Today I wanted to share a very short post with you about the importance of family time.
I have been so busy working on my laptop lately, writing blogs and other “must-do-stuff” for my online business that I have been neglecting my husband and this beautiful Mexican sunshine that we are blessed with.
Today, I let him talk me into going to the community pool which is literally two minutes away, walking distance. I have to admit, it didn’t take much convincing.
Quickly changing into our suits, we grabbed towels, suntan lotion, sunglasses and my Kobo, and dashed out the door before I could change my mind!
This pool is very large and tends to be busy with young families, especially late afternoon, early evening. However, this was late morning and no one was there. It was like having our very own private pool. The water was warm and the sun was shining; it was pure bliss.
After an hour of swimming and luxuriously soaking up the sun, we changed and then took a leisurely walk to get some fresh fish from one of the small local fish places. The fish is always fresh and reasonably priced.
Evening Dinner
To round off the day, not in the mood to cook, we decided to go out for dinner to one of the local restaurants within walking distance. After our peaceful afternoon, neither one of us felt like hopping on a bus or taxi to go to one of the popular ones down on the beach.
Several restaurants were recommended to us and we chose the El Picudo, a little seafood restaurant located at Avenida Joaquín Zetina Gasca, 77580 Puerto Morelos. It is definitely worth checking out if you are ever this way.
When we first arrived we were served a large basket of nacho style chips and a refried bean dip. The server who waited on us was very polite and spoke some English. We both ordered shrimp dishes – the brocheta de camarones (skewered shrimp) and the camarones al ajillo (garlic shrimp), topped off with cold delicious coco (coconut) ice-cream, and of course, cerveza (beer). Delicious! Service was excellent.
The restaurant is small with green plastic tablecloths and lots of wall décor – mostly drawings of various fish. It is rather unpretentious…and we liked it. At that moment it wasn’t very busy but we had heard that everyone loves dining there and it usually comes alive between 6 and 8 pm.
For us, it was the perfect quiet ending to a perfect day. We spent the rest of the evening watching a little NHL hockey and reading. All in all, it was a relaxing day!
Being Grateful
Thanks to my husband for reminding me that I needed to take a break – that “we” needed to take a break. We both have online businesses and it is so easy to tune each other out and grind the day away working. It’s important to realize that work sometimes has to take a ‘backseat’ to family.
Do you sometimes have someone in your life feeling the need to drag you away from your work and just chill? Do you feel guilty or refreshed?
Mary Ann
I love to travel and my biggest regret is that I waited so long to do it, thinking I just couldn’t afford it. I have had some crazy fun, some scary moments, such as getting locked in a shower at a campsite, and met some amazing people. For our trip to Mexico we were able to save money by house sitting, which was something completely new to us. If this is something that interests you, then check out TrustedHousesitters. We hope you visit often.
You got me on the spot 🙂 I’m too working on my computer all day every day and one of my favorite distractions is going to the public pool.
I’m in Thailand, for good and here we don’t have too many leisure possibilities, at least not where we live. The pic of your husband and you looks great, you really enjoy playing in the water.
Too bad I can’t add a quite similar image of me and my wife and daughter. I wish you a great time in Mexico, and do go out with your man once in a time, he deserves it 🙂
Hello Stefan.
I keep hearing so much about Thailand. Mostly good. You are lucky as well to have a pool to escape to when the need arises. Computers can be all-consuming if we allow it.
As for my husband, he now has me going out for bike rides in the early morning! We don’t have a car here but we have 2 bikes. It has been years since I rode one so he goes with me for a little bit each day until I get stronger, then I come home and he goes out for a much longer ride. At first I grumbled, but then I realized it is another opportunity for us to spend time together and I am ready to get back to work on the computer, feeling energized.
This is Thanksgiving Day here in the USA – here in the USA it is one of the coldest Thanksgiving Days on record.
So I was particularly envious of your being able to go to a pool and enjoy the sunshine without much distraction.
And enjoy each other.
That is the best part.
I was particularly reminded of the importance of family time when I almost left this world with a serious heart attack a few months ago. I eventually did OK and after some rehab am back at work again.
But this is a really important Thanksgiving Day for me – to be with family and to appreciate each other.
And to remember the important things.
Hi Dave. Happy Thanksgiving Day to you and yours! Sorry you are having such cold weather. Spending time with those who mean a lot to you is important so enjoy your time with your family and take care of that heart of yours!
Hi Mary Ann,
It’s always good to take a little quality time with family. We are so busy with other “important” aspects of our lives, work, cleaning, keeping up with news and current events, that family time is easily forgotten. Even though my wife and I are both “semi-retired” it seems like there just isn’t enough time in a day (every day) to spend with just each other.
Very nice that you can escape to the community pool and a quiet restaurant there in Mexico.
You have given me the motivation to make time to spend alone with my wife. Maybe take her out to a simple dinner in a small family style restaurant.
Thanks.
Hi Ed,
I agree with you about semi-retirement – there just doesn’t seem to be enough time to accomplish what we want in a day.
I think that’s a wonderful idea for you to take your wife out – doesn’t even matter where as long as it is quality time for the two of you. Get out and enjoy yourselves!
There are definitely times where I have burned out a little bit. I am thankful to have some activities with family to get me through it and recharge me.
Although my family asks me to hang out with them, I always feel the need to reject their plans a lot of the time because I want to build something that is self sustaining in the long run.
In the grand scheme of things, I’m doing it so I can do things like spend time with them. But it requires a short term sacrifice to do so.
You are absolutely right Jessie. I understand trying to build something for the future and how time-consuming it is. Hopefully, you have a supportive family who understands why you are sacrificing time you could spend with them. In the long run, it will benefit all of you.
Well said Mary Ann, often times, we get so caught up in providing for our families that we forget the reason we’re working so hard is so that we can spend more time with them. We all must take a breather every now and then.
That pool looks so inviting and you and your husband look like you guys were having a ball. And looking at you guys enjoying that pool reminds me that I haven’t had a vacation in years. Gotta start planning one.
Hello Margarette.
Sometimes I start work thinking I will stop soon for breakfast or a break and the next thing I know it is already 10 in the morning. So, yes, it important to take a breather whenever possible!
Plan that vacation. You will be so glad you did and it will give you something to look forward to!
Family and loved ones are so important and taking the time to share important moments with those people that you care about is so precious. I have a magnet on my fridge that says “collect moments, not things” I think that says it perfectly. It’s not all just about work and money, it is about important moments that you share with family and close friends.
Hello. I love that you have a magnet that says “collect moments, not things” and it is a great reminder. Family time is important but so is spending time with quality friends. I think we all need to remember that.
Hi Mary Ann,
Great to be reminded about the value of family time, especially around Thanksgiving. In fact it’s probably one of the few occasions when we do remember family. So we would do well to remind ourselves about the importance of family time throughout the year and not just on formal holidays.
I have to say the look of that sparkling quiet pool and the scrumptious dinner you described were turning me green with envy as I read your words. But then I realized I can create my own awesome family time too, I just have to do it!
So thanks to your husband for reminding you that you needed to take a break which in turn led to you writing this post reminding us all to take a break. That’s a job well done! Mark
Hi Mark. That’s the message I was trying to get across. We just need to stop sometimes and connect with those most important to us. We all need reminders. And you are right, no need to be envious – you can make your own memories with your family. Take that break!