I've begun obsessing about summer vacation. I've been staying up late cruising vacation rental sites on the Internet, looking for deals on cozy lakeside cottages. Truth is, I need something to look forward to.

I've become pretty desperate to get away after a winter of working long days and weeks. My husband was laid off for a couple months, and with him picking up the kids from school and picking up the slack at home, I worked a lot because I could. My job is one in which I'm never really done. I could work around the clock; this business is just so fluid in that way.

I need to push pause here at work soon, though, so summer plans need to be firmed. The interesting thing about this year is that my children already have a month-long vacation planned -- and it doesn't include us. Grandma and Grandpa in Kansas want to take them for the month of July, and everyone is excited about it. For them, it's a month of adventure with all their wonderful relatives ou there (who will dote and spoil like crazy). For us, wow. FREEDOM!

Yes, I will miss them, but let's be honest. They are going to be having a great time, and after being parents for 10 1/2 years, we intend to have a great time, too!

We are trying to find little getaways that would be better as a couple -- the main attraction being a few days at Keuka Lake, with some boating and maybe some wine trailing. We can save the family stuff for when the kids get back in August.

In the meantime, we are in the middle of spring sports season, and baseball and soccer games dominate the calendar. Soon enough, though, we'll turn the page and get to the part where it says "VACATION" with a big arrow across the days.