Vacationing In London

I have had quite a week at work.  You can probably tell by my abundance of posts relating to vacationing that I am ready to get away.  I am ready to have fun and relax without worrying about anything. My problem is that I really can not afford to go anywhere.  And I'm afraid of flying. But, that doesn't mean I can't get online, do a little research, and dream about all the places I would love to visit.

One place that sounds absolutely beautiful is France.  Have any of you ever been? I found this one website all about London apartments that is run by a sweet family who have lived in London all their lives.  They can easily make traveling simple for you, because they know all the "must see" places, and they can help you plan out your vacation to get the most out of every day that you are there.  I love the thought of actually renting London apartments instead of staying in a hotel.  It kind of makes the whole experience more homey, if you know what I mean.  I bet they will have a lot of business with the upcoming Olympics that are being held there.  There probably isn't a hotel room to be found during that time.

There are other places I would love to someday visit.  For now, though, I am looking forward to a quiet weekend at home with a good book.  It's not quite the same thing as flying away to somewhere exotic, but it will have to do.

Getting Away

I am in need of a vacation.  I have been working non-stop for the past year. I have never called in sick, and while my boss is amazing and I really do love my job, some days I feel like I just need to get away from my life for a little while.

Lately I have been thinking a lot about all the things I have never done, and the things I would really like to try doing.  Did you follow that?  Traveling to another country is something I think I would enjoy, if I could get over my fear of flying.  Skiing is also something I would like to try, and while their are lots of places to ski here in the states, skiing in another country, like France, would be amazing.  There are places like Le Village Arc 1950 that offer beautiful accommodations for travelers. I was browsing online, and the Les Arcs Accommodations look amazing.  You can even find Apartments in Les Arc for very reasonable prices.  At least, I think they are reasonable, because the prices aren't listed in American money.

There are other countries I would like to visit too.  I would love to snorkel in crystal clear water, and maybe even take a hot air balloon ride.  But, instead, tomorrow I will get up and go to work, just like every other day.  Maybe someday I'll find the time, and money, to cross some of these things off my list.

Out Of School

My kids are out of school for the next two weeks.  Unfortunately, I have to work those two weeks, and I am a little nervous about leaving them home themselves.  I am already resigned to the fact that my house will not stay clean.  I am also prepared for all the phone calls from Ryan because Brandi and Kasi are fighting.  Brandi has become quite the little monster these days, and I have started cautioning Ryan and Kasi to not anger her, because she gets downright mean.  I know this isn't very good parenting, but it keeps the peace while I am out on the road.

I am dreading next summer when Ryan is working and the girls will have to be home together every day.  I am thinking about sending Brandi to Camp for a week or two (or all summer!) just to keep her busy.   Or maybe I'll send Kasi.  I know at her age, sleep away camp is a dream, especially if it means getting away from her sister (and me).  I remember being 15 and not wanting anything to do with my parents.  I used to lock myself in my room with a good book and not come out for anything.  I could have been doing worse things (don't even get me started on all the ways my sister spent her turbulent teenaged years!) than reading, and I don't want to give Kasi any reason to rebel.  Going away to Overnight Camps could be just the thing she needs to keep her sanity.  She's such a good kid.  I want her to stay that way.

Of course, if I let her go away for a week or two, Brandi will be Ryan's responsibility, and I'm afraid he might actually tie her up during the day if she starts in with him.  Maybe I'll just send them all away and have a quiet summer all to myself.  Yeah, that will never happen.  I miss them enough when they are with their dad for two nights.  I couldn't let them go away for longer than that.  They will just have to learn how to get along with each other.

Sending My Kids To Camp

I never went to camp as a kid.  Whenever I got bored during the summer months my mom would send me to my aunts house for a couple of weeks.  I loved spending time with my aunt, uncle, and cousins.  Even now, this particular aunt is my favorite.

The closest I ever came to going to camp was attending this weekly program that my elementary school offered for a few hours every day for a week.  I never had the experience of bunking in a cabin with other kids or swimming in a lake.  I wish I could let my kids experience what I didn't. 

