What you up to?
Jun 25th 2009
Rachel GibsonOn Writing!
I have a pretty eventful summer planned. The fun starts on the fourth of July when Mr. G and I and all the kids head up north to spend the weekend on the lake. We set off tons of fireworks, eat great food, catch up with relative, and have a great time.
Then I’m off to the RWA conference in DC where I will see a lot of my writer friends. It’s a long and exhausting trip, but I’m really looking forward to visiting the Holocaust Museum. Last time I was in DC, I didn’t make it there and I’ve always regretted it.
In August I am going on a real vacation. One that has nothing to do with work and kids aren’t allowed. Mr. G and I are flying to the Oregon coast with friends. Just adults. No visiting seals or sea lion caves or listening to the children fight over who’s breathing on whom. We’re just going to spend a week laying around on the beach eating salt water taffy. It sounds like paradise.
What are you plans this summer?
42 Comments »
42 Responses to “What you up to?”
Nikki H on 25 Jun 2009 at 10:46 pm #
We’re driving to Sedona, Arizona, and will stay for three days visiting every park in the area. Then we will spend a couple of days at the Grand Canyon, finally touring other national parks in southern Utah. Yeah, the hubs has a thing for national parks. This isn’t like going to Hawaii or even Scotland, but it’s what we do. We took our first real vacation ever last year (after 34 yrs. of marriage & without children) that didn’t entail soccer tournaments or visiting relatives, and decided that it was really fun! Who knew?
Karen Rose on 25 Jun 2009 at 10:54 pm #
Rachel – a week on the beach does sound like paradise! I hope you and Mr. G have a ball.
We’re taking a few days in DC before RWA – DC is our hometown and we still have family in MD. I’m planning to catch up with two of my high school pals there. We’re making a family vacation of it for a few days, then DH and kids get to play while I’m at conference.
Last year we did our major UK adventure, so this year will be smaller and less expensive trips.
nancyg on 26 Jun 2009 at 1:49 am #
busy summer planned…
Youngest daughter is going to Buffalo, NY, to spend 2 weeks with my in-laws. Since they live 1,500 miles away, the girls only get to see them 1-2 times a year at most. When they turn 10, they get to spend time with Grandma & Grandpa G… this year, it’s her turn.
I’m going to fly in & pick her up, then shuttle up to CT to spend a week with my critique partner… haven’t seen her since Reno RWA, but we talk/chat weekly. I finally get to meet her family. She met mine when down for Dallas RWA, so it should be a great time, PLUS I get to see her new WIP hot off the press, so to speak.
August, Mr. G & I rented a house in St. John for a week with 4 other couples – adults only! – looking forward to some alone-time with my man!!
Other than that, shuttling kids to indoor soccer, theater camp, cooking classes, junior golf camp, swimming, sleepovers, playdates, and movies!! Mr. G & I can usually sneak away 1-2 times a week to the golf course. It’s already hitting 100+ in Dallas, so it’s going to be a “long, hot summer”!!
Y’all have a great time in DC! Rachel, we visited the Holocaust Museum a couple of years ago. Eye-opening! bring tissues…
Susan M on 26 Jun 2009 at 4:46 am #
We don’t have a lot planned this summer. This weekend I’m heading up to Cleveland to visit my best friend and have her husband work on my car. Then Monday we are going to a baseball game with a bunch of my co-workers. The president of my company is paying for it. We are leaving on vacation August 29 to visit my family in Minnesota. That’s about it.
Michelle B on 26 Jun 2009 at 5:19 am #
Best laid plans…. We had a family trip planned June 7 to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary. It all got scrapped when my 37 year old SIL was admitted to the hospital and found to be full of cancer. We used the time off to travel to her and help out. She passed away three days after we got there. Very young and too sad.
DD#2 is in Kentucky at a Leadership Training Course for Army ROTC. We are going down the middle of July to see her graduate. So we will get a couple of days there.
Then in August DH is retiring from the Air Force. We’ll have some people here who will be spending their vacation with us. Since we live on base, there will also be a move somewhere, sometime this summer. Waiting on a job offer that may come any day now.
