We left a bit after 8:00 in the morning. We got home at a bit before 8:00 at night, counting the stop at Wal*Mart to get Wendi’s precious TSO game. (Yes, she’s no longer just a beta tester. Her addiction has reached apotheosis, or something.)

Anyway. It rained. It poured. The kids were absolutely angelic the entire time, especially given the long drive and the overall conditions.

The visit with Mom and her hubby and various other good-ol’-boys went as well as could be expected. They have dogs, so by the end of the two hours I could barely breathe. Erica was thrilled, of course, being the animal lover that she is. Alex amused himself with the Sega Genesis. We made small talk for a couple of hours, including some rants about my ever-so-dear sister. (I don’t have to worry about her reading this. She couldn’t remember the email address I gave her, I doubt she’s a regular visitor to this page.) Eventually there were hugs and goodbyes and promises to write and send pictures.

The drive back was invigorating, given the torrential downpour the Willamette Valley was blessed with yesterday. Fun moment: The radio antenna snapped clean away somewhere just south of the Vineyard.

I’ll rant about my family and related what-not later. Now I’m just going to try to get through the day without cracking like an eggshell.