I could only laugh at the fact I was spending my day off printing out statistics about people who are working more and not using their allotted vacation time.

For the record, I was actually in the office getting a handle on two stories I had assigned myself to write. Getting the statistics for possible use in this issue was just a byproduct of the story-writing effort.

Still, I can only shake my head when I look at my checklist and see that I have nearly a month of days I need to spend away from the office before the end of September.

How did this happen? I should know the answer by now, since this seems to be a battle that plays itself out every year. Schedule a vacation, move a vacation, struggle at the end of the fiscal year to take a vacation.

Don't get me wrong: I still find time for fun and to attend all of my kids' activities. I steal a lot of hours here and there, but I give as many in the process; hence, the lack of vacation hours taken. I also take vacations during holiday weeks, meaning one less vacation day used.

I don't know how I'm going to do it, but I will use my days before they expire, along with exercising, eating right, cutting back on expenses, saving more and cutting out big soft drinks every day.

Might as well dream big.

Have a great summer.