Unplugged...

It's that time of the year when I purposefully unplug from the world.

Not because I'm angry or hurt or worried about something, but because I just know it's good for me to take a step back and recharge myself.

My days are spent sleeping and reading. Cooking and eating. Sharing love and laughter with my best friend.

I don't need and expensive get-away. All I need is to be enveloped with the ones I love and do the things I love to do.

I unplug from work and high maintenance acquaintances.

I unplug from the outside world and the ugliness that surrounds it.

I know it's the right thing to do because I wind up smiling and laughing more.

My mind runs amok with ideas and I'm starting to get the itch for remodeling a room in the house.

As I unplug, I wind up finding bits of me that had been plowed over by various bombardments.

Now all I need is to win the lottery so I can continue to be a happy hermit.

Bumming out...

Why is it that when I take a vacation my clothes make me look homeless?

Is it because my work clothes are so binding? High heels that contort my feet - tights that cling to my skin - skirts that don't let a person breathe?

As I gaze at my reflection in the mirror, I see a person who looks as if she brushed her hair with an egg beater.

The faded and torn jeans have been thoroughly broken in. They were not purchased "distressed." These jeans are worn out.

The sweater is large and comfortable with the long sleeves rolled up to my elbows.

My eyes twinkle back at me and I laugh.

If only my work would allow this type of attire.

Imagine how the business world attitude would change if we were allowed to work in whatever made us happy.

I think my world would be a better and softer place to be.

Kamikaze Blapper

It was supposed to be a secret treat.

A whispered phone call and quiet plans.

Nothing crazy - just a date at noon.

Not a nooner.

We greet each other with a kiss and then head to our destination holding hands.

I grab a table while you place our order.

The cook calls our number and you grab our lunch.

You sit across from me and smile as I take my first bite.

You turned for a moment to greet the person behind you. I know you didn't want to ignore a familiar face.

The simple politeness cost us our alone time.

What started out as a "Hey, how's it going?" turned into an "all about Steve" fest.

He hijacked my date.

Talking about his new car and how great it is. How great he is. How great he's always been.

It would've been funny if it weren't so sad.

He spends his entire time trying to sell himself to you.

I'm not really considered since I'm just a woman and obviously not nearly as smart or great or interesting as he is.

His loss.

I finish my lunch and urge you to do the same.

The clock on the wall tells me it's time to head back to the exciting world of shuffling papers again.

Our private get-away was torpedoed and there was no time to fix it.

Next time I think we should be rude and ignore everyone.

Drive by Peeper...

I don't drive that much at night anymore. Everything seems too dark. Darker than it used to be.

Since I'm a passenger at night, I get to spend my time gazing out the window.

I love to drive past homes with their lights on.

Not to see what the occupants are doing. That would ruin if for me.

I want to see how the homes are decorated. Are the walls cluttered with pictures? Are they bare? Why did they paint that wall that color? Don't they know people can see inside their homes? Do they even care?

While I love to be a drive-by peeper, my intentions are purely nosy.

My home is buttoned up tight. I use my curtains as an unpenetratable shield. My walls and decorations remain a mystery to the outside world.

I enjoy peering inside other peoples homes, but I don't want people peering inside mine.

I'm a hypocrite I know, but it is what it is.

Three Sheets...

Laughter filled the kitchen again.

It had been a while since I had seen my friends.

I bumble around. My fingers clumsy and my speech wanting to be slurred.

I have forgotten that this friendship was alcohol-based. Not that a few toddies are a bad thing, but I'm a light-weight anymore.

A couple of double martinis knock me for a loop.

My laughter comes freely and I am of a loose mood. I lean on the counter and laugh at the stupid ideas - which at the moment sound pretty good.

I know tomorrow I will have to go to work.

I know tomorrow my head will pound and my stomach will churn all day.

I also know that right now I treasure my friends more than a hangover.

Cheers!