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How To Leave Your Spouse

Kelly, Trish, Leanne, Elena: Four Women on a Wild Weekend (August 2011)

I’ve often told my husband that the perfect gift for me is 24 hours alone in a boutique hotel. I’m pretty sure he thinks I’m joking.

But this weekend, I’m getting something better: a writing weekend away with my wordbitches, Elena, Trish and Gigi.

Inspiration 101: the view from Elena's cabin

If you wish to plan your own weekend away, I’ve shared some tips that are well-researched (i.e. one afternoon on Twitter in Starbucks) in my latest humor column, which was published yesterday in The Calgary Herald.

Six Tips and One Bombshell on How to Leave Your Spouse with the Kids for the Weekend

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Also, while you’re playing hop, skip, and jump, feel free to check out my latest offering at NickMom.com:

Similarities between Justin Bieber and a Ken Doll

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What’s your ideal weekend away?

Filed Under: On the Move Tagged With: Calgary Herald, funny, humor, Ironic Mom, Leanne Shirtliffe, NickMom, parenting, twins

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. singlehandedsanity says

    January 27, 2012 at 5:36 am

    Having a blast this weekend myself. DH took the kids and went skiing, just wasn’t up for it so decided to let them go it alone for one weekend. I have the house to myself for 3 days!!!! Loving it. Got home from work yesterday and gave the house the usually clean up – miraculously my house will be clean for 3 consecutive days!

    Reply
    • Leanne Shirtliffe says

      January 27, 2012 at 8:27 pm

      The house alone? I think I’ve had that for 3 hours total. Enjoy! (And don’t spend it cleaning!)

      Reply
  2. Jess says

    January 27, 2012 at 6:14 am

    I loved your piece. I am TOO excited about my weekend at Killer Tribes come March. I’ve considered making a countdown chain.

    Reply
    • Leanne Shirtliffe says

      January 27, 2012 at 8:33 pm

      Sigh. I wish I could go to that too! Some day we’ll meet. I’ll pull up in an RV and stay.

      Reply
  3. Jennifer says

    January 27, 2012 at 6:17 am

    Yes, a day or two Aline in a posh hotel near a starbucks and a mall would do wonders for me. 🙂 if we’re talking family vacay, then somewhere with stuff to do so the kids don’t get bored, bit a nice place we can relax, too.

    Reply
    • Leanne Shirtliffe says

      January 28, 2012 at 1:08 am

      I’m all over the posh hotel…

      Reply
  4. Renee Schuls Jacobson says

    January 27, 2012 at 6:27 am

    I’m so jealous. Somehow, I never got to explain to hubby about the necessity of time away, and 12 years later, I’ve only been away 4 times. I have to rectify this. My son is an independent 12 year old. He gets into the house by himself. He Does his homework without having to be reminded. He even makes his own snacks.

    But he can’t drive to all his activities.

    Would it be wrong to hire cabs for a few days?

    Have a great time! 😉

    Reply
    • Leanne Shirtliffe says

      January 28, 2012 at 1:10 am

      Support the local economy. Hire the cabs! (And come to Calgary!)

      Reply
  5. Trish Loye Elliott says

    January 27, 2012 at 7:09 am

    Woot! Writing weekend here we come! Just an FYI I’ve had people come up to me to tell me how much they liked your herald piece. It is hilarious!

    Reply
    • Leanne Shirtliffe says

      January 28, 2012 at 1:10 am

      Yay!

      Reply
  6. thoughtsappear says

    January 27, 2012 at 7:26 am

    Hope you have a great time! Your husband has to do a carpool? HAHAHA! Oh…wait…does he read your blog? Don’t tell him I laughed.

    Reply
    • Leanne Shirtliffe says

      January 28, 2012 at 1:11 am

      It’s okay. I laugh at him all the time.

      Reply
  7. Mike is Happy says

    January 27, 2012 at 7:26 am

    Awesome! Enjoy it. We’ll all be back here sitting around in our underpants watching Sportscenter and eating soup out of the can.

