Next Friday is Haiwaiian Shirt Day...

“So you know, go ahead and wear a Haiwaiin Shirt and Jeans…” (for those of you that have never watched Office Space from 1999, you may not jive and I highly recommend that you get in the “know” but be prepared for a few vulgar phrases)

Haiwaiin shirts scream vacations (or a tacky themed workday) and that’s EXACTLY what I’ve got on my mind, today. I don’t know if it’s the coconut oil I got in the mail (yes, I’m trying some DIY facials) or the fact that it’s been snowy lately but I’m ready to scream a little Belinda Carlisle at the Midwest.

Why do I like vacations? For a few reasons that may not be obvious….

One. I like snacks. Car snacks, drink treats, grazing, munching. You can’t do this at home and feel guiltless. On vacation, however, it’s part of the gig. Traveling in a car and not wanting to stop? SNACK IT. Sitting in the kitchen and waiting for everyone to head to the beach? SNACK IT. Taking a few things to the beach for the day? SNACK IT. Sitting on the deck with a beverage and no dinner? SNACK IT. See?! The snack tucks its tiny face right in there so discreetly and deliciously. SNACK… IT. Boom.

Two. Beverages. At home, you wouldn’t open a beverage that contains hops until after 7 or 8pm when your child(ren) sleep and it’s time to unwind. Vacation? Beverage at 4pm. It’s the quintessential early Happy Hour moment. You’re on vacation. Wine with lunch? Vacation. And maybe it’s not even something boozy that you’re rolling with. Maybe you have coffee at 8pm because you can stay up and play cards like a spaz without worry. Vacation.

Three. (because we can’t just talk food and drink). Family. Now, for some, the thought of this may scare you and cause you to plan your own, “me party” while isolating your family 5,000 feet away on their own remote island. I for one, LOVE my family. Like… if I could be with any group of people for extended periods of time? Family. And not just my local tribe, the whole dang crew. From all over. On vacation, we play. We laugh. We dress like Spiderman to humor a six year old. Family, rocks.

Four. Tech break. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy technology and happen to overdose on it more as the days go by. Twitter. Facebook. Instagram. Tumblr. Podcasts. Pandora. I’d go on but I’m feeling  antsy as I sit here typing and not listening to Joy the Baker while looking at pictures of people’s babies and reading tweets of sketchy government action. Sometimes, we need a break. Me. Family. Nature. Yo Momma.

Okay, now that we’re all salivating for a beer, a large pickle and some meat products on the deck of a breezy vacation home…

close your eyes and pretend that you’re there…away. Snack. Beverage. Family (or whatever you need, here).  I’m going to watch this video that my youngest hipster brother made last year. Vacation. Boom.

We Went Up North