I have finally done it! I've convinced my husband that I deserve some time away from it all! He's supportive of me taking this weekend off - away from the kids and the house - time just for me.
I'd love some recommendations for places (less than 4 hours away, don't want to spend all my time driving!) to go. I'd love to have a beach or beautiful gardens/parks to just relax and reflect. A nice restaurant would be nice. I may even do antiquing if there's that sort of thing around. I do plan to focus on ME, now that my kids are all in school I feel like I deserve to work towards some of my own goals again, but that means I need to know what they are!!
All ideas are greatly appreciated - cities? hotels? B&Bs? Let me know where YOU love to go!!
It is about 5 hours away, but I lOVED visiting Charleston SC. You can stay in the downtown area (we stayed at the Best Western near King's St.) They have a little farmer's market about two blocks down, you can do a great morning walk to the coast line in about 10-12 blocks (not sandy beach area..altough possible I just didn't want that), they have tons of great historic architecture to take in, some churches to stop and meditate in also, I went to a cute little cafe each morning that was very Europeanish, one street behind our hotel was a strip of tons of shopping. There was a University also in walking distance, which I am sure would be breath taking to just sit on a bench under a tree and journal. I didn't look into other things, but I would bet they have spas and other things in close distance. *Just watch the weather forcast for hurricanes, one might be heading that way this week.
Another option would be the mountains..I think it can be more outdoors adventurous though...hiking and stuff but definitely beautiful! :) We went on a hot air baloon ride in Ashville that was amazing! They only take off at sunrise and sunset.
I suggest Wilmington Beach if you want to go to the beach. Its about two and half hours away. Downtown Wilmington is beautiful. It has many old houses that are very quaint. I stayed at this bed and breakfast a few years ago and it was lovely. The breakfast was delicous to. Here is the link: http://www.taylorhousebb.com/index.html The beach is nearby and many good restuarants. I just love this town!
With this weekend's weather uncertain due to Hanna, I would head to the mountains rather than the beach. The weather is lovely up there (less humidity) and there are great B&B's plus some really nice spas. Check out the Chetola Resort in Blowing Rock, or try Googling other spa/resorts in the area. Enjoy!
Look into Farrington House near Chapel Hill. They will have the garden/park onsite for you. Also look at Southern Pines/Pinehurst. It depends how much you want to spend. Good Luck!!
So, after lots of wonderful suggestions from this group, I went to Asheville and stayed at a sweet B&B called the Aberdeen Inn. My hosts were down to earth great people and the Inn was very convenient to anything I wanted to do. I actually read a whole book!! Woohoo!! Thanks everyone!!