The Escape

They're everywhere. Christmas remnants are shoved in every corner of the house. Boxes and bags are stacked along the walls. Clumps of tissue paper and bows and ribbons climb the corners. Empty cans and bottles from parties held a week ago are still sitting quietly on tables, waiting to be tossed into recycle bins. The house is frozen in the aftermath of the holidays - a trashheap of red and green napkins and paperplates - crusted with frosting and cake or dusted with crumbs.

And I'm leaving it all behind, hoping for fairies to come and tidy it all as I sneak off with my husband. We're babyless for two glorious nights, (thank God for the in-laws), and we're stealing away to a hotel in the city for two nights. I'm not bringing the laptop...but I am bringing a pen and notebook (writing the old fashioned way) and a couple of stocking-stuffer novels to indulge on while eating breakfast in bed and spending a lazy morning in bathrobe and slippers. I'm envisioning coffee shops, evening strolls through city streets lined with sparkling lights and room service.

Hopefully the result of this indulgent escape will be inspiration and pages of eloquence to post here in the near future.