vacation starts today

We're leaving for Galveston this afternoon. We have two beach houses waiting for us. One for our family, one for Mindy's family. The houses are right across the street from each other, and the girls have already decided that they will be sleeping with each other every night of vacation. We're looking forward to lots of giggles.

While we're away, my dad is going to take care of Chole, and Mindy's dog, Frank. But dad's most important job will be making sure my young pumpkin plants don't fry in the sun. Sounds strange, I know, but the pumpkins are at a critical point in their lives. If I were to leave them completely alone for the six days we're going to be gone, they would surely die.

Yesterday, what was left of my big, storm battered vine finally kicked the bucket. It seemed to be doing pretty well for a while there, but I don't think it could battle the heat without all of it's leaves intact. I'm sad, but moving on.

I have three young plants in the ground. They are a couple of months old, and doing quite well despite the ridiculous heat and dry conditions. These are the plants that need the most attention during the afternoon. I actually build a little tent over them from noon until five. My dad will be very good at this kind of thing. Knowing him, he'll probably find a better way to build the tent and have the plants looking even better than they do now.

My seedlings are ready for the ground, but will have to wait until vacation is over to be planted. They live in the comfortable shade of the front porch, and shouldn't be too much trouble for Dad. I have an elaborate system worked out in my head for afternoon cover once I get them in the ground.

I know, I'm a freak. Last night, after I packed up my beach reads, I was tooling around at the store, buying a few last minute vacation necessities. I was searching for bug spray when I happened upon these:

I actually felt a small surge of joy at the sight of the garden tools. I think it must be my destiny to be a farmer.

But, for the next six days, I'm going to be a beach mom. I have no idea if our beach houses have Internet access, but I'm bringing my laptop. I'm prepared to drive around in the golf cart with my computer, hoping to pick up someones wireless access if our house isn't equipped. If that doesn't work, there's always Starbucks. Hopefully, I'll find somewhere to log in and post a few pics.