I never understood how some people can go on vacation and work. My ideal of the perfect getaway doesn’t involve deadlines, work, or clients. Rather, it’s a time and place to unwind mentally and have fun. But everyone’s situation is different. And for some, going on vacation sans work is an option they can’t afford.

I have worked on vacation before - twice. Believe me, it was no picnic. But I can’t blame anyone. This was the result of biting off more than I could chew and poor time management. I’ve gotten better over the years, and I’m now able to take off for a few days or a week without leaving anyone in a lurch. Now if only I could muster up the strength to leave my computer at home.

A family friend owns a beach house a couple of hours from my home. Since the summer rental season is over, she invited my family to the beach for the weekend. I never leave home without my laptop. But 10 minutes before it was time to pack the car, my husband announced that all computers were staying home. In his words, “this is a family getaway, and I don’t want you running back and forth to the computer.”

Despite being a little peeved, I had to admit, the man knows me well. I’ve learned how to put work on hold, but I haven’t mastered how to put the Internet on hold. My husband can log onto his computer, check his information, and be off in less than five minutes. Not me.

It’s like an addiction. I can’t just check my e-mail or bank account. I have to check out blogs, YouTube, MSN.com, entertainment news, etc. And don’t let me stumble upon an unfamiliar topic or person…that opens a whole new can of worms.

I say all of this for one reason - I understand why he wanted all computers left at home. However, my mother didn’t get that memo. I found her laptop bag the first night. And while my husband was outside playing football, I got to check my e-mail and a few key websites.

He’ll be so proud to know I did it all in less than 10 minutes.