Back into the swing

For me, as, I dare say, for most people, the worst part about a vacation is coming home.

It's not just the obvious, I-was-laying-on-a-sunny-beach-and-now-I'm-back-in-the-gray-coldness, although that certainly is a factor. There is also the fact that I have to get back to all of the normal things. It's not the cooking and straightening that are an issue; I did a fair amount of both on vacation. Same with laundry.

It's the dentist appointments.
And answering the phone.
And doing my volunteer stuff.
And getting back on top of what's going on in the world.
And worrying about whether my kids are learning anything.
And paying the bills.
And on and on.
You know. All of the STUFF.

And the stuff isn't bad in itself. Most of the time I even enjoy the majority of it. But after a week of tuning it all out, it is jarring to turn it all back on.

I'll be back to my normal, unrelaxed self in a couple of days. And in another four years or so I'll get another vacation.

If you've missed me...

It's because I am on vacation with my family.




And this is a funny group. It could certainly be a movie. There are 32 of us. It's amazing.

Back home again

It is good to be home. It will be even better when the weather warm up a bit more.

My family got along fine while I was gone. They even did some cleaning. But I think they missed me almost as much as I missed them.

A get away is a good thing. This is the first break that I've had in almost four years aside from a couple of scrapbooking weekends. It was so nice not to have to worry about schedules, bills (mine or the church's), returning phone calls, cleaning, cooking, buying groceries, etc., for a few days. And the fact that some sunshine and seafood were thrown in was a bonus!

Now I'm home and about three weeks behind on life after being sick and then being gone. But it's okay. I can--mostly--catch up.

My BIG goal for this week is to see my new nephew! He was born just as I started getting sick and I am anxious to see Caleb and his mommy.

Coming home

In the morning, I'll be getting on a plane and heading back to cold and frozen Indiana. My wonderful sister-in-law will be getting me from the airport in Indy and my family will be heading down that evening to get me.

It's been a really great, relaxing trip. I have have been horribly spoiled and am feeling so much better. I am looking forward to getting home to my family, but a trip like this again in the future is certainly not out of the question!

This is me with my Wicked at the Sandbar on Anna Maria Island.
This was taken at Siesta Key Beach on Wednesday morning. It was really foggy. About ten minutes after we took this picture the fog started to burn off and it was gorgeous. I'm not dressed like this because of the temperature. I'm trying to avoid further sunburn.
This is my mom and I at Siesta Key Beach this morning.It was only on the 50's this morning--but it was still beautiful--so we just took a quick walk and got a few pictures.

I have a sunburn

My mom and I went to Siesta Key beach this morning and walked for a while.
Then we laid on the beach.

This afternoon we went out to their pool for a while and I have this strange reddening of my skin.

Oh yeah. A sunburn. I remember those.

Off to the beach

My suitcase is mostly packed.

Pinky (my iPod) is charging.

When the occupant of my office wakes up I will print my boarding passes.

My two oldest children have volunteered to keep my appointment at On My Thyme so that I can rest. (This is a really great way to be sure that the family has dinner while I'm gone. Otherwise, I have a feeling they'd be eating a lot of frozen pizza and carry outs.)

We'll be leaving here for the Indy airport early in the morning, but first tonight is the Gala Banquet and Silent Auction for the Bach Collegium. I'm in charge of the silent auction. Usually I am so organized and really do this up--decorations, coordinating colors, etc.--this year they're lucky to have bid sheets and my presence.

But after I get through tonight, it's a week of relaxation. My mom will pamper me. We'll go to the beach. I'm mot up for long walks yet, but we can take some short ones. I'm going to eat a grouper sandwich and some of the best clam chowder on the planet at Captain Curt's.

Gonna soak up the sun

I'm not often given to spontaneous little dances, but yesterday I was.

I'm going to Florida. For six whole days. In February. By myself.

Well, its not entirely accurate to say "by myself." I'm flying alone, but when I get down there I'll be visiting my mom and my wonderful Wicked.*

I can't wait. I need the break.
It's not my family that has me needing a break. I need a break from all of the other demands on my time and energy. I'm finding myself increasingly mentally exhausted. And I'm not even accomplishing the things that I need to accomplish for my family.

So, what to do?

Run away to the beach for a week, of course.


*Wicked is my pet name for my sweet step-father. Step-father just is too cold. And that is part of another post.

Not on vacation

We have been looking forward to our Florida vacation for months, but sometimes things just don't go as planned. So instead of battling our way south through wicked weather last night we were having dinner before church with our friends, going to church, and then watching The Devil Wears Prada.

I still would like to be heading to the beach, but, since it isn't happening, Colin and the boys are going skiing Sunday and Monday and I am going scrapbooking with my friend Lori Saturday.

It's cold and windy with some blowing snow this morning. I think that Bethany and I are going to head out to the Home Show.

Three weeks from today I'll be loading up the van for our trip to Florida. Gulf coast. White sand. Sunshine. Fresh grouper. Did I mention sunshine?