Lovin’ Summer
Jun 15th 2007
Nicole JordanGoddess Readers Speak Out
Summer means fun for a lot of people: school kids, teachers, families, boaters, swimmers, mountain-climbers, tennis players…
Summer is fun for me partly because I’m cold-natured and I can stay warm.
That isn’t the case for my hubby and friends who are avid skiers. Even though they enjoy hiking and biking and rafting during the warm season, they’re already counting the days until 
the first snowfall. In fact, they’re holding a Summer Solstice party next week to celebrate the days getting shorter, which means ski season is getting closer.
But since summer is almost upon us, this seems a good 
time to ask about everyone’s plans for vacations or just plain fun.
I’ve taken several trips recently, so sadly I won’t be indulging in more anytime soon. Instead I’ll mostly be keeping my cute little tush (okay, maybe it’s not so little) in my computer desk chair writing my next book. But I can live vicariously, can’t I?
So please tell me, do you have any special plans for summer fun? Is it something you really want 
to do, or are you accommodating someone else’s wishes? Will you be with family or friends, or all by yourself? And if you go on vacation, would you let me come along in your suitcase if I promise to supply the margaritas (or beverage of your choice)?
48 Comments »
48 Responses to “Lovin’ Summer”
cail on 15 Jun 2007 at 6:58 am #
my mom and i are finalizing the plans for our now traditional mother daughter end of summer trip. we’re hoping to go on a horseback riding safari in Botswana, but if we can’t figure out how to get there (apparently it takes about 4 different air flights to get there, at least) we may end up doing a riding adventure on Easter Island (near Chile) which involves only two different airplane rides. Other than that, the usual weekend trips, my birthday and attempting to get to the beach at least one time, unlike last summer!
SuzyQ on 15 Jun 2007 at 7:31 am #
Oh Cail - Easter Island sounds great - hope it all works out.
Me and my family will be heading down the shore for our annual vacation. It’s a close enough ride in the car, but far enough away from home. The kids anxiously look forward to it and we always have a great time. Now that the kids are getting older, next year we might try Disney.
I also go away for a girls weekend with one of my best friends. We usually pick someplace warm with a beach and a spa. We pamper ourselves with massages, facials, pedicures and the like. And Nicole, we could REALLY use some margaritas!!!
Claudia Dain on 15 Jun 2007 at 7:48 am #
I’m jealous of both Cail and SuzyQ!! You have PLANS, fun plans. I tend to look up and find myself in November, wondering what happened to summer.
I’m the worst at planning for trips. I just get so wrapped up in my daily routine, all the jobs that need doing (kitchen counter wiping being right up there), that I just let the weeks slip by. I need to get better at heaving myself up from the computer and running out to play.
If I start small, then maybe by the time I’m 80 I’ll have worked myself up to horseback riding on Easter Island. Wow.
Julia London on 15 Jun 2007 at 8:20 am #
September is All About Julia month (no snickering). First couple of weeks we’ll be in Ireland, and then the last week, the DH and I are getting away to Puerto Vallarta to celebrate his birthday.
Until then, I will be in this chair, pounding keyboards and gearing up for a couple of book releases later in the year. But I’ll be dreaming of September.
Claudia Dain on 15 Jun 2007 at 8:23 am #
Oooh, Julia, September sounds amazing for you! I think you should make it an annual event, even if you choose to go to different places. One month per year, devoted to making yourself happy! What’s not to like?
Susan K on 15 Jun 2007 at 8:24 am #
No summer vacations for me. I am moving this summer but that’s it. Nothing very exciting.
Di R on 15 Jun 2007 at 9:00 am #
Next month my DH and I and another couple are going away for a weekend of riding 4-wheelers. I can’t wait! two days with no kids (thank you grandma & papa). I love riding, but even more fun is when Doug lets me drive-although he does have wandering hands which can be distracting.*g* Then, we’ll have several days to spend with the kids-going to the water park and fishing, and other stuff. (Of course I’ll do all the invisible stuff, packing lunches and sunscreen, etc.)
Di
Nicole Jordan on 15 Jun 2007 at 9:21 am #
Wow, Cail, a riding adventure anywhere sounds great to me! Esp Easter Island. I’ve seen some documentaries about EI and it looks really cool. And the Animal Planet channel does a lot docs about Africa. Some of my friends have done the safari thing and brought back amazing pictures.
