Extraordinary in the Ordinary

It all started when, in my mind, Friday night was considered to be date night.

Only I had no date.

I was married. Shouldn’t I have a standing date night…on Friday? Well, this harlequin plan of mine probably would have worked out beautifully if my husband didn’t work second shift. Blah.

So what’s a girl to do?

I am not sure what other, more sensible, people would do, but I listened to Delilah radio on Friday nights. Don’t ask me why. I guess I was going to live vicariously through everyone else in love and dating.  On Friday night. In my mind. Of course, now that I look back on it, they weren’t on dates either. They were calling a radio station. But in my mind, everyone was going out on Friday nights.

Then I noticed Delilah was talking a lot about Friday night being a “girls night out” night. Well, I hadn’t got that memo, Ok, that didn’t make me feel like such a loser. At least then I knew that I was not the only one without a date on Friday night. But, over the years, I had been busy taking care of my family, and I had made no time for friends, so I had no friends to have a girls’ night out with either. I know, this is starting to sound like a sad story. This poor woman has no date and no friends. I promise you it has a happy ending. One thing I had going for myself was that I grew up as an only child and had a lot of experience playing by myself. I didn’t have the built-in playmates on rainy days or after it was time to go home or when none of my friends were home. I knew how to enjoy myself and could make this work for me. So that is what I set out to do. I thought, “Why not make Friday nights special just for me?” So I did.

When I do anything, it is an experience. I pull out all the stops. And this wasn’t about to be any different. It was, after all, Friday night.

Don’t ask me why I even thought of this. I have never been one to take baths. But for whatever reason, I thought it would be perfect for my new Friday night ritual. I light candles, and of course have Delilah on the radio, a glass of wine, and Calgon. Lots of Calgon. I’m not sure what the legal limit for Calgon is, but I suggest you all buy stock in the company.  I start my mask before I get in the tub. I like to leave my mask on until I can no longer move my face.  So I have plenty of time now for the rest of my bath.  I soak. I exfoliate. I soak. I drink wine. I listen to great music. I soak. I listen to inspiring stories on Delilah. I also listen to some ridiculously sappy and weepy stories that make me glad that I am not with a guy on a Friday night or any other night who will call the radio station with a sappy story. Or even worse when one who calls all forlorn over a girl who dumped him. It’s bad enough when a woman does it. But there are a lot of amazing stories mixed in with all of that, too. Then I soak some more and shower off and wash my hair. I will sometimes do nails and eyebrows, but sometimes I’m just lazy and want to relax and not work. It’s my spa day. And that’s how I like them, at least when I am the one doing all the work.

Then…yes, there is more. I know, The mind reels.

I think I spend more time planning a Friday night for myself than I ever did for an actual date. Everything is always nice and clean before a Friday night spa night. Rooms are all straightened, fresh sheets, and all. Well, at least the bedroom and bathroom, since those are the main two rooms I use. So when I get out of the tub and am all relaxed and silky soft, it’s time to crawl in between those fresh cotton sheets and…..

Pick any movie I want to watch or read that novel that I just never seem to have time for anymore.

It is heavenly. I am so relaxed and silky soft by the end of the night. It is incredible. I get high just thinking about it.

I started this tradition years ago and still love it. Even though I have some amazing friends now, I still love my Friday night, spa night. It’s a tough habit to break.

Over the years, though, my Friday night ritual has evolved somewhat. It isn’t always about the bath. Sometimes, it’s a glass of wine and working on a creative project while listening to music. I like to cook, so sometimes it’s even cooking a special meal for myself while listening to music and dancing in the kitchen while I cook. I’m flexible. It all depends on my mood that night.

So, in honor of Friday night, ladies, lock yourself in your room and indulge yourself. Do something special just for you! If baths aren’t your thing, choose something else. If Friday night doesn’t work for you, pick any night. Just do it!

Some of my Friday Night, Spa Night Favorites

Anything by Jane Austen. I love her books and the movies. I generally prefer the PBS versions of the movies, though. I bought the whole collection. I knew there was no need to deny it. I was going to end up with every single video, so it was best to save a little money.

Pride and Prejudice

Emma

Sense and Sensibility

Latest chick flick that you have been wanting to see…there is no one here to even complain about it.

Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers – If you have not read this book, you must. It is an amazing story.

Candles

Wine or Favorite Beverage

Calgon or Your Favorite Bath Salts

Music…a must. You must have music. I listen to Delilah most of the time because I like the music, and some of the stories are really amazing. Sometimes I listen to my favorite CD. It could be classical, Annie Lennox, 70′s, or a movie sound track that I liked.