Saturday, May 17, 2008

Getting Ready

Sean has been called away with the school's Rocket Team to the TARC national finals this weekend in Washington D.C. And I am here, staying up way too late pondering all that needs to get done for our upcoming adventure in Florida. It's kind of like "nesting" in reverse.

I can not fathom what it will be like to be somewhere for the sole purpose of relaxing. Wow. This has never happened in the life of our family. Normally our vacations involve reunions and a whirlwind of activity. Then we are back to work in five days like nothing ever happened.

This is going to be 26 days of resting with a short activity every other day or so. Wow.

So, I'm needing your help here with two things:

First, what idea/suggestions can you give this used-to-being-busy mother of seven to make my work load simpler while we are away? We all know that "family vacation" doesn't always include the mother who plans and implements and then cleans up all the fun.

Second, what book recommendations do you have? I normally read non-fiction books. I have difficulty getting lost in a book that has no connection to real life. I don't know why, that's just me. But I'll take any suggestions you may have. Then, if you are a real-life friend and own the book, could I PLEASE borrow it? We'll be gone too long to check out any library books and I certainly don't plan on buying any.

5 comments:

mindi said...

I dont have any suggestions, I just wanted to say HAVE FUN!! This will be a wonderful time for you and your family. I can't imagine how excited you must be!

Mary@notbefore7 said...

I wish I had some suggestiong. I am sure you know to meal plan ahead. Maybe shop the day you get there and premake most of the dinners so you can just pop them in the oven each night.

Assign kids rotating days to make lunch? (PBJ's)

Pizza night.

Have someone throw a load of laundry in each night dry in the AM? or is it easier to leave it all?

I hope you have a GREAT time!

Cindy-Still His Girl said...

When we had our sabbatical, it truly took me about two days to calm down and realize I didn't NEED to be planning things or taking care of things. It was bizarre. I just wasn't settled, though, for a few days. And then, as Scott says, he taught me the art of doing nothing. :)

Paper plates, pre-packaged stuff. I took a GIANT freezer full of freezer cooking for our month away. We only went out to eat a few times. It was perfect for us.

Books- TRY FICTION!!!! I think you would like one of the most recent ones I read, The Book Thief. Re-read the Anne of Green Gables series! If you INSIST on non-fiction, my all time faves:

Tender Mercy for a Mother's Soul
Praying the Names of God
The Hiding Place
Biographies of first ladies. (Barbara Bush's was very interesting!)
Velvet Elvis
Messy Spirituality

You're welcome to anything I have, of course!

Anonymous said...

I wanted to write and let you know how much of an encouragement your blog has been to me. Truly, you are a testament to the scripture: "For our boast is this: the testimony of our conscience that we behaved in the wrold with simplicity and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God, and supremely so towards you" (2 Corinthians 1:12). Thank you.

Saralyn said...

I'm with Cindy on the paper products for vacation. For some reason our kids are more "snacky" when we're away so I stock up on apples, trail mix, and popcorn for our trips.

I also read little fiction unless it's for the kids' school, but my ultimate fiction book of all time is The Hawk and the Dove, by Penelope Wilcock. I'd lend it to you but it's currently on loan!