SuzyQu, I’m drooling over the massage-at-the-beach time out with the girls vacation. Sounds dreamy! And I would love to bring the margaritas. How do you like yours?
And time away from the kids 4-wheeling sounds great, too, Di. We’ve done the Disney thing several times with my dh’s kids. Along with 6-Flags and several other amusement parks. My fave thing is funnel cakes. Love those!
I know moving is no fun, SusanK! I’ve done it a LOT. But hopefully it’s gearing up for better things next year?
……….tbc
Nicole Jordan on 15 Jun 2007 at 9:23 am #
And Julia, I am soooo envious about your Sept trips! I’ve heard fab things about Ireland. In fact my sis and mom are there right now visiting with sis’s family. I was invited, but spending that much time with my relatives is not conducive to fun *G*
Claudia and I will be here keeping our desk chairs warm, but you’ll have to tell us all about it.
NicoleJ
Lismore on 15 Jun 2007 at 9:35 am #
We are taking two 15 year old girls to Disney World, Epcot and MGM. Are we nuts? Our daughter had been bugging us that she was so deprived as a child by not going to DW. Deprived? We think not!
We relented because I love Epcot and we thought this will probably be the last time she will really want to hang out with us. She still kind of likes as even though she is a teenager. She will have a job next summer and then college will be here in a flash.
We are letting her bring her best friend with her. I refuse to do the big amusement rides. I am a wimp.
joyrop on 15 Jun 2007 at 9:41 am #
Right now I’m buying my first house and it turns out that it takes up most of your time and money, so vacation plans are on hold. In the Fall, a group of my girlfriends from college and I are going to rent a beach house someplace quiet. Add a few drinks with little umbrellas and leave behind any financing or legal documents and it sounds like heavan right now.
RachelG on 15 Jun 2007 at 10:00 am #
I’m not doing anything this summer, and I’m thrilled. I love to go away on vacation, but this summer I’m just going to hang out at the cabin and float around the lake on the boat. Mr. G and I like to take binoculars and look for wild life on the islands. Last year we spotted naked sun bathers. We were quite excited.
Julia London on 15 Jun 2007 at 10:08 am #
Rachel, that sounds heavenly to me. There is something about summer and lakes and laziness that all goes together and calls my name
Nicole Jordan on 15 Jun 2007 at 10:16 am #
>>I refuse to do the big amusement rides. I am a wimp.
I had to laugh, Lis. I do NOT like the huge rollercoasters. The whirligig thingies are bad enough, but I keep away from the coasters. And you are obviously a good mom, caring so much about your kid’s education. *G*
>>I’m buying my first house and it turns out that it takes up most of your time and money
Boy, you can say that again, Joy! And it doesn’t have to be your first house. Dh and I moved 1 1/2 years ago to a house that needed some fixing up, so we spent all our discretionary income on it. And we’re just now back to trying to enjoy life again. And it does sound like heaven to get away for some quiet beach time. Best of luck with the new purchase! It’ll be worth have to skip some vacations, though.
And Rachel, that does sound lovely, floating around in your boat. Although I could skip the nude sunbathers.
NicoleJ
zambonigirl on 15 Jun 2007 at 10:26 am #
Well, if you’re willing to supply the margaritas…
The only trip I’m taking this summer is to North Carolina for my niece’s birthday, and to rub the Stanley Cup in my SIL’s face. (The Carolina Hurricanes won last year, for anyone who doesn’t follow hockey. And if you don’t, why don’t you? A whole bunch of hunky guys performing ballet on the ice for you? And someone’s keeping score? Dude!)
Some friends are going to San Fran at the end of August, and I’m going to tag along during Labor Day weekend. My actual vacation will be in October, coincidentally my birthday month, and I will be going to Kaua’i. All summer, I will be gearing up at the beach and pool for kayaking/snorkeling excursions, and I am training at the gym for hiking. Kaua’i has a rainforest, and I fully intend to explore it. I also want to be WAY more svelte than I am right now for all the cute guys I intend to flirt with.
