Barry and I's first weekend away from Branner together is coming up! We leave this Friday morning, and arrive in warm and sunny Miami before lunch. We have spent a few nights away from Branner, separately and together, but we haven't spent a whole weekend away at the same time yet.
Barry planned and set the whole thing up with my mom and then let me pick our destination once the logistics had been ironed out. I wanted to go to NYC, but February in NY is not exactly mild, so I went with somewhere a little warmer. We are staying at The Mayfair Hotel and Spa, and have dinner reservations at Bond St. on Friday and Prime 112 on Saturday thanks to the recommendations of several people including my dad. We're planning on having lunch and a couple of drinks at the famous Joe's Stone Crab upon our arrival Friday and we are going to shop, shop, shop and get a couple's massage Saturday afternoon. Ahhhhhh, vacation! I can't wait!
My first weekend away from Branner was a success! We left around 1:45 on Friday afternoon--surprisingly without any real tears from me. I fed Branner his lunch and put him down for his nap (I did get a little choked up at that point, but tried to hold it together), then packed my car and waited on Ashley and Colleen and for the fun to officially begin. We made a short pit stop to meet Stacey, who was coming from Winston where she had dropped her kiddos off, and headed up the mountain. A quick wardrobe change into stretchy pants and comfortable, warm tops was made by all before the "festivities" began. (Did I mention the snow?? There were several inches on the ground!) We gorged ourselves with junk food and a delicious meal from the Carriage House and broke out the adult beverages. We watched Sex and the City and went to bed early. It was the perfect night. I tried to sleep in on Saturday. I really, really did. However, the best I could do was 8:00, and I'm not going to lie, I am able to do that at home if Barry gets up with Branner in the morning. We ate breakfast and had some caffeine--be it coffee, Coke, or Diet Coke. And, then we lounged. And lounged. And lounged some more. It was delightful NOT to be on a schedule for the first time in 9 1/2 months. It was wonderful to be able to sit and do nothing. We watched Sex and the City 2 and Drop Dead Gorgeous. I took a nap. We ate pizza and had good wine and watched more movies and went to bed early. Sleeping in on Sunday was just not in the cards due to the time change and falling back an hour, so we ate breakfast, cleaned, got ready and headed down the mountain for lunch and a little shopping. I was anxious to get back to my boys. I missed them, but I am very thankful to have had a little time off to relax and recharge. And, I certainly did both! |
This afternoon, I will pack my car with my suitcase full of warm clothes, the junk food I purchased yesterday and Ashley and Colleen's weekend necessities. I will kiss my boys goodbye and head towards Beech Mountain for my first weekend away from Branner. I am excited and nervous and scared, but I need this time away with my college roomies.
Per the picture, when mommy is happy, everyone is happy!
