When is a vacation not a vacation?

So I took this little "vacation" to see my parents two weeks ago.  I got to thinking "this doesn't really feel like vacation", which led into "if I'm off work, why doesn't this feel like a vacation"?  Here are some possible reasons why and of course super cute pics of what I did while I was away from you!

1.  When you have more things to fit in a week and no time-turner available because Hermione borrowed it and never gave it back! 

Not a HP fan?  google it.  Ok, so every time I leave this "paradise" as people call it, I've got a MILLION things that I have on my "to-do" list.  If you've ever read my Cordovaisms Vol. 1 or Vol. 2 you can see that there isn't any shopping here and we are a very secluded little town.  Lovely?  Yes.  Control my shopping?  Yes.  Me likey?  NO.  Naturally, when my parents offered to fly me down for my birthday present I was ecstatic to see them and to do a million things I don't get to do up here.  Enter not feeling like a vacation.  We were running around like crazy people going from store to store trying to buy the entire world the things I needed.  These things included but were by no means limited to: candles (to last until Spring flavors are needed), fall/winter outfits, fun work shoes (Cordova likes to EAT shoes- I'll expand later.) and decorations.  It was like a gun went off the first morning I was there and the race didn't end until the morning I left.  Exhausting.

2.  When you stay with family.

I love you... like a lot.  But there is just something about going back to your hotel room with a freshly turned down bed and hearing- wait for it- nothing.  Also, my dear Mother LOVES to wake me up.  I'm pretty sure it's one of her favorite things, ever.

3.  When said family gets a new puppy.

It's like staying with a person who just had a newborn... super cute, tons of work.  I, myself, had my baby fever checked after staying with the newest member of the family.  Holy biting, needy, peeing, crazy excited little monster.  Did I already say I'm pretty sure my Mom is trying to replace me with a puppy?  Yeah, that happened.  Oh, and regarding the above wake up calls, a 30lb 4mo old bulldog puppy jumping on your head and biting your hair- is not making my favorites list.  Being with this puppy made me A) appreciate my almost 7yr old pug and B)gave me a serious reality check on the ticking clock in my uterus.  tmi?  Nah!

4.  When you constantly eat out.

Hold the phone.  You're telling me that eating out doesn't make you feel like you're on vacation?  Why yes, that's exactly what I'm saying.  While eating out is an integral part of vacation, trying to cram every single food that you don't get in your tiny Alaskan town in your face in 8 days is not enjoyable in hindsight.  Please refer to number one.  I had... pizza, thai (no, I actually never got thai, damn!), sushi, Luna (awesome restaurant), Fro you like 16 times, P.F. Changs, breakfast restaurants, Five Guys Burgers, sandwich shop goodies, Starbucks- duh and the list goes on and on...  Needless to say I came back with 5lbs of lovin.  Totally worth it. 

However, can we talk about the day I DID feel total bliss?  My Mom surprised me with a massage and facial at the Coeur D'alene Spa & Resort.  I have never had a facial before and let me tell you, just between you and me, it's heaven.  You should go get one.  Like now.  We spent 4 hours at the spa and then had an amazing dinner at the resort restaurant.  It was so peaceful, relaxing and later indulgent with the ice cream sundae that it felt like my birthday all over again.  That was exactly what I had wanted.

Here are some of the super fun pics I took on with my family.  Love these people!!

I'm not sure if it's because I'm getting old and "going home" has a different feel or if it's the adult in me feeling weird, but something was different.  I love my family and am SO excited that I was able to see them (last time was for wedding festivities a year ago).  I can't wait to be closer to them but I won't be shocked at these new feelings I have next time.  Next time, I'll be ready for the grown up Annalee's needs and make sure to plan accordingly!  Maybe a Husband in tow would've helped too!  We'll see!

As you get older does "going home" mean something different to you?    

Until next time...