MJ on 15 Jun 2007 at 10:31 am #
I think I’ve already bored you with my nerdy summer trips. But I’m so excited, I’m tellin’ you again and you can just skip over. (-;
I’m spending a week touring the Canadian Maritime Provinces with one choir I sing with (25th anniversary tour)….and later, a week singing the Evensong and Sunday services at Norwich Cathedral in the UK…followed by a couple of days in Brugges Belgium, singing at St. Salvator Cathedral and Grote Kerk in Breda, Holland…..(another choir, same organist/conductor) We do a different UK Cathedral every year….so I’m slowly seeing bits of England. It seems different to actually ‘live’ there for a week than just sightseeing.
All those cute innocent-looking little choirboys go on vacation, replaced by such as I - (who is built on more Wagnerian lines)…. pretty funny looking, I admit, but I think we sound OK.
Kasey on 15 Jun 2007 at 10:49 am #
I won’t be goning on a summer vacation. I already went on a vacation this spring to Italy (which was Amazing). So since I already had my yearly trip I don’t have plans to go anywhere else.
anneriailin on 15 Jun 2007 at 11:21 am #
I am moving this summer also. Me and SusanK. Not together or anyhing, at least I don’t think so. lol But I am moving…..if I can find someplace to move to that is! UGH
–dorothy
Susan K on 15 Jun 2007 at 11:53 am #
Dorothy - I don’t think we’re moving together! My fiance and I are moving into a trailer that his dad own. It will save us about $500 a month on rent so that we can save for our wedding in the spring. It needs some work because my fiance’s sister trashed it but I am looking forward to cleaning it up and making it a home. His dad told us we can do whatever we want to it.
Today is my 30th birthday and I have to say that I don’t feel 30. And I also thought I would be depressed and upset about turning 30. Maybe it’s because I have so much to look forward to with the wedding and then starting a family.
zambonigirl on 15 Jun 2007 at 11:54 am #
Happy birthday, SusanK! I’m glad you don’t feel bad about it. 30 is the new…whatever. Who wants to be 20 again?
Nicole Jordan on 15 Jun 2007 at 12:10 pm #
So cool about your training for your trip, Zamb! I’ve only tried a kayak once in a swimming pool and I couldn’t stay up, lol. Hope it’s wonderful.
MJ, you definitely are boring anyone with your plans. I would LOVE to go in your suitcase — although you wouldn’t want me along since I can keep a tune but sound like a warbling cat when I sing.
Kasey, you and I can go look through photos of our recent trips so we don’t have to be to envious of everyone elses’.
And Dorothy, best of luck on your move!
…tbc
Kay on 15 Jun 2007 at 12:13 pm #
Happy Birthday, Susan K!
My vacation this summer is to RWA in Dallas. A friend just moved there, so I get to stay an extra day and hang out with her, as a bonus!
We went on our big family trip (not vacation, that’s without kids) for Spring Break, so no family summer trip.
We are getting out 9th exchange student in August. We want to give him the true midwestern family experience.
We will go on a weekend trip to a cabin on Lake Superior in September, drive to Mt. Rushmore this October–the kids have a four day weekend– and visit family & do Chicago in the winter. He should be sick of us, and of driving, by spring. LOL
Nicole Jordan on 15 Jun 2007 at 12:14 pm #
>>> I’m glad you don’t feel bad about it. 30 is the new…whatever. Who wants to be 20 again?
LOL!! That is so true. I spent the first 30 years of my life wanting to be older, so I was really glad to hit 30. It was only when I reached 40 when I decided it was ok if I slowed down the ageing process a little, but of course the years only seemed to go by faster.
Happy Birthday, Susan!!! Hope it’s lovely for you. And I agree, you have so many great things to look forward to, that ageing doesn’t matter at all.
NicoleJ
Julia London on 15 Jun 2007 at 12:30 pm #
happy Birthday, Susan K! Zamboni is right — 30 is the age to be.
Unfortunately, Nicole is right, too
cail on 15 Jun 2007 at 12:48 pm #
Happy Birthday SusanK!
anneriailin on 15 Jun 2007 at 12:53 pm #
SusanK….Happy Birthday!! I hope your day is filled with happiness and all your wishes come true.
What an exciting time you have ahead of you!! Setting up a house and home, getting married and starting a family. Good Luck to both of you!
