A few weeks ago my husband accepted a new job. After 14 years that’s a big change and we’re pretty excited for the new opportunities this will bring him.

Changing jobs in the middle of the summer means that the week between the old and the new is the only vacation time he’ll be able to take. So I decided it would be a great time to take some time off with him. We planned several cookouts and dinners with friends, days at the beach, picnics. I figured I could work mornings and then have my afternoons and evenings free to visit and play.

Well, it hasn’t quite worked out that way. The mostly mornings has stretched to some afternoons and some nights, too, in and around the cookouts and visits. The beach days have totally passed me by…my kids are off with their dad again today while I wrap balms and bottle lotions.

As much as I wish I could have gone to the beach today, I have to say that this work-staycation thing has been fun. I apologize for not planning a better blogging schedule; it’s something I need to work on so that there will be something here for you to see even when I’m not here! But I really needed even this little bit of rest. I have enjoyed spending time with friends and family and not working all day every day. As much as I love my work, I appreciate coming back to it even more when I’ve been away from it for a little while.

What do you think? Do you have to get away from work completely in order to relax, or do you find that even small breaks work well to recharge your battery? Do you take weeks at a time, or are long weekends better for you? What are you doing for fun this summer? I’d love to know!

(I’m sharing some photos here of the teriyaki chicken kabobs we grilled on the Fourth, and my son enjoying his hot dogs at one of our cookouts! Below you can see the view from my “lab” window…my kids enjoying one of my favorite spots, among the flowers on our deck.)