"One for lunch, ma'am?"

Four of the loveliest words in the English language, if you ask me.

I'm in Chicago.

All by myself.

A few weeks ago after Mark got back from a day of rock climbing that he'd tagged on to a business trip, I was fantasizing out loud about going away for a weekend.  Staying in a nice hotel, ordering room service, walking around, eating lunch by myself with a book, having a drink in the hotel bar, going to a museum and taking as much time as I wanted, etc.  And Mark said, "You know, you could do that if you wanted to."

I could?

"Sure, I can manage the kids for a couple of days by myself.  MJ's almost two, she'll be okay for a day or two without you.  If she asks for milk I'll make her a chocolate shake or something."

The idea that I could go away for a weekend by myself without any of the kids had completely dropped off my radar.  I just hadn't thought about it at all.

In the end I chose to be gone only one night. (After all, I don't want MJ to wean or anything.)  And I'm gone right now!  I'm blogging from the hotel business center on my way out to dinner.

Today I spent FIVE HOURS in the Art Institute of Chicago.  (And yes, Margaret, I did pay a nice long visit to the Seurat.)  I had lunch in the garden restaurant.  I sent a text message to my husband along the lines of "Sitting by reflecting pool w glass of bubbly.  Awaiting ahi tuna salad.  Love u!"  I thought I might take out my book and read, but I was so giddy just sitting there in the sun-filled courtyard, looking around at all the people (I was the only one there by myself), that I didn't need it.

I took a bunch of notes about the paintings and works I especially liked, but I lost my notes.  Sorry!  

Ah well, I'm getting hungry.  Time for that dinner, and that drink at the bar.

Comments

[Margaret in Minnesota]

Good for you. I'm glad to hear you're having fun and look forward to the rest of the story upon your return.

[Margaret in Minnesota]

PS. Assuming you find your notes.

[Barbara C.]

You are living the dream!! To be honest, though, I would have a hard time getting myself out of the room. Bath tub, nice big bed, room service...taking an uninterrupted bath, sleeping as much as I want, and being able to eat a meal without having to cook it, cut it for little people, and clean it all up myself. You are living the dream!!