The Beach

In thinking about my upcoming summer I am consumed with travel fantasies. I usually start planning a year in advance for my travels, because I'm a freak like that. I like to research everything from the accomodations to the traditional activities, to (of course) the beaches.
I'm a beach baby (in case you forgot).
Even in my quest to find the most fascinating lighthouse; note, there must be an amazing sunset and beach.
This year I have not start planning yet. I have the dates that my kids will be on vacation. I know when I will have a few weeks to myself. I know where I want to go. In the past, these few items comprised the formula for a well planned adventure. Why not now?
I have been distracted with life.
I realize that my life used to be centered around my next adventure. Now my life is centered around my kids and their next adventure. The Mommyhood Chronicles has overshadowed The Adventures of Sherri Bomb. I would never have imagined letting an entire summer go by without a trip somewhere, and even though in the back of my mind I have this trip scheduled, I have not begun to plan. Very unlike me.
I am not that spontaneous. I will go to Vegas with a backpack and no money for 3 days, no worries. But, not out of the country. When I was 22 I travelled across the country from Boston to LA with not even enough gas money to make it to my destination, but I did it. I would never do that today, but what happened to that spirit?
I am bogged down by work issues (or non-issues, so to speak). I recently moved. My kids need more of my attention than I am used to giving - and not just the physical, "drive me here", "cook my food", "wash my clothes" - but emotional attention. My teen daughter is draining me with her angst. My son is needy. It's hard for me to write, much less plan a trip when I have a window the size of a photograph with which to work.
As I look out my tiny window, all I can see is the beach...