Day 12

I've reached the last day of my vacation. I have to say that I started my time off with the intention of focusing on getting rest and having some fun, but a sequence of events hindered my attempt at that. I feel so tired, that I can't believe I have to go back to work feeling almost as tired as when I began my time off. If life would quit throwing us curve balls, and Paul could get his sleep schedule back on track then we could do better.

Day 11

One of the last days of my vacation was highlighted by going to church with my mom; having lunch at McAlister's Deli with my mom and Paul; watching funny kitten videos on YouTube; swimming at the pool and watching the movie, Tenure. My "pic of the day" is of a hot air balloon that recently flew so close over our apt. complex that we felt like we could reach out and touch it.

Day 10

Paul had another rehearsal for his film project today and my mom came to visit. My"pic of the day" comes from a fountain I saw while in St. Louis on Thursday.

Day 4

Time spent at church, in the pool and watching An Unfinished Life made for a very tiring evening.

Day 3

I find myself on a quest to find a restaurant that has a good dessert. On our anniversary night we were disappointed by a chocolate cake dessert that was cold and dry and served without ice cream. Tonight I gave it another try at a different restaurant, and it was again very dry, but at least had ice cream. Why is it so difficult to find good dessert?

This afternoon we went to a matinee showing of Salt, and then to Flat Branch to have dinner with folks from our meet-up group, but no one showed up.

Day 2 of Vacation

Slept in and then ran errands around town including getting a Rt. 44 sized cherry, vanilla, diet Dr. Pepper during Sonic's happy hour. When we got home, we had a message on our answering machine which gave us some very positive and uplifting news! We finished our day watching a movie and then Friday Night Lights.

Day 1 of Vacation

Day 1 of vacation I tried to sleep in, but didn't sleep in that late. When Paul came back to bed at 9 am, I got up because I couldn't sleep. However, I started feeling tired after watching "The View" and went back to bed to try and get Paul up, but ended up snuggling back in and fell back asleep from noon until 2 pm. I had a lazy afternoon following the nap which featured watching afternoon talk shows and then a movie this evening along with a "Raising Sextuplets" show. Getting ready to watch some of Leno before going to bed.

Work vs. Vacation

At a time when I'm trying to wrap up my work in preparation for being out of the office, is exactly when work decides to rev up. I received more appointments, meetings and emails today than in the past week.

I can't believe that tomorrow is my 10 yr. anniversary and start of my time off, it doesn't feel that it should be that time at all. Everything has been so out of sorts and crazy this past month that my head is still spinning trying to digest it all.

Mini-Vacation

Tonight marked the start of my 5 day weekend (mini-vacation) and the start of rest! I worked a full day and got as caught up as I needed to be and even had time to clean my office today. After coming home and balancing the checkbook and paying the bills, we decided to go see the movie, Date Night. It was cute and we enjoyed the inside married couple jokes.

My "pic of the day" is of a beach in Mexico, where I wish I could spend my mini-vacation.

A 5 Minute Vacation

Today I wished that my life had a "pause button" and someone suggested that I need to find ways to have a "5 minute vacation" from the demands of life. So, this "pic of the day" spoke to me as an illustration of a 5 minute vacation. During my mini vacation, I imagined what it would be like to be up in this hot air balloon - temporarily away from the demands and hassles of life and in a peaceful solace. It would be quiet (except for the hot air burner firing periodically); it would be an escape; it would allow me an opportunity to breathe; and it would provide perspective by showing how small my place is in the world compared to the many places and people below.

I took this pic during the Hot Air Balloon Derby in Columbia a few years ago. I actually love hot air balloons and have always wanted to go up in one, but have never had the opportunity. I love the tranquility that watching hot air balloons provides and I love the thought of floating peacefully without a care in the world. Of course balloons can only fly in early morning or early evening and when the weather is just right, so I guess that adds to their serene mystique.

Today was very busy starting early with teaching a 9 a.m. class; then it including numerous student appointments, a 25 min. lunch and more emails; then running out to my own appointment at 5 p.m.; then to meet my husband for a 15 minute dinner at Subway and then back to work for a two hour recruitment event for the professional fraternity I advise and home just after 9 p.m.

"Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you." 2 Thessalonians 3:16 (NIV)