FullaBella's Journal, 19 Aug 13

Monday morning back in Bellawood. That Dorothy gal may be famous for her little quip 'there's no place like home' but in my opinion that's an open ended sentence in need of more qualifiers.

I miss my Oz, my Xanadu. I miss the quiet peaceful suite. Somehow my freshly oiled and massaged legs propped on the padded living room coffee table glistened prettier under the soft lights. Maybe it was the contrast of the soft white satin complimentary robe or perhaps the implied luxury of knowing anything I desired only required the push of a few buttons on the phone at my elbow. I miss room service and being able to curl up in the dining table chair and actually enjoy my meal slowly, mindfully and without interruption. I miss having my bags carried and my butt kissed.

A few times this weekend I felt really out of my league. I'm not really sure why other than I've been off the road warrior route for about three years and basically feel imprisoned here so by the time I left I was so mentally, physically and emotionally exhausted I was having trouble keeping my wits about me.

I was literally humming the William Tell Overture on the way out the door and had to turn on the radio on to get that flipping tune out of my head. I rarely listen to the radio; my friend once joked 'Bella, SCAN is not a station.' I just don't have the attention span to listen to a whole song.

Being a child of the media I reflected on movie characters; on arrival I felt like that scene in Ya-Ya where Ashley Judd ran away to the motel to get some rest. Another time it was the scene in Double Jeopardy where she get's the upper hand on the snooty sales clerk with 'I think we need Armani...'

For the first time ever I finally got the allure of chirping, tweeting, flickering or whatever it is. My cell phone is so old and 'minimal' my grandson mocks it. But as I only leave 'home' about twice a year or so for more than an hour, I just don't need an Iphone to keep anyone 'that' updated on my day. However, had I possessed one this weekend, I'd have chirped more than a flock of Cardinals:

'Ahhh.... quiet of the car and road... I can feel my racing heart start to settle down... exhale...'

'Oh no... wrong suite... calling front desk... '

'Yay Dave (the desk clerk named Chris who I kept calling Dave) - thanks for the upgrade!'

'Whoa... a bellman to bring me the key to my new room and move my bags... yowza!'

'Woohoo... you should SEE this suite!' (and w/a smart phone I'd have been able to upload pictures.)

'OMG - you should see this table - it's almost as big as the king bed!'

'Mmmm... Jose Cuervo and Prime Rib for lunch...take out your box of crayons and color me tickled pink!'

'What?! They do provide robes! And houseshoes!'

'Cool beans... the soda & water in the fridge is complimentary too!'

'Six body jets in the marble shower big enough for square dancing!'

'Omg... a spa tub too...I'm going to have webbed feet after this weekend' ((Ironic, I have these things at home but I also have a husband and a dog who frequently interrupt me... the experience of soaking without TV in the background or dog paws on the ledge is a 180 difference))

'Dolly, the masseuse... is a miracle worker... I feel so good. Loved the in room massage even when the CD jammed & sounded like the fiddle player was doing a solo...'

'Oh my ... fudge brownie and vanilla bean ice cream.... and I don't have to share... glad I didn't get chocolate ice cream.. I'd be worried about the robe...'

'This whole huge bed with 12 pillows to myself... flip flip flippity flip!.... and no TV!'

'I'm hungry. Going downstairs for a snack.'

'They put cheddar cheese on my burger instead of the blue cheese I requested but it's still good.'

'Ohhnooo.. the waitress is flipping out because they did the burger wrong - I told her it wasn't a tragedy.'

'Wow - the manager gave me a card for a free meal & dessert for being so understanding.'

'Wow, I slept six hours... amazing what I can do when there's no 2am & 4am dog potty schedule.'

'Room service coffee and breakfast of biscuits & sausage ... I'm in heaven... I can eat in leisure'

"Ugh... my old sandal broke... '

'Shoe shopping! Weeeee! Talking the salesclerk into a 25% discount because I convinced a complete stranger named Betty into buying two pair of shoes too, double weee! And isn't this beautiful leather bag to die for!' (more pics)

'Manicure & Pedicure ... more oil & rubbing... look, here's a pic of my pretty toe bling!'

'Great facial - I may not look 20 years younger, but I feel great. I wonder how many calories are in the sugar scrub she rubbed on my lips?!'

'Mmmm... Rueben sandwich in the spa tub... does it get any better?'

'Oh no, my new slacks are too long even for the ridiculously high heeled strappy sandals ... thank goodness they provided a courtesy mending kit... '

'Time to rock those ridiculously high strappy sandals... glad I got the fresh pedi '

'Ya know, I don't look half bad ((dressed up for dinner)) ... what do you think??' (another pic)

''Omg, I asked for a quiet table and they tried to seat me by the PIANO!! Not!!'

"Ahh... that's better... perfect view of everyone... but now I'm in view of everyone too. Now I have to hold my head up and smile.. because people are staring at me wondering why the staff is making such a fuss...'

'Ugh... I really don't like the Pinot that waiter recommended but I drank it anyway ... '

'Lamb chops...fabulous!! Mashed potatoes with garlic and rosemary .. a little over seasoned but anything I don't have to kill, cook or clean is usually my favorite!'

'Uhmmm.. no thank you .. no dessert for me.. I already have a slice of Red Velvet cake waiting in the suite.'

'Geez... where'd my hollow leg go? One shot of Makers Mark and one glass of wine and I'm wasted!'

'Dang... I didn't know there was a blood drive going on. They won't let me donate for another four hours because of the liquor.. I'll be lights out by then...'

'Gosh... the pools and landscaping are beautiful at night... staring down through my floor to ceiling windows in my corner suite... it's magical'

'What? Saturday already? No no no no no!'

'May as well check out ... I have to leave sometime anyway and at least I can take a side trip on the way home and shop.'

'Mmmm... Amish fudge... how many samples CAN I push for just to buy a 1/2 a pound for DH?'

'Mmmm... green onion cheese... fabulous... must get some of this... and some of that lilac soap'

'Bed, Bath & Beyond... I always love this store... all these things I never knew I needed until I see them here. I'll get a new bath pillow one of those gel eye packs for the next time I soak at home'

'Hobby Lobby ... need to restock my paints & canvas, I'll have a lot to record after this weekend... think I'll try some oils too.'

'I'm home... DH is napping, Mushy has velcro'd herself to my ankles. My birds seem to have abandoned my back yard and everything needs watering. Back to reality. '

So with those experiences of bliss firmly ingrained in my memory I shall now greet every customer with zeal and fervor so that I may earn enough to go do it again.

Thanks for reliving my weekend with me.

Bella