    Reply
    • Leanne Shirtliffe says

      January 28, 2012 at 1:12 am

      Soup out of the can: the college boy’s cookbook. Somehow, we women still love you guys.

      Reply
  8. Diane LeBleu (@dlebleu) says

    January 27, 2012 at 7:53 am

    Sounds delightful! I need to pencil in one of these getaways myself but with 4 kids, it’s almost more trouble than it’s worth to cobble together the ‘must remember’ logistical plans. Enjoy!

    Reply
    • Leanne Shirtliffe says

      January 28, 2012 at 1:16 am

      It’s worth it… trust me.

      Reply
  9. educlaytion says

    January 27, 2012 at 8:43 am

    I hope you have a great time! Ironic how we have to get away from parenting to write about parenting eh?

    Reply
    • Leanne Shirtliffe says

      January 28, 2012 at 1:16 am

      My life is ironic.

      Reply
  10. Elena Aitken says

    January 27, 2012 at 8:46 am

    Can’t wait!! Only a few more hours to departure.
    I’ve also had a number of people tell me how much loved your piece in the Herald. And the picture…of course. 🙂

    Reply
    • Leanne Shirtliffe says

      January 28, 2012 at 1:17 am

      And now we’re here!

      Reply
  11. Marianne says

    January 27, 2012 at 9:16 am

    Out of all the things you have accomplished this year, I think I’m most jealous of these writing weekends.

    Reply
    • Leanne Shirtliffe says

      January 28, 2012 at 1:17 am

      I get that. They are fab.

      Reply
  12. Kevin Haggerty says

    January 27, 2012 at 10:09 am

    Absence makes the heart grow fonder. Enjoy it! 🙂

    Reply
    • Leanne Shirtliffe says

      January 28, 2012 at 1:18 am

      My mom – who has a great sense of humor – would add, “for someone else.”

      Reply
  13. August McLaughlin says

    January 27, 2012 at 10:46 am

    A hotel on the shore shore of Northern California, room service, hot tub, hot fudge sundae eaten in the hot tub, my laptop and great movies… *sigh* Thanks for the inspiration!

    Reply
    • Mikalee Byerman says

      January 27, 2012 at 11:26 am

      Um. Yeah. What she said. 😉

      Reply
      • Leanne Shirtliffe says

        January 28, 2012 at 1:19 am

        I could do that…

        Reply
  14. pig01 says

    January 27, 2012 at 1:09 pm

    I wanna go!!! Please, oh please OH PLEASSSSSEEEEEEE!

    Reply
    • Leanne Shirtliffe says

      January 28, 2012 at 1:19 am

      Pig, you’re always welcome!

      Reply
  15. LookingfortheSweetSpot says

    January 27, 2012 at 2:32 pm

    Ha! Fun article – Love the bomb saved for the end!

    Reply
    • Leanne Shirtliffe says

      January 28, 2012 at 1:20 am

      I’m good with the end. 🙂

      Reply
  16. Tameri Etherton says

    January 27, 2012 at 5:30 pm

    Have a super fabulous weekend! That’s what I always ask my husband for and I’m pretty sure he thinks I’m joking, too. I’m not.

    Reply
    • Leanne Shirtliffe says

      January 28, 2012 at 1:22 am

      Send him a copy of this. It’s worth it.

      Reply
  17. Howlin' Mad Heather says

    January 27, 2012 at 5:47 pm

    Every year I go for a weekend getaway to a cabin located as far away from humanity as I can afford. If the zombie apocalypse ever starts, that’s where I hope I am.

    Reply
    • Leanne Shirtliffe says

      January 28, 2012 at 1:22 am

      Lovely. If the zombies come, I’m visiting you.

      Reply
  18. BigLittleWolf says

    January 29, 2012 at 6:21 pm

    Perfect weekend? In a word?

    Paris.

    Reply
    • Leanne Shirtliffe says

      January 31, 2012 at 7:42 pm

      I’m coming.

      Reply
  19. Nina Badzin says

    February 1, 2012 at 10:36 am

    So fun! I need some local wordbitches.

    Reply

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