On Vacations and Get-Togethers

Sam's job is sending him for training in a few weeks. We find it very ironic that they're sending him to learn to use equipment that he's been using for the past five years, but we're not complaining too much. He's going to North Carolina, and I had a brilliant idea to go along with him and call it a vacation.

Sometimes I do have good ideas.

I've been scouring ways to entertain kids in the Raleigh area, and am quite excited about what I'm finding so far. I am, however, disappointed that we won't be placed closer to a beach. What good is being in a Southern state if you can't hit a beach daily? *grumble, grumble*

This grand vacation is scheduled for the week after the fair. This is also the week that school starts. I've always questioned the powers that be for not giving the kids a week's rest between the fair and school, so we've taken the upper hand on that this year. What? You don't know that at least 60% of the county is involved in the fair in one way or another? Well, they are. And apparently you're not aware that the fair is a week-long marathon of driving, overnights, chaos, long nights, early mornings, overtired kids, stressed parents and animals out of their element. If you don't think that a vacation is needed after that, you're welcome to join us this year. Or take my kids over twice daily to feed the animals. Seriously, feel free.

There are some catches though. Like the fact that it is the first week of school. The boys couldn't be more excited (you mean we get to vacation AND miss school?! Our parents ROCK!) but Becky would rather not miss the greatest event in the calendar year (yeh, she's weird). She's opting to stay home with grandparents. This does, of course, eliminate the whole "who will take care of the animals while we're gone" dilemma.

Another downfall is the fact that we have a dog due to whelp mere days before we are slated to leave. While I have every confidence that I'll be here for the birth, it's the just-after-birth that I won't be here for. The first week is critical. If you don't remember, you're welcome to revisit some of my spring posts. There were every hour round the clock bottle feedings for weeks, unthrifty puppies, moms who had a hard time recovering after a c-section, vet visits daily (that's not an exaggeration) and constant monitoring of temperatures and heating pads.

I'm torn about going. Stupid timing of vacations that other people plan for us.

But anyhoo, the reason for this whole story is the fact that some people felt the need to chide me for not letting them know that I was in their neck of the woods when we went to DC. Heads' up, people. I'll be in the Raleigh area the first week of September, and in DC Labor Day weekend. Or at least Friday night before Labor Day. If anyone wants to plan a meet-up I'd seriously love it.

Seriously.

10 comments:

Chelsie said...

Just wanted to let you know I was born and raised in Durham NC, and Raleigh is truly a great place. Lots to do and enjoy there in NC and I'm sure you will have a blast! I might have a few bits of information if you have any specific questions, feel free to ask.

the planet of janet said...

and i still have to wait until NEXT summer to meet you.

sigh.

JennyH said...

Have fun! Becky is strange- a kid who WANTS to go to school? What's up with that? I'm sure she is thrilled she will be in charge of the animals!!

Roger Miller said...

I love having my 'vacations' planned for me in that way. It's even better, if the company will pick up the tab for the hotel that way we can have more money to stimulate the economy. :)

I'm trying to get some training done near the Outer Banks soon, and since we homeschool, no need to worry about taking the kids out of class. We'll just have a rolling classroom. They love it!

Okay, love might be a bit of a stretch...

Viv said...

I've been on the fence about taking the kids out of their second week of school in order to spend the week in Tampa with my husband (who is TDY at the moment) and see my sister who is flying in for Labor Day weekend to see our folks there. I haven't seen my sister in five years, so I'm really leaning towards making the trip. If I can make arrangements for our mini zoo, I think we're going to do it.

Have fun!!!

HalfAsstic.com said...

So has this particular bitch ever whelped before? Just skip all that and come to the Houston area! I'll even kick Henrietta out and put you up here, in her room! ;-)

Anonymous said...

One more reason I love that our local elementary school is year-round! (Though walking Cooper to and from school when it is 95 degrees outside does suck just a tad.)

Hubby mentioned to me the other day that he might get sent to Pittsburgh to attend some sort of training in the coming months. My response? "You can't go to Pittsburgh without me! All of the cool bloggers live in Pennsylvania!" Hope you get to hook-up with a few cool bloggers in NC!

Karen Deborah said...

wow I am speechless talk about a ton on your plate. It doesn't sound like a good time for a trip. Like it doesn't sound like a good time for me to move. You know how it goes wants and reality checks.
It sounds like a rest would be very welcome though.
Are you having Riley puppies?

KG said...

Becky IS insane. That is all.

Michelle said...

I can't believe you're going to be in DC again and I'm going to be out of town again! :( We're finally going to WI over Labor Day weekend. We're leaving Thur and returning Sun...when are you leaving DC?

I can't believe summer has passed and we didn't get a chance to get together; I'm not sure where the time went!

Maybe we should start planning for a weekend in Oct?!?!