Tara’s Takes
Last week, I got to write my column from a hotel room between day one and two of state golf. This week, I’m finishing my column in a hotel room between day one and two of Ben’s orientation at Iowa State in Ames.
Between those two hotel stays, Per and I snuck out of town for one night to catch a Twins game. Therefore, in seven days, I have spent four nights in three different hotels.
Each time, I’ve come home and not completely unpacked. More correctly, I’ve taken the dirty stuff out, added some clean stuff, a few more toiletries and I was off again. My suitcase has been open on the basement floor outside the bathroom every day I’ve been home for the last week.
You might think that means I’m finally home to stay. Nope. After returning Tuesday night, clothes will go in the laundry and several of those things will go right back in the suitcase. Friday afternoon, Natalie and I are off to Fargo, ND, for a weekend soccer tournament for her and her Marshall team. Since their first game is at 8 a.m. on Saturday with a 7 a.m. arrival time, we are hitting yet another hotel for a two-night stay.
After returning Sunday night, laundry will be done and packing will continue. A different wardrobe will be added.
As the Minnesota Newspaper Association president this year, I am hosting the MNA summer board meeting for board members, past presidents and their guests. This threeday affair will be held in Marshall. Unfortunately, we don’t have space for everyone to stay here in Tracy.
Since I am hosting and am needed throughout, I will be staying at the hotel we’re having the summer board meeting at. This tallies to eight nights in five different hotels over the course of 17 days. Yep, if you’re looking for me in July, I’ll be buried deep in my own bed with my own pillows. I might not even complain about all the dogs jumping in bed with me.
After all this travel, and I’m sure with my upcoming experience, I have learned a few things.
1. I have yet to find a hotel pillow I love.
2. Hotel breakfast is just different. I love to book hotels that have breakfast included. I can make oatmeal at home everyday. But I don’t. I fly out the door with coffee in hand or make the coffee at the office. I haven’t figured out why I don’t make myself breakfast at home like I do at a hotel.
3. Always travel with a water bottle and some bottles of Diet Coke. Traveling is expensive. But those Diet Coke fixes at the venues I am at are what really hits me hard. And I know I may be able to get by without a Diet Coke for the day, but honestly, no one would want to be around me then. It’s better for everyone when I have my Diet Coke.
4. All this travel has really showed me how lucky we are to do our jobs from wherever we need to be. At state golf, I had the paper proofed before I hit the course for day two. I’ve written, proofed and laid out projects from all the hotels. This wouldn’t have been possible a few years ago. Not only does it allow us to cover things more, it allows me to be a mom when I need to be and still be a business owner.
5. If you want to spend quality time with your kids, make it a long road trip. Ben and I bonded over some great music. He knew more words to 70s rock than I thought he would. We laughed, we teased each other, we scoped out gas prices. I know that in two months, he’ll be making the college drive himself, so I cherished the one-on-one time I got with him. I also look forward to that time with Natalie this weekend. It’s not often I get that much time with just one kid.
6. I really appreciate home. Traveling is fun. I do enjoy it. I like exploring new places. But I also really like coming home. I like watering my own flowers instead of hoping one of the kids did it. I like sitting on my back patio in the evening with a beverage and just being. Traveling never lets you get totally comfortable the way you do at home.
The miles may be adding up this month, but so are the memories. And the hotel key cards!
