And like that, vacation is over.

I’m glad to be home, but I like being out there in the big scary world. It took two showers to get the travel stank off and I definitely didn’t miss our water-saving wuss shower, but I’m clean and awake and ready to take on the last official day of my time off. I’m trying not to be sad about it – I still have vacation days left and am thinking about taking a week off in September based around PAX, but the thought of going back to work on Monday is making me kind of nauseous. No offense, work, but you kind of suck compared to wandering around downtown Portland without a care in the world.

We spent the last night of our trip in Seattle, visiting with Doug, Ali and family. We met Hazel, who is small and cries a lot. River is as cute as ever, and enjoys being upside down. It was a relatively low key night for me; Ed and Doug went out for a Fancy Dinner while Ali and I stayed in with children and pizza and TV. I was introduced to the exciting world of Nick Jr and the Wonder Pets have invaded my conscious; something I’m not sure I’m ready to forgive Ali for. We watched some terrible sitcoms and some less terrible reality TV, then went to bed after the boys came home. I tried to get up early the next morning, but my head wasn’t having any of it and I had to fight off a migraine with additional snoozing. We said our goodbyes before noon, and headed north and for home (with a quick stop at the outlet mall so Ed could buy a wallet and I could buy a pretzel). The border was a small wait but a breeze, and by 5pm we were home with all our travel dirt, three happy/indignant cats, and several hairballs.

Our homecoming was sadly traumatic though, as Lemon appears to be sick. After an early evening of roughhousing and smelliness, he started making some horrible noises and appeared to be in a lot of discomfort. We didn’t really know what to do for him, and still don’t – but he slept through the night and morning, and seems happy. He’s purring and responding to attention; even rolling over to allow me access to his belly (usually completely off limits and was untouchable last night with a panicked meow of pain). I won’t be happy until he uses the litter box without issues to make sure we don’t have a stopped-up Lemon – I don’t like it when the cats are illin’. It makes for a sad Kimli.

Lola is all fixed up and ready to go, so I need to make my way over to Granville Island to pick her up. Hooray for warranty repair; boo for large service bill (she was in for her 4500km tune up). I’ll be glad to have her back, though. All I need now is some sunshine, and I’ll be totally set for Adventure!

we bought 5 pounds of salt water taffy. please come eat some.