I was in a funk for most of February. The sub-zero temperatures had me hibernating in the house only leaving when the grocery levels reached a disturbing low. (I'm sure I can make something out of this mustard and freezer burned peas.) A head cold followed by a minor medical procedure forced me out of my routine. I was feeling disconnected from myself and the people in my life. I spent more hours than I care to admit with the covers pulled over my head. I was doing the bare minimum to … [Read more...] about When It’s Time To Step Away
travel
summer scrapbook
People keep asking, How was your summer? And I keep replying, Great. It was. I genuinely feel great about it. I wanted to have a balance of busy and not busy. Activities and free time. On the road and home. And I think we did exactly that. But what did we do exactly? Already, the days are getting blurry. This post is really for me. To remind myself of all of the fun things we did and the adventures we had. I want this one last moment of summer before I turn myself over to fall. I'm … [Read more...] about summer scrapbook
the hotel life
On our way back from a family visit in Florida, my husband and I spent one night at Amelia Island Plantation to celebrate our eleventh wedding anniversary. Now we are back home and I'm plotting when and how I can check back into a hotel. I'm not thinking about marriage or why alone time with your spouse is important or how magical poolside margaritas can be for one's spirit. Today I am thinking about hotels. And how much I love them. Last year during our relocation, we spent a lot of … [Read more...] about the hotel life
confession: i hoard travel magazines
My passport is expired. I haven't left the country in 12 years. Yet, I have subscriptions to five different travel magazines. A few years ago I had some extra airline miles so I cashed them in for magazines. Travel magazines. (This is how I get the majority of magazines that arrive at my door. If you love magazines, you should totally look into it.) At the time I had this unspoken idea that I could transform my career and become a travel writer focusing on family travel. In the name of … [Read more...] about confession: i hoard travel magazines
lessons from the beach
I'm back from our annual trek to Rhode Island where we hit the beach and spent some quality time with my husband's extended family. Every family has their own special set of, let's call them traditions, that make their vacation special to them and my husband's family is no exception. To help families everywhere in preparation (or recovery) from their family vacations, I've pulled together a couple of things that I learned on our own beach week. Because even on vacation, there are lessons. 1. … [Read more...] about lessons from the beach
tips for parents: managing summer while staying halfway sane
I spent the first few days of summer vacation threatening to send my kids to camp. There was so much attitude. Is this all there is to eat? Why do we have to go to the pool? I'm hot. It's hot. I'm hot. There's nothing to do. Sound familiar? What I realized quickly was that this attitude was just as much me as it was them. We had a sit down. I explained to them the approach for summer we had decided to take. I called it The Freedom Approach. No camp or scheduled activities means freedom for … [Read more...] about tips for parents: managing summer while staying halfway sane
coming home: recovering from vacation brain
As soon as school ended, I packed up the kids and went north to a family wedding on the coast of Massachusetts. We stayed a week in a beautiful home on a rocky coastline where we watched boats go in and out of the harbor, caught crabs and explored winding lanes of seaside cottages. I wanted to move into each and every one. And then there was the lovely wedding, seeing a couple joined in marriage and visiting with family. It was the best kind of vacation - easy, memorable, comfortable. I … [Read more...] about coming home: recovering from vacation brain
what if the cabin loses air pressure?
Traveling is always an adventure, throwing out tests left and right. What do you do if you accidentally check your ID in your luggage? (Beg security.) How many times will the kid in the seat behind you throw up? (Four.) How many hours can you live on Starbucks alone? (Six. Maybe eight.) How many bagels will your kids eat in one day? (Three. At least.) You have to be flexible. You have to be prepared and ready for anything. On our way home from Florida at the end of our … [Read more...] about what if the cabin loses air pressure?