Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Shine on the one that's come and left me blue...

On Thursday, I'm headed to Kentucky for the Kentucky Writers Conference. Saturday, I'll be at the Southern Kentucky Bookfest. Apparently R.L. Stine attended this event years ago, and while I'm not famous like that, I'll be certainly be among good company. Including Lauretta Hannon. I adore her.

I've been planning for this event for a while. Thinking and preparing. I even bought a few new clothing items because my boss informed me that I looked like a band of gypsies could live in my pants with me.

But when I thought about it over the weekend, the thing I'm most looking forward to is not the chance to talk to new people and potentially sell some books. It's not the fact that I get to be around other people who like to read and write. It's not even the fact that I get to have dinner with some really cool people that I'm dying to meet. All of those are really awesome, mind you, but the thing I'm most excited about?

Forgetting my real life for a few days.

No work. No demands from anyone. No pressure. No trying to figure anything out and no trying to make anything better. No cooking and no cleaning. No going to the stupid freaking gym (which I simultaneously hate and love SO BAD). None of this. NONE.

Instead?

Meeting people who I have things in common with. Who think I'm interesting. Who actually want to meet me and talk to me. Leaving my towels on the floor and someone else picking them up (okay, I don't leave my towels on the floor. Whatever). Dinner that I don't have to prepare or clean up after. Long talks with close friends which aren't interrupted by someone needing something. I might actually get to sit down through an entire meal. I cannot remember the last time that happened, but I'm fairly sure it was sometime in 1997.

I get to be some version of Stephanie that I don't normally get to be.

Don't misunderstand. The version of me that I get to be isn't so bad. I love being a mom. Most of the time, I really love my job (Fridays and the day before Holidays notwithstanding). I love the stupid gym. I generally enjoy routine.

Sometimes, though, I think it's very healing to do something different. To have time to yourself. To not have to worry about everything and everybody for a few days and to just be...yourself. Even if you are struggling with who you are supposed to be.

I probably won't dance on any tables or anything, though.



Probably.

15 comments:

Allie said...

Enjoy yourself, it's great to get away and you deserve a break.

Bexterrific said...

No worries - I've got the table dancing covered. ;)

diane rene said...

I get what you are saying - S O O get it. have a great time and enjoy yourself. you'll miss the kids and routine by the time you get home and that's what is supposed to happen :)

Jill said...

hear, hear! have fun.

Danielle said...

I hope you have the best time!!

elle said...

My husband and I refer to those sorts of weekends as "selfish trips", and they are always glorious and rejuvinating! Enjoy the snot outta it!

CPA Mom said...

I completely understand. I've don't done that since BlogHer 2007 and that sucked so I'm hoping for better when I go to my sister's for her daughter's wedding in May. Alone time. Me time. Dude. It's enough to make one look forward to the air travel. Almost.

Unknown said...

Have a WONDERFUL time and you know that you will rock that place with your awesomeness. *smile* You deserve a break!

HUGS!!

Cheryl

Mrs Catch said...

I hear ya! After my couple of trips away, it's like I discovered a whole new me...

Jennifer Coomer said...

I'm planning to come to your workshop tomorrow. Looking forward to it!

Kris said...

See you there, Stephanie! I'm excited to meet you.

Ric Federico said...

Attended your session at the writer's conference today and really enjoyed your perspective & sense of humor. Thanks for coming to Bowling Green!

Anonymous said...

I attended your session and had a great time and learned a little. Hope Bowling Green didn't scare you off.

Jennifer Coomer said...

I hope you enjoyed your time in our fair city. :-) Thanks for coming!

lucidkim said...

I loved listening to you at the Writers Conference this weekend. You're hilarious. Thanks for sharing yourself with us this weekend!