Free Trips = Loads of fun

This past weekend I got to spend an impromptu Halloween with my nephew. My parents usually head to Columbus for Halloween and I always feel a little pang of jealousy missing out on the family gathering. It's hard to justify a cross-country trip at the end of October when we're all going to be together at the end of November for Thanksgiving.

This year, however, was different. On Wednesday morning, my brother, who was nearing the end of a 12-day stint working in Alabama for the Gulf clean up, called me to say that he had a free ticket on Southwest and asked if I would want to come spend the weekend in Ohio. The catch was that I'd have to leave Friday. As in one day from now. At first my rational side took over and I said thanks, but no thanks. There is just no way I'd be able to leave for a trip that long, let alone take more vacation than the 10 days away I had planned for Thanksgiving.

That's when the lesser-known spontaneous side of me took over. Why the heck not? I don't have any commitments holding me down (well, except work). I also knew I could bring some work with me and still be productive. So I quick called my brother back to book my tickets! Awesome. So. Glad. I. Did.

The highlights of my trip were trick-or-treating with my nephew, hanging out in my brother's new hot tub, and just spending time with the people I love. It was a great weekend and a great decision to be more flexible.