Last night I indulged in a GNO with a couple of my friends. Overnight. In a beautiful hotel. Sans kids and smelly, poker playing hubbies.
We were belatedly celebrating my friends 40th birthday. Dinner and gambling in Greektown, along with people- watching(Seriously, it was like the People of Wal-Mart had a convention in Greektown.) and giggling, were highlights of our evening. Not to mention forgetting pjs and toothbrushes (not me, them :)) and taking the strangest elevator ride that wouldn’t drop us off on our floor.
Really? We didn’t even need to drink, although we brought our own wine which sat chilling in melted ice in the rooms garbage pail. We had PLANNED on partaking in libations in our room but somehow that never happened. I have a full bottle of a nice late harvest Reisling sitting in my fridge to prove it. We’re crazy like that, high on life and laughter. I have to admit though, it was nice to go to bed last night without worrying about waking up during the night dehydrated and hangover.
The wonderful thing was there no schedule or constraints. We didn’t have to rush home to get kids ready for bed. We didn’t have to take break up fights. There was no debating restaurants because of picky eaters. No pleading for five minutes of silence. No cleaning up after the kids messes.
No NOTHING.
It was what WE wanted to do, when WE wanted to do it. From Friday at 6:30pm until Saturday noon when I got dropped off at home.
It was pure bliss.
None of us missed our kids. Much more importantly, we had not a single ounce of guilt. None. Because, for less than 24 hours, we were chicks and not just about being a Mommy.
Why should there be guilt?
I’m with my kids 24/7 minus school and sleeping. They are top priority. They are completely aware of it and take full advantage. Playing, pulling, tugging, stomping on my heart and soul strings. So if I take a few hours of me time, because that’s really all it was, then good for me.
And THAT is exactly what it is. Good. For. Me. Both physically and emotionally.
Mommies need to do things besides being housewives, mothers and any other business that they may do during the day. At least for a couple of hours, every once in awhile.
We need to be and to feel human sometimes. To put on make up and blow out our hair to show off our pretties. Sometimes we lose sight of and have little time for taking care of ourselves because during the week when we are hurried and schlepping, we are lucky to get our hair up in a lump-less ponytail and throw on some mascara without causing raccoon eyes.
It was a well needed and deserved, this big, birthday bash GNO. For all 3 of us. And probably for our families, too. If only for a few hours, a few lost dollars and a couple of fattening meals.
But next time for our birthday celebration GNO, I’m going to push for a long weekend at a tropical locale that boasts frou-frou drinks with umbrellas and fruit slices. We hardworking Mommies deserve that, right?!
First time here. Hi! I had a GNO last night too. Not an overnighter though…I could use that loooongg weekend as well.
.-= Anne´s last blog ..Furrys Invade a Mom’s Night Out =-.
Damn straight, Melissa. Damn straight!
Your evening sounds glorious! I’m so glad you got to get together with your gal pals for a fun night out.
Saturday mornings are mine. I take off without the peeps and do what I want for a few hours. It is great… no guilt, no worries.
Hard working moms do need time to recharge… good for you!
.-= Tara R.´s last blog ..Weekly Winners ~ through the woods =-.
Hells to the YEAH. Sounds fantastic!
.-= Aunt Becky´s last blog ..Go Ask Aunt Becky =-.
What’s next? A week in PARIS? You know how it goes. It starts with a tiny taste of freedom and before you know it.. BAM. You’re telling the kids to blow their own noses and pour their own Frosted Flakes. It’s a slippery slope..and I shall eagerly join you there. I want the window seat and can be packed in FIVE.
.-= Adrienne´s last blog ..THE GRANNY DIARIES =-.
Good for you. By the sounds of things, you totally deserved it.
.-= MomZombie´s last blog ..Once a workaholic … =-.
Y’know, this is making me think grandmothers might need a GNO now and then, too. I may have to round up my grey-haired-granny peeps… hmmmm…
.-= Joni Golden´s last blog ..Michigan Women Running: Connie Saltonstall, 1st Congressional District =-.
Sounds like the perfect time out! And, you’re right, there is NO reason to feel guilty about the time you spend away from your kids. I’ll be you that men never feel guilty about their poker parties. Whoever started the idea that mothers need to be “there” for kids 120% of the time was insane.
My favorite getaways: I spend a long weekend twice a year at a monastery, and I try to get up to Mirbeau (a spa in upstate NY) at least once every two years. Which reminds me, I’m going on my second year…but, then, I’m doing another blog conference, so that will probably trump the spa. Oh, well.
.-= Michele´s last blog ..Imitation May Be Flattery, but It Still is Theft–And It Still Hurts =-.
Absofrickinlutely!! I do that at least once a year, even as a retired lady with no more kids at home and we and my girlfriends have a BLAST…every single time!
.-= The Retired One´s last blog ..More Lake Michigan Ice! =-.
That sounds like so much fun. I have started taking a solo trip or two and I love the alone time but the GNO sounds awesome!
.-= Another Suburban Mom´s last blog ..e[lust] #10 =-.
Amen, sister!!! I only wish my friends and I could actually work out the logistics. It’s so hard to find a sitter, a designated driver, a night when we all have no other obligations, etc. I’m glad you got to have a little fun. You deserve it!
.-= LB´s last blog ..My Kid Needs a Barf Bag =-.
That sounds like a fabulous idea! Might just do that for my birthday this year
.-= Jeanette´s last blog ..A concert at Kloofendal =-.