Quiet distractions.

I am sitting in the kitchen, with the kids in bed and husband away and soaking in the quiet. I have always needed my alone time, and it seems that need increases with each passing day. I just can't wait to have that time that I can do what I want to do for me. Not answering the same client question for the third time. Not getting a drink for a thirsty four year old. Not cleaning the bathroom because I have 15 minutes and need to do something productive with it.
Usually I try to do something creative in this time. Work on photographs, scrapbook, create something that has meaning. But lately I've been distracted. And it's interfering with my quiet time.
I feel like my countertop looks at any given point in time. If you have ever been into my house, you will remember the long island in my kitchen that houses the cooktop. It's not a great use of space, but seems to have found purpose as a dumping ground. It's the first spot to put anything down when you walk into the house, so the keys, purse, mail and any other random items usually end up there. When it is cluttered, I am stressed. I put the food there when I have parties, and that is a happy time. When it is clean, I have some peace. Even if it's short lived.
I guess lately I am feeling like that countertop must feel. Like I need to be the bearer of all items, important or not, that need a place to rest until they are taken care of. I really just want to sit here and look pretty. It is a gorgeous solid red granite piece under all that paper after all.... But bills, homework, catalogs, permission slips, fundraisers and toast crumbs all get left there. The kids hang on it. Mark empties his pockets on it. I leave anything there that needs to be seen to be remembered (which is everything these days....). If it's on the countertop, it's on my mind.
My house is quiet. My countertop is clean. I have taken care of the days tasks and even checked a few big items off my to-do list. But I still can't seem to get out of my own way lately and just let the creativity flow. So I keep staring at that countertop and realize I haven't polished it in awhile. I wipe the dust off daily, but haven't really given it a good shine in a long time.
So that must be my answer. Now that the clutter is gone (OK, almost gone, there is a pad of paper and pencil on there) it must be time to give some attention to the countertop itself. I will polish it, and almost as a thank you, it will shine again.
Kristin