peaces

We made it home safe and sound. Arriving to the abundance of weeds in our yard was pretty overwhelming. Getting into our back gate was a little precarious. Got in at 8:30 PM (pacific time) Saturday night. We couldn’t let the kids (dogs and cat) out of the car to run in the yard, for fear there may be critters living in the wildness of overgrowth.

All the kids were amazing travelers. Hunny had a couple of rough (ruff?) moments. She was pretty dehydrated that first night. Whoops. Bad mama. We quickly remembered just how much water she needs to drink. She drank a gallon of water throughout the rest of the trip.

Today we were awake bright and early (no thanks to the time zone change) and I tried to get caught up on some email stuff. Then we unloaded the peacemobile and drove to the mother ship — with the windows open, in light shirts and jeans. God I love this place!

We spent the rest of the day chopping, cutting, raking, sweeping and mowing the entire yard (front and back). I was so upset about the overgrowth that I neglected to take before and after pictures. The task seemed too daunting.

PBX is a madwoman with the lawn mower we bought from craigslist last year. It can cut through ANYTHING when she’s at the helm. Me? It took me three days to clear just the backyard last July. One entire day was spent pulling weeds, cutting and trimming edges. What a dumbass.

With body aches, exhaustion and empty stomachs, we were determined to have a good meal. Our clothes are still in bags so I got out a pair of pants I hadn’t seen in months. I’d left them behind because, sadly, they were a bit snug. All this time in New Hampshire, I was sure I’d put on a few more pounds but, to my delight, I needed to find a belt! (suddenly oral surgery has a silver lining.)

We had dinner at Natalie Thai (one of our favorite restaurants). Seaweed salad, miso soup and Pad Thai (wrapped to go - big eyes, small stomach). I got loaded on a glass of pinot noir (doesn’t take much). We came home and CRASHED OUT.

I woke up sick to my stomach — the price I pay for being a fair weather drinker. No tolerance. ::sigh::

So here I am, home at last. I miss parts of my home-away-from-home in New Hampshire - family and friends. But I’m thrilled to be home in Los Angeles. It won’t be long before I’m aching to get out of the city again, complaining about traffic and crowds - I’m already griping about the loud music from our neighbors. But it’s home.