We got back in town late Thursday night (or early Friday morning, to be precise!). We’ve since been trying to recuperate, get adjusted, get unpacked, get some work done, make some major decisions, and get ready for a regular week tomorrow. I woke up this morning to a white snow laden back yard view out of my kitchen window (it’s about 35-40 degrees but a little snow). I laughed to myself at how every one, and I do mean every one, we spoke with in Florida asked us if it’s cold in Portland (and complained about how cold it was there, in the 50’s and 60’s with not a cloud in the sky).

It’s good to be back. It’s a bit like visiting another planet, or at least, another life. Some things were harder for me than I expected, being in the places where Hubby and I first met and dated… the dreams I had for us then and how differently things have turned out. I spent the majority of my time on Marco Island trying to soak up time with family I haven’t seen in almost 2 years, where we did lots of field trips to Florida wildlife reserves and the beach. We ate tons of food, laughed a lot, and every one played a hearty, loud game of Apples to Apples while I sat in a tub with a tummy ache, lol. By the time we got to Naples mid-trip I kinda “crashed”, so I spent most of my time zoned out, knitting or painting or otherwise in my own world observing what was happening around me. We slept in a lot and rested, got to see a lot of family members (Hubby’s side) that we haven’t seen in a long time, including Hubby’s grandma who flew up from Puerto Rico and his aunt who flew in from NYC. We had an “Obama Inauguration Party” that grew in size spontaneously which was also a lot of fun.

I got to see dear friends Steph/Tim and Karina/Kubby, which was so much fun. Steph/Tim decked out their place in LOST paraphernalia for the premiere last Wednesday (which rocked my world, btw), and many new memories were created by the “colorful” older couple who invited themselves over and talked during the commercials about the UFO’s they have seen. No, I’m not kidding.

Lil’ E was 99% angelic for the entire trip, even on the long ride back when he slept through our landing in (who knows where?) where we didn’t switch planes, so it was perfect. (He has not, however, been angelic since our return, so it’s been a long few days!) I got lots of knitting done while there, esp once Steph demonstrated what I was doing wrong when switching from knit to purl so I could do the ribbing on a hat pattern. I finished a wool bib and two wool “pixie” hats. I started on booties but after I did the first one I could tell they were much too small for a normal sized baby so I’m looking for a new pattern!

Well, I guess that’s the update for now. It could take me a while to get back in the swing of things with so much I am processing right now, but at least I’ve spit some of it out before it gets lost in the far reaches of my memory. I’ve got a work day ahead of me and hopefully finish the unpacking, readjusting process along with it.

P.S. No funky kitty smells while we were gone so, thus far, Paz gets to stick around now, that he has been de-maled .