Happy Valentine's Day, Foxy Lady
The following entry was written by Mary Tsao of Mom Writes.
As I sit here thinking about my entry for the Mommybloggers Valentine's Day Rumble, I keep coming back to the topic of love. Sure, I love my kids and I love my husband, but you know whom I love most of all? Me.
This post is about taking the time to tell yourself, "Hey, foxy lady, I love you!" I know it sounds corny; you can substitute "hot mama" for "foxy lady" if you'd like. But if you don't love you, nobody else will. And when you love yourself, you're a happier person. Everything else falls into place from there.
The radical notion I'm about to propose is that in honor of Valentine's Day, you take that foxy lady, that hot mama you
love--you!--and treat her to a weekend away. If you've got money to burn, book your getaway at a spa. If you're still paying off bills from Christmas, don't despair. Use these tips to turn any motel into a place where you can rejuvenate your mind, body, and spirit. Mom, you deserve a break.
Planning a Foxy Lady's Weekend Away
Get out your calendar and figure out which weekend is best for you to sneak away. If you plan your getaway, you greatly increase the odds that you'll actually do it. After you figure out who will watch your munchkins when you're gone, get their agreement in writing. I'm not kidding. "It went off without a hitch," is how you want to start the
description of your weekend away.
What do you like to do when you're alone and have nobody to please but yourself? Don't laugh. When was the last time somebody cared about what you wanted to do? Okay, now stop crying. Do you like to shop? See movies that aren't animated? Go on long hikes? Find a location one to two hours away from your home that has attractions you like.
The key to getting away in both body and mind is to make it overnight. If you're low on cash, check out priceline.com, where you can name your price for a hotel room in the area of your choosing. Try and get a room with a bathtub; an uninterrupted hot bath is key to a relaxing getaway.
It's the little things that differentiate an expensive hotel from a less expensive hotel. If your getaway is at Motel 6, make sure you bring with you the following items: a basket of fresh fruit, small bars of high quality chocolate, a bottle of wine and a wine glass (Don't forget the corkscrew!), a warm bathrobe, fuzzy slippers, good-smelling bath products. Add whatever else makes you happy, whether it's a bag of dorritos, a box of good-n-plenty, or your own
pillow.
If you're staying at a spa, no problem. Depending on your budget, book a facial, a manicure, a pedicure, a massage. If you're not staying at a spa, no problem. Before you go, think about your personal beauty routine and use your time away to give yourself a do-it-yourself makeover. Get your hair cut, color your hair, give yourself a face mask, pluck your eyebrows, exfoliate, pumice your feet, paint your toenails, be nice to yourself.
Use your alone time as an opportunity to take life down a notch. Talk slower than your normally do. Shower and get dressed without hurrying. Experience the joy that comes when you don't have to scream or yell at anybody. Spend time in silent thought. Meditate. And if you fall asleep, take a nice long nap!
You work hard at a life of thankless drudgery (or at least that's how it feels sometimes.) You deserve time away. Your husband or partner or friend can take care of the kids without you for a day or two. You are worth every penny this getaway is costing. Rinse, lather, repeat.
Now, who do you love, baby?
Comments
Mary, that is a fabulous idea. I may just try it.
Posted by: Julie | February 11, 2006 6:34 PM
That PICTURE just Kills me!!! AAAAH!!! Still laughing!
Mary, you are the cat's pajamas.
Posted by: Meghan | February 12, 2006 8:45 AM
OK, I'm inspired.
I usually go on a scrapbooking weekend in the spring, but this year I didn't feel like it. Now I'm thinking, why should that mean I don't go away at all?
I'd be happy with the hotel down the street. :)
Posted by: Kris | February 12, 2006 8:42 PM
P.S. I LOVE the picture :)
Posted by: Kris | February 12, 2006 8:43 PM
Mary - you ROCK! I am adopting that attitude today! I will buy myself flowers tomorrow and some chocolates, and maybe something else a little special. Here I was blase' about Valentines Day, thinking it would be no big deal except getting a little gift for my daughter and cooking her favorite meal for supper. Now, I know I can do something special for me...duh! Why couldn't I think of that on my own???
Posted by: ishouldbeworking | February 13, 2006 1:06 PM
I have learned to do this!! VEry fun, and NOOOO guilt
Posted by: armywifetoddlermom | February 15, 2006 7:52 AM
when gnome steal table roll: http://www20.sbs.com.au/movieshow/ , small, beautiful, small nothing comparative to red
Posted by: Dustin Adams | March 29, 2006 3:21 PM
You guys are the 51438 best, thanks so much for the help.
Posted by: Caty Tota | June 8, 2006 3:47 PM