Internet Vacation

Very short post today, with barely enough time to pop in.

So, what do you do with life without the internet? A few short days ago, my answer would have been, "Life without the internet?" *shudder*

But, here's what I've actually done in the last week and a half (sorry I haven't been around to comment on others' posts):

• 1 Waterpark
• 1 University visit (gotta show those kids what to look forward to)
• 1 Foam sword war
• 1 Trip to the farm (including pony ride)
• 1 Visit to local cultural sites 
• 1 Major parade with awesome floats
• 2 Barbeques
• 2 Fireworks displays (one on top of a birthday cake - indoors with a low ceiling. Yes, nail biting included on my part) 
• 2 Birthdays (fishing Ninja - yea!  ...maybe you had to be there)
• 3 Trips to the amusement park
• 1 Trip to the Really Big amusement park
• Shopping
• Shopping
• Shopping
• ...
• 4 Bookstores so far (2 more planned)
• Eating in - yum 
• Eating out - too much (is there such a thing?)
• Sugar - waaaay too much (before this I truly didn't believe there was such a thing) 
• Watching the Olympics (well, highlights)

Still planned:

• More shopping
• Outdoor theater
• Kid's all nighter game night
• Trip to a local cave (?) 
• Going to bed before midnight (ha!)
• Sleeping in (haha! As if that will ever happen)

Best thing of all:

• Time with family

And yes, I even got writing in, maybe more than I would have otherwise.

Makes you think, doesn't it, of all the hours we spend in front of a screen convincing ourselves that we'll have time to get around to real life as soon as whatever it is is done (and yes, I am taking into account that, at least for me, my ratio of actual writing to wasting time is horrendous)? Or how about all the minutes spent 'just killing time' until X, when that same time might really be spent doing X, Y, and Z?

So, biggest discovery of the last 10 days?

• How much time there really is if you're just willing to take it.

The Midwest is Humid! Who Knew?

Remember last week when I was complaining about the weather in Colorado?  Well this week I am complaining about the humidity in the Midwest.  I stopped for gas in Missouri and thought I was drowning.  The people who live in this area must be semi-aquatic.  I miss my mountains and my altitude.  Most of all, I miss air so dry your shower evaporates before it hits your skin.  That being said, I'm having a blast.

About a month ago I wrote a post about my grandma Austin's house, and how it was my inspiration when  I first started writing.  I was surprised to find it still inspires me, years later, in a whole new way.  I think it has something to do with being a parent, rather than a child.  My values have shifted, my perceptions changed, and that has made a huge impact on what I write and how I write it.  I look at this place and I want it to be the same source of wonder for my kids as it was for me.  I look at my books and I want to preserve the adventure for them, when they're old enough, in a way they'll appreciate.  I guess what I'm trying to say is I write for them now, while before I wrote for me.  It's a humbling realization.

Anyway, I'm on vacation so I'm getting back to it.  I'll leave you with some pictures of my first muse, and my current muse.

First Muse

Across the lake where I played as a kid (and mysteriously avoided both poison ivy and fire ants)

The dock where I've spent the last two days trying to catch a bass

The bridge that crosses the lake

Current Muse(s)

My son having a creative brainstorm

My daughter with wildflowers she picked herself

My husband and son scoping out the fish

My daughter and my grandma

PS:  Happy Father's Day everyone.  Especially to my husband who makes more sacrifices for his family than anyone I know, and my own dad, who continues to patiently teach me new things.  Thanks for helping me change my spark plugs and breaks, Dad.  I think I could swap out break pads and shoes with my eyes closed now.