–dorothy
Suzanne Enoch on 15 Jun 2007 at 12:59 pm #
My big vacation will be the five days I spend in Dallas for the RWA conference. And I’m bringing my laptop, so I’m not sure it qualifies in any way at all as vacation.
Oh, well. At the moment I’m traveling in my mind to London in 1813, so I’ll just have to enjoy that. At least I don’t have to step in real horse poo.
Julia London on 15 Jun 2007 at 1:14 pm #
Or use a chamberpot.
Sabrina Jeffries on 15 Jun 2007 at 1:22 pm #
Suzanne and I apparently have similarly uneventful lives, except that I’m going to Dallas TWICE (and bringing my laptop both times), neither of which is really going to be a vacation, although I do love RWA conference.
The second time is for my parents’ 50th wedding anniversary–4 siblings (including me), plus their spouses, plus their children, staying in one hotel. Should be interesting!
Seriously, though, we haven’t all been together since my youngest brother got married 15+ years ago. I haven’t seen my two California nephews in over 10 years. So I’m really looking forward to it, but I’m still not sure if that qualifies as a vacation.
Nicole Jordan on 15 Jun 2007 at 1:58 pm #
Nope, the RWA conference with a laptop (or even without one) does NOT quality as a vacation! Certainly not one to relax by. Sorry you guys have to work all that time, but it just means more great books faster for us to read. So I can’t sympathize with you too much *G*.
Seriously, Suzanne, horse poo isn’t all that bad. I’ve become inured to it at least. You can’t have a horse without it, unless you want the wooden rocking chair kind, and then they can’t give you much love back.
And Sabrina, your 2nd Dallas trip does sound interesting! I’m not sure I envy you, though, even if you do get to enjoy some special moments with your family. I just don’t think I could take that much togetherness with mine.
NicoleJ
Nicole Jordan on 15 Jun 2007 at 2:03 pm #
>>>We are getting out 9th exchange student in August. We want to give him the true midwestern family experience.
Kay, that is so admirable, you taking in students like that! Where is #9 from? I think you mentioned this before but my brain is mush these days. And tell me again, where in the midwest???
NJ
amy1242 on 15 Jun 2007 at 3:41 pm #
I’m going to Montana in September to be a pretend cowgirl for a week. I did it last year and had so much fun that I actually CRIED when I left. I go by myself and get to meet all different kinds of cowboy/girl wannabe’s. AND the actual wranglers they have there making sure we don’t get into too much trouble are major eye candy, and oh, so sweet! You’re all invited to come along! YE HAW!!
Nicole Jordan on 15 Jun 2007 at 4:01 pm #
That sounds like great fun, Amy!!! I would adore getting to come along with you. Hope it’s a blast!
NJ
gannon on 15 Jun 2007 at 6:20 pm #
Add me to the list of those who are moving this summer. We left San Diego last Saturday and spent a few days in Sequoia National Park and Yosemite–so beautiful!! Next it was a quick trip to Zion National Park and then the North Rim of the Grand Canyon–also spectacular!! We are currently in Durango, CO. It’s a charming town and I’d probably enjoy it more if I knew we didn’t have to leave in the morning and keep driving. UGH!
We need to reach NC by Monday–our furniture is being delivered on Tuesday! It’s been a whirlwind trip, not exactly a vacation, especially with 3 kids sometimes bickering in the back seat. Now I know how my parents felt!
I will be able to relax after next week…maybe, with a bottle of wine and my DH, looking out at the mountain view from our new home! Ahhh…
Enjoy your summer, everyone!
Nicole Jordan on 15 Jun 2007 at 6:54 pm #
Yay, Gannon!! This is your retirement home you’re moving to, right? I had to laugh at your description of your travels, since that sounds exactly like my family when I was a kid and we moved to my dad’s next station. But I hope you get to enjoy the trip, and that y’all arrive safely at your new home!
NJ, waving atcha from Utah!
Julia London on 15 Jun 2007 at 7:25 pm #
Oh, Amy they do that here, too — I tried to talk my sisters into going. How fun is that??
TinaLouiseF on 15 Jun 2007 at 7:52 pm #
I wasn’t planning on a summer vacation this year. I think the last summer vacation I had was before my parents bought the towing company in 1990.
