Maria and I both work at home, and we both work all the time, day and night, most of seven days a week. It is part of being bloggers and writers and artists, it is partly our nature. In a couple of weeks, we are going to set out to find a beach for two or three days.

We both recognize that we are exhausted and need a break. Yesterday I decided we couldn’t wait for our little vacation, we needed a short  break right now. So I surprised Maria by getting a room in Brattleboro at one of those funky and cheap motel she loves so much.

One might call them sleazy, but in truth, they are neat and clean. Just cheap. She would get very upset if I booked a room in an expensive motel, those days are behind me and us.

While she was out at her Belly Dancing class, I got online and booked a room for $129 a night for one night, tonight. I have to surprise Maria, because she would try to stop me if I told her about. After some fussing, she is delighted, me too. Time to re-charge a bit.

And I surprised her when she came home. There was the usual huffing and puffing. We don’t need to do this, I have so much work to do, the Open House is coming, I need to finish a hanging piece so I can make some money, we are going a way in a week or so, blah-blah-blah, I thought.

Maria never thinks she is justified in spending money on herself, so I bought the room and paid for it.  All done, one night away for $120 plus one good meal, hopefully at an Indian or Turkish restaurant.

We will be back first thing in the morning to get to work, me on my blog and book, she on her art and  the upcoming Open House, (Columbus Day Weekend, Saturday or Sunday, October, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.) which is a celebration of art.

We will essentially have time to unpack, go to dinner, read in bed, get up early and head home. But it will take us out of our own heads and help to re-charge our worn batteries.

I had a hell of a week, rewarding and exhausting. I spent $6,000 on Sakler Moo’s tuition and $2,000 on Ali’s Red Van (and the rotting roof on the porch cost $1,700.)  I will be awhile getting over that.

But you know what? It was close, but I had the money to pay for it all, and I am grateful and content. See you in the morning.

Audio: See You Tomorrow