Sigh

[Nevermore]

Yup, must be Raven! I have been working my tailfeathers off. I am starting to hit bottom a little, I just can't keep up the pace for too much longer. I am on vacation starting next Friday and realise that I haven't been able to post as much as I wanted to, am unlikely to be able to do so before I leave and will be dead silent while I am gone. I am going to do my best to get into the galleries--I noticed some new names and faces and so want to see what they are doing and say hello and encourage them to have a rip snorting fun time here!

I really do miss you all when I can't hang out and drivel on.

I do hope everyone is okay in the general sense of the word and starting to settle down into their summer. On the Canada Day long weekend I got a little hasty as the Ents would say and packed away my flannel jammies. Mistake. Hauled 'em out again today. It is freezing, freezing, freezing here. Stole Max's Winnie the Pooh blankie to wrap around me, too. Am thinking of taking the laptop to bed (the bottom gets superheated and acts like a wee electric blanket). There were TONS of good reasons why civilisation began in the WARM climes, not the least of which was common sense.

[kygirl]

It has been a little quieter here, but we have lots of new people who've come on board in the past few weeks, so it's fun getting to know them.
I'm in the middle of the pre-vacation rush, as well. We're leaving for Gulf Shores, AL on Saturday. The average high there next week is 91 degrees. For me, Canada's cold spell sounds preferable. But this trip was planned, and paid for, by my in-laws so I can't complain. :)
I don't think we'll have Internet access, but I do plan on getting caught up on some design work. Hope to have lots to post when I get back.

[Vania16]

What is it with in-laws and Alabama this summer? That's where my in-laws took us on vacation too LOL! But, it was actually a lot of fun - the gulf was beautiful and we just did a lot of swimming and staying in air-conditioning to stay cool :) Hope you have fun too!

And, Nevermore, I hope you dig yourself out of your pile of work soon. I find myself similarly situated, but I am seeing a light at the end of the tunnel, so I hope I will have some time to quirk soon :) I'm also trying to convince DH that taking a week off and just staying home would be an excellent vacation! It's hard to resist the cooler air and ocean beauty of San Diego though, so maybe he'll ultimately convince me that travel is worthwhile.

Finally, I'm really happy to see lots of new faces and some fabulous art in the gallery. I've been short on time for commenting, but be assured that I'm loving all the great stuff going on in there these days!

[Nevermore]

Pretty hard to say too much about a free vacation except Yippee! Have fun, Donna and take lots of pics.

Lisa, I concur with a week at home, too. But I have taken two weeks IN A ROW off for the past few summers (justified on the basis I take almost no other vacation at all) mainly because of the kid. I am first generation Canadian: my sister and I grew up with parents horrified at the idea of camping and the concept of "cottage" never entered their mind. My sister and I have children of the same age and we decided when Max was just a babe that we would give our kids the cottage culture other kids we knew had had. So, every summer we rent a cottage together. As I said, I changed it over to two weeks because I found by the time I pack for it, get to it, get settled in it, get the work monkey off my back, it is time to pack up and clean it before I turn around. For whatever reason, two weeks is LUXURY and we all sit around Sunday evening CROWING and crowing that an entire 'nother week is spread before us. By that time, I could care less about the office, cleaning, cooking or anything other than trying to figure out my camera (for the upteenth year in a row) and putting on our annual production. For whatever reason, good ol' aunt Kim got corralled from the first year (and thus, by the logic of children, for every year thereafter until I die) into writing and directing a stage production which we put on on the penultimate night. We being me and the three kids. I love/hate it. They are deadly serious about it and start planning it about 5 minutes after we land and after that nag me to death about rehearsals. One of the things we all love is going to the small town to buy all the props. Of course, this is a huge secret and the other grown ups are not allowed to see until it is performed. Whereupon every year they duly exclaim in total surprise. What a hoot! Just writing about it puts this stupid grin on my face.

[akissling]

I hope everyone enjoys their vacations!!
San Diego is my favorite place in the US!!! Don't pass it up Lisa!!! Go for me!!!
Kim, your 2 weeks sound grand! I will take the cold too!
Donna, the Gulf Shores sound a lot better than the land-locked midwest! If it is going to be hot and humid your might as well be somewhere pretty! Right??
I am sure that everyone will come back energized and full if great ideas. I am always re-charged about home and projects when I go away!!

[kygirl]

Kim, that's my kind of vacation. And, the plays sound like so much fun.

Lisa, San Diego is one of my favorite cities, too. If you decide to go, e-mail me and I'll tell you about my favorite restaurants. (Mmmm. Scallop sandwiches to die for.)

Alison, I'm in Lexington, so I know exactly what you're talking about. Last week, in San Diego, there were heat advisories because it was 80 degrees with 80 percent humidity. My friends, who were traveling there, had to explain to people that in July, we call that a cold spell.:)

[akissling]

OH, that made me laugh Donna!!!

[CathyRose]

Oh Kim, putting on a play with the family sounds like so much fun! I would love to do that sometime with my granddaughters!

[skyescrapz]

I really do miss you all when I can't hang out and drivel on.

I feel the same way, Raven. Maybe that's why I was feeling the way I was before I wandered back in today...

[kygirl]

I'm back from the Gulf Shores, where it was pretty, but terribly hot and humid. I suffered bouts of Internet withdrawal, but survived. We stayed so busy that I didn't get a chance to design anything.
So now I'm spending my morning catching up on all I missed. It may take most of the day. This place has been busy. :)

[akissling]

Hi Donna! I guess you came back for more of the same lovely weather! Welcome back! We missed you!

[graybonnie]

I supposed to head off to the Outer Banks of NC in 9 days. Right now I'm very tired.... all three dogs have taken turns with stitches and bandages. Heat and humidity is not helping things and my allergies are acting up! I know beach and a house full of friends will be fun but .....

Wishing I was north of the jet stream. Everyone take care. Bonnie