Yes, I am on vacation!
Thursday, Aug. 14, 2003, 12:50 a.m.

QUESTION: How's the beach?

WHAT I LEARNED: Half the fun is NOT in getting there.

Vacation Report � I had to find a way to get to my computer and update and indeed here I am with a short beach report. Yes, we are at the beach � finally.

I must say that one thing that always amazes me about vacations is that pulling off a fun-filled family holiday is no vacation at all for the coordinator. In fact, part of the reason that I probably need a vacation in the first place, is because I have the job of family vacation planner. It�s a tough gig but I get through it because I see the glimmer of the ocean and a beach chair and a paperback novel in my mind and the image leads me past every holiday planning hurdle like a small glimmering light at the end of a particularly long tunnel. I want my week in the sun and nothing is going to keep me from it.

Part of the problem is the inclination my husband has to see vacations as stress � at least in the pre-vacation stage. In fact, everyone in my household seems to require a pre-vacation meltdown. Dramas abound. Crisis is everywhere. It looks like fun but I never get to indulge in it.

The morning of the trip is like some kind of sporting event - a car race perhaps, where everyone else in the race is invisible, or maybe some kind of triathlon. I�m not sure but for some reason that I can�t understand, my husband feels there is a great rush to get underway. The pressure is on. Everybody better roll out of bed at an ungodly hour, throw on their clothes, hope to God they packed everything the night before, and run out to the car - as dad is racing behind them shutting the house up with impressive precision so fast that it will make your head whirl if you are foolish enough to look behind you as you run towards the car, pillow and toothbrush in hand. God forbid, you should get a last minute urge to pee. He may not let you if the bathroom is already ticked off on his list.

Likewise, on the flip side of our vacation there will be a great rush by my husband to return home while everyone else wants to dawdle and draw out the last day. The entire crew will have to negotiate with dad to squeeze the final drops of sunshine, sand, outlet visits, and beach pizza out of the trip. It�s always a tough process but since we are not there yet, I am not going to worry about it for the moment. We are still in boardwalk heaven and there is a full moon shining over the water tonight.

I have to go now, as I am being summoned to make cookies. I don�t mind at all because I am on vacation!

Still at the beach - keep those nice notes and kind guestbook entries coming.

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