I Get a Break This Week!

Our Executive Presbyter has offered to come and preach here just to give me a break after our local disaster a few weeks ago. We've been working pretty hard around here to offer what aid we can and so I've had a few (she says sarcastically) extra responsibilities around here. Have I mentioned that I don't have a secretary at this church?
So I get a week without sermon prep. Of course, I should probably use this chance to start looking ahead, something I don't usually have the chance to do much of.
Then there's vacation. I have officially purchased the plane tickets. Ontario, here we come! Gotta leave the spouse behind; he doesn't have enough vacation accrued at the new job yet. I hate that for him, as he needs it more than any of us right now. His new job is horrible as far as vacation time 8 days! and no personal or sick leave!!!) and not to mention they sorta fibbed about what he'd been hired to do. I have to admit that I love the vacation time that we pastors get. I suppose we need it though or we'd all go nuts.

Time for a quick catch up

Well, we had a wonderful trip to Canada. The weather was really nice, warm during the day and cool at night. Even the day we had rain was nice. The rain was lovely to hear pattering on the water and in the leaves. I got to hear the loons call, probably my favorite lake sound. We went out in the boat and took some wonderful pictures.

Here are a few more of the lake and the "cottage" we stay in (all boats have to go under the bridge to get from the cottage out onto the lake):

On a different note, I have a face-to-face interview with The Church Much Nearer to the In-laws in the middle of August. I'm already nervous about that. Last time I had one of those, they picked the other candidate, so I'm already psyching myself out about my chances. Prayers please.

We'll be celebrating L's third birthday this coming weekend. My family is trekking down from N'ville to be with us and bring her her new big girl bed. She's been needing it for a while, but we could just never coordinate schedules and U-hauls to get it down here. I think she'll be excited. She got to pick out the comforter and sheets a while back and she loves to pull them out and "nest" in them. I can't believe she's almost 3! More on that later...

The In-Between

Well, we had a wonderful time with the in-laws this past week. We got home in the evening on Saturday. The animals were happy and healthy. (we decided to go with a house sitter rather than board them and I know that really helped them-and us-feel better.) I got to rest and let the grandparents take care of L. As I suspected might happen, L finally decided that the potty wasn't so bad and just about overnight she's potty trained. (I'm doin' the happy mama dance over here!) She only had one accident at the in-laws, and thank goodness it was on the hardwood kitchen floor, not on their carpet.
The weather up there was really pretty good. It was much cooler than down here and we went to the Baltimore Zoo on Tues. It was surprisingly good. We saw polar bears, giraffes, elephants, penguins, and a lot of other cool animals, but those were the favorites.
Here is where I pause to thank the stars that I have wonderful in-laws and we all get along well. MIL really helped out and we took turns taking L to the potty about every 10 minutes (or at least it seemed that way). L took a real shine to her Uncle M, daddy's younger bro by about 3 years.
Now that we're home I have to unpack, wash and repack for our trip to Canada. I really can't wait! I know the driving will be long and tiring, but I really can't wait to canoe and boat and watch loons and muscrats and herons on the lake. I'll try to post some pics when we get back since I've talked about it so much lately.
Well, I need to start my lists of things to do and find before we leave again on Friday.

Vacation=Relaxing??!!

Ah, this weekend begins the marathon vaction spree. We leave early, and I mean early, on Saturday to drive all the way to MD to see the in-laws. My darling P is what I like to call a "trip Nazi." There is a schedule, it must be adhered to at most, if not all, costs. Grumpiness and surliness ensue if this does not occur. I believe he intends to make the 14+ hour trip in one day. Did I mention our daughter is in the midst of potty training? I have a feeling this is going to be a rather tense trip. We will return, also in one day, one week later. Six days after we return, P working a full work week, we will begin our trek to my parents' place where we will all rent a minivan and begin our 2-day trip to Canada. We will spend those 5 days trying to recover from said trip, which usually takes till day 3 or 4, and then we will actually be relaxed for one or two days, and then make the trip back again. All with a potty-training almost-three-year-old. Thank God there will be family around to help! Am I looking forward to it? Sure, most of it anyway. I am very lucky to have wonderful relationships with both my own family and my in-laws. Will MIL hover and ask me a hundred times a day if I'm all right or if I'm sure of whatever decision I've recently made? Sure! But she means well and just wants everyone to be happy and she likes me and doesn't mind that I've married her son. And for that, I'm very grateful.
Well, I need to start preparing, at least mentally, for the trip. Ciao for now!

Friday Five: Getaway Island Edition

Posted by Cathy at RGBP:
We snitched a bit of time on a quiet island nearby this week. It was a last minute plan, escaping with a minimal amount of preparation. One must have essentials that make it a relaxing time. Perhaps you have had this opportunity to escape, or maybe it's only been a thought to get away. However, suppose you were told to pack some essentials for a trip to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Describe your location, in general or specific terms and....

Generally, it has to be next to water. My two favorite places I've vacationed were the Outer Banks, and the family 'cottage' in Canada (see previous posts). One is lake, one is ocean, so I'm not picky. Both have their different benefits. Quiet is a must. I love hearing the loons at the lake and the waves at the beach. Family and friends are a bonus. I don't much like being alone, even on vacation. What fun is fun if you can't share it? (That's just me.) But specifically, we are going to the 'cottage' in July so that is what I'll be referring to.

1) What book(s) will you bring?

Probably a couple of mysteries and, ok, maybe a 'trashy' romance (I'll be ordering an Amanda Quick from Paperback Swap soon). Oh, and word puzzle books! Especially since mom and sis will be there.

2) What music accompanies you?

Well, since we've got an IPod, lots. Favorites? Gaelic Storm and Matchobox 20 (for me), Indigo Girls and various classic rock (for P), Backyardigans (for L). We also have XM radio, so we'll listen to lots of other various stuff on the way. We have very wide and ecclectic tastes.

3) What essentials of everyday living must you take (as in the health and beauty aids aisle variety)?

The necessities are shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, razor, body wash (you know, hygene stuff). The rest (as in, could probably live without but why would I want to): Sunscreen, SPF 30 face moisturizer, bug spray, maybe a hair dryer, but that depends on how much room I have left in the suitcase. Make-up? Well, ok, probably my concealer, mascara and some blush, just in case we go out to dinner one night.

4) What technological gadgets if any, will you take with you or do you leave it all behind?

P has to have the IPod, especially in the car. I will leave the laptop, but I doubt P will be able to leave his behind. (He's just sure his office can't function without his input. Not good with work/family boundaries, is P.) We'll take the cell phones, but mostly just for on-the-road safety. XM radio for in the car.
I mostly read and knit on vacation. Nothing digital there.

5) What culinary delights will you partake in while there?

Well, we usually go to the local farmer's stands and see what's fresh. It depends on what's in season; In July it's usually strawberries and early corn. We also usually go to the little fish and chips restaurant in a neighboring town. It's called "Just for the Hallibut." Get it? :)

As a bonus question, what makes for a perfect day on vacation for you?

Having someone else change dirty diapers. 'Nuf said.