recovery

When you have a hellish week and need to recover, you should try to do the following: (it worked for me!)

1. Get your hair cut and colored. It had been so long, I had almost forgotten how rejuvenating it can be.

2. Go on a big shopping trip to Costco. This was the first I had been able to do since our return from Paris, due to Christmas expenses. I filled a cart, filled my trunk. I came home and unpacked everything, stocking the pantry, freezer, and long-term storage. It was such a thoroughly American experience -- it made me feel more thoroughly home than I previously felt.

3. Have an overnighter with girlfriends. Collette gave the book club girls a night away for Christmas, and last night was the appointed night.

today happened to be Collette's birthday! {photo by Jill}

We may have all been a little giddy to actually be getting away, even though we hardly had to travel at all. {photo by Jill}

We went to the nearby theater to catch a movie while Amy went to a dance recital, but the movie was sold out. (Collette's husband had forbidden us from seeing Made in Rome, causing us to curse his name.) Instead, we hung out at the hotel and talked.

We met up with Amy and went to JCW's for burgers, fries, and fry sauce. Mine had thick chunks of avocado, yum.

Then back to the hotel for jammies, game-playing, and book discussion.

Okay, what the? I found this to be completely distracting the whole time we were there. What circumstances necessitated these signs? (Lelly?) I just can't imagine people hanging things on the sprinkler heads...

Amy gave us belated Christmas gifts, which morphed into handmade Valentine gifts. So so cute!!

Collette, ready for a game. She proclaimed herself a "game virgin," which we all found hilarious.


We played Quiddler, which is highly enjoyable. Jana and Amy both had their iPhones out, checking dictionary.com for the validity of their words.

Jana creamed us!

I am in love with this picture the Jill took. I tell you, she has the best angles!

We had a good discussion of our February book, The Help. It was a great book, and a great book club book. So much to talk about.

Jenn introduced us to her new favorite treat, Oreos with raspberries inside. Never in my life would I have thought to combine the two like this, but it is delicious. {photo by Jill}

When we eventually went to bed, Jana, who is 7 months pregnant, declared she would be sleeping on the floor. As you can imagine, that caused an uproar. We insisted she sleep in a bed, of course!

Amy went out to her car to cool off in the middle of the night (it got really hot in our room). I found this hilarious.

I can't tell you how delicious it was to wake up without hearing someone calling out "Mommy!" -- that was the best part. Also eating these fabulous tiny bundt cakes for breakfast. {photo by Jill}

We were admiring Amy's shoes, which apparently she bought at Smith's Marketplace (local grocery store). No way.

We all got ready and prepared to leave...

and then went to a matinee of Dear John. It wasn't a movie I would choose (definitely NOT a fan of Nicholas Sparks), but at least the actors were easy on the eyes, and there were a couple of tender moments.

Collette, Jana, and Amy left for home after the movie, while Jill, Jenn and I went in to the deli at Thanksgiving Point for lunch. We ate and then taught Jenn how to play Jill's Skip-Bo game. After a nice, long game, Jenn had to leave. Jill and I browsed at Emporium for awhile and then went home ourselves.

Ah yes, the prescribed treatment has worked. I now feel like I can (possibly) face another week. Thanks, girls!