Bed
When R asked me what I wanted for my birthday I said, "I'd like to sleep-in, snuggled in a hotel bed." Since sleeping-in at home is impossible due to two very persuasive wake-up callers, it needs to happen elsewhere. R surprised me with a night at Hotel Andra.We checked in three hours early to relax and indulge in a disco nap. Our corner suite was roomy yet cozy and the sun streamed in through the south and west windows for a few bright moments. Once we settled in with our bags, we made a trip across the street to the Dahlia Bakery for some take out lunch to eat in the room. Then, nap time.
And by nap I don't mean sleep, just rather lay there uninterruptedly. Ever since having babies I haven't been able to sleep during the day. Even when I was sleep deprived for months on end with newborns, I couldn't nap. But I can laze around for hours if permitted. And laying in that hotel bed was the most relaxing non-nap I've had in as long as I can remember.
I removed the decorative bedspread, then slipped under the down comforter, which felt like light to medium warmth. The down pillows were a bit under-filled for my taste, so I smooshed them to my desired firmness and lay my head contentedly.
The mattress was soft, different from our own at home, but it was incredibly comfortable. It allowed you to sink into it, then hover weightlessly. The warmth of the cover and the muffled sounds from outside made it feel womb-like and protected.
The sheets were perfection. 300+ thread count crisp yet soft cotton with white-on-white stripes. Clean sheets are very high on my list of the most wonderful things in life (just under a clean house that I didn't have to clean). Their softness is physically comforting. Their purity is spiritually cleansing. I lay there in the quiet and listened to the down float under the fabric.
After a few hours it was time to get ready. Though I didn't sleep I was refreshed. And the next morning I didn't exactly sleep-in, but I didn't get up either. What a treat it was to have those quiet hours with no risk of disturbance. Thank you to those that made it possible for us to leave the kids carefree.
And thank you to everyone who celebrated with me at Vessel. It was delightful to see you and restful in a different but equally lovely way.
Now I'm off to my own clean sheets and sea of down.
posted by Anne at 3:32 PM
9 Comments:
Ahhh, sounds like a lovely way to spend the day, evening, and morning.
It's interesting that you can't nap during the day. Why do you think that is? If you lazed enough, you wouldn't nod off?
-R.
It takes a lot for me to sleep in or nap during the day. I understand your plight.
That being said when I got back from Argentina the next day I napped (1 hour) and it made the biggest difference. I actually slept, which was odd.
Okay, we got you that iTunes gift cert and I had a few recommendations to go along with it! Some new music ideas that you may or may not like trying out :)
- Ulrich Schnauss: Goodbye
Ulrich is great. This is the concert Robin and I went to together not too long ago. I'm not sure if you already have this or not.
- Melodium : Flacana Flacana
He's French, and this is very melodic minimalistic music with piano and guitar. It's great mood music for me to relax to.
- Album Leaf : Into the Blue Again (or In a Safe Place)
Great, beautiful stuff. I don't know how much of this you have but we always put it on for dinner, and I listen on gray days riding on the train :)
- Manual : Until Tomorrow
I could put this on just about any day and zone out. Very thick sounding textures and relaxing. Bev can't listen to the first track on here enough :)
- Arovane : Lilies
A little different than the rest, but beautiful electronic music that tries to sound organic.
I can nap now, but I couldn't when Cole was little. It must be the mom "spidey sense" that keeps us awake and alert!
Now though, if I'm the least bit tired and try to read a book, I'm out!
Glad we could celebrate with you on Saturday!
That hotel room sounds amazing! Happy birthday. :)
(hope you don't mind, I hopped onto your blog from Chris and Bev's!)
R: Bev has the "spidey sense" thing right. I've been programmed over the past five years to be on-alert around the clock in case a little body needs me. So even when I'm away from them, which is rare, I still sense their need and can't become unconscious. They have to have gone to sleep for the night for me to be able to sleep. Even then I have trouble falling asleep, so trying to do it within an hour or two during the day doesn't work.
Maybe like Bev I'll be able to nap again when the kids are older.
Lynch: Thank you for the music tips and the gift cert! All your suggestions sound great for me. I'll check them out. And we do have Ulrich Schnauss - love it.
Avitania: Welcome and thanks for the birthday wishes! :-)
Happy Belated Birthday!!! I was sad that I wasn't able to join you to celebrate! I had a friend in from out of town. :(
I'm glad you had a nice evening!
mmmmmm, naps. No problem, here! One of my favorite things is to take naps with Elsa. We have a guest bed in her room, right next to the crib. She tends to nap longer if I'm in there, so it's great for both of us. I take 2-3 naps per week, it's a beautiful thing!
Thank you Krystie!
I'm jealous that you are napping a few times a week - good for you! The kids only nap about once a week so I'd be happy with just that little break more often.
I think it's best for the whole family if mommy is rested. :-)
Hi, Angie,
I meant to ask if you or your husband drink Syrah? If so, I will bring you a bottle from my family's vineyard as a belated birthday gift when I come to visit in June. I hope to give it to you personally.
-R.
Why yes, R, we do drink Syrah and would gratefully accept a bottle. Thanks. :-)
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