ing sessions happily to imbibe of both. For those of vou who are keen golfers (I am), the golfin Cabo is far too expensive for the average Joc. 1 was content to play tennis, read, cat, sleep, lic i: the sun, and go for the odd run during mv week in the sun. And other than the one night I went out and north shore news ZEPARENTAL GUIDANCE When mom’s away the cats play outside found myself dancing on tables with 3 girl named Denise in a bar called “Squid Raw,” the tip was totally relaxing. Yotally relaxing: that is, untess you consider warning to be a stressful thing, Because 1 did worry, | mean, asa mother, that’s a big part of avy job. Se vou'll understand that the worrying doesn’t cease just because vou leave town, T worned about whether the kids got the milk that Dairyland delivers on Tuesday mornings inside the hous before it went sour. I worried that the cats, who prefer relicv ing themselves on my dining, room carpet 10 the frosty out- doors in winter. gor thrown out of the house at bedtime. | woried that 2 thirteen vear old boy did his homework, that a sixteen year old boy was not driving without an adult in the car, and that an over- worked father remembered to take the marbage out on gc day. I fered that the dogs were fed and walked every day. | had horrible laundry stress, visions of dark and fight Clothes being thrown into the washing machine together. | stewed abour the kids mucking, around unsupervised en my computer, snaking into my private files and surfing seedy internet sites full of bi. -breast- ed naked ladies and advertise: mints for penis enlargers. One night 1 had a guilt- —— dutdoor Cooking Mode! P308RSB eh » 54,000 BTUs with InfroRed Rear Flome B and Ronge Side Burners. Rall Tox Food n Porelons Enamel or Stoinloss Stee. Removable CORMAN® by Dupont Side Shelf. Sasting Pan. . Indudes Rotisserie Kit and save °F 61,000 BTU's with Infra-Red Rear Burner. Roll Top Hocd in Porcelain Enamel or Stainless Sieel. Two removable CORIAN™ by Side Shelves Includes Rotisserie Kit and SAVE * 1 0 Prestige Model 81-P308RB - Built in 44,000 BTUs with Infra-Red Rear Flame Burner Stainless Steel or Porcelain Enamel! Roll Top Hood. 10,000 BTU Range Style Side Bummer avoi as on ccces: indudes Rosisserie Kit and Basting Pan. SAVE BO = WESTERN CANADA'S LARGEST BARBECUE SALES & PARTS SPECIALIST” tiled dream thar all the really devoted mothers in West Van found out] had abandoned my family for a week, [could just hear the conversations they were having about me dunng their post tennis coftce sessions. Motly Moncybags would be raring her evebrows at my irresponsibiity, Suan Suburban would express sur prise that | could Ieave my kids at report card time, and Liz Liarpanis would claim “ld never take a holiday © ithout my family.” E felt aweal fora whole day after that dream. 1 did call home to check on things carly in the week, and was assured by all that every: one and everything was in one piece. But to tell you the truth, rather than feel relieved, Twas a litde disappointed. You see, for the first time in a long time, | felt that J was dispens- able. But I'm no tool. I decided thar it was a good thing to Know that the family could function without me. It meant thar I could take some time br myself, to replenish and renew my matemal stocks which have been lagging of late. | relaxed into holiday mode for the remainder of my week in Mexico. When Eretumed home, | found healthy kids, well-fed and exerensed ammals, a rea sonabh uds house, and one evhausted Dad Fvervone WEDNESDAYS Travel Back in Time with wacky paleontologist, Dr. Deb, and the Eco: Centre puppeteers on Wednesday, March 17, 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Lyan Canyon Ecology Centre. Info: 981- 3103. North Vancouver Rangerettes: Ages 3-16, N.V. location. If you would like more information call 929-8236. Easter Puppet Show: Wednesday, March 31 ar scemed very happy to we me, and J was very happy te be home. “Welcome home Mom,” sam oldest bow. +P really msscd vou. Make food.” Have sunteas. will travel. Send cheap, solo travel ideas to Shannon, care of this paper. Fast. 10:30 aan. or 1:30) p.m. sharp, WV. Memorial Library, A half hour of pup- petry and fun. Pick up your tickets at the Youth Services Information Desk as soon as possible. THURSDAYS International Fairytales and Craft: For 6-9 year olds, March 25, 3:30 p.m, NV. Ciry Library. Vietnam is featured. Pre-register: 980-1424. See mare page 15