I am sure they would love attending a Youth Summer Camp.  I was trying to figure out a way that they could attend Camp and I could squeeze in a vacation for myself at the same time.  This thinking led me to researching camps in New York.  I still have two sisters up north, and I would love to visit with them while my kids enjoyed some fun in the sun.  I want them to make friends with kids from other parts of the country who they can stay in touch with for years to come. I am sure there aren't many kids left who don't have a Facebook account. Isn't it funny how instead of saying I want them to be pen pals with their new found friends I talk about Facebook?  I remember a time, before computers, when you had to wait weeks for a response to a letter.  Nowadays, you can chat instantly online with people from all over the county.  Heck, you can chat with people all over the world. 

But that isn't my point.  My point is that I want my kids to have the camp experience that I never had.  I know they will enjoy it.

I'm Stressed And A Vacation

I have had a rough week at work.  For some reason, we were really busy this week, and breaks were few and far between.  I messed up on Monday, and though my boss was understanding, I still feel like I let him down.  I have been under a lot of stress, mostly due to Christmas creeping up and my not having much for the kids yet.  I am seriously thinking about taking some of my tax money in February and taking off for a weekend vacation somewhere.

I'm not sure where I want to go, because I haven't taken a vacation in such a long time.  Living in South Carolina, the mountains and the beach are both good options, but I'm thinking I want to go north and visit my sisters.  It will be a long drive for just a weekend trip, so I might have to talk to my boss about taking some time off.  I would love to visit one of the Poconos Family Resorts because I used to go every year with my grandparents when I was younger, and I loved it.  I am pretty sure I could convince my sisters to meet me there so we could spend some time together.  I would have to convince my mom to go with me, too, because there is no way I am driving 12 hours with just the kids.  I would be afraid to stop and use the restroom by myself.  And if you know me at all, you know that I use the bathroom often. 

Then again, I might just stay close to home and take a weekend to myself.  I could rent a hotel room somewhere and spend the weekend with a good book and some movies.  Or I might invite a certain friend to spend the weekend with me. 

Oh wait, I do that now, only we spend the weekend in my apartment.  And trust me, it is very relaxing.

I Need A Vacation!

Thursday and yesterday were pretty busy at work.  These days are pretty rare.  Most days, I get to come home for an hour or two for lunch, but on busy days, I'm lucky if I can find the time to sneak through a drive through to get something to eat.  I like the busy days, though, because the day goes by quickly.

I haven't called in sick once since I started this job, even when I am sick I go to work.  For the past few weeks, I have been feeling a little burned out.  I would love to be able to pack up the kids for a few days, or a week, and just take off somewhere and not have to use my brain at all.  The problem with this is that I don't have any money.  I would need someone to donate timeshares to me so I could get a little "me" time.  I would pack a few books and my mp3, and forget about the rest of the world for a while.

Of course, reality often sets in, and I realize that my vacation will consist of me enjoying the quiet weekends I have to myself when the kids are with their dad. 

Disney

I grew up in New York.  I don't remember us ever doing without anything, but I do know we weren't rich by any means. There were five of us kids, and while we may have worn hand me downs, they were always clean and in good condition.  One of the only things that really sticks in my mind that we never did was take a trip to Disney.

I remember every December the talk would start.  The kids that were doing Disney over Christmas vacation would start talking about all the things they would do while they walked the Magic Kingdom.  It made those of us not going a little jealous, but that's life.  I did finally end up going when I was in my early twenties, and I think I enjoyed it more then than I ever would have as a kid.  Sure, back then it would have been magical and fun, but as an adult, I was able to appreciate the beauty of it, if that makes any kind of sense.  My favorite was the haunted house, though I don't remember the "real" name.  I was blown away by the reality of the ghosts.  It was awesome.

I hope one day I can take my kids to Disney.  I wouldn't have to stay at a Disney hotel Orlando because I actually have family close to Disney that I could stay with. My kids are old enough now, I think, to enjoy it more.  Now to just find the money to get there.

Hawaii

 I have always wanted to visit Hawaii.  The one thing holding me back, besides the money factor, is how I would get there.  You see, there's not enough money or medication in the world that would get me on an airplane.  I have never had the desire to get on an airplane.  In fact, the thought of having to fly terrifies me.  So, in order for me to get to Hawaii, they would need to build a bridge I could drive over.

Sure, I could probably find a cruise ship that goes from somewhere in the continental US to Hawaii, but I'm not sure how well I would good I would do on a ship in the middle of the ocean.  I like boats well enough, as long as there is land within sight.  But I have a feeling that as soon as land disappeared, I'd have some sort of panic attack.  I would probably end up getting there and then have to check out Hawaii real estate to find somewhere to live permanently, because I would have no way of getting back home.

