A vacation from my vacation...

Most of you would agree with this. You need a vacation from your vacation before you have to go back to work. Today was my first day back, and I just felt like I was in a fog the whole day. The alarm that went off at 6:30 was not kind to my mind or body that had a week of rest and relaxation.
It was great to see family up in Minnesota and spend some quality time with them. Living 2...6...10 hours away from family makes it awfully difficult to share time and lives with them as much as you want. When will the transporters from "Star Trek" ever be invented? Just "beam" over to Chicago for dinner and game night with my family. "Beam" up to Minnesota for an evening of fishing with my father-in-law. "Beam" to Ohio to visit with college friends. I guess this is just something I have to understand about how much I should appreciate the time I do spend with people that I deeply care about.
The actual fishing up in Minnesota was fun. I caught five...yes...five walleye for the week. I caught four just on Friday, which is absolutely nuts. But, I also caught my first dreaded bullhead. I heard the absolute disappoitment in my husband's stepbrother's voice when I pulled it closer into the boat. Jason did catch a walleye this week, so he wasn't completely shut out. We also got to meet Jason's youngest brother's new fiancee, who appears to be just the neatest girl. They'll be getting married next year. Crazy how fast they grow up. *sniff!*
I also had the neatest experience. I've always loved just the ride out to the fishing spot on my father-in-law's boat. He's easily taking the boat up to 50 mph, and just to feel the wind in your face is fun. (I must inherit that from my mother) Twice, I got the chance to ride out and back in to shore sitting in the front chair of the boat, right at the bow. The wind is blowing so hard and fast past your ears that it drowns out the rather powerful engine on the back of the boat. The second time was the best, though. The lake was absolutely calm at the time, like glass, with the morning sun reflecting off of it. I guess you can make the comparison to the movie "Titanic" where the character Rose is "flying" while standing at the very bow of the boat. Just a really awesome experience. And to hear the loons the last night we were out...gorgeous sound.
I would love to write more, but I yet have laundry to do from our trip.
Here's hoping I adjust back to the "real" life, at work and back at home. Till then!

Yep...full moon

Ugh. It was sooooo a Monday today. Y'know the Carpenters song "Rainy Days and Mondays (Always Get Me Down)"? Well, it was both today. But we had a nice, soaking rain all day. We desperately needed it. The weathermen around here keep talking about how far behind we are on our annual rainfall average. Not to mention, we're going to be in the triple digits this weekend, supposedly. Softball on Friday will not be fun. Softball! That's a whole 'nother story from this past weekend...that...well...I won't tell till the whole thing clears up.

Why is it the week before vacation, a kabillion things are thrown on your plate at work to get finished before you leave? I feel like running around like a chicken with my head cut off. Not to mention, laundry and packing for the trip. And yes, we are yet again headed to the Great White North! Okay, not that far. But far enough into Northern Minnesota. Sitting out on the boat, line in the water, fishing for walleye, hoping you get walleye and not "bait" (Tiny perch), or "salad". (Seaweed...errr...lakeweed) Or! The dreaded bullhead. Ugh! My father-in-law caught one of those once when I was on the boat. I'd heard stories, and they're all true! It was lying at the bottom of the boat, making this gross, ugly sound. They finally tossed it overboard once they got the hook out. Then! 15 minutes later my brother-in-law caught the same bullhead! It'll be fun to hang around with family and just relax and enjoy. Jason's looking forward to playing with his niece and nephews. And brand new second cousin! Holy smokes, kids all over the place.

That's all for now...one work day down, four more to go till vacation. (yay!) I leave you with a photo of our nephew from last Thanksgiving...who calls us "Unca Jason" and "Aunt Cereal". Hey, I'll be Aunt Cereal! :)