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Life's a beach


I am still in beach vacation mode. Not vacation mode, mind you, because I have been in that mode for months. But rather stuck in the lazy, really-do-nothing state that an actual, going-somewhere vacation provides.


I am so glad we went to the beach and got away. Although Jordan at first thought the ocean smelled too fishy, after a day away (we stayed on the bay), she changed her mind (or maybe the air was just better). It was truly delightful to listen to and watch her scream and laugh in the waves. And it was kind of fun for me, even when a wave knocked me down.


Probably my favorite part, though, was the eating. Shocking, I know. I had seafood at every dinner. It was wonderful. Crab soup, scallops, clams, crab legs, and more. I would love to eat like that once or twice a week. I can still taste all that deliciousness.


And sipping a fruity drink while overlooking the pool during happy hour the first night was a perfect way to start the vacation. That hour really was happy! And, even better, two drinks seemed to knock most of my cold out of me. Nothing like blowing your nose and coughing approximately 100 times during the six-plus hour ride down.


At some point during our vacation, I decided that maybe I should get a job. It is not as if vacations pay for themselves, sadly. For the few weeks prior to our trip, anytime Jordan would ask for something, I would remind her we needed to save money. Each time, she would say, "Oh, yeah, for our vacation." And each time, I would have to explain that it was more than that; Mommy does not have a job, and we just don't have the extra money. Even today, she said, "Now that we are done with vacation, we don't need to save money anymore." Sigh.


Kids her age have trouble grasping this concept. And because we have not had to cut out too much so far (thanks to saving all that money on childcare), she is not really seeing a big change. But soon I think she will be forced to understand the harsh reality of a reduced income. It is coming. I can feel it.
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