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.
Good for you. I'm glad to hear you're having fun and look forward to the rest of the story upon your return.
Posted by: Margaret in Minnesota | 28 June 2008 at 07:19 PM
PS. Assuming you find your notes.
Posted by: Margaret in Minnesota | 28 June 2008 at 07:19 PM
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!!
Posted by: Barbara C. | 02 July 2008 at 08:08 PM