Thursday, February 3, 2011

Simply Stowing Away



 
I can’t remember the exact date of my first stow away adventure, but I know it was sometime between 1986 and 1989. It was evening, and the husband was leaving for his usual week of business travel. It was late enough that I was already in my pajamas.

While he walked inside for that one final load, I hopped into the passenger seat of his car and waited for him with what he calls my Max the Grinch Dog look on my face.




Now, there's nothing at all Grinchy about the husband. He just chuckled. Then, he looked at me for a few seconds and asked if I really did want to come along for the ride.

It took me less than a few seconds to say that I did.

(Come to think of it, that’s pretty much the same way that other proposal went down as well.)

Funny that it hadn’t occurred to us before then…

We hadn’t thought about it, but since it was summer vacation, there wasn’t really a good reason for me to stay home alone while he traveled about, equally alone.

So I skedaddled back into the house and threw some things in a bag. He battened down the hatches, and away we went.

Business travel was more spartan in those days.  We didn’t have two room king-sized suites with little micro fridges. We shared a double room with one unnecessary bed and lived out of a cooler.  I would bring along some food for the day, and at night we’d go out to eat. Sometimes, we'd just eat in. It wasn't at all about the luxury. It was about spending time together.

And it was grand.

While he worked, 
I stayed at the hotel and soaked up some sun…
Or some local color…
Or found some shopping within walking distance..

It never has taken much to entertain me.

As we approached our empty nest, we had discussed the possibility of some tagalong adventures, but since I teach two days a week, the ball never got rolling.

But Saturday, when I was in the middle of my “terrible horrible very bad no good shopping” lamentation, he interrupted my wokking long enough to ask if I wanted to road trip to Atlanta with him.

It took me less than a few seconds to say that I did.

And so, because we’re not the spontaneous kids that we were a quarter of a century ago, we planned a little adventure.  After all, we don’t pack as lightly as we used to. We have to add laptops and garment bags and a cosmetic case large enough to hold all of my spackle.  

One thing hasn't changed, though. He still drives, and I still yak away at my captive audience. It’s a good thing there’s no Georgia statute against driving while retreating to your happy place…

Midway to Atlanta, we got to stop here.

 And surprise our two
favorite coeds.

The rest of the trip? Well, it’s been a shopping adventure of epic proportions. That story will have to wait until tomorrow, however. Today, I'm just focusing my simple pleasure. 

And this week, that simple pleasure was tagging along with my very favorite friend.   

*****
Sharing with Dayle
at A Collection of This and That
and the other wonderful bloggers 
at her Simple Pleasures Party.
Come join us.


39 comments:

Janettessage.blogspot.com said...

That is just awesome...I just joined you along the journey through my reading...may we all find creative ways to tag along with our love one....mine will take more planning since there is still a five year old around, but hey, we can do it!! I love your simple pleasure

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Now that is my idea of a simple pleasure, and what to travel with your DH. I love traveling with mine on business. If he goes to Destin, I particularly like to tag along and hit their antique malls. HEAVEN! And I wish he would go to Atlanta. That would be TRIPLE HEAVEN. Can't wait to see what you found, Debbie.

XO,

Sheila :-)

Sandy said...

So glad you get to do this! Thank you for sharing and thank you for visiting my blog!

Ann said...

How nice that you can do this. DH wants me to go with him on his golf weekend in Vegas. Unfortunately, in the midst of wedding plans that is not a good idea .... timing is everything. Plus, it would be added expense (flight, food, etc.). Not the same as tagging along on a car trip. Which I'd LOVE to do if he ever had one of those anytime soon ....

Thanks for sharing.

Crickit said...

What a great simple pleasure and a great adventure! :)

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Debbie, I just got your message... what I wanted to tell you is to get thyself to the K-Mart website. Type in Country Living. Then go to their dishware. It will bring up the new stuff, but you want to get to the other. So just keep clicking. Anyhow, you will see two different patterns of chicken plates in RED. One has a rooster and is cute. The other (I have seen in person), and it's very cute. It says, "Good Food Good Friends" on the top in a little banner. Anyhow, those are like four for $10. I keep trying to talk myself into getting four, and I just might to tablescape. I've got roos and hens that nestle in my cabinets, though most of mine are not red. Anyhow, check it out and see if it would work in your arrangements. They might be cute with Manuela and the other chicken! And the color would work! These dishes are cuter in person than on the website. They never take good pics. Go figure! ;-)

XO,

Sheila :-)

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Four cute chicken plates for $10 qualifies as a simple pleasure, doesn't it??? And it really would if you shared a plate with the Duchess, your sister, and the newlywed niece. ;-)

XO,

Sheila :-)

Red Couch Recipes said...

I just loved this little stowing away vignette and I love to hear about couples that still love each other and a wife that loves to yak and a husband that loves to be yakked at. Joni

Lynn said...

Sounds like a lot of fun! Enjoy your time together:@)

Amy Kinser said...

This sounds so wonderful!

Unknown said...

This is the best post ever, Debbie. My husband and I have taken to escaping any sunday afternoon we can and driving to the beach for dinner. We could find a place here, we could find a place not so far, but the drive and the talk time we have found to be invaluable. Love this post.
xo
lynn

FrouFrouBritches said...

So sweet! My Hubby doesn't travel much so we don't get to do stuff like that. This sounds like sooooo much fun! Something about being in a hotel is always exciting for me. I'm so glad you're enjoying your road trip!

Barbara Neubeck said...

II can relate to your story.My husband and I share a lot of time in the car. We are both retired and we both drive -- BUT -- when I want to go shopping, visiting, etc, He likes to drive me AND he always takes me for coffee on the way. Lucky me.
God Bless
barb from australia

Ms.Daisy said...

