by Lori Buttermark

Created on: August 30, 2008   Last Updated: October 28, 2008

Time spent in the workplace, alone, comprises two-thirds of the average day, leaving very little time for relaxation, let alone spare time. Hiring a part-time maid could be the best investment, since spare time is now the criteria and the precious link with sanity.

Housecleaning, food-shopping, cooking, laundry, driving the kids to and from school and/or their sports activity constitutes a full day. Once the maid or housekeeper is employed, spare time is allocated to enjoy numerous activities of relaxation.

Spare time could be volunteer work at a local hospital or favorite charity.

The overdue weekly all-day spa or the Saturday manicure and pedicure treat is considered "heaven in a hat."

Spare time is fabulous for writing; starting or continuing a novel or group of articles that were shelved because of other priorities.

Now's a good time to clean out the garage. Wow! Found the old golf clubs and fishing gear. It's been a long time; the golf clubs need polishing and the fishing rod needs to be repaired or replaced; also need a new tackle box. Its musty presence announces itself when opened.

The family dinner disappeared on the calendar. It's time to coordinate and reinstate this weekly gathering of catching up and sharing. The choice is either testing self-skills at cooking since the maid is off or, enjoying a nice restaurant and walking away from the dishes.

The home-based business which was last year's project and this year's spare time "launch." Selling products from home and having friends over for the "promo party."

Started to clean out the attic and stumbled onto grandma's dusty trunk of tainted treasures which translates in today's "primo antiques" what a find! Time well-spent restoring or recreating "old to new." A venture in itself.

Taking day or evening courses to enrich and expand the mind. Learning a new language; now there's something that is always in demand. Knowledge is food for the brain and never goes out of style.

Traveling is educational; new sites, new cities or even abroad. However, a family member or very honest and reliable friend would need to house sit or supervise the maid for this duration.

Life is short and far too precious to overdo in any direction. The work hard/play hard concept has lost its significance because of daily commitment overload. Down time or spare time is a form of focused relaxation for the mind and body; hence hiring a maid now puts spare time to good use.

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