Relaxation...
>Disney. It seems crazy to say about a Disney trip, but I agree with
@eksmama01. Gone are the days when we were park commandos (almost... rope drop will never be my "thing"). Our last few trips to WDW have been less about the parks and more about the resorts and relaxation. With the current pricing and our new outlook, we have been getting 2 day park hoppers for our 5-6 day vacations, which gives us split park days; sometimes we ignore DHS and do either AK or MK for the daytime, hopping over to Ep for supper and evenings. THis also gives us plenty of time to resort-hop to check out different places, bars, and restaurants, as well as time to enjoy meals and such at Disney Springs. We almost always have a vehicle, so we have also ventured out into the area in general, to check out wineries, breweries, and non-Disney "stuff." Much more relaxed and less schedule-focused than our first 25 visits to The World. Having said that... there is a new little guy in our family who will be making his first Disney trip in January 2024 so I'm sure things will go back to being stressful and chaotic- but TONS of FUN!
> The cottage. For the past 4 summers we have been renting a cottage for 2 weeks in York Beach, ME. THis is the town where I spent every summer of my life until I graduated from high school, and where my mom and sibs moved to in 1980. This cottage is a 5 minute walk to the beach, and although we aren't beach-goers, we love walking along the ocean in the mornings (with coffee) and evenings (with another "beverage" in our coffee mugs!). Two of my siblings and their adult kids live in town, and my cousins are all in the Boston area, so it's two weeks of visiting, catching up, laughter and meals, peace and serenity. This summer will be different as we are only there for one week and I am rehabbing from knee replacement but I am still looking forward to early mornings on the porch, listening to the waves and smelling the salt and ocean air, and evenings around the fire pit with my sister and nieces. It won't be the same, but I am sure it'll be restorative and relaxing!
> Reading on my back deck. It's been pretty hot for doing this lately, but DH has managed to set up an extension cord so I can take the fan outside. As long as I have a breeze blowing on me, I can manage the heat, although I sit in the shade. It's just nice to be outside, watching the animals in the yard (pretty quiet here, so I sometimes see deer, fox, etc... no sign of this summer's bear yet), listening to the birds and the wind through the trees.
for sure are such fun. We do only have 100 piece patience! 
of course always.
can be a loving a reminder to slow down and just cuddle up and rest, too!
