I gave myself a wonderful gift this past Friday – a weekend getaway.
My sister and I decided to attend a writers’ meeting hosted by the Nashville RWA chapter. Music City Romance Writer’s Annie Solomon gave an excellent presentation on plotting the romantic suspense novel.
But we decided to treat ourselves further. We reserved a hotel room and headed up Friday night. We had dinner with some of the Nashville girls, laughing and talking over Cajun food. The meeting the next day was followed by lunch with many of the chapter members, then this mother’s favorite luxury – an uninterrupted nap.
We had talked about going to see a movie, but decided to instead see something of downtown Nashville during a walking ghost tour. We got to experience some beautiful sights in the twilight, including the state capital building and grounds (above), the Hermitage Hotel, and the Rymen Auditorium. Our tour guide was entertaining and really nice too! Can you imagine having to walk for 90 minutes on sultry southern nights in this dress and heeled boots? But she never once complained!
Sunday we met the morning with some writing, then lunch and shopping at the Cool Springs Galleria before the drive home.
The best part? I returned to my family relaxed, happy, and inspired. I’m a firm believer in these little getaways – whether its for a few hours or a few days. I call them “mental health days”. They give me a chance to step out of the daily grind and gain a new, more objective perspective on life’s little (and big) issues.
Sometimes I can only do a weekend getaway once a year, more if I’m lucky, but I at least make time for one day a month with my writing friends and Playfriends. In my opinion, it makes me a better wife, mother, and writer.
So tell me, what’s your favorite getaway? How do you keep yourself sane amidst life’s daily pressures?
Angel
6 comments:
Sounds like fun! Some time you should take the Nash Trash tour. It's a riot! You get the down and dirty on Nashville. ;-)
I love getting away to visit my granddaughter in Birmingham and also visiting my son in the Smoky Mountains.
And I'm having a getaway tomorrow! I'm going to the James Taylor concert and staying over with a fabu girlfriend. I'm gonna hit World Market and maybe have lunch with another friend. That's still in the works.
Glad you had such a great time.
Sounds fun! Glad you has some time to yourself! I love Nashville; that's where I met my husband. I haven't take the ghost tour but it sounds exciting! I love doing those things! Did you see any ghosts?
I like to go to the beach when I need to recharge. There's something about the water that makes me feel better. Hopefully I'll be getting the chance to go soon!
Nope, no ghosts. But it was very entertaining, and the city was beautiful at night (even the not-so-beautiful parts). :) I've never heard of the Nash Trash tour, PM. Must look into that!
Yay on the concert! That sounds like fun.
Lots of people enjoy the beach -- that's where all my work colleagues want to go on vacation. I'm a mountain kind of girl myself. Less chance of getting burnt. :)
Angel
I don't really care where I go, but it makes a difference with how I feel afterward. A weekend to someplace I've never been, and I'll want to go and see and do. A weekend to a cabin or the beach and I just want to sit and do nothing. I like both, but I come back from most vacations tired.
I had to cancel on a girl's trip to the beach the other weekend. Bummed me out. There's nothing like sitting around the beach or a hot tub with wine and girl talk. It cures most ailments.
Oh, Amen. Especially on the hot tub. My sister and I didn't even think about swimsuits until we got there, only to realize they had both a pool and a hot tub. Would have been nice...
Angel
Sounds awesome! I think I'll have to check out that ghost tour the next time I head up to Nashville.
Lately, all of my time away from family has been a working vacation - i.e. not relaxing in the least. I really need to schedule some me time.
Instigator
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