It's probably no surprise that I am one of those people who, if offered something to enjoy, will enjoy it as much as possible. My grandma Winnie referred to this as "getting the goody out". She was basically referring to using a tea bag* at least twice (...or emptying any container completely, or using even the last little scraps of soap... Winnie Atsie Herring Bond was Green before Green was cool!) The reason I bring this up is because I am getting the goody out of my lovely mini vacation, even as we speak. I am sitting in the internet nook near the lobby of the lovely Courtyard Marriott in Greenville, SC - and it really is lovely. Clean and beautiful, new, interesting decor (olive green and burnt orange - i love it!), nice art, pretty flowers, good staff, free breakfast (with soy milk and lots of gluten free options!!!), heated pool and whirlpool, exercise room, and even a pretty little gazebo in the back garden where we could sit and enjoy our good bottle of champagne last night!
We got to town around noon yesterday, and tried to visit the museum first. We found out that they charge for parking and since we had no cash, we turned around to find an ATM. As we were driving just a block or two away from the museum, the car suddenly started blowing MAJOR steam, so we parked her at the Mickey D's and discovered that our radiator hose had blown apart. Chris used his new leatherman mini (xmas prezzie from me :) to get the old hose off, and we just HAPPENED to be within a block of a place called "Cline Hoses" ("Need a Hose in a Hurry? is painted on the side!) - alas, the ONLY hose they didn't carry was radiator, so poor Chris had to walk a whole 'nother block to... yes, a BMW parts specialty store! I could see both of them from the parking lot where I was waiting. Yay, us! We had Brunhilda fixed and happy in a jiffy, and then went and enjoyed a particularly beautiful show at the museum. We shopped a little in the gift shop, then headed downtown (and even found free parking) for some Marble Slab, and to scope out restaurants for the evening, then off to the hotel.
We had a nice relaxing swim and hot-tub soak, showered dressed up fancy and then went downtown. The weather was beautiful yesterday, sunny and breezy, threatening spring rain. Nice walking weather. Again,we found free parking right on main - three doors down from the restaurant and 3 blocks from the Peace Center, where Spamalot is playing (THANK YOU, SPIFFY**!). The restaurant was "Lemongrass", a tastefully trendy upscale Thai place. We got a great table on the balcony, and enjoyed a spicy, delicious meal - again, plenty of gluten-free options, yay! (The fried bananas were an especial treat!)
After coffee we followed the stream of foot traffic down Greenville's pretty Main St. There was a street festival happening at the other end (I still can't believe we found free parking in the midst of all that!), so downtown was alive with happy humans. The Peace Center was packed with people too, all ready for a guaranteed good evening.
The show was indescribable. All that the most devoted Monty Python fan could ask for - and more. My favorite part of the show (apart from all the great puns and confetti cannons) was the beautiful, talented diva - I'll check my program when we unpack and tell you her name - that girl was stunning and funny and had pipes to die for. Wow! I think my other favorite thing was the audience sing along (follow the bouncing foot!) after the 2nd standing O! What a night! What a show! We all poured back out into the crowd, faces hurting from smiling, bodies relaxed from laughing, and the stage lightning had turned to real and there was a small squall raging around the Peace Center. We debated buying a Spamalot umbrella, but then decided to just have buttons that said "I'm Not Dead Yet!" and "Ni! Ni! Ni!" and walk in the spring rain. Lucky me, I wasn't the only one and the lady who decided to brave it before us was wearing a filmy spring dress, wedge heels and shiny glamorous hair - and looked as at home in the (by then fairly mild) storm as the Lady of the Lake looked on her stage.
It was a pleasant walk, we didn't get too wet, and we stopped at the Cafe Underground for espresso and mexican hot chocolate before driving back to the hotel. Once there, we took our chilled bottle of Champagne down to the gazebo and enjoyed it in the cool evening air.
Then up early(ish) this morning for one last swim and soak, a quick shower, a huge (FREE!)breakfast - and a tiny bit of Marriott-sponsored internet time to let you all know that WE GOT THE GOODY OUT! :)
Now both of us are off to pick up Stewart, check on George, head off for an afternoon/evening of work. Maybe, if we're very very good, we'll earn another vacation like this soon!

Treat yourselves to some good time, and whatever else you do - remember to get the goody out!
Much love,
-s


*<3 for all my KOL friends out there! Keep adding to the collection! <3
**Spiffy - the God of Parking