We were in Alabama over the weekend . . .

. . . but not to watch the big game. No, we were in Mobile, at Spring Hill College, to visit Emily, our oldest, for Family Weekend.  Emily is a Junior, and some of us have attended the weekend each year, but this time it seemed especially important for us to be together, since she [...]

Read Full Post »

Savannah Smiles

For the past umpteen years (twenty, at a guess), we have spent several days in Baltimore every summer.  Our very good reason for our faithfulness to Charm City as a vacation spot is that my husband was born there, and that once-a-year trip is usually the only chance he has to see his mother and [...]

Read Full Post »

Vacation, all I ever wanted . . .

We just returned from our summer vacation (more on that later) and I thought I would share some of what has worked for us as a big family (five kids, two parents) planning and paying for and enjoying out-of-town trips. Planning ahead is essential.  I can remember going on trips as a child and just [...]

Read Full Post »

Two Little Girls

Do you remember this little video from Sesame Street? It reminds me of me and one of my first best friends, Mary Jo, whom I met when we were about that age–six, to be exact–as first graders at St. Joseph School.  We hit it off immediately and from then until she left after 4th grade [...]

Read Full Post »

Good morning, Baltimore!

Baltimore, Maryland was not a place I ever thought much about growing up.  I doubt it was on my list of places I wanted to visit.  But I married a man who was born and raised in Baltimore, where his mother and other relatives still live, so I have spent a lot of time there [...]

Read Full Post »

Everlasting Laundry

My favorite part of going on vacation is getting away from housework, cooking, dishes . . . all of the everyday chores that cannot be put off or ignored.  When I am at home, if I am not doing those things, I am feeling guilty about not doing them.  The only way I can escape [...]

Read Full Post »

Simple Pleasures

On day one of our vacation, I spent four hours in the motel pool.  I think I was in there longer than any of the children.  I have not felt so good in over a month.  Between cold water and frigid motel air conditioning, I think I’ve died and gone to Heaven.

Read Full Post »

Two Walks

I love walking, but I like to walk SOMEWHERE. That’s something I miss since our move from an urban neighborhood with sidewalks and shopping, parks, and more within just a few blocks, to a suburban home on a dangerous road with no sidewalks at all and no safe way to get to the restaurants and [...]

Read Full Post »

False Fronts

My family and I spent part of our Easter Break in Gatlinburg.  Most of our vacation time and money is used for trips to Baltimore to see my husband’s family, but we try to make little trips to Gatlinburg at Christmas or Easter.  It’s close, there’s plenty to do, and we’ve found condos to stay [...]

Read Full Post »