A Spontaneous 24 Hour Getaway

I am a sanguine at heart, but I've realized that every now and then I enjoy some alone time. I can only stand to be alone with me, myself and I before I really start needing someone to speak my words to, but I do enjoy the freedom I have when I can get away from everything.

When I realized I had two weeks off in between jobs, I didn't make plans to go anywhere or do anything. Honestly, the thought of getting on a plane or in a car made me want to curl into a fetal position. All I wanted was to be home and do nothing. My summers in student ministry tend to be crazy traveling all over the US of A, so to just be settled for two weeks straight sounded glorious to me.

Last week for the first three days I literally slept, went to the pool, ate lunch, took a nap, showered, made dinner, and went to bed. It. Was. Heaven. My week picked up towards the end, but it was so great and flew by. This week I didn't have any plans, either, and was just going to play it by ear.

Shane and Shane are by far my favorite Christian artists and when I learned they were going to be in Huntsville last night, I knew I had to go. I had no good reason not to! Since I knew I'd already be driving an hour north of Houston, I hopped on priceline.com real quick to see if I could snag a deal on a hotel and just call it a mini-vacay. Sure enough, it worked and within 30 minutes I had a hotel room reserved and was in the shower. I did this last year too and it was great! It wasn't so much that I wanted to be alone since I've had a pretty slow two weeks, but I just wanted a change of scenery and I knew this was my last chance, so I took it.

I then proceeded to do all manner of things that rejuvenate me. They went as follows:

First, I booked a room at the Woodlands Resort and Conference Center. Before you go thinking I have cash flowing out my ears, think again. You can thank priceline.com and it being "off" season. However, it is a very nice hotel that I thoroughly enjoyed. Once I checked in I headed to my room and immediately pictured myself in scary movie. Of course, my room had to be the one behind the staircase. Sweet mercy. My thoughts are awful. Fear, people. Flat out fear. I got settled and just kind of rested for a bit, and ate the dinner I picked up on the way in.

Once I was all ready, I drove my sweet little self to Huntsville! Do you know that I love Huntsville? Of course! I went to college there! I was so excited because not only was I going to see Shane and Shane, but the concert was at the church I attended while in school. It was also where my Bible study Truth was held. I have some very fond memories in that sanctuary. God did a lot in my little life there.

Nothing rejuvenates me like some worship and man oh man, can Shane and Shane bring it. The added bonus was that Bethany Dillon was there as well! Love her. Love her heart. There are multiple reasons why I would worship with them every night if I could, and among those reasons are their epic harmonies that are unexplainable, but also the fact that they never let their gifts distract from who we're truly worshiping. Jesus Christ alone. I always walk away from their concerts feeling nearer to God. And the nearness of God is our absolute good. I really appreciate that. I'd rather hear them live over one of their albums any day, but that's impossible. They never showcase themselves. Lord, I pray I always showcase you over myself. You are bigger and so much better!

If you don't have their new album The One You Need, be sure to pre-order it so you'll have it the day it comes out. You don't want to miss The One You Need, Without You or Future Version. Really, the whole album is legit. Just get it. They have yet to disappoint me.

Another added bonus was the fact that I got to hug some old friends and people who poured into my life while I was in college which is always sweet. It was a wonderful night.

(P.S. Yes, I went alone. Can I just say, sitting alone at the concert was the sweetest thing? Truly. I loved soaking up every minute with no distractions. I highly recommend it.)

I headed back just in time to meet my friend Jen back at the resort. I asked her to spend the night with me since she lives in the woodlands and she happily accepted my offer. I was so excited! Nothing rejuvenates me like a good sleepover. Jen and I were queens of sleepovers in college and this one was our best yet. We literally talked our mouths off until the early morning and laughed till we cried. In between talking and laughing we also killed a few bugs. You can thank the heat and wooded area for our bug friends. Ew. Unlike me, she had to get up and work the next morning so I'm just hoping she got a nap in.

This morning I woke up to this view.

Can you say rejuvenating? Very peaceful. I tried to journal out there but that only lasted two minutes thanks to the very muggy air. I didn't want to risk having to wash my hair two days in a row. That is not rejuvenating.

Once I got all packed and ready, I headed out to first grab a coffee and chocolate croissant from La Madeleine and then I shopped til I dropped. Not really, but that sounds like fun. However, I did use a little bit of a gift card I was given to get a few new things. It is much more fun to shop with a gift card as opposed to using your own pennies. I may or may not have gotten the cutest dress from Anthropologie. But that's neither here nor there. I'll have you know that besides the fact that no one can vouch for cute or not cute, I actually really like shopping by myself. I am rack by rack, hanger by hanger kind of girl and that typically annoys people unless you're my mom. I think I visited three stores today in a matter of four hours? No lie, folks. I am the poky little shopper.

When I had done all the shopping I could do, I headed out to use my Groupon for a manicure and pedicure at the Posh Nail Studio. Y'all, oh my word, the cutest nail salon you've ever seen. And the ladies who treated me were the sweetest things. One look at their website and I know you'll be hooked, too. So fun! It's going to be hard going anywhere else now simply because of the environment. But then again, I only went there because of my Groupon. I'm keeping an eye on that deal more often! And I bet you guessed it, nothing rejuvenates me like a good mani and pedi.

Currently I am back at home on my comfy couch taking in the aroma of the banana bread that is currently baking in my oven. It is the best banana bread you'll ever put in your mouth. If I told you it was straight from the Disneyland recipe book would you believe it's the best ever? It's also the happiest banana bread on earth. Swap those walnuts for a cut of mini-chocolate chips and you've got yourself a winning loaf.

Don't believe me? Try it for yourself. You're welcome. And yes, I just took a picture of the recipe, emailed it to myself and put it on the blog. Is that illegal? Oh well. Welcome to 2011 where smart phones are the handiest thing invented.

If you've not one for a spontaneous getaway to rejuvenate, I dare you to try it and tell me how you feel. It was the best 24 hours.

Also, since when did September arrive? Sweet nation. Six days until I'm a working woman again.