My account on Half.com has a place where I can switch to vacation setting when the need arises.  Blogs don't have such a feature, but I'm forging new ground here to put my blog on vacation setting.  This means that I won't be putting up new blog entries every day and you'll have to hold back on the high volume of comments to each entry.  Oh, wait.  That sounds like what it's like all the time around here.  Well, you know what I mean.

We are, in fact, already on vacation and have been for the last thirty-one hours, although the first fourteen were hardly what anyone would consider as vacation.  After all, vacations are supposed to be relaxing, refreshing, a delectable break from the ordinary.  Yesterday was...not.  You see, we spent the day, fourteen hours to be exact, in the van.  Let me break it down. 

Dollar store presents for the kids: $25

New used movie for borrowed DVD player: $8

Enough snacks to choke a horse: $40

Toll road: $1

Bare bones dinner for 6 at Arby's: $30

Gas: I don't know, something astronomical

Arriving at Grandma's house all in one piece: priceless 

So, here we are at Grandpa and Grandma Shaw's house.  Today, we recover.  Tomorrow, we press on to West Virginia to meet all of John's brothers and their families for a week at Snowshoe.  Yes, Snowshoe is a ski resort, but we are assured that there are other things to do there.  I hope so because grass skiing does not appeal to me.  I need the snow to break my falls.

At the end of the week, we plan to go on to Pennsylvania to visit my family for a few days.  My sister, Katie, is home from London for a month, and I need to see her while she's on this side of the pond.  Then there are my parents, my brother and his family, my cousin and her son, a friend with a new baby, etc.  Many well-loved faces to see again. 

So, keep me on your favorites list, I'll be back.  While you're waiting, I suggest you try a vacation, too.  They're pretty good.  Well, after the first fourteen hours or so.   

Posted by Lauren

I'm glad you all got to grandma's home safely. Your many hours in the van will be worth it when we all reunite at Snowshoe. I can't wait to see you all. By the way, I'll have my pride and prejudice dvd handy for when our debate arises. :)

Posted by melissa at our side

Tell me about it! We spent two full days in the van to get to Calvin. Here I feel like I've been run around like a chicken with my head cut off. I was too exhausted tonight to go to the evening mtg. When is the "vacation" starting?

More people might read your blog than you know. Some people here know me from my blog. Heidi W___ told me today that she reads mine because of you. :D Thanks for the referral. Hee hee.

Posted by 5atkins

Glad the worst part is over or at least delayed until the drive back right! Having just done nearly the same thing I commiserate! As a matter of fact, I am feeling so sympathetic I just may need to go blog about it! :)

Praying the rest of your vacation is actually fun!
Blessings, Eva

Posted by CarpeBanana

hoping for a "back from vacation" type post... either that or a "we decided to stop by and visit you all" phone call or e-mail.