I took a much needed mini-vacation this week. Okay, the end of this week. Two days. That was all I could afford. I'm planning to write about it in the official Sunday post, so I'll leave out some parts for now.
I headed up to Amish country and stayed in a hotel up there. Last night was my "relax and retreat" night and today was my "shop like crazy" day. Both days, despite less than ideal weather, were amazing.
Not being a well-seasoned traveler, this was an adventure of sorts for me. I borrowed my parents' coverless atlas, just in case I needed to find a new path. Right about 15 miles from my destination, I had to take a detour. Of course, driving down a highway is not the time to pull out an atlas and start reading, so I called Mom (sorry, Chris...talking on the cell phone while driving...I'm still waiting for that post!). She got out HER map at home and talked me through a new route. Apparently that should have been my plan from the start. Call Mom and have her read the atlas.
The hotel was great and my worst fear did not come true. I have the worst luck with key cards. I figured I would get there and my key would not work and I would have to go ask for help and be the idiot traveler who can't get into her room. But never fear...it worked beautifully!
As evening approached last night, I heard thunder. Great. I hate storms. Even though TV was supposed to be forbidden until bedtime (I was there to spend time with God, not watch TV), I turned it on to see if there were any "CRAWL UNDER FURNITURE NOW" warnings. I found a tornado watch, but the outline of counties meant nothing to me. I didn't know where I was located at that moment. Even if they'd posted county names...I didn't know that either. You know, hotels really should list that sort of thing. I just decided to hope they'd pound on my door if I was in life-threatening danger and proceeded to attempt to remain calm about the weather.
I had a completely relaxing weekend...and even stayed down in the common eating area for the continental breakfast. (Major phobia of eating alone in public.) I just pulled out a newspaper to read. I'm so turning into my father.
Had a great time shopping...even found some new coffee stuff for my kitchen. I decided to decorate with a coffee theme and then discovered it's nearly impossible to find coffee stuff to use in decoration. I found enough stuff to hang on the wall...now I am looking for things to perch above my cabinets. SUCCESS today!
When I ran out of money, I started for home - by a different route. Kind of like the wise men.
So now that I've seen quite a bit of Indiana...I'm home. The cats welcomed me. More of a "Where's our treat supply?" welcome than a "Missed you!" welcome. I'm quite sure I don't even want to know what they did while I was gone.
7 comments:
Yea for Amish Country!!! Natalie and I went to Napanee for a marriage conference back in our IWU days. Good memories! And I have met so many people who have a fear of eating alone in public ... what is this about?
B
I'm so very proud of you! I really miss our family's annual Shipshe trips. And yes, you'll probably hear from Chris about driving and using the cell phone at the same time! I don't like eating alone either, so if I go alone to BK etc., I usually eat in the car.
Brandon - My fear of eating alone in public (in a non-fast food setting, where for some reason it feels okay) is that people will be like "Oh look at that loser eating alone." I don't know why I worry about that since when I am out and see others eating alone, I don't think that about them...but still, when it's me, I feel like everyone STARES. Ick.
Amy - Eating in the car reminds me that Marie's biggest pet peeve is people who go through the drive through, and then pull in to a parking space and eat. It drives her nuts. So when we eat out together, I try to point out everyone who does it just to watch her roll her eyes. :)
Awww I love road trips. Although I've never went by myself and stayed in a hotel by myself and ate by myself. I probably need to try that.
REALLY? I figured I was the last one on earth to travel alone. I'm glad that I have company in my boat! I think you should try it - it was really fun!
blogathaBekah,
I've traveled alone and eaten in sit-down restaurants alone (I bring a book to read for that). I figure, if I wait for someone else to be available to go with me, I might never be able to go. And I don't want to miss out...
If you walk in the restaurant with your head held high, like you own the place, people won't think you're a loser. They'll think you're a class act, someone who knows who she is and what she wants and isn't afraid to get it.
Also, I drive thru a fast-food joint and then eat in the parking lot when I'm listening to the radio and don't want to miss anything.
Skyepuppy - If I see you out touring the US and eating in the parking lot, I'll take a picture for Marie. :)
I felt pretty good about eating alone in the cafe (because you're right - had I waited for someone to go with me, I'd have starved to death - well, in about 10 years) but it was mostly old people eating in there. THEY gave me funny looks. Apparently they are still of the persuasion that you should eat in groups - or in twos at the very least. :)
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