But, living in  place this beautiful would be worth it:

 The thought of getting up every morning an putting my feet in the crystal clear water would be a dream come true.

I Dream Of Walking On The Sandy Beaches Of Somewhere Tropical

 I have been kid-less for five days now, and while I am enjoying this unusual time to myself, I miss them like crazy.  I think this is the longest I have ever gone without seeing their beautiful faces everyday.  I can not wait until tomorrow, when I get home from work, and they are here, waiting on me. 

Right now, they are on vacation with my husband and his girlfriend.  They are spending the weekend camping on a lake, enjoying their time fishing and swimming.  I talk to them several times a day, but it's not the same as seeing them, and getting my hugs and kisses.  They are having so much fun, though, that my missing them is worth it. 

I wish I could afford to take them on some kind of vacation, but that's just not in the cards for me this summer.  Maybe next year I can sock away some of my tax refund to take them somewhere fun next summer.  I have always wanted to take a cruise, and I hear Carnival Cruises are very child friendly, so I might look into that.  Of course, I would need another adult yo come along, and since I have no desire to start a relationship with anyone right now, I would probably take my mom.  I know she would have a good time.  

The hard part is deciding where to go.  It has always been a dream of mine to walk along the beaches of Hawaii, so I would probably want to go there.  Then again, I think any tropical place with sandy beaches and crystal clear water would be beautiful.  Where would you recommend I go?

Relaxing!

 So far, I am enjoying my Holiday weekend.  I am lucky enough to have Monday off, which means an extra day to sleep in, but it also means I lose a day's pay.  That is not really a good thing, but I think it will be worth it when I am floating around in Mom's pool all day Monday, without a care.  I think we all deserve a day like that every now and then.  In fact, that pretty much sums up my day today.  I was so relaxed I actually fell asleep on a float.

It was wonderful.

As much as I will enjoy the relaxation, I am looking forward to going back to work Tuesday.  I love my job.  I love that although I do have a routine in the mornings and afternoons, between them I never know where I might go or what I'll be doing.  I enjoy being in the van by myself.  I usually turn the radio up and sing along.  I am so lucky that I was able to get this job, especially since I don't have much driving experience.  When I first started looking for work after my husband left, I didn't even know how to write up a resume.  I mean, I had been a stay at home mom for several years, and the last job I worked was McDonald's.  My sister said I should look online for resume h​elp​ so that I could get something together to add to all the applications I was filling out.   I never did, and I'm not sure if that an impact on my lack of responses to all the applications I did submit.  Then again, I think that I am right where I am supposed to be right now, so everything worked out for the best.  The funny thing is, I swore up and down that I would never work another job where I had to wear my hair up every day, yet most days, I end up with my hair in a bun, off my neck.  I start the day all pretty, with my hair fixed (and down) and my makeup done, but by mid-morning, I am sweating, so the hair goes up.  By that time, I have already impressed who it is I like to impress, so I don't care.

One of these days I'll post a recent picture of myself.  I am sure you will all be impressed with how good I look.  I know that I am. :)

I Want To Do A Home Exchange

Have you ever seen the movie with Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet, where they switch houses as a form of vacation?  One of them comes to America, and the other goes overseas?  I can not for the life of me remember the name of this stupid movie.  Anyone?

I have been thinking a lot lately about not being able to take a vacation with the kids this summer.  It's making me sad.  Even my ex has planned a weekend camping trip with them, and I got nothing.  It is taking every cent I make just to pay the bills here at the apartment.  The important thing, and the thing I am most proud of, is that I am doing it, and it feels good.  I have never lived on my own before, and I am loving it.  I just wish I had enough money to go on a semi-vacation with the kids.

Did you know that you can actually do a home exchange as a real vacation?  I thought it was just something they made up for that movie.I think it would be cool to be able to live in someone's home for a week or so, and not have to shell out any money.  Of course, that would also mean I would have to be okay with having someone live in my house for that time.  I would probably pack up all of my elephants so none got broken, because sadly, that is what is important to me in my home.  My elephants.

I wonder how far I would be able to travel?   I would love to find somewhere within driving distance, though with the price of gas these days, who knows if that would be any cheaper than flying somewhere.  That said, I would have to want to fly, which I don't.  I guess the kids and I will just stay home and enjoy my mom's pool.

