As usual

Don't look now, but I think the holidays are finally over.

I should clarify that my holidays weren't shabby at all. I went down to Florida for eight days, which turned out to be just a hair too much family-togetherness. But really, it was ok and fun. This year was a turning point for my cousins when all of us, ranging in age from 16-39, finally got it together enough to sort of act like civil adults (although that started to fall apart as the novelty of being together wore off).

Also, I came home and had a New Year's party that involved a band (or at least, two people with guitars), vodka shots and fire. The neighbors put on a fireworks show, so we enjoyed that, too. I'm pretty sure it was the Best New Year's Ever.

THEN, I went back to Florida to surprise my dad for his 70th birthday. It's a good thing he's clueless, because everyone in my extended family knew I was coming back, and yet we managed to surprise him deeply and completely. It was worth the cancelled and delayed flights, threat of tornadoes and my yelling at airline representatives to get there.

But I'm glad to be home. I missed: 1) my car 2) my house and 3) my bed. I'm not even all that sad to be back at work. After a while, when left to my own devices I start to float into a realm of formless lethargy. If I'd been at home more, it would've been different b/c there's always work to do at home, but when you're staying at your parents' vacation house, it starts to feel like that weird purgatory time between semesters during college. It's kind of good to get back to routine, although I'll be ready for another vacation in a matter of weeks, if not days.