The week ended the same way it began – badly. I spent the drive to Chicago alternating napping and checking email on my phone, trying not to entertain too many work-related thoughts because I felt like I was rocking uncontrollably, hanging on for dear life and wailing “Where am I going, and what am I doing in this handbasket?!”

But after a simple veggie burger and fast food fries for supper with a little Andes mint custard for dessert, my stressed-out stomach began healing and my outlook started facing up and forward, not down and back. Eventually we dropped La Petite at the spare room that was her destination and checked into our treat, a hotel room.

That’s where I began to count my blessings in the form of simple pleasures.

-a lumbar pillow, just the right size to rest my aching back while I read a book in bed

-in-room coffee maker, a personal favorite

– and a little hazelnut flavor to make it go down smoothly.

With simple pleasures like these included in my overnight stay, all must be well with the world.