16 minutes

I did it. I finally convinced myself to join a gym (thanks to the pushing from Maria). And more importantly to sign up for the kids care. I went to bed last night so giddy that I would magically wake up in a day or two with a toned, modelesque body. This morning came, I dug around for my exercise pants that were completely wrinkled and haven't seen the light of day since 1999, and headed for the gym with Jack. I got my picture taken with Jack and quickly shooed him into the kiddie care, so I could get to work on my vision. I hit the elliptical first, and started chatting with Maria. This was it. It was so surreal. The Hallelujah chorus was singing in the background. I could see my legs getting toned as I ran. But I knew it was too good to be true. My name was called over the loudspeaker and I entered back into the world of mommyland. Jack was screaming, he had thrown up twice from crying so hard, and the girls in charge were giving me a hard time for bringing my kid in with a runny nose and cough (which he didn't have until exactly 16 minutes prior from crying so hard). And that was it. It was over. My 16 minutes of total freedom.