Vacation, Staycation, Workation

Vacations include time off from work and often getting away. Staycations are time off but typically don't include overnight travel.

I'm writing this on the last day of a 'workation' - a vacation that includes some work. That can appear as an oxymoron - 'time off from work with work.'

I agree, but I loved this one. Know why? Cause the work I did was perfectly in my giftedness and involved what I'm passionate about - Changes Lives and Church Planting.

If you have to work on vacation - it's an honor and joy to receive energy from said work! I'm not recommending workations - just sharing the joy I experienced from mine.

Rest Times? Sometimes not so restful...

Vacation is great. With kids, though, I've noticed it's often more work than fun. Wait - that's not entirely true... I have great FUN with my kids. I guess it's the idea of 'my fun.' Being 'busy' doing stuff on vacation is not necessarily my idea of fun. Sitting around... drinking Mt Dew... chillin'... veggin'... beachin'... eatin'... sleepin'... THAT'S FUN!

Same goes with my quarterly retreats. 3-4 times a year I try to get out of the normal weekly grind to focus, plan, pray, slow down, be creative... but sometimes, it's just BUSY! I get stuff done, for sure. But I think that too often, I try to 'get stuff done' instead of retreat... slow down... rest... think... plan... contemplate... strategize... etc. And I shortchange my congregation in the meantime.

I'm not complaining... truly I'm not. If I did feel the need to complain - I'd just have to direct it at myself. And then, I'd stress over disappointing myself and I'd need to go to myself and apologize and let myself know it's OK to slow down. But then, myself would disappoint me 'cause there's just too much to get done.

Whew - I'm worn out!

Back From Tahoe

Tahoe was a great mini-vacation for my family. LOTS of down time. Tried to do as little as possible. Ate some pizza, watched kids swim OUTSIDE while I sat in the hot tub, and even went to a movie.

Good time. Down time. Rest time. (but not so much on the matter of sleep)

NOW - back at it tonight (Saturday) for the last installment of Judgment Call - can't wait!

Off To Tahoe

WOO HOO! Our family leaves today for a week in Tahoe - thanks to a previous member who had time share points that he needed to dump.

Dump'em over here buddy. Thanks a bunch! Smith's out!

Tahoe Fun In The Snow

Our family had an opportunity to spend a few days in Lake Tahoe last week for a pseudo Spring Break mini-vacation. Our kids got to do some sledding and I thought I'd share some pictures and videos. It's amazing how much more fun it is to look back on the trip than to actually 'experience' the trip... at least when the vacation is more about the kids fun than ours!

Below are a few videos as well... nothing big but some fun moments together!

If you don't see the videos, click here, here, here, and here!

Max sledding in Lake Tahoe - 04.06.09 from Barry Smith on Vimeo.

Max on slide in snow - Tahoe - 04.06.09 from Barry Smith on Vimeo.

Taryn Makes Snow Angel - Dad Whines About No Sand from Barry Smith on Vimeo.

Taryn teaches mommy while Max causes problems from Barry Smith on Vimeo.

Christmas Wait

There's something about the ANTICIPATION of Christmas that is out of this world. I so much look forward to spending time off from work, even though I genuinely love my job (and really can't get enough of it). I can't wait to see my kid's (and wife's) faces light up with their gifts... one in particular. I also love the idea of being at home with nothing to do... catching up on some of my favorite TV shows, watching some new DVD releases, and drinking Mt Dew with my feet up!

However, I sometimes wonder if it is the anticipation of Christmas time that is even better than the actual time off. Now, don't get all spiritual on me. I realize Christmas is about Jesus and His birth and that is what it's all about. I know that. I get that. I agree with that. I love that. I trust in that. But I also enjoy the whole deal of Christmas...

Except those who refuse to say 'Merry Christmas' because they might offend somebody who believes differently. Ummm, I'm offended when you feel it, believe it, celebrate it but WON'T SAY IT! So there - I'm offended - I'm yelling and screaming - I'm calling my attorney - "Hey Mr Attorney, I want to sue so and so because they won't say Merry Christmas. I'm OFFENDED! So let's go sue them for the horrible offense against me."

There are probably 80-90% of Americans who have always celebrated Christmas. They have a tree. They buy CHRISTMAS presents, not HOLIDAY presents. They can't wait for Christmas Day to get here either. In fact, most every one of them have Christmas Day off... sometimes a couple of days. Those days off are CHRISTMAS DAYS OFF... they are not 'holidays'!  The primary holiday is CHRISTMAS. It's not Hanukkah or Kwanzaa or Atheists holidays - it's CHRISTMAS!

Just say it... or someone might get offended. Problem is, those who do get offended aren't likely to speak up. Cause when they do speak up, everyone gets all hacked off and claims prejudiced, bigots, right wings, etc. OPEN YOUR MOUTH at Christmas Christians. Just say it... MERRY CHRISTMAS! There, that's not so bad. And if you're offended, cool - me too!