Immediately after we found out that Sister Mary couldn’t go on the cruise Dw starting harassing me to go. I just couldn’t imagine it. I have spent my life taking care of my family and loving on them – happily – without any real break. Jubilee will be coming home soon and there will be more after that. A mommy vacation would not be likely in the future, at least for awhile.

In fact it was not that long ago that I kind of mentioned to the Lord that I could use a little rest from all the responsibilities. I didn’t make a big deal of it, just a few whispered words to Him.

So as we were driving down the road last Thursday, with Dw urging me to go and the kids chanting, “Go! Go! Go!” (at Dw’s persuasion) I began to think that this was likely the Lord’s provision to my little prayer. In the midst of it all, Emma leaned forward and said, “You know Mom it’s never about you – it’s time to have a treat and make this cruise all about you!” Her words made me laugh! She was right! It is easy, with a large family, to be so busy taking care of everyone else’s needs that pamper time is unheard of.

Emma’s words keep echoing in my noggin and I decided that I need to make sure that I do some really indulgent things these next few days. My family will be so proud of me!!

So today, after lunch my mom and her friend decided that they needed a little nap. Perfect!! I decided it was time to escape. I grabbed the book I am reading at the moment (The Heavenly Man) and decided that I would head to the library to read quietly. As I was walking there I thought, “Come on Linny – get a little creative! You are alone and there is no one to answer to or provide care for – go wild girl!” *sigh* I gave myself a little pep-talk (I’m not really kidding either.) I was being so “good” I was annoying myself. Then I remembered what our old friend John (who died a few years ago) used to say, “Go Big or Stay Home” and at that point I decided to break all the rules!!

First stop – the ice cream bar. You know the one that I had mentioned Mom and Linda going to? Yeah, that one. Throwing caution to the wind and opting for the “rolling back to Colorado look” I had chocolate ice cream with chocolate sauce and butterscotch sauce and peanut M&M’s (my fav) on it. The guy who made it handed it to me and said in his little broken English, “It will be very sweet!” Yeah dude – my point exactly! *yummm*

I went and sat down in a comfy chair and stared out the window while enjoying my little sundae. Then I noticed that not that far from me were some shrimp bowls with cocktail sauce. Hmmmm. Did I mention it was time to pamper me? The shrimp was so yummy that I thought the second dish would probably be just as good as the first. Double yummm! They were huge shrimp too. All the while just soaking in the pine trees we were passing as we cruised on by. (And pine trees are my most favorite tree ever – if only I could smell them too – but I’m not that good of a swimmer!)

As I was heading back with my second dish of shrimp I noticed the dishes of chocolate mouse/cake thingys. They were calling to me, “Come on girl – taste me!” I kept trying to tell them to quiet down but their whispers turned to screams – GET OVER HERE LADY and GIVE US A TRY!” I just had to make them stop screaming as they were starting to disturb the other guests.

They were chocolate and espresso (just like the one from last night). Oh my!! Totally yummy. While eating that I had a cup of coffee. I felt so naughty. I would never let the kids eat like this, but heck yeah, there are no kids to be good examples for. All the while just staring out the window and praying for things that are on my heart. Can anyone spell Y-I-P-P-E-E J-E-S-U-S? Too fun!!

Within about 45 minutes I had eaten the ice cream, chocolate sauce, butterscotch sauce, peanut M&M’s, two small bowls of large shrimp with cocktail sauce, a cup of coffee, a chocolate/espresso cake thingy….my tummy was feelin it…so I decided to chase it down with a cup of tea. I chose Darjeeling. It was so soothing. While sipping it I noticed that there are “190 mg of protective antioxidants” in each serving. Thank goodness for that! =) I am so relieved and since it didn’t say what all those little antioxidants are protecting me from I decided to ponder on that awhile. Here’s what I came up with – my guess is that they are protection against: cholesterol, fat grams, sugar, cellulite on my legs, multiple chins, hormonal changes, right?

Well that’s my story anyway and I’m stickin to it.