Time Off and Time Away

So....I know it's been forever since I posted anything. I actually went back today and realized it's been (literally) months! Well, that is partially due to being so busy I don't take the time to sign on, and partially due to having absolutely nothing to talk about. How ironic huh?

Anyways, I'm realizing today there's a huge difference between time off and time away. That includes from your family, your job, your hobbies, and your friends. I often find that I talk about taking time off, but that usually just involves putting an electronic request in the computer, and having someone approve my option to not show up that day.

Time away is a very different matter though. There's lot of preparation, thinking ahead, and at least a small amount of stress until you come back. For example, traveling away from home. It's great and nice to take the time to go and be somewhere different, but to get there you have to do several things first.

Step 1: Figure out if you are taking the dogs (children, cats, etc.) or having someone watch them.

Step 2: Find the right person to watch them.

Step 3: Leave notes for the person watching them so they do it right.

Step 4: Prepare yourself to call often and make sure they are doing it right.

Step 5: Come home and try to avoid the "we'll never do that again" thought if it wasn't done "exactly" right.

And that's just accounting for one small piece of the puzzle. You still have packing, planning, notifying, and then physically going to account for.

After all is said and done, you come home, throw your bags on the floor, pet the dogs (kiss the kids if so applicable) and finally rest. All this, and yet we look forward to taking some time away.....