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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Sightseeing (08/08/05)
Proverbs 31:27 NIV
”She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.”

Eiffel Tower.

Click

The Pyramids!

Click

Marilyn hunched closer to the screen and moved the mouse to click on the virtual tour. This is all so easy! Why would anyone ever leave home?

The toddler at her feet stretched up to be held “Mummy, Mummy.”

“Wow, look at that! Just a minute Jordan, Mummy’s busy, just let me finish this tour.”

Jordan refused to be placated. “Mummy, Mummy!” he started to cry.

“OK just a minute. Here,” she grabbed him up and walked to the TV. “Watch some Wiggles.” She plonked him on the couch and returned to the computer.

I can’t believe I didn’t want to learn about computers! There’s so much out there that I’ve always wanted to see!

Grand Canyon

Click

The Wiggles finished, and Marilyn quickly found another tape to play, then another. Jordan finally fell asleep in front of the TV, biscuits in his lap.

Ayers Rock

Click

The phone rang, interrupting her viewing of the photos of Ayers Rock at sunset. Her husband’s voice jolted her quickly back to reality.

“Hi honey, how’s your day going?”

Marilyn shifted in her seat. She eyed Jordan asleep on the couch with the Caillou tape still playing. “Umm, fine. How’s yours?”

“It’s good. Actually I thought I might be able to get off early and take Jordan to the park before it gets dark, wanna come?”

He’s coming home early?? I haven’t even washed up from breakfast yet. The whole house is a mess. And I really wanted to finish looking at Ayers Rock!

“Umm, I don’t know, Jordan’s been grizzly, I’ve still got a few things to do around the house. Maybe you could take him and I could stay here.” Then I can just finish this one site.

“OK babe. I should be there around four.”

She looked at the clock on the computer. It was already 3.30.

3.30??I don’t remember getting Jordan his lunch! How can it be 3.30? No wonder he’s asleep. I’m sure it was only 11 when I turned the TV on – or maybe it was 12? Oh gosh. I want to finish this, but I’ll just do a quick clean up before Blake gets home.

She forced herself to push away from the desk, and looked at her kitchen bench covered in biscuit crumbs from Jordan’s snack, and cocoa pops and milk where he had spilt his breakfast while she was looking at the Louvre site. A sigh escaped her lips, and she set to cleaning up.

By the time her husband walked through the door, she’d done an admirable job of tidying. Just enough that he would never know the mess it had been only half an hour before. There was no hiding the baskets of washing still not clean, nor the ironing pile, ever growing, but Blake was used to that. She had Jordan ready, and quickly ushered them out the door again so that she could get back to her computer.

Ayers Rock was still waiting.

Why would anyone bother with the expense and risks of travel these days? I don’t like flying and I don’t like sleeping in other people’s beds. This is great. I just wish I had more time for my virtual sightseeing. Having a family is so time consuming.

The front door opened and Jordan reached for her as Blake brought him into the room.

“What are you looking at?” His eyes found the screen which was filled with pictures of London.

“Just some tourist sites.”

Blake nodded and walked towards the kitchen to get himself a drink.

“What’s for dinner?”
Dinner? I forgot about dinner. Jordan needs dinner too. Oh, why do I have to do everything around here?

Marilyn rose to see what she could find in the freezer. Fish fingers should do. That will be quick. Then Blake can bath Jordan and I can get back to London…
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Member Comments
Member
Date
terri tiffany
08/15/05
I have heard this from many people! When the best sights they have are right in front of them! Thank you!
Shari Armstrong 
08/18/05
A good lesson (as I sit here at the pc with my baby on my lap, kicking at the keyboard, daughter asking me about the faces on coins and work that needs done lol) Nicely done.
M'Kayla Kelly
08/19/05
Ouch! What IS important indeed…Thanks for the heart-tug!
Crista Darr
08/19/05
Fantastic!
Julianne Jones
08/22/05
What mother doesn't relate to this - even just a teeny bit? You've done a good job of capturing a day in Marilyn's life. Does she ever learn? P.S. Better go and hang out my washing. Thanks for sharing!
Suzanne R
08/26/05
What a great concept. I don't even have children, but am sitting here going through some sightseeing entries ... with a mess in the kitchen, the bed unmade, still in PJs ... hmmm ... time to go do something constructive. Thanks for the wake-up call!
Deborah Porter 
09/01/05
Karen, I'm running a bit late, but wanted to make sure you knew that you were in the semi-finals for the Sightseeing Challenge, which really deserves a pat on the back. But I also wanted to let you know that I had to step in as a judge for this particular challenge (due to judges being unavailable) and I rated your entry very highly. I thought it was a treat of a read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Hmmm ... perhaps that's because I related just a little too well to that virtual, time-wasting trip.

Karen, if you ever sign up as a 500 member, please let me know.

With love, Deb (Challenge Coordinator and FW Magazine Editor)