The Riptide didn't get me, the homesickness did.

We're back from a busy weekend visiting my family. We always jam so much in, but it's always a great time. We started off with my aunt's annual family bbq, basically Christmas in August. We got to see all the babies that have been born this summer, and see how everyone else has grown after a year. If you read my post last month about the sundress I was hoping to wear....I skipped it, it was still a bit tight. I opted for comfort in a skirt and top, which still looked cute.

We wanted to fit as much beach time into the weekend as possible, but Sunday it rained, so we compensated with a matinee of Ice Age 3 and frozen custard from Rita's. After which, I gave myself carte blanche to eat all my favorites for the rest of the visit. Which got a bit scary. The weather cleared, so my brother had a bbq, and I chowed on my sis in laws cooking, which is kick ass. Fresh tomato salad, roasted butternut squash, lemon pepper chicken, fresh bread, you get the idea. But hold on, it gets worse. They live near a Chipotle, which we do not have. We stopped on the way home and got burritos, in case we got hungry later. Which we did, after more wine and Scrabble.

Monday was beautiful, so we made it to the beach. It was the first time L&E saw the Atlantic, and of course, there were riptide warnings. It was sooooo great just to stand there and breathe the air, it's been way too long. We played in the water, Mike got nervous about the undertow, but after a bit, he relaxed and enjoyed it. My sister and I decided to swim by ourselves, so we plowed through and got past the break line, and it was great. Something about salt water and the water's energy is so invigorating. I was happpy until an Adonis like lifeguard appeared next to me, saying to be careful because I was right next to a riptide. Don't have to tell me twice, so I headed to shore. You could actually see the riptide from the beach, it churned around and looked darker than the rest of the water. I was happy to sit on the towel and eat my favorite Long Island deli lunch, chicken cutlet on a roll with lettuce, tomato, and real mayo.

Tuesday we had to head home, but not before stopping at my Great Aunt Betti's apartment in Queens. She's 89 and a total trip. We couldn't leave without her giving us a pint of ice cream, four ice cream drumsticks and four beers. I tried to tell her it would melt in the four hour car ride, but you can't argue with Aunt Betti.

I was already feeling melancholy as we said goodbye, and felt worse when Luke said he didn't want to go, and even worse when we drove by our old apartment in an effort to avoid traffic. Ugh. That's the one thing that sucks about a visit home, I see all our old stomping grounds, and I start to second guess our decisions. I know our move upstate was the right one, but I woke up this morning incredibly homesick. I know it will pass after a few days, and I'll remind myself of my favorite "when I'm down" song, by the Grateful Dead....."oh the first days are the hardest days, don't you worry anymore..."