The Week Ahead

I'm back from the country and I'm happy to say that there is nothing better than waking up in the morning knowing that the biggest decision I'll have to make all day is what to wear to dinner.

The plantation was interesting. I was overwhelmed with the history that surrounded me and I tried to reconcile the crimes that had once taken place on those fifty acres and the complete peace that I was feeling so many years later. The main house was beautiful and it was surrounded by several tiny cottages which were once the slaves' quarters. The innkeeper explained that the state suggested that "slave quarters" was not politically correct and in the advertisements for the inn he should use the term "servants quarters". After meeting with his staff he declined to do so. After all, they weren't servants they were slaves and politically correct brochures were not going to change that fact.

In addition to the plantation we went on a winery tour. That was so much fun. We tasted nine different wines. I only really liked three. I loved one. We bought seven bottles. We spent the afternoon sitting at the foot of the blue ridge mountains drinking Meritage, eating crackers, cheese and peppered salami. I never wanted that day to end. I forget about the city. I forgot about the assholes at work. I forgot about anything and everything that ever weighed me down.

The evenings were just as nice. We were treated to beautiful five-course gourmet dinners at the inn and the staff spent time telling my guy that the place was haunted. We were back in the room each night before 10:00 p.m. and built a fire. We just lay in bed and talked and listened to the radio and watched the flames while the room filled with the smell of burning cedar logs. My guy was a little disappointed that the room had no television -- in my mind that was the best feature.

Sadly, the weekend had to come to a close and I'm now back in city. Luckily, I don't have to go back to the office for another week. I did some studying early this morning. I had a quick appointment at 11:00 and later I'm visiting the subject of my next restaurant review with my man. Tomorrow I'm going to the dentist, and Wednesday I'm getting a facial. I'm so excited because I've received coupons from my aesthetician ($25), JCP ($15) and DSW ($25) all because of my birthday! This is going to make my shopping excursion on Thursday that much more enjoyable. On Friday I'm going to see a matinee of The Secret Life of Bees and that should pretty much round out the week.

I hope you enjoy yours just as much!