Jamie on 26 Jun 2009 at 5:39 am #
My Mom and I are going to Cape May, NJ for a couple of days. We did that some years ago and enjoyed it. We have been wanting to do it again, but things got in the way. So, this year we decided to just go for it.
We got a hotel on the beach with a beach view. It was only $15.00 more a night to get a beach view with sofa in the room than to get a side view without a sofa. It will be a lot of fun. My Mom said if it rains, we can at least sit on the sofa instead of just the bed.
We only live 1 1/2 hrs from the Jersey shore. I also want to take my grand nephew, Ryan, to the shore, but his parents, when I asked, did not give a definite yes or no. Just a – the shore is 45 minutes away. DOH, I know that. We all want to have fun with Ryan because he is the only member of the next generation. I think it is because of my nephew-in-law and niece, Becca’s reaction to can I take Ryan places and them not saying yes or no is why Mom and I decided to just go for it to Cape May.
It will be her, me, the sea and a bunch of romance novels.
Jamie on 26 Jun 2009 at 5:42 am #
Oh and Rachel, the other day when I was getting Sabrina’s Wed Him book. I picked up your book True Love and Other Disasters and bought it. I showed my Mom the book — she likes contempories, while I like historicals — and she said, OOH, this looks like my kind of book. You might get another fan out of her! I can’t wait to read it, too!
Kathy/Cookiedough on 26 Jun 2009 at 5:59 am #
I don’t have many summer plans.
One thing I AM looking forward to is a girls weekend with old girl friends I haven’t seen for 17 yrs.
I’ll even be- gasp- drinking alcohol!
And another gasp- sleep in a tent.
Hopefully the alcohol will help with the uncomfortable-ness of the tent.
I’ll be traveling to Prince Edward Island, the home of our party days.
And yes there WILL be pictures
LoriHandeland on 26 Jun 2009 at 6:03 am #
DH and I are off to Maine tomorrow for a week at a lake with his brothers and their wives. I’ve never been before and I’m looking forward to reading and reading and reading. If I can relax knowing we’ve left the kids at home.
Then we were supposed to go to Missouri for a family graduation, but I think I’ll have to back out of that as it hits right before I leave for RWA in DC.
When I get back from RWA, we’re off to look at colleges for #2 son and then to a family reunion in Minnesota.
I’ll need a vacation from the vacation come August.
Kathy/Cookiedough on 26 Jun 2009 at 6:21 am #
All these plans. I feel postively dull and boring by comparison
Rachel Gibson on 26 Jun 2009 at 6:37 am #
Jamie–My plan is for complete world domination, one reader at a time. Thanks for assisting in my evil plot.
I usually don’t have a lot of summer plans. Other than driving up to the lake every weekend. Which is one of the downside of owning a vacation property. You tend to spend all your vacation time in one place.
FYI: That’s my daughter in the photo. She’s standing on our beach holding up the cutest dang baby in the world. Baby O.
Kim on 26 Jun 2009 at 6:45 am #
My biggest plans are squeeing long and loud when I get to see you, Rachel, and all the other Goddesses!!! YAY!
Otherwise its super busy work wise. Tons of fabulous books this summer that need my attention. My family is going to DC with me and they’re getting to have a little bit of vacation. I’m contemplating the Holocaust museum too.
Just a couple weeks and I get to see my Goddesses!
I LOVE that picture!
Pesky on 26 Jun 2009 at 6:55 am #
First off, that sounds like a totally awesome summer!
I just spent a week with the nephews being the younger one’s personal chauffer to a series of hockey events. It was a perfect potato chip every time kinda week. We had lots of time to chit chat (being caught in traffic will do that). I got to expand my vocabulary in new directions (traffic and hockey). I got to show my team spirit by shouting less than ladylike slurs at the other teams parentage (well I didn’t shout it because they’d throw me out of the rink, but I thought it REAL LOUD) and best of all both of my nephews and I got a lot of laughs.
My next vacation will be two weeks at the end of the month going camping in PA with friends. It’s an annual jaunt and I can’t wait.
The third weekend in July is the County Fair and that closes out my summer. There I get to see the 4H competitions, enjoy some music, eat stuff I shouldn’t and look at rides that there is no way in hell I’m going to get on.
