I'm back

in a manner of speaking.


I didn't really go anywhere. But since my husband was out of town and my immediate family was vacationing in fabulous Vienna, I was feeling a little out of travel-loop. So I took a vacation from some of the everyday things in my life for a week and did some other things to mix it up with the kids.

Things I vacated:

• Blogging obviously. But, just like when I am on a real vacation, I spent the week reading all of your blogs. It was lovely.
• Exercise (unintentionally) except for the core class we've been having with one of our college gals who is home for the summer. She is majoring in exercise science with a minor in kicking people's trash. Sadly, I didn't maintain the daily jog/walk/sprint with the kids that I had been doing. I paid for it today when I went with Cori.
• My bed time I stayed up way to late. (Hence, no exercise in the morning) But I had a lot I was working on after the kids were in bed. So I felt more justified in staying up than if I had just been watching TV.

Things I did not vacate:

• FHE Though I have to admit that I was tempted.
• The kids' schedule The alternative is never worth it to my sanity.
• Laundry It is just too scary to come back to if I let it go.
• Full busy days I can never feel relaxed at the end of the day if I haven't been productive. It is the best feeling in the world to put one's feet up after busy hours of productivity. And yes, some days my productivity is measured solely on the fact that the kids didn't spend the day in their PJ's, were fed regularly, and played with. But I got a lot of other things done around here this week and it felt great.

Things I did to mix it up:

• A large chunk of Tues. was spent at Jeanette's house 'helping' her get ready for her garage sale. Our help included her playing with my kids, her joining us for a picnic lunch in the park where we watched an abbreviated performance of Guys and Dolls by a local dinner theater troupe, me chatting with her while we spent 1 hour pricing things, and my kids taking naps in various places all over her house.
• A secret project I repainted our bedroom while Cori was away. He had no idea I was working on it. I also got a frame for this print we have of an antique tourist map of Paris. Pictures to come...
• One dinner out We don't take the kids out to eat unless it is in substitute of a date night. So it was a special treat to take a drive thru dinner to the park. We ate on the marina and watched the boats come in and then played on the play ground until the clock chimed bed-time.
• Talking on the phone until 1 AM with my pal Heidi, whom I have not spoken with in ages. I can't remember the last time I had some real late-night girl talk. It was completely great. Thanks again Hides!
• Golfing with Lillian. What? You didn't know that I have the sport of golf to add to my extensive (read: minimal) list of accomplishments? Well, I don't. Not really. This summer is my first serious exposure to the game. Cori and I joined this golf league through his work and we golf nine holes every Thursday. I enjoy it more and more every time I go. Anyway, with Cori out of the picture this week, I needed a partner and Lillian dug out her clubs to join me. We got rained out as we were starting the fifth hole. Troopers that we are, Lil and I decided to roll with the punches, change plans, and go out to dinner instead. Many thanks again, Donna, for watching the kids!

Pretty great vacation, huh? It was cheap. I didn't have a ton of house work and laundry to do upon returning. And I was pleasantly diverted the whole week. Most importantly, I'm refreshed to attack the ins and outs of my everyday life once more. So stay tuned for lots of posts next week. I want to show you around our house and our yard.