RELAXATION--Napa Valley day 3

We are having a great time. Can you tell?

On the topic of relaxation...

At lunch (cooked by someone else), we discussed how we should really try to have a date night every once in a while.

I mentioned that a person can get a massage in our own little town. Even little get-aways are really good, in my opinion.

I feel really relaxed and pampered when I eat a meal cooked by someone else, and ESPECIALLY when I get a massage. But we don't have to go to California or spend a bunch of money to relax.

(We do have to get out of our house, however, because there are a lot of people there who can contribute to stress and make relaxation impossible. It feels like a circus sometimes. Plus they are hungry all the time.) to my darlings: I love you anyway.

We would need to stop getting the mail and answering the phone.

We would need to leave the tv off (hasn't been on once since we got here--thanks honey!) and read more books, play cards and board games instead (but NO fighting during the games--some of our family members are a bit competitive)

We will need to get outside a lot more.

I need to sit by more real fires--bonfires work for me.

I'm pretty sure that Byron will need to quit his job...

Oh wait. That probably won't work.

Maybe we just need to buy two big comfy chairs for the yard.

A little crooked...I used the timer on the camera. : )

And landscape our yard like this:

(There was a wedding right in this spot by our chairs when we arrived Sat.)

I know there are more things that we could do to make our home and down-time more relaxing. But WOW, it is awesome to visit a place so beautiful and have no responsibilities for a few days. I am so grateful that the two of us could come here. We are relaxed and loving every minute of it!

Without a doubt, this helps alot:

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that there is a homemade chocolate on my pillow each night before I go to bed.

(Put there by someone else.)

Napa Valley - day 2

I woke up to this today:

While looking at this, I enjoyed a breakfast made by someone else (many people), with every food imaginable for breakfast, in a cozy room with a real fire burning and crackling.

After breakfast, we strolled around the property of the Harvest Inn. It's very beautiful here.
Then we planned our day--antique shopping and a massage. : )

It is raining here, so those sound like perfect activities for a damp, chilly day.
Today is all about relaxation:

San Francisco--Napa Valley Get-Away

Byron had frequent flier miles that were going to expire, so we are enjoying a 4-day get-away to San Francisco/Napa Valley.  I LOVE get-away trips with my hubby! (My birthday is coming up--what a great birthday treat!)

If it were left up to me, I'm afraid we'd never go any place. I am so grateful that he makes the plans, buys the tickets, reserves the car and rooms, gives us a chance to see the country. I know it takes a lot of time to do all that.

It is sooo hard to get away! That's why we would never go any place if it were left to me--it's a ton of work! When Byron plans the trip,  I do my part at home--plan the childcare, stock the frig, cook extra meals, get the laundry caught up and the schedules coordinated.  It felt great to leave town this morning knowing that I didn't have any laundry to do for the next 4 days! (I know... I know... I'll have to play catch-up when I get home, but I'm not thinking about that yet.)

We arrived in San Francisco shortly after noon today. We enjoyed seeing part of the city for a few hours and then headed north to Napa Valley. We'll head home on Tuesday.

Thank you to the super duper friends who are staying with the kids!!! We REALLY appreaciate it!

 See... Don't we look really happy???