Freshechelle on 26 Jun 2009 at 7:11 am #
I’m off to Wisconsin for vacation next week. Starting at Milwaukee to the Mets get beaten by the Brewers, followed by 4 days of R&R at a spa/hotel to regroup. Regretfully don’t think I’ll be visiting the vacation town’s Lori H recommended on this trip but looking forward to spa treatments, relaxing outside and tackling by huge TBR stack and not looking at my Blackberry.
Cail on 26 Jun 2009 at 7:44 am #
actually, Kathy, you might be able to write in a visit from me and the DH this summer. We’ve tentatively decided on an eastern Canada road trip, complete with Montreal, Quebec, and Nova Scotia on to the top of the list. That would be end of July or early August.
I’m planning on popping down to DC for the signing and potential goddess gathering at RWA. please don’t get too exhausted to meet up, cause that would be very sad. i have a few friends in DC so i’m turning it into a much needed visit.
other than that, i’ll be wandering New England and NY visiting friends and family that i have partially abandoned while in grad school. that and i hope to go to a few baseball games.
Sabrina Jeffries on 26 Jun 2009 at 7:45 am #
Well, my summer plans include writing, writing, and more writing. I have a book due Aug. 1st. RWA comes smack in the middle of frantic deadline time, so I will have to accommodate that.
Then in late August, we’re planning on vacationing in New Orleans. Yes, I know summer isn’t the best time to go (hurricane season! humidity! heat!), but we’ll have limited care for my son the week we’re going, so we’d like to go SOMEWHERE, and since no one else airconditions like NO and since we’re homesick, we’re going there. It’s my son’s first trip back since we moved to NC twelve years ago. It’ll be interesting to see his reaction.
SheridanLA on 26 Jun 2009 at 7:46 am #
Nothin huge set in stone, but I am getting ready for my first triathlon…so lots of swimming, biking and running for me. I might go camping one weekend with friends.. then we have also talked about getting some dive days in as well. Might ride down to the beach now and then…my big trip this year is in September, so I am diligently saving money for that.
summer is about the same here weather wise as the rest of the year, just a little warmer, so I celebrate the long days – more time to get into trouble outdoors.
JudyPatooty on 26 Jun 2009 at 7:47 am #
I’m off to the coast of Maine for a week with my sister in mid-July. We’re going to our first-ever First Cousins Reunion! There are 17 offspring from my mother and her four older brothers. Thirteen of us are getting together in Maine to see each other for the first time in over 30 years! I’m 50 and I’m the youngest of the bunch.
I’ll be sure to eat plenty of lobster for all of you.
Becky on 26 Jun 2009 at 7:55 am #
Well, not too much, to tell you the truth. Right now I’m in St. Louis visiting my old college roommate, but I go back home tomorrow, and I have to start working. I just got certified as a massage therapist, and my tiny career needs to take off. But I do get to watch my sister swim in the Nationals meet in July where she’ll compete for a spot on the team for the World Championships. That should be fun. Other than that, I get to go to Tennessee at some point to visit my first niece, who is due August 12.
Julia London on 26 Jun 2009 at 8:11 am #
I am going to DC several days early to catch up with old friends. I lived there several years ago. That’s it. That’s the only vaca this summer. I am sure we will get to Taos in the fall for a long weekend, but Jack London started a new job, I started a new contract already behind schedule, and I will be hosting a pity party around my pool — (which, for those of you who are weather hounds and know its been over 100 for two weeks now, the water temp is a cool 95 degrees) and you are all invited. Bring chips and booze. Oh, and a chapter.
Karen Hawkins on 26 Jun 2009 at 8:34 am #
I just got back from spending a week in an 1830s farmhouse on a lake in Maine and it was SO lovely and cool! Just thing for a nice break from this Florida heat.
Next up, DC in July (for business) and a mad dash to NY in August to see a few shows. I can’t wait! Now, if I can just hit my July 15th deadline on the nose . . . ah, yes, that will be the day!
Pesky on 26 Jun 2009 at 8:59 am #
LOL Julia, you sure you want to offer booze for a chapter? I have a chapter…I wrote it when I was about 14 for a creative writing class, it’s about a Masked Avenger…not sure if it would fit in but hey, you’re welcome to it.
