Free time

What does one do when one has the whole day to oneself?

It's my newest life incarnation. After the past several years of working part-time, driving the girls to various and sundry after-school activities, and numerous volunteer commitments — not to mention a social life — all of that is in the past.

When we first arrived in Texas, I was stressed, slightly depressed. Then we moved into our house, and I was frantic, trying to get the house in order before company arrived.

Now the company is gone, the house is in order, and I have time. Lots of it.

So, I clean the house. A lot. I read. I shop. I've been to a couple of call-outs for help at the grade school. But what I really need to do is find an activity. Volunteer work, maybe. Though not at the school — the lines are clearly demarcated, and I'm not sure I dare venture into the territory of serious PTO moms. You know the type — they're intense, they're competitive, and their children are always a little more important, a little more loved than yours. I think I'll pass.

No, I'm looking for a different group. The kind of women who read, and not just the pop fiction of the day. Life needs to be about more than whose house was done by which decorator and the kid competition. And there are the politics — real ones, not the neighborhood ins and outs.

So, here goes:

WANTED: Social group for newcomer to Coles Crossing. Three girls, first-eighth grade. Loves shopping — Target good, Wal-Mart bad. Fashion yes, but no makeup at that 7.30 a.m. bus stop. Books, music, theatre, some sports — NCAA only, except for MLB. Dinner, movies, field trips — all good. Hate Kirstie Alley, Kathy Lee Gifford, Katie Couric and the women of the View; love Colbert Report, Will & Grace reruns and the occasional Oprah afternoon. Diversity encouraged.

Any takers?