After years thinly veiled hints and not so thinly veiled flat out pleas from the teenagers, we bought a hot tub. We did it for them, we really did. Just like we installed a pool in our very tiny backyard this summer (the deck was for me – but that’s another story). Only, I soon discovered a new love. A new passion…gasp, a new hobby almost. 
It’s called sitting in the hot tub until I’m a puddle of goo. Some of my best ideas used to happen in the shower…now it’s the hot tub. And it’s lots of fun when dh joins me, but the truth is, I love it just as much when the teens come out and we sit around talking, all nice and relaxed.
I wish I’d done it years before, but then maybe I wouldn’t appreciate it so much now. The truth is, it’s helped me carve bits of relaxation out of my schedule. With my writing on one hand, six teens/young adults in the house, my mom (who hasn’t been well physically for years) moved in just down the block, sisters with health issues and well, just life on the other, I can go days without coming up for air. But now, even if I only have ten minutes to call my own, I can use them to truly, totally relax. It’s a little slice of Heaven right here on Earth. LOL
So, darlin’s…what do you all do to relax???
Hugs,
Lucy
P.S. I’m the Queen of Giveaways, or at least Crown Princess – so I’ll be selecting a randomly drawn name from the comments on this blog to receive a signed copy of WILLING and of course a bit of chocolate. What’s a prize without chocolate? 
I grab a good book, a beverage, and put my feet up for a few minutes to relax.
I take a nice hot bath with my beverage of choice and my current read!
Just simply try to lay down, *in quiet* (key word!!
) and read. Just give me that, and I’m happy! 
Lois
I love to sit back in a quite place with a good book and a blanket. The rest of the world fades away and I get immersed in the world the author has created. Nothing’s better!!!
Grab a good book & try to find a quiet spot (hopefully). At our old place we had a pool & it was a lot of fun.
I enjoy curling up with a wonderful book, a cup of herbal tea and a soothing CD in the background.
For true relaxation, it’s a trip to the beach. I love the Gulf coast and it is only like a four hour drive to Panama City Beach for our house. Nothing beats the ocean for total relaxtion…of course those boat drinks don’t hurt either! *wink wink*
I know what you mean about the hot tub, though. My best friend has one and nothing is better than soaking in the hot tub, then jumping into the swimming pool.
My favorite way to relax is to take a nice bubble bath with candles sitting around. I also relax by curling up with a great book
My favorite method of relaxing is to have a bubble bath and this relaxes me after a day of teaching. Then I have a cup of hot cocoa and read contentedly on my favorite loveseat until bedtime.
I like to lie on the couch and watch tv and munch on snacks.
I find the most relaxing environment a beach cottage. When I sit out on the deck with the ocean below me I can just sit there forever engrossed in a wonderful book and drift off into dreamland.
Oooh…sound like you all *know* how to relax. My sister gave me the idea of putting my book in a ziplock baggie – one big enough for it to be open and reading *in* the hot tub (which is what she does). I’m definitely going to give that a try sometime.
To relax… which is a very hard thing to do these days is to sleep… and I can forget about all my worries
I grab a good book and sit on my comfy recliner. Hubby and I would love to get a hot tub. They are so relaxing.
At night after the kids are asleep, I love to run a bubble bath and read. Then, if it’s a good book, I get out of the bath and continue reading. If it’s a really, really good book, I look up and it’s suddenly 2AM. Then I think how four hours sleep would only make me feel worse and keep reading. This is all quite relaxing until 6AM when it’s time to get out of bed lol.
I love to relax in a nice bubble bath with a good romance novel and then eat a very copious dinner, finished by dark chocolate! The perfect evening
I read and organize my book shelves!
Oh and I shop, shop, shop!!
i read or organze books too lol. listen to nice music
a hot a bath as I can stand and a great book. I want to get a jacuzzi bath for my bathroom just have to figure out how to get it in my small bathroom.
Oooh…I’m not the only one who organizes books to relax? I love “updating” my bookshelves, both of my print books and my eBooks. LOL
Like most of you, I like to snuggle up with a sexy romance, usually lounging in bed, dressed in comfy clothes with a beverage nearby. Or taking a nap can be wonderfully relaxing. Snoozing for an hour or two can really make a difference.
Like most here,like to lay down on the couch with a book. Sometimes accompanied by a tasty snack.
A book, a hammock and a blue sky. What more can I ask for?
my poor books wears alot of chocolate
but they dont mind
had a big old comfy chair , or my bed with ice sweet tea
Every night I read before going to sleep – that’s my favorite way to relax. During the day I’ll play a mindless game on the computer. At both times I usually have at least one or two (or more) cats on my lap or around me.
I love to tell stories in my head before going to sleep…some of them end up as books, most don’t. My imagination is too prolific for my typing speed. LOL But I guess the truth is a big chunk of dreaming up my stories is relaxing for me too.
I’m a multi-tasker so the best way for me to relax is to get away from the laptop, tv, and telephone. And to escape into a book during the quiet of the night.
A book and a cup of tea works for me.
I usually sit back with a good hot cup of coffee and a romance book. I do have a few craft projects I enjoy doing like crocheting, seed beading and card weaving.
Okay…I’ll be the oddball…I like to play the PSP or Gameboy DS to relax…I know..wierdo!!
I do love a good book also along with a nice long bath!
I like to curl up with a good book, have my favorite beverage sitting beside me and get lost in the story.
Tami
LOL Well…we definitely know how to relax.
I’ll be posting the blog winner later today. 
You know, for a relaxing moment.
I read and sleep to relax.
I relax in my bedroom with a book and a wonderful view of the mountains and valleys that surround my home.
I lay down with a good book and read. Nothing’s more relaxing than getting lost in a good book.
I curl up in bed with a good book, and if I can get my hubby to run to Starbuck’s, a mocha frapp to go with it.
AND THE WINNER IS…Lily!!!
Hon, please email me off my website (http://lucymonroe.com) and provide your mailing address for your blog prize.
Hugs to all and thanks for chatting!!!
wtgl ily
Great message.
I hope you’ll check out my blog..
See ya