Back to normal

I got home Saturday - and no one was there. Well, that's not quite right. Natasha & Beast were there. As Rocky walked through the garage, he looked back at me almost as to say, "Hurry up, I wanna go in!". Inside was a small bit of mayhem as Rocky, Natasha, and I all got to say hello to each other.

Then I was right back in the driveway unloading the truck. As Shanna pulled into the driveway I circled around the pillar and hide from Galen's view. I then pounced into view through the window and hopped into the backseat. His stream on consciousness babbling was priceless. He certainly seemed happy to see me, even though I was quite ripe.

I had an excellent time. But certainly I was happy to be home with my wife, son, and extended family of animals. Another thanks to my wonderful wife for letting me disappear for a week.

And K2 is only six weeks away!!!

I apologize in advance...

For my week of camping, leaving Shanna & Galen to fend for themselves.


But thank you.


Tomorrow morning.

Countdown

Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, CAMPING!!!

Just a few more days, a few more errands, some organizing, and then a commune with nature and a group of off-roading yahoos. It won't be a rough camping experience. In previous years it's been a drive to a new location every night. All the set-up and tear-down chewed up a lot of time and energy. This year it's a base camp and a different excursion every day. Always back to the same campfire, tent, and chair spot.

Shanna, Galen, and Natasha will have the home front all to themselves and Natasha will be quite the neurotic guard dog. The dog's are a basket case if one is gone. And the ":gone" one, if they are camping or off-roading for the day all is well. Trips to the vet are another matter...

I will miss them all, but I am looking forward to actual "time off". No worrying about what Galen is into, I'll just just to keep Rocky out of the food. And the week of Galen all to herself just might give Shanna a vacation; no time to worry about work and school. Somehow I doubt it...

We Survived

His cold ran for about a week. And it was a tough week; no library or bookstore story times, no playground, and very little backyard or outside time. But he's a stoic, happy little kid. We cuddled on the couch and watched TV, was sat on his cushion and read books, ate tomato soup, played with the doggies and chased our cat.

And then it was my turn, but not for a cold it seems. Allergies hit with a vengeance. I went from breathing to not with a dry, crackly, painful throat in a day. It was three days of piss-pour sleep, bad appetite, and general grumpiness.

In the middle of all this Shanna left us all, abandoned I'd almost say, for a business trip to Chicago. Well, it had to be done and not something I begrudge her for. Seven months pregnant, slammed with homework, and her family sick I am sure she would rather not be on a plane.

Or did she have a mini-vacation? Good for her!