I can’t believe I forgot to mention this! So on my last day in LA, my sister and her friends took me out to lunch at… Moonshadows in Malibu. Which means nothing to you until I tell you that it was where Mel Gibson got infamously tanked on the night of his arrest. HOW COOL IS THAT? Nobody could tell me what Mel was drinking, so I had to settle with a mimosa.

Even though I’m still suffering from cripping jet lag, I managed to prop my eyes open long enough today to post the pictures and commentary from our trip. I made a special point of linking to the hotels and restaurants we liked, so if you’re heading to Orlando anytime soon, you might be interested. And at long last, you’ll get to hear the story of our adventure at Space Camp!

I’ve just learned that today is Hug an Australian Day. Luckily I got that one covered. Every day is Hug an Australian Day around my house.

Huh. It appears that someone has coined a word – “nervio” – to describe the sensation of loving someone so much you want to squeeze them to bits. Or, in my case, being so enamored of a baby’s chubby thighs that you want to eat them up.

Saying goodbye and coming home…
It’s hard. It’s always hard, but this one was awful. It’s funny; I wouldn’t have been so sad had I left a week earlier. During the big crazy family holiday crush of Easter, it was easy to fall into old patterns and relationships. I found myself getting stressed out and annoyed too easily. Snookums speculated that it was because I didn’t get to be the star of the show: everybody wanted to see the baby. There’s probably some truth in that. I got in a few cuddles with Penn myself, but I was happy to recede into the background and let others fight over him (knowing I was going to have one-on-one time later). Eventually Snookums came home, and I headed to LA for three days of “living with the baby.” I promised the Snook that I’d be a gracious guest and try not to fight with my sister too much. He needn’t have worried. That was probably the first three days I’ve ever spent with Amy without us arguing once. (My Mom nearly fell over when I told her.) And it wasn’t like we were holding back; it was more like the old petty crap just suddenly didn’t matter out there. I got to see what it’s really like for her, how much work raising a little baby actually is. I also fell in love with that little boy. Yeah, he’s fussy and exasperating at times… but when those wandering little baby eyes land on you and he just SMILES in happiness at seeing his Aunty Kris… Let’s just say it was really, really hard to leave. (Amy’s write-up is here.) But now I’m home, and the reality of the situation is what it is, you know? Right now this is our life and that is theirs, and the best we can do is share it however we can.

That said, it is nice to be back in my house, with my bed and my cat and my own Dear Husband. Photos and a full vacation write-up will have to wait til I fight off this jet lag though…

California
I’ve been in LA for just over 24 hours, and I’ve already fed the baby (twice), given him a bath, and assisted with a hellacious poopy diaper (which was orange because of the pumpkin I fed him). Don’t worry; we took photos so you’ll see the hilarity. My sister also took me to Wildfiber, where I finally got my hands on some Koigu. I’ve been on a bit of a sock knitting kick on this trip. Anyway, only two more days til I go home!

Back home again in Indiana…
Well, I’m back at Mom’s but my heart is winging its way to Sydney with the Snook. This is the first time we’ve been apart in over six years. It’s weird. I’m having a good time with my family though, and I’m looking forward to a few uninterrupted days with my new nephew. I got him an awesome T-shirt at NASA and an Ugly Doll in Chicago. I’m planning to spoil the little bugger rotten.

Anyway, last week Mom dragged us all to the JC Penney Portrait Studio, and it was just as hellish as you might imagine. We did get a good photo of me and Rodd out of it though…

Have a good flight, Snookums. I miss you already.

Just a very quick post from the Orlando Airport… We’ve had a great time in Florida, and I’m pleased to report that the Astronaut Training Experience at Kennedy was EVERYTHING I DREAMED. You’ll be hearing all about it later. (And oh yeah, I took plenty of pictures.) The eighty-degree weather was nice too, especially after the snow of Indiana. Now we’re heading back to Chicago and going straight to Wrigley to catch a Cubs game this arvo. Back into the cold!

It turns out my garments are on display at the Easter Show! Veronica just e-mailed me photos of them. The Kitty Kat Cardigan is next to Veronica’s blue ribbon vest, while the Cabled Hoodie of Doom is high up at the back of the next display case. I’m glad they got shown! (Thanks to Veronica for sending the pics, which I’ll post as soon as I can.)

Happy Easter! I think everyone in northern Indiana is at church except for us. (We’re heathens.)