Cruising

One of the guys that Junior works with just got back from a cruise.  He was telling Junior how much fun it was, and how he believes that we would have a good time if we went.  We have been thinking about doing something different for vacation next year, and taking cruise holidays would definitely be something different.

I told Junior I would look up cruise deals online, to see how much it would cost for us to go on a cruise as a family.  I was surprised to find out that a lot of cruise ships these days have wonderful things for the kids to do.  Some of them even have 'slumber parties" so that parents can have a night to themselves.  I think that is pretty cool.

I was browsing Ideal Cruising and found some pretty awesome cruises from uk, at really reasonable prices.   This site gives you the prices of different cruises on different ships, so you can compare and pick the cruise that is right for you and your family.  I had no idea that you could take two week cruises.  Imagine how relaxed I would be after two weeks on a ship that offers so many things to do. 

Sounds like heaven to me.

I Want One!

 The last time we went camping, we set up two different tents, plus our gazebo.  One of the tents held just food, and the other one was where the kids and I slept.  Junior rigged up an air conditioner in the door, so it stayed pretty cool inside, but we only ran it at night.  Junior ended up sleeping in the van because of his bi-pap machine. 

I can't help but think how much easier camping would be if we had an RV.  We would be able to keep the food at a constant temp, without having to use coolers and ice, and we would have somewhere that we could all sleep together.  We would also have somewhere close to use the bathroom, instead of having to hike to the public restrooms in the middle of the night.

I dream about owning an RV like the one pictured.  Isn't it beautiful?  There are so many different rvs for sale, it's going to be hard picking out the perfect one for us.  I am not picky, so anything that can sleep the five of us comfortably and has air conditioning would be fine with me.

Memphis

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Memphis Travel. All opinions are 100% mine.
A couple of months ago, my sisters and I took our mom to Tennessee to celebrate her 60th birthday.  We were there for two full days, and looking back, I wish we had been able to stay longer.  There were so many things we didn't get to do.

When we got home, I was telling Junior about our trip, and we decided that we would like to go back one day with the kids.  Not only do I want to go back to Pigeon Forge, I also want to head to Memphis.  According to a Memphis-savvy travel guide I was looking at, there are so many things to do as a family there.   I definitely want to go to the Memphis Zoo.  I mean, if there are elephants nearby, I have to go visit them.  They also have Panda bears.  I am not sure if that is "Ya Ya" or "Le Le" in that picture, but either way, it's adorable.  I would also love to go to Graceland.  I'm not an Elvis fanatic, but I think it would be pretty interesting to see where he lived.  The kids would love it if we went to The Children's Museum Of Memphis.  I hear they have a flight simulator, and Ryan would love that.

Of course, a vacation like this is a little out of our budget right now, which is why I was happy to enter to win a trip package, which includes admission to some of the places I already mentioned.   There are four different packages to choose from; family, couple, single, and single & friends.  I, of course, entered to in the family package.  You can enter too.  In fact, you can enter once every day. I know I'm going to.

I really hope I win.

Visiting Morey's Piers

 Are you looking for something fun to do with the family this Summer?  I am trying to find vacation ideas that won't break the back, and the solution I have come up with is to travel somewhere I have family, stay with them instead of in a hotel, and spend my money doing fun things with the family.

I have a sister who lives in new jersey, so one of the places I have been looking into going is Morey's Piers.  This is a seaside amusement park in Wildwoods, NJ.  I want to check out their new attraction, the Ghost Ship at Morey's Piers.  The ships name is Ignis Fatuus, and it features 15,000 square feet of terror, with live actors, stunts, and animatronics waiting to scare you to pieces. 

Sounds like something I would enjoy. 

Staying In Monterey Bay Hotels

The last time I stayed in a hotel when when my brother got married about ten years ago.  We traveled from SC to Ohio, and spent three nights in a hotel.  It was the first, and only, time that we traveled with the kids where a hotel stay was necessary.  They did fine, but I realized then that there were certain amenities that we just can't live without if we ever have to stay in a hotel again.

I have been researching Monterey Bay Hotels, trying to find one that meets all my requirements.  The first is that there must be a fridge in the room.  I drink a lot, and the kids do too, so having cold drinks in the room is a necessity.  I know there are ice machines to cool warm soda, but I prefer cold, cold soda, so a mini-fridge is a must.  The second thing is free breakfast.  It doesn't matter to me if it is hot or cold, as long as the kids have something to munch on while getting ready in the mornings.   The third thing, especially in Summer, is a pool.  We all love to swim, and it wouldn't be a true vacation if we weren't getting wet.  I would really love one that has a slide, but that isn't necessarily a requirement.