Debbie,
This is by far one of the sweetest Simple Pleasures I have seen in a long time. You are so fortunate to still be so much in love with each other that you Want to spend time together no matter where! Love it! Thanks for stopping by and your nice comment about telling DH about my reading adventure in grand daughter's class.

~Jean

Anonymous said...

Debbie, I love this. There is nothing like spending time with the one you love.

Blessings,
Joan

Southern Gal said...

Spontaneity. Gotta love it!

Chatty Crone said...

Ah Debbie - what a great post - I'm glad you had fun with your hubby. And I know right where Mercer is - good school. You have a lot going on there. Glad you had some fun.

sandie

Jennie said...

This is so wonderful! And while I know it's just a season or two away for us, I can't wait for the time to come that I can just dive into the passenger seat and make Sam take me with him. In the meantime I won't wish my life away. Right? :)

So glad you got to tag along and especially happy you got to stop by the alma mater. Remember - the offer still stand if you're ever 25 mins or so south!

Canadagirl said...

Ohhh what could be better than to go traveling with your sweetie?!? *grin*

Hee he I had a giggle on the Max the Grinch dog look. [0=

I am looking forward to the rest of the story.

Blessings and ((HUGS))
In Him<><
-Mary

Kelli said...

"It doesn't take much to entertain me"! Me neither girl! I could sit and watch people for hours for entertainment! What an adventure!! Spending time with the hubster, seeing the girls and shopping...delightful!!!

Trish said...

How fantastic!
It's wonderful to have that sense of freedom to upsticks and just go!
Easier for us now that we are empty-nesters.
My hubby loves to take me out for drives around the countryside to discover new places.
Blessings..Trish

Susan Nowell @ My Place to Yours said...

Yea! A spontaneous empty nester road trip is the best! Renaissance Man and I just made a weekend trip together, and it was really nice. Stop by if you get a chance. I just posted my BEST tablescape ever!

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Oh how fun! I love that you do this so spontaneously! I'm not very good at switching gears that fast. Can't wait to see what you did in Atlanta. I had to laugh about you talking to a captive audience. I often wonder if my sweetheart feels that I've gotten him into a car just so he'd have to listen to me! laurie

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

I meant to ask you if your husband intentionally covers the speedometer, so you won't be yakking about how fast he's going? laurie

http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/ said...

What a precious post Debbie! I love it that you can sneak away with your hubby, and even better that you got to stop along the way and visit your girls. Sounds like a perfect little trip, and talking all along the way to a receptive listener? ... How can you beat that!

Renée said...

Hello! I must say there is nothing simple about this pleasure. I think it's just grand that you two are such a perfect fit. You each contribute, the chauffeur and the commentator, stopping by campus to see the coeds, it's all so romantic. It's a love story I will treasure all month long!

Denise said...

Such a delight to read about your adventures. I can't think of anything more pleasant. I'm guessing the husband doesn't tell you to be quiet like mine. Can't wait to hear all about it this weekend. Hope you had fun.

Miss Merry said...

What a wonderful post on your "stowaway adventures"! Great memories and great adventures. When my kids were little - we used to do "one tank trips". I had a bike guide (but we would use the car!). We would pack coolers, cameras, blankets, coloring books, and hit the road. It wasn't the destination, but the adventure. For two years, my husband and I would drive from Ohio to Florida a few times a year to visit our new grandchild. We would pack a snack cooler for the road and I had a roadside guide to stop for some interesting visits - like the world's largest peanut! Thanks for sharing. And thanks for stopping by for a visit!

Dorie said...

What a wonderful thing to take a trip on the 'spur of the moment'! Sounds like a great time for you and your husband.

Jackie said...

Oh my word! Your hubs and mine need to form some kinda botherhood of yakety wives club!! I can just imagine that he got that glazed over eyed look as you yaked all the way to ATL....(I know this because of 35 years of wedded bliss to a hubs with glazed over eyes behind the wheel : ))! Oh, and try driving (yaking) from Jacksonville FL to Phoenix on one loooooonnnnnggggg stretch of I-10 (about 3,000 miles)! Not only were his eyes glazed but his ears were about to fall off!!

Look forward to your ATL shopping......I sure miss my home town....boy what great shopping in ATL!!!

Blessings!
Jackie

Gayle said...

A wonderful pleasure...for you both, I'm sure.

Dayle ~ A Collection of Days said...

Awww, Debbie ... how sweet! I love spontaneous travels. That's one great thing about an empty nest ... one of many, I might say. ;)

Leslie {Goodbye, house. Hello, home!} said...

how fun!!!
we'll be empties in a few years...i'll start packing my spackle!
enjoy the ride!!
hug!

Sharon said...

Max, how absolutely adorable!

I love when my husband and I go on vacation - especially long car rides. We have our best time on the journey - the destination is a bonus.

However, I've always wondered why he smiles so much when I'm yakking at him. I thought I was just that scintillating - evidently, he's found a happy place that I knew nothing about! Hmmm...

Maybe I'll have to start giving him a pop quiz every few minutes to make sure he's been listening!!

Have a great time - can't wait to hear ALL about it!

GOD BLESS!

Kathleen said...

Sounds like fun, Deb! I am jealous...:)

Unknown said...

What a sweet, amazing story. Y'all's relationship just warms my heart every single time I read about it. You are a blessed girl!
PS. Loved that you called your make-up case full of "spackle!"

Christine said...

Keep those bags ready, you never know!

Kathleen said...

Doing things on the spur of the moment with your best friend - what a treat! Bet you had a great time. I'm going to read about your epic proportions shopping trip now.

larkswing said...

Love spontaneous road trips! Sweet post!

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