So this past week was IU’s Spring Break, and thus, also MCCSC. Much of Bloomington took the time to vacate the premises and go somewhere far enough south to get warm. The rest of us stuck around to enjoy the fine (for the most part) weather and see what the town has to offer us when half of it leaves:)

It’s always about this time of year when I start to get cabin fever, so as much as a bitch and moan about our spring break being far too early (equinox isn’t even until the 20th people, come on! – also I believe our break was actually a week later than usual this year somehow) I welcome the time to get out of Dodge heartily, even if I only stay within a three hours’ drive of Bloomington (hence the staycation title).

So, this past week that’s just what we did. Got out of Dodge, but not too far. Half our kids were actually gone with their other parents and so that just left the oldest (19) and youngest (2). The oldest pretty much minds his own business, so it was just me and Forest taking on the town/state. And that we did.

Moving on . . . so, Forest and I took on the town for the first few days of break. On Day 1 (after recovering from a bout of what I’m almost certain was Norovirus) we took to the Library where Forest battled sitting still for a story time Baroque performance, drew all over a table (that he was allowed to), and played with trains and blocks and maybe left a fedora behind (darn it, I’m just now remembering I left that there!). Day two was going to be the best day weather wise so I decided to take us to the Indianapolis Zoo, which . . . while it was challenging to take that on by myself, it was rewarding as well. Forest Loved the flamingos and the tiger. And I enjoyed watching him come into himself about half way through as he finally climbed off my hip and starting running around like the hooligan I know him to be.

That evening I came home to have dinner with my dear friend Erin, formerly of Visit Bloomington. We reconnect every 4-6 weeks it seems (sometimes 6 months) and boy do I miss it! There’s something to be said about having a friend who can see your work so honestly and perfectly, but has no stake in it. Or maybe that’s not the right way to capture it. Erin doesn’t own a store. She doesn’t work in retail. Nor a restaurant. So she comes at my business from a different perspective than I’m used to, and it’s refreshing and oh so helpful. It also doesn’t hurt that she’s a tourism marketing guru and as much as I Love Visit Bloomington now, I so do miss her in that position. I just miss her in Bloomington. She’s so connected in this town and I hope beyond hope that something brings her back to us, and soon.

Day three continued with the the traveling and I decided to take my wee boy up north to visit my folks. It was a surprise trip for all of us, and so needed. I don’t really know how to say what I need to say next, so I’ll probably continue keeping it close to the chest, but let’s just say some family stuff started to unravel at Thanksgiving. I’ll leave that there since this is a “business” place, but I’m never one to a) keep things close to the chest or b) draw a line btwn business and personal I’m afraid. Nevertheless, Forest had a great time reconnecting with all of his grandparents and I had a chance to sit back and watch for the first time in awhile.

Day four. . . I played housewife. lol And Day 5 my biggest boy finally returned from his trip to Georgia to visit his grandparent/uncles/aunt/etc. And I chopped off his hair (and Forest’s) which I will not show you because I am a store owner, not a stylist. Day 6 Daddy and Griffin joined Griffin and I on a trip to see Dino’s in Indy and Forest had a BLAST. And then, we picked up the girls from the airport and our family was whole again. The quiet was no longer. The house was once again cluttered. There was work to be done, and schedules to keep . . . and one more kid to catch Norovirus. And here we are.

Thanks for being a part of our little journey . . . now it’s time to start planning summer vacation!