The hotel lobby is carefully crafted to feel like a forest, complete with waterfall and carpet. I allow myself to almost believe the illusion, even though the aroma of coffee and bacon is what wafts through the air instead of the smell of earth and pine. The fantasy fades completely as the young Mexican girl come with a mop and bucket to wash the bridge over the stream. It is she and her people who manicure this container grown jungle, vacuum the earth tone rug, pick up the scattered cups and plates left by paying guests. They are far from home, but not as far as I have traveled. I wonder at the fate that has sent me to Denver, to this posh hotel then across to the mirrored tower where I talk for a living. I do not fancy myself smarter or harder working than these tireless ambitious people, only more fortunate…
Okay, that was last week, now I'm home in a house that looks like monkeys have been living in it and I want some of those Mexicans. I would like to blog more about my trip, but there was a free happy hour every night and I gave way too many people my web address. So all those folks I met out west can breathe a sigh of relief. What happens in Denver stays in Denver. My husband was very glad to see me. I think the house was almost dirty enough to bother him. Most of the cat barf is off the rug and the bathrooms have had a cursory detox. My two weeks worth of laundry is clean and returned to the closet along with the nine count them, nine pairs of shoes I lugged to the mountains. Yes boys, I wore them all. Sorry, I am channeling my mother these days. We gave away over 1000 pair of her shoes when she died. They were all size 6 ½ triple A, so none of her more -- let’s see, what sounds better than duck footed? None of her more “well endowed” daughters could use them. I can’t wait to get back there when it’s boot weather.
Speaking of shoes always brings to mind my daughter. Don’t ask, she’s worse than me, but fortunately we wear the same size shoe. I complained to her the first few days I was out of town about being lonely, but she goaded me right out of that mood.
“So Mom, you’re staying in an amazing city in a fabulous hotel on an expense account. Poor you, are you going to go all rock star, get fu**ed up and start smashing TV’s? “She’s good, right? So I got busy on the elliptical, running 3 to 4 miles a day, quit eating dinner, and I lost the last 10 pounds I’ve been trying to get off for a few months, only now I want 10 more and a little nip and tuck for my birthday. My coworkers are trying to act pleased for me, but I do hear that whine in their voices when they ask me how I managed to lose weight on an expense account eating in restaurants. I just smile my enigmatic smile and tell then I have no idea.
I’m picking my girl up tonight at Dulles at 8 pm. Tomorrow we have a spa day with a full massage, manicure, pedicures, and facials ( just stop it Matt, you know what I mean). We will lie back in the lap of luxury, she nursing a broken heart and jet lag, me questioning my career options after finding myself so comfortable far from home. Meanwhile I will enjoy these next two weeks with my girl. She may go to Denver with me when I return and use it as a base for visiting friends on the west coast. She’s a lot of fun on a trip and of course, so am I ; dangerous, but fun. I’m sure now that the men will manage somehow without us around for a while, but regardless, I have made a decision. I’m hiring a housekeeper before I leave again.
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