Guess what. Somehow in the midst of the economic hoopla, I managed to wrangle myself a little escape from all the drama. I was so excited. It was my first vacation in like...forever. I was strongly considering taking the children with me, but then I remembered that their father had been free of their full assault for about four months and figured it was past time he had a heavy dose of teenage mood swings and pre-teen mischief.
When I told him I was taking holiday, he dutifully asked if I needed money for the children's tickets. Then I informed him it was a solo trip and all I needed was for him to keep the kids over the holidays. If you heard the words that came out of his mouth your ears would have curled. I knew he was expecting me to fly back at him, but when I calmly looked at him and said nothing, he shut his mouth and stepped back.
I informed him I would be gone for three weeks and the kids had been enrolled in a number of activities that he needed to make sure that they got to and from. It may seem harsh of me to simply inform him I was leaving and not to see if he was available, but my mind and body were screaming for escape. I wasn't about to take no for an answer. Plus, he had done the same thing many times over the years of our marriage. He would suddenly come home and inform me he had to travel for work, then he was gone. I think it's my turn to do the same. At least I'm giving him advance notice.
The escape I would be going on was divided into two parts. The first would be a seven-day cruise of the Caribbean visiting several amazing islands such as St. Thomas and St. Maarten. Then when I returned, there would be two weeks of retail therapy in New York aimed at making sure my pathetic clothes got the updates they so desperately needed. It was a sudden decision. I had been talking with an old friend, Liz, who I had not seen for a long time. She suggested that since I was in the process of liberated myself, we should go on a trip together then I come visit with her in New York.
I was shocked at first by the suggestion. I hadn't been on a holiday for just myself in so long I couldn't remember what it was like. I had taken the kids to Disney World a few years back, but since then we hadn't had any other major trips together. The kids had gone on trips for their various competitive sports groups and I had accompanied them as a chaperone once or twice, but a trip for just my own pleasure. That was something I can't say I can remember doing at all.
It took a lot of saving on my part because I knew I really wanted to do this right, but it was worth it. From the moment I stepped onto the ship any apprehension I had about the trip drifted away with the lovely breeze that was blowing onto our balcony. Everything was amazing, from our room with the I-never-want-to-get-up mattress, to the amazing service we got at every turn.
Our schedule was...correction, we had no schedule and simply came and went as the mood struck us. We took our time getting to know the ship and saw what there was to offer in terms of activities on and off the ship. There was the spa, so amazing I wish I had one in my house when I remember the things they did to my body when I went to have a massage. The skill of the fingers working over my body was so perfect I had to go again.
Other than the spa, I made sure I got my money's worth for the trip, going on shore excursions and using the ships facilities to their fullest. This was my first cruise, and when I discovered what was available for my entertainment I was quite flabbergasted. If I didn't want to watch a floor show, there were movies under the stars or if I just wanted to just enjoy the atmosphere of the boat I could just pick a spot and relax.
My exercising also didn't falter. I made sure I went for a good brisk walk every morning and a pleasant stroll in the afternoon around the ship. It became a must after the first day after I saw the amount of food that I had to resist it became a matter of importance that I kept up my exercise. I also ventured into the gym and did a bit of work on the elliptical machine but I have to admit I enjoyed the walk around the deck more because you got to see more people.
When the cruise was over I started on the second part of my holiday. It was off to Liz's house for the rest of the time. The cruise had allowed me to relax and admittedly I did do some shopping at some of the ports, but nothing like I intended to do now. This was going to be hardcore, no-holds-barred retail therapy.
When I got in the first shop I was shocked at the prices and I started to pick just based on the price. Liz, I called her "the shopist", all but snatched most of the stuff out of my hands and tossed them aside. I had gone price crazy and had forgotten the rules. She told me to stop and think, making sure that I considered every piece like it cost a million dollars. She told me the key pieces I needed to look for and made sure that I tried on every single thing I bought.
I took my time with my choices, and by the end of it all, I got some amazing pieces. Lesson learnt—if you take your time when it comes to shopping, you could discover some astonishing bargains. I got all my need pieces and some amazing indulgence pieces. I also got some stuff for the kids and one outfit I know my daughter will be over the moon about. It was worth it all.
Back on track mentally, I knew the holiday was the right thing and it was something that I needed to repeat if I wanted to stay sane. So as I pack to go home, the plans are in the woodwork for my next trip. I have discovered the benefits of relaxation and I plan to embrace it. You never know, I may try to do it more than once a year!
YOU ARE READING
Diary of a Recovering Idiot
ChickLit"It's time to trade up to a newer model," said Walter. "I had you for twenty years too long." Those were the words that threw my life into a tailspin and placed me on a journey of chaotic rediscovery. Soon it was a matter of surviving because I had...
