Monday, October 13, 2008

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!

9 comments:

Shai said...

Reading this post made me go, Ahhh. LOL. Glad you had a good time.

lyre said...

Happy Birthday week if I forget. PS. I am getting my hair done Friday and goig on a shopping excursion too! I am finally doing me,and I KNOW you are proud of me. Love you!

chele said...

@ shai: The whole weekend made me go, Ahhh.

@ lyre: I'm so happy for you! You deserve every bit of attention that you give to yourself.

Mr. B2B said...

"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"

you have given me a plan for my next vacation...

and no TV is the plan... who needs TV when you've got Chele...
(no offense taken i hope)

thanks for sharing this

chele said...

@ b2b: no offense taken. I think this is the best kind of vacation ... the plan is to go back every year for my birthday!

princessdominique said...

There is nothing better than making your birthday last for a whole week. Enjoy it to the fullest. I hope you had 2 glasses of wine for me at least!

Believer said...

What a fantastic weekend! I was imagining the scenery of the Blue Ridge Mountains—and I wouldn't want to leave either.

Enjoy your birthday week and all the planned festivities.

Luke Cage said...

Hey beautiful Chele! It looks like your week was planned out well. Enjoy it to the fullest. The best of wishes to ya luv! * Hugs *

Bballmom said...

That place sounds wonderful. But, my hubby wouldn't survive a weekend of no TV. LOL