Sounds like everyone has an amazing summer planned!
nancyg on 26 Jun 2009 at 9:04 am #
Rachel:
That’s your daughter? NO WAY are you old enough to have kids that old!! Girl – you look awesome!
I’ve finally admitted to being “in my 30’s” since daughter #1 is running out of teen years, lol. No one has to know that my 30’s are running out faster than Dorothy’s sand in the witch’s hourglass.
evlqn on 26 Jun 2009 at 9:47 am #
Our vacation plans got scrapped by our 11 yr old g-son. We had planned to take the boys to Disneyland this summer but he decided he would rather use the money for new floors. Like he said Disneyland will be there next year. Of course now that the floors are mostly in he throws it up that we had PROMISED a trip to the Magic Kingdom. Next year.
So it will be a lot of trips to the park, the beach, and such for us. And trips to see my g-daughters in Portland. They are here for the week-end right now and it is Molly’s 2nd B-day. We are going to have a party in the park later today.
TrishD on 26 Jun 2009 at 10:20 am #
I’m having a pretty serious case of summer vacation envy! I live in a small town that is a big tourist spot during the summer. We’re right on Lake Michigan and I’ve always thought why leave a beach town that others flock to for their vacations? It’s almost as if I’m on vacation all summer long… except for the hours I’m at work.
This summer my best friend from high school (haven’t seen her in almost 20 years) is coming home! She’s heading out from TX on Sunday and will be here next Tuesday. I’m so giddy I feel 18 again!
Kari on 26 Jun 2009 at 10:51 am #
Birthdays are my plan for the summer. Since last year, our family has increased by 7. Three of them are from marriage and three of new births with one on the way before the end of summer. I looked at the calendar the other day and for the month of July alone I have one weekend where there is not a birthday party. It’s only June and I am tired!! Only 9 birthdays to go!!!
Shy of all the parties, we don’t have big plans for the summer. With my son out of school I’ve been trying to get to the beach a little more often. That’s about it.
PJane1031 on 26 Jun 2009 at 12:09 pm #
Well, I have a few ’set’ plans for the summer, and a few that are up in the air & subject to change. .. I spent a couple days with a friend from college (& her family) earlier this month. She’s only about 4 1/2 hours away, so I ‘try’ to make an annual trip to see her–she’s a stay-at-home mom with three kids, 6, 4, 2, and all autistic.
I am also working on plans for a surprise 80th birthday party for my mom in late July. Invitations are out, and now am just waiting for the RSVP’s and getting food/etc. planned. Thankfully my sister is doing some of the prep work with me, though the other six siblings aren’t doing much–yet. But they’ll get dragged into it, soon!!
I’m also in the midst of interviewing for a new job–had an 11-hour in-person interview (thankfully with breaks!!) last week, so if I get that, there will be packing/moving/etc. added into the mix. I love where I’m at, but this is a promotion/step-up from where I’m at now.
Otherwise, I’m just relaxing by reading, quilting & stamping. . .
Claudia Dain on 26 Jun 2009 at 12:50 pm #
My sole summer plan is the RWA conference in DC. I’m looking forward to it since I always have a great time, but it’s not exactly a vacation. I have no vacation plans! None! This, fellow goddesses, is very normal for me. I am a very dull goddess.
Nicole Jordan on 26 Jun 2009 at 1:30 pm #
Oh, all these plans sound so lovely! I’m gonna be busy too, but mostly it’s work work work. Plus a visit from my mom and a bunch of horse shows for my young mare — she’s doing really well this year in Baby Green Hunters with my trainer riding her. Mostly I just clean tack and wash her leg wraps. *g*
I sure envy y’all, especially the beach vacations!
colinfirthfan on 26 Jun 2009 at 1:47 pm #
We took an early summer vacation before school closed. Went on an Alaskan cruise. Gorgeous. The only other plan is to visit family in Canada next month.
Karen Hawkins on 26 Jun 2009 at 3:39 pm #
Colinfirth, how was the Alaskan cruise? I have heard such mixed things about cruises, but I’d really love to see Alaska before it melts.
