Just three days ago I was swinging in one of these hammocks and sitting poolside sipping the frosty “drink of the day.” The sun was shining, warm tropical breezes were gently blowing across my body, and the day was warm.

This morning I am standing by the side of my own pool here in New Jersey hugging a hot cup of coffee between my hands to keep them warm. I can’t sit down because the chairs are covered with snow. As for the pool ... well, I know it’s in there somewhere! The sun is shining, a frigid breeze passes by and my body shivers. It’s 8 degrees F. What’s wrong with this picture?

Reality bites sometimes.

We left in a snowstorm and we arrived back Tuesday night in a snowstorm. In-between I think they had a few nice days here. We were certain our flight was going to be delayed coming into Newark and our pilot even told us that we might be, but as we approached he made no mention of going into a holding pattern. He spoke about the frigid air we would encounter upon leaving the plane and that it was lightly snowing. We landed ahead of schedule, something almost unheard of at Newark Airport, especially with some weather. By the time we got to the car it was snowing heavily and we were glad we landed when we did.

As we got closer to home the snow was ending. Our wonderful neighbor had plowed our driveway of the three or four inches of snow that had fallen. I got out of the car, took three steps, hit an icy patch and went straight down on my butt. Welcome home, Lynne.

I’m not complaining. Really, I’m not. Okay, help me with my mantra here.

I love New Jersey winters.
I love New Jersey winters.
I love New Jersey winters.

The dogs did great in the kennel and Bella had no problems. She did however un-learn some manners (such as biting and jumping up), so we have to work on that. She also turned from a puppy into a somewhat gawky teenager while we were gone. Not quite sure how that happened. The kitties all did well and Luke did a great job taking care of them and the house. All in all, a really successful trip.

It’s good to be home but I am having a few issues. Where is the breakfast buffet? I have to make my own bed, cook my own meals and do the dishes. Can’t I just throw my bath towels on the floor for someone else to pick up? waaaaaaaahhhhhh.

It all seems a dream now, like we were never there. But we were and we had a great time. Now it’s time to pick up the threads of normal life again. Still, I hope you’ll bear with me over the next few days as I share some vacation photos with you and then I’ll get back to being a “new” Jersey girl again.