Pardon the travelogue. Posterity, baby. Posterity.
Tommy T and I celebrated our 11th anniversary on March 19th. We went on a little getaway to The Chateau on the Lake, in Branson. The kids were so excited to stay with Aunt Josie and Uncle Bart. It was nice to leave them in good hands and not have to worry about them.
When we were alone in the car, before we left, Tom gave me a little gift bag. I opened it and was so excited to find new perfume. I had actually thought THAT morning – that I needed something new. I then got a good laugh when he told me that the lady in the store handed it to him and he said, “Ah…Dolsee & Gabunuh”. (Otherwise known as “Dolcee & Gabbana”).
The specific perfume is called “Light Blue”. If I had to describe it, I would say it combines Sicilian cedar with the freshness of the Granny Smith apple and the floral allure and spontaneity of the bluebell. It is feminine and resolute. Bamboo is softened with jasmine and a touch of white rose. It fuses citron wood with sensual amber – with the delicate caress of musk.
Okay… those aren’t my words…they are theirs. But it amazes me how well they can describe a scent. Incredible, really. What a fun job…to be a scent writer.
We arrived in Branson and went straight to the landing and enjoyed a great Mexican lunch out on the patio. It was sunny, 70 degrees, and a perfectly clear sky. We even got a touch of sunburn…which was fun in March.
We went shopping at the mall and the outlet stores. We loaded up on surprises for the kids and Tom had some fun at the Bass Pro Shop. The highlight for me was going to the Coach Outlet. Tom had wanted to get me a handbag for our anniversary – but couldn’t handle the pressure- so he modeled them for me and let me pick.
In Tom’s words, the store was “electrifying”. He couldn’t believe the swarming women – getting so excited over the beautifully displayed bags and the smell of leather permeating the air. It was awesome. Tom’s modeling helped a bunch in the decision making process…and was entertaining to the onlookers, I’m sure.
Can I just say how much I love that he cared about which bags I picked? He could have waited outside with the other husbands…but he was there for me in my “time of need”…lol.
We went to the hotel and stopped by the Sweet Shop and enjoyed some dessert out on the patio, overlooking Table Rock Lake
. 
That was some gooood carrot cake.
Up to the room we went.
The view from the room was incredible.
We opened the balcony door and took sugar-crash nap and it was glorious.
We headed out to the movies and saw an Imax film about an “underwater frenzy”…which was really cool. We enjoyed dinner back at the hotel at their “fine dining" restaurant. Fine? Not so much. Expensive…sure.
Tom and I spent most of the dinner laughing about how horrible the food was and how the presentation was lacking. My salad was a handful of greens – tied up with a strip of cucumber and a tire track of raspberry puree, diagonally across the plate. It was the first filet mignon that has ever grossed me out. Nasty.
It was great to laugh through the meal and enjoy being together, despite the nasty food.
We watched Sherlock Holmes in our room and enjoyed the unfamiliar feeling of not being stuffed after eating dinner.
The next morning we slept in (hallelujah) and went to breakfast. I had pancake envy at breakfast…Tom had the BEST pancakes I have ever tasted. Mmmmmm!!!!
We then went to our Spa appointments. We both enjoyed glorious facials….glorious. Yet another thing I love about him…he doesn’t drop me off at the spa…he comes with :)
The sunny day from the day before was gone. The temp had dropped by 40 degrees in one day. On the way home the snow started. The roads near Eureka Springs were horrible and there was a big accident.
We crawled home…which was fine with me…because I wasn’t ready for our getaway to end.
It was great to arrive home safely and find our kids happy and healthy. It’s always great to get away – so we can come back and really appreciate the life that is ours. It is beautiful, really. I am so glad that we have each other to share eternity with. After 11 years of marriage, laughter, love, and loyalty…I can still say that marrying him was the best decision I have ever made.
I love you Tommy T.
Next year- we HAVE to get strangers to take our picture!!! (Our self shots were SO not blogworthy.)
