A Brief Escape
I wrapped up work at the condo just in time for a getaway weekend to Charlotte (or, more specifically, Waxhaw), North Carolina to visit two of my sisters.
The original plan was for Dave and Nicole to go also. But original plans never seem to last for long around here. That’s why arranging flights is one of my absolute favorite activities. After spending $150, I was down to one ticket rather than three.
Why the change in plans? Because we experienced another one of those heart-pounding-and-shaking-uncontrollably sports moments. This time with Nicole’s high school basketball team.
With the win, they lived to play another game. Smack dab in the middle of our planned weekend.
So, while I was sitting next to someone who was not my daughter, I was contemplating this scene from the plane window:
And I was thinking, “Get me out of here.”
And what did I see in Waxhaw?
People.
People outside.
People who were not rushing to get inside.
People who were not bundled up in coats, hats, and gloves.
People who were not hunched over to conserve heat and protect themselves from the elements.
People who did not look miserable.
We were actually able to sit out on the porch, go for walks, and eat outside. (Yes, Meagan was able to join us from D.C.)
Over the course of the weekend, two facts were reinforced.
One, my sisters are shoppers, and I am not. They also have a sense of style, and I don’t. Maybe those two characteristics are related. I love the stuff that they buy and wear, but I have no idea what they do with it all. They also have magazine gorgeous houses, where mine is a little dated in certain spots. For example, my kids all think I should update the Ethan Allen Circa 1776 bedroom furniture I have from the early 80’s and the bedding and curtains I bought in the early 90’s.
Two, we are all very competitive. Joanne had her heart set on us attending a CrossFit class with her Saturday morning because she has been working quite hard at it. The more I drank Friday night, the more I dreaded that CrossFit class. Especially since I had made fun of her for a blister that she got the last time she was there. In the early morning hours, when I was awake with a headache, I was wondering how I was going to get through that class without embarrassing myself. But I managed. I even did something new. I jumped on top of a 20″ high box – which is something for me considering how short my legs are. And now we can add CrossFit to the list of things I want to do.
Unfortunately, I had to board a plane back to Logan. At least the temps are predicted to be in the 40’s. I think I’ll head outside.
