I just flew in from the West Coast, and boy, are my arms tired.

[bertha katzenengel]

Why is it getting harder to say goodbye to my sisters every time I go home? :cry:

We had a good trip. Saw my uncle & his dear wife; saw a dear friend married (just barely -- our flight out on Friday was canceled and we couldn't get to CA until Saturday -- we landed 3 hours before the wedding); other than those folks we saw no one but my sisters, their kids, and my best friend. I was supposed to have called other friends, but . . . when I think about trying to be on a schedule and cram in meet-ups with old friends, I just get so tired. How can visits home be stressful?!

We didn't go anywhere except the beach & Balboa Island. Mrs. V. liked Balboa so much she bought two "Balboa Island Ferry" sweat shirts. I bought a shirt at JD's Big Game Tackle because I like the fish on the back. I'd never fish. I just like the shirt.

The cats are fine. Moosey is nowhere around, but since no one was here to let him in at around 9:00 every night, I'm not surprised. We'll see him tomorrow, no doubt.

Now begins the attempt to re-acclimate -- within 36 hours -- to this time zone. Any tips? I'm about to take 3 mg of melatonin to be sure I can sleep by midnight; I hope that's a good start.

:hi: everyone! :grouphug:

[auntAgonist]

1. There YOU are!!!! I forgot you were going away HAPPY B-Day

I know you missed the b-day thread. Glad to see you made it safe and sound!

:hug:

sleep well my friend! (You and MrsV)

[bertha katzenengel]

2. hey, dear one

:hug: was there a b-day thread other than the "miss Bertha" thread that Heidi posted? Thanks. :)

Good to be home. That flight back in to BWI was a killer. We're going to use National or Dulles for a while. :puke: :scared: I HATE bad turbulence. I'd rather have broken bones.

thanks, K :hug:

[bertha katzenengel]

3. I, for one, have no problem kicking my own threads.

Don't care what anyone thinks about it. Plbbbbt.

[lizziegrace]

4. Bertha!!

Welcome back. And do rest your weary arms. :hi:

[bertha katzenengel]

5. Thanks, lizzie

:hi:

[lizziegrace]

6. My birthday was yesterday.

So that makes both fish right?

Hope your birthday wasn't too traumatic. I've got 2 years on you. I'll try to show you how it's done, if I could get it right myself!

:hug:

[bertha katzenengel]

7. Happy birthday!

:bounce: Hope it was terrific. Not traumatic at all; just coming back to Maryland was. :(

Have a great day. I'm off to the grocery store. Back to reality . . . .

[barb162]

8. hi there! Who took care of the cats?

Sounds like you had a nice trip

[bertha katzenengel]

10. Another new service.

This one seems to be the best so far -- just a husband and wife. They do horses, too. Although she didn't completely follow my instructions, she was here every day, and even tried to pay attention to the cats that no other sitter has seen (they hide). She's a keeper.

:hi: barb

[redwitch]

9. 15 years ago hubby and I and kids moved about four hours away from "home"

Can't tell you how many trips back we have made. Minimum of 5 per year I am thinking, some years 8 to 10 trips. I shudder when I calculate how many hours I have spent on the NJ Turnpike!
Problem is, everyone back there was content to have us do all the traveling. Friendships only survived because we kept them alive.
There was/is an attitude of "Well, you moved, so you fix it, it's all on you." I found it all exhausting. I was coming home to help with care of sick mom the last couple of years and I realized the friendships were not important to me anymore. Too tired to do all the work. "Best" friend has not visited in over six years. She goes lots of other places, just not here.
I feel a little bad about it sometimes, but mostly I don't. One sided relationships just aren't worth the effort.
Glad you made it home safe and sound. Your sisters need to visit you next!

[bertha katzenengel]

11. hey, redwitch

I know exactly what you're saying. Yep, I do. :hug: It sucks.

Next visitors will be my best friend and my nephew. My nephew, 15, has never traveled alone. My best friend will "bring" him out here and stay a week, then the Kid will fly back on his own after a two week visit. Can't wait!

[redwitch]

17. that's great!

I am hoping my youngest nephew will come to school back east. great kid, we rarely get to see him. I hope you have a great visit with him. Glad to see you back "home" at DU!

[redwitch]

18. that's great!

I am hoping my youngest nephew will come to school back east. great kid, we rarely get to see him. I hope you have a great visit with him. Glad to see you back "home" at DU!

[DS1]

12. Did you masturbate the whole trip?

:yoiks:

[bertha katzenengel]

14. bah!

You ain't right. ;)

[Misunderestimator]

13. Glad you had a good trip!

I'm rarely online late at night... so I didn't see this last night, glad you kicked it.

Good to see you online again! :pals:

[bertha katzenengel]

15. Hey, Miss You

Miss you. :pals:

[no name no slogan]

16. Bertha I am SO glad you are back home safe!!!

I missed you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :hug:

[bertha katzenengel]

19. thank you, nnns!

time for bed now... it's early but I'm determined to beat jet lag. :hug: