Excuses, excuses

So….it’s been a while. But here are my totally valid excuses:

1. I started a new job. It’s not quite full time, but it’s more hours per week than I’ve spent working for at least the past five years. Bye, bye free time.

2. I went on vacation. Sixteen days in Indiana and New York City. There was a lot of much needed relaxing during that time. But also some time spent weeding, resulting in some lovely blisters. (You’re welcome, dad.)

3. The last week has been recovery time from vacation. Why is it always so hard to come back? And Thursday was the official Embassy Independence Day celebration — 8am to 10pm spent working. Mostly standing. I must be getting old because that wiped me out. I apparently slept through a doozy of a thunderstorm last night, complete with the dog running back and forth over my legs in bed. I remember none of this.

4. I’m currently preparing for the in-laws’ arrival on Monday. They’ll be here for six days. So, yeah, the blog is going to be quiet for a little longer.

But for your patience, here are some pictures to prove that I really was on vacation:

Wind farm in northern Indiana

I love New York!

With some giraffes at the Bronx Zoo