Paula on 26 Jun 2009 at 4:36 pm #
Well we have 2 and a half weeks booked to go camping to France in August. We are going to the Vendee (on the Atlantic coast). We’ve been to that area for the past 3 years but this will be a new campsite and slightly inland. It is set in the grounds of an old Chateau. I can’t wait and nor can the boys. Hopefully it will be wall to wall sunshine. At the moment we are heading into a heatwave here in the UK, the forecasters reckon the mercury will hit 30C on Monday and it is sooo humid now.
Margaret on 26 Jun 2009 at 4:47 pm #
I’m leaving Monday for week in West-By-God-Virgina. I didn’t make that up. It’s their unofficial motto. As many of my kids and families can make it will be there. This year will be a bit different as a few of the groups aren’t staying all week. I’m thinking of putting in a revolving door.
Can you imagine a week spent in the close confines of a house with people from age 70 to 18 months? It’s fun. Everybody does their own thing during the day. A different family cooks a hot meal each evening and we play games/talk/laugh/have fun after supper.
Having fun is so exhausting, I’m not sure I could survive more than 1 week. LOL I do take a pile of books and have some alone time each day. And the house is pretty big. 6 bedrooms, 6 baths, 2 full kitchens, 2 full living rooms. It’s a duplex and we have the connecting doors open to make it all one. $1500 for the whole week. Can’t beat the price when broken down among 15-20 people.
Paula on 26 Jun 2009 at 5:28 pm #
Margaret have a fab time even if it is exhausting!
TinaLouiseF on 26 Jun 2009 at 5:33 pm #
My summer vacation plans have been derailed by 2 crowns and a new transmission for my suv.
Maybe for Labor Day weekend I can go to Spokane for the weekend to visit my friend from college.
I hope everyone has fun on their trips.
Solveig on 26 Jun 2009 at 5:42 pm #
All of you will have so much fun this summer :Ö) I´m an archaeologist so I´m working all summer. Here we take fall, winter or spring vacations. Right now I´m working on a dig in downtown Reykjavík in a stonebuild basement of a house built in 1837. Then I´m going surveying for a few weeks and then I´m going up north to Akureyri to dig up some pre-christian viking age graves (kuml). I´m so looking forward to all I´m doing this summer I just can´t wait. You all have fun. :Ö)
Karen Rose on 26 Jun 2009 at 6:35 pm #
Solveig – now that sounds SO COOL.
I’m so jealous! Can we ask you questions when you come back?
Janae on 26 Jun 2009 at 6:37 pm #
Nothing exciting here. We might head 2 hours south to San Diego. My dh and our ds can be nerds and hit ComiCon, while my dd and I hit Coronado Island for some shopping. Of course, we’ll see my younger brother and his wife since they live in the area. Part of the SD trip will include a trip out to see the SD Zoo’s Wild Animal Safari, Sea World, etc. No trip would be complete with a trip to the beach. Since my brother’s in the Navy, it’s likely going to be North Island Beach on base. Other than that nothing big, but I’m making sure my kids are enrolled in all sorts of camp – art, legos, spy, science, whatever else I can think of to throw at them.
Louisa Cornell on 26 Jun 2009 at 7:07 pm #
My summer plan is to get to DC or bust and enjoy a week of pretending I am a big time writer! I had a blast at the conference last year – my first and I know I will have a great time this year too. I hope to see each and every Goddess while I’m there!
Now if I can just (1) finish this book and (2) pack for the conference!
LauraR on 26 Jun 2009 at 7:34 pm #
My only plan is to attend my 40th high school reunion. sheesh. time flies.
Solveig on 27 Jun 2009 at 5:11 am #
Karen :Ö) You ask away!
Patricia Barraclough on 27 Jun 2009 at 8:52 pm #
I work at a public library and summer is as busy a time as any. I’m in the middle of summer reading and will have other weekly programs when that is done. The kids go back to school August 7. By then I will be in N.H. and upstate New York visiting family and going to our 45th high school reunion – ouch. We will be taking our 11 year old grandson with us since he hasn’t been up there and met his relatives since he was about a year old. In September/October, we head for Ft Worth, TX to attend an Air Force reunion. We will be gone 2 weeks or so visiting in Oklahoma and then going to San Antonio. September is usually my summer vacation time.