I’m going with my mother to a family reunion for the paternal side of her family back a few generations. I don’t think mom has seen those relatives for at least 25 years and I’m not sure if I have ever met them. I have acquired 6 new second cousins since I visited in 2003. I’m taking my laptop to input everyone into my family tree program.
It is hot in North Dakota in July. I’ll have lots of sunscreen. Maybe I can talk mom into driving, her car has air conditioning.
TinaLouiseF on 15 Jun 2007 at 7:55 pm #
I miss summer horse trips into the mountains. All of the good horses passed away. Now there are only 4 greenbroke horses that no one has time to train.
Kasey on 15 Jun 2007 at 8:02 pm #
Nicole - trust me I will be looking throught the photos of my trip to tide me over until I can go on my next great adventure. Actually one of my goals this weekend is to organize them, write on them and put them in a book. Know I just need to find the motivation.
Kasey on 15 Jun 2007 at 8:04 pm #
Oops that was supposed to be Now and not Know (and I should have known better becasue I always teased my friend for constantly doing the same thing when I would read his papers).
amy1242 on 15 Jun 2007 at 11:18 pm #
Julia, it was tied with Scotland, as my best vacation ever. You don’t need your sisters to do this one with you either. Yes, it would have been fun with a friend or two, but it was even more of an adventure on my own. Beautiful country! And the people that are there, really want to be there. The same group of people do this the same week every year. I can’t wait to see them again. My horse was a paint named Tonto, who had one blue eye and one brown eye. Cool horse. Awesome people! Wanna come along?
Nicole Jordan on 16 Jun 2007 at 10:16 am #
Hope it’s a great trip for you, Tina! And that’s sad about not having the horses you used to have.
Good luck with the photo albums, Kasey! Luckily my dh loves to do that so I don’t have to.
Amy, a reunion with the same group of folks if you like them all can be great. What happens if there’s a bad apple in the bunch? My dh has a ski college week in Dec with the same group of skiiers each year, and they have a ball. I get to come to the party at the end of the week and see videos and listen to the stories and jokes.
NJ
Kay on 17 Jun 2007 at 4:32 pm #
Nicole–I’ve been out of town since the last post.
We are in Minnesota–the citiies–as they call Minneapolis. This student is from France. My kids speak some French, and he speaks some English, so we’ll all muddle through. It will be fun, and it’s so cool to see our country through another’s eyes. I find that the students all find something special that I take for granted about MN or the US–until they point it out.
Brownies are always a new experience for our students, so I get to make them alot.
We always take our student to vote with us, even if it is just a local election year. That makes a big impression!
Nicole Jordan on 18 Jun 2007 at 9:50 am #
Kay, that is so admirable. What great education for your kids, in so many ways. And I can see that brownies would be an exellent ambassador of good will, lol.
Best of luck with the new student!
NicoleJ
TheNightPoet on 19 Jun 2007 at 1:41 am #
I am going to now 3 weddings this summer. (well one is in September, but I’ll still count it as summer time.) I just went to a wedding at the beginning of this month. I’m not planning on going anywhere as far as I know. My aunt said she was going to take me to Chicago in July, but I haven’t heard back from her on that trip, so it may not happen this year. I’ve just been hanging out with my frineds and catching up with them. When I’m in school I tend to not get the chance to hang out with them as much, so I use summer time and other breaks to catch up with all of my friends again. It’s nice to have that freedom.
Andrea
TheNightPoet on 19 Jun 2007 at 1:42 am #
P.S. I also hang out with my family as well.
Nicole Jordan on 19 Jun 2007 at 10:19 am #
Wow, that’s a lot of weddings, Andrea! Hope they’re all fun for you.
And I envy you being off during the summer! However, I don’t think I would like your and Kasey’s study schedule the rest of the year!
NJ
TheNightPoet on 23 Jun 2007 at 12:17 pm #
Nicole, yes, it is a lot of weddings. This happened to me about five or six years ago too. Everyone had weddings this one summer as well. Two were in the same week. lol I think they will be fun. After the one wedding today, I don’t have another one to go to until August. That’s the one that I’m a maid of honor in, so that one I’ll be busy for with the bachorlette party and all that.
And yes, having the summer off is nice! I love it! I don’t like having the study schedule during the rest of the year either. hehe I am looking forward to starting my English classes this Fall though.
Andrea