 Remember that song that went, “Mama Said There’d Be Days Like This?”
Well, Mama neglected to mention that one day could morph into days, weeks, a month.
This past month has been, let’s say, trying. Between many illnesses, assorted injuries, a couple of unexpected bills, and the usual trials and tribulations of raising three kids (one of them a stereotypical teenager), these days I can only think of one thing as stress levels and sleepless nights stack up.
Escape.
I need a vacation.
Yesterday my husband and I talked about a quick weekend getaway, somewhere nice and quiet, far from kids, stress…life. Ahhhhh.
Never mind that we couldn’t think of a single place to go. Or figure out a free weekend to do it—they’re few and far between these hectic days.
However, just the thought of getting away is relaxing—somewhat. In my head I can picture that happy place, and it seems to block the stuff going on around me.
What I’d really like to know is what you do? What do you do when your stress level is sky high and you can’t escape? Hot bath? Good book? Gardening? Dinner out?
Until I can make reservations, I’m taking suggestions!
~heather
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Ah, you’re talking the story of my life. I bought a t-shirt at Malice Domestic that says, “I keep hitting the escape key, but I’m still here.”
My favorite weekend get-away escape is to Presque Isle on Lake Erie, but even daydreaming about standing on the beach with gentle waves lapping against my toes helps.
Basically, anyplace I go for a day and be near the water–any water be it lake, river or ocean–helps de-stress me. Notice I said NEAR the water, not IN it. I can’t swim. Go figure.
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Hot bath, good book. Lots of bubbles and a lock on the door.
OR…..a big bag of M&M’s and a trip to the Christmas Tree Shop. Do you have those in Ohio?
by Debbie
on October 16th, 2006 at 7:14 am
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Hot bath & good book get a vote from me. Or a weekend away at one of the Ohio state park lodges–a little hiking, some decent meals, sleeping, pretty surroundings, not ridiculously expensive…
Also good: manicures, shoe shopping, and watching two or three fun & silly movies in a row.
by Sharon
on October 16th, 2006 at 7:49 am
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Annette, LOL on the t-shirt. Sounds like I need to get one of those. And standing on the shores of Lake Erie sounds wonderful right about now…too bad it’s a four to five hour drive from here.
by Heather
on October 16th, 2006 at 8:49 am
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Debbie, I’m thinking the hot bath and good book just may have to do the trick. We don’t have an official Christmas Tree Shop around here (that I know of), but I don’t think I’d head there–it would just remind me of all the things I have to get done in the next couple of months! But the M&M’s…now we’re talking.
by Heather
on October 16th, 2006 at 8:50 am
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Oooh, Sharon, shoes. I do need boots! All in the name of therapy, right? Woo-hoo.
by Heather
on October 16th, 2006 at 8:52 am
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A pedicure does the trick for me. Or simply a trip to Panera and then a pedicure. I’ve also been known to just jump on a plane and go visit friends or family for a weekend, but I don’t have to worry about kids.
by Amy Desrosiers
on October 16th, 2006 at 10:28 am
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I sit on the couch with my wife and watch Good Eats. Popcorn is optional, but recommended. We make plans to make the dishes Alton Brown does, but we rarely do. After that comes the reason why married men are so much more relaxed than single men. I feel sorry for those guys.
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I’m with Annette, being around water is my A-number one escape of choice.
When that isn’t possible, music and some sort of chocolate often helps.
by Laura
on October 16th, 2006 at 1:23 pm
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It’s your own fault. What has Theo been telling you for years? “Kids always ruin a good time.”
Lock the kids in the basement, sell the house, fake your own death, and move to an undisclosed location. Otherwise, suck it up, and tough it out.
by Theo Epstein
on October 16th, 2006 at 5:16 pm
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Hi Amy! (waving like crazy!) Look, Debbie, it’s Amy! I’m headed to Panera tomorrow (my usual: toasted plain bagel, veggie cream cheese, Dr Pepper), so maybe that will help. I’ve actually never had a pedicure. Might have to try that out!
Glad you found your way over to the blog!
by Heather
on October 16th, 2006 at 8:21 pm
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Laura, the closest outdoor water is the birdbath outside the kitchen window. Does that count?
I did have a Twix bar and hot chocolate today. And yes, it helped!
by Heather
on October 16th, 2006 at 8:22 pm
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Theo, didn’t I tell you, the kids go to you in our will? So you might want to rethink that whole faked death idea.
by Heather
on October 16th, 2006 at 8:24 pm
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Theo will gladly take the younger two–Theo can always use some cheap labor in his wallet factory. Riley and his ‘tude? They’re on their own.
by Theo Epstein
on October 16th, 2006 at 9:25 pm
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Ron, LOL. Good suggestion. One I’ll definitely take into consideration. Who doesn’t love the Food Network?
by Heather
on October 17th, 2006 at 6:07 am
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My hubby and I find that even a couple of hours at a restaurant by ourselves can make a huge difference. The kids love having baby-sitters (it doesn’t happen very often, so it’s a novelty) and we get a meal where we get to eat without having to leave the table to get this or get that… Of course, the last time we’ve actually BEEN out was sometime back in August…
by Judy
on October 17th, 2006 at 7:34 am
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Hi Amy….yeah!! So glad you’re here!
I LOVE LOVE pedicures too! Looking forward to my day at the spa with my mom and sister. That’s my yearly treat for myself. This year though, I’m taking my 8yr old daughter so she can have some “girl” time with her Auntie and Nana.
I love Panera! The Asian Sesame Chicken Salad is the only thing I ever get. Diet coke for me. I never developed a taste for the Dr. Pepper. Sorry, H.
by Debbie
on October 17th, 2006 at 10:17 am
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Heather, I try to buy gift cards for pedicures for all the women in my life. They like it so much better than those new toasters (of course, I’m kidding!!)
When I hear the phrase “happy place,” I always think of the movie Happy Gilmore. You have to love a movie where they hit Bob Barker.
by Jeff
on October 17th, 2006 at 7:19 pm
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I don’t know Jeff. A good toaster is hard to find! But a pedicure would be good too! 
Happy Gilmore is one of our favorites! And *gasp* how can you not love Bob Barker????
by Heather
on October 18th, 2006 at 9:33 am
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