Do you ever think about taking a vacation?

All the time !!! Have had some glorious vacations between my ears for years now. But the ending is starting to change. I don't go back home.!!!

I take one every day, before I get up, and in my mind. I spend some extra time before getting up imagining I'm in places I'd like to go. Sometimes my vacations are on line. I visited England a few times this week browsing through photos taken by someone on one of the gardening forums I visit occasionally.

So I can travel all over the world, right from my home and avoid the hassle of going through airport security as well as the expense of spending money.

Seriously, there are a lot of places around here to go just for respite. One is a produce store with a pond at the base of a large hill in front of the store. There are always geese of different varieties, ducks, and usually swans leisurely paddling in the little pond and a turkey and male pheasant in an enclosure on the side.

My mom in law, a former RN, comes to watch my Mom, who has early-stage Alzheimers', from time to time so my husband & I can go out...it is a wonderful respite from the stress & me & hubs can reacquaint over dinner or a walk around an outdoor market...too bad it doesn't last longer than one day...sorry, but I'm fairly wiped out!

WHAT IS A VACATION {grin} ? Haven't had one for years

You NEED some vacation, and you sure should do some travelling while you still can. It sounds like all three of your dependents are looked after elsewhere. While I'm sure you are a critical part of the care team, it is not like there is no one there to cover for you for a while. This is so much harder if the loved ones are living with you. Take advantage of your situation, and go!

What is the worst that could happen? Some emergency could come up and you would need to return from your trip. Is that worse than not taking a trip at all? And it isn't likely to happen, you know.

Sometimes you have to take these "staycations"...vacations at home when you spend some time just doing something relaxing. We usually take a day when we don't do anything except go out to eat, do some pleasure shopping, maybe walk to the lake or to the local park for a stroll.

Sophe, I make lists, back up lists, hire help, and have an agency on standby as back up. Still, I'm nervous before I leave. It is harder now that I have both parents to care for. I'm lucky to have my sister, but hate to drop it all in her lap. You are right to want to travel while you can still enjoy it. I suggest trying a long weekend away to see how it goes. I enjoy short cruises. They handle everything and pamper you. Or I go visit my son and make a mini trip of it.