I am sure I could think of other things I would like, but those three are deal breakers.

Avalon Wall-to-Wall Panoramic Windows

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Avalon Waterways. All opinions are 100% mine.

I have always wanted to go on a cruise.  I love the water, and the thought of visiting foreign places on a boat is really exciting.  I would love to experience a cruise on Avalon Waterways.  The rooms on these ships look beautiful.  You can get a room that has a huge window.  Check it out:

Isn't that amazing?  I know when I think of cruise ships, I think of rooms with little port hole (is that what they are called?) windows that don't open.  Imagine the fresh air and view from these windows!  You wouldn't miss a thing if sea sickness kept you in your room the whole cruise.

You can find out more about these rooms, and the ship, at www.avalonwaterways.com.  You can take a 3D tour of the ship, which for some reason I wasn't able to do on my computer.  I was able to check out the amenities, and there are a bunch, like flat screen televisions and mini-fridges.  You can Request a free cruise brochure and see if one of these cruises are right for you.

I'm thinking I would like to visit the Galapagos Islands.  Or China.  Or Egypt.  I think I might just have to take several cruises so I can check out all these wonderful destinations.

Vacationing At A Caravan Park

If I am being completely honest, when I heard the term caravan park, I had no idea what it meant.  After doing a little research, I discovered that people in the UK call a campground a caravan park.  It only follows to reason that a caravan would be what us Americans call a camper.  I also discovered that the UK is home to some of the most beautiful caravan parks in the world.  You can book a spot in a park online pretty easily, too. 

As much as we enjoy camping, I can totally see us staying in a caravan park if we ever travel overseas.  It's probably a lot cheaper, and much more relaxing, than staying in a hotel.

Do You Have Vacation Plans?

I can not believe it is the end of April.  Seriously, how are we already a third of the way through this year?  The kids only have five more weeks of school, and then it's Summer vacation.

Last year, we camped for a few days.  We are hoping that we can go for a full week this year, but we'll see.  There are so many different family vacation ideas, and I'm thinking that maybe this year we should do something different.   The kids are wanting to take another day trip to the mountains, so I'm hoping we can do that.  When we went over Spring Break, the water was too cold to really enjoy.  Junior says it will always be cold because it is mountain water, but I am sure it will feel a lot better when it is 100 degrees outside.  At least we don't have to worry about baby travel, since our youngest is eight.   It's nice not to have to worry about all the things you need for little ones when you travel, like diapers and formula and baby sunglasses.  I like that my kids are old enough to be responsible for their own things.

It sure makes vacations a little more relaxing.

Our Mini Mountain Vacation

A few weeks ago, during Spring Break, we took a day trip to the mountains of North Carolina. We walked around Lake Lure, which just so happens to be the home of Chimney Rock.

We walked around all the cute little shops, and Brandi stopped to take a peek through the telescope. She wanted to see the flag that sits on the huge rock, and luckily, she was able to.

This flags sits on Chimney Rock. I went up the mountain years ago when I first moved to South Carolina, and was scared to death. (I have a slight fear of heights) The kids wanted so bad to go up there, but there was no way I was doing that again. Besides, the walk through the park is dangerous, and I would have been a nervous wreck the entire time.

One of the little shops had a place where the kids could mine for gems. We paid $20 for a bucket full of sand and planted gems, and the girls had a ball shaking the little screens in the water to discover their treasures. Ryan gave up after his first scoop, but the girls sat for about 30 minutes doing it.

Ryan

Kasi

Brandi

Here is a shot of some of the gems that Brandi found. She was so excited every time the sand washed away and there were colorful treasures left behind.

Next time we go, we hope to be able to go to a real mine, and let the kids try and find some real gems. We were going to go on this trip, but their buckets were so expensive, and there was no guarantee that the kids would find anything. They wanted like $50 for a small bucket, and that was using a coupon code I found online. But, these mines give you the chance to find diamonds and rubies and all kinds of real gems.

We also got our feet wet, and let me assure you, that mountain water was COLD! But after walking for a while in the heat, it felt so good.