The Lost Weekend, Found

We were planning on going to Missouri this weekend.  My pal Marthy lives there with her charming husband and three adorable children, and one fluffy cat.  And, the first weekend in March was a documentary film festival.  

The car was packed and we were just blocks from I-235 when Marthy called and said we had cancel.  Two of the thee of her kids were coming down with the flu--not the shot flu--the "other" flu.  We were disappointed, of course, but we didn't want Marthy and Matt feeling like they had to entertain us while they were mopping up after sick kiddos.  

Weirdly, because we hadn't planned on being in town, or being productive, at all, the whole weekend took on an air of productivity.  

On Saturday, I went to spin class, and made "homemade" cinnamon rolls to pay my mother's debt of gratitude to Bike World.  Goldie and I met to discuss our triathlon/work out together plans and had coffee.  I got my dress taken in and did some shopping.  I took a nap, and we went out to dinner with our new friends Emily and Luke.  

On Sunday, I went to a super-spin class, nearly 85 minutes of spin, then came home to a tasty lunch the Tiger made for me.  I did the laundry and school work, while he "cleaned out the garage" and did some cooking.  The grocery shopping got done, and we transferred the beer we made to the carboy.  We even had time to grill.  

In the end, all the things we would have done on a weekend, felt like bonus things, because we wouldn't have had them done if we were out of town.

The other element that was in limbo was my "indulgence day," on Saturday.  I was going to take the day off because we were visiting friends.  I wasn't sure if I should cash it in anyway, or swap it for Sunday, or put it towards my wine and cheese bridal shower in a few weeks.  

I ate clean all day, just in case.  Then, we went out for dinner with Emily and Luke to the Court Avenue Brewery--I am not a huge fan of their beers, but I wasn't sure how to proceed.  I figured I could eat relatively well, but what about beer?

One of the main stumbling blocks is social situations.  It is hard to explain to folks why I am not drinking.  (Yes, I am celebrating Lent.  No, I am not really Catholic.)  I don't even like to tell people about Lent, because then when I take a day off, I know they are looking at me funny.

In the end I had one beer with dinner: a nice Rye IPA, and another beer back at Emily and Luke's house while we watched Oddities, the best reality show ever.  In the end, it wasn't a big deal.  

I don't feel like I really indulged on my indulgence day, but I don't feel deprived either.  Nor do I feel like I swamped the ship with calories.  Maybe we should plan-fake weekend get-a-ways more often: it puts all the normal stuff into a new light.