Gee, I hope no one mistook you for passed out...or worse.

Gee, I hope no one mistook you for passed out…or worse.

I hope you feel good and rested from my vacation. I’m glad. If there’s anything else I can do for you, just let me know. I’m really one of the most generous and humble people you’ll ever meet.

I gave you a longer break than I expected and I think you should know why.

Vacationing is very hard work. There I said it. Most people won’t admit it, but, as you know, I’m not most people. I’m a Highly Sensitive People Person…or something like that. (You’ll have to excuse any anomalies or freak-dexters in this post. I’m still suffering the lingering effects of post vacationitis). Plus I am living in the swirly-dirly world of dizzy blondness caused by Chronic Fatigue. (Yes, several real live physicians said I have Chronic Fatigue, which causes my dizziness, brain fog, and the occasional panic attack from over-stimulation, but probably not my blondness).

So here is a synopsis of traveling for me:

  • Pre-packing Pandemonium: How do I pack for a week on the beach coming from the north where I avoid the sun and warm weather? Do they make SPF 200?
  • Dealing with Scrappy’s Depression: Scrappy sees a suitcase and goes into an immediate mopey, SPCA abandoned dog commercial look. So I have to put off packing until the last minute to avoid the guilt.
  • Making Sure Philip has ALL the Proper Paperwork: Do you have any idea how much energy it requires to repeatedly ask if that super-organized man is organized?
  • Pre-Worrying about Airport Screening: I have a titanium plate and 5 screws in my head. Will the TSA think that I’m a really motivated terrorist that will resect my scalp and use my precious scalp metal, a tube of mascara and my Kindle to fashion a bomb? I should take my unimpressive high school science transcripts with me whenever traveling.
  • The Airport Slalom: How is it possible for so many people to carry/drag so many bags while texting/speaking on on their iPhones/droids while eating/drinking while walking/running? It should be an Olympic event. By the way, I wouldn’t watch such an event. It would make me dizzy.
  • Finding Stuff in my Suitcase: Or really, not finding stuff in my suitcase that I KNOW I packed but has disappeared. Or finding really stupid stuff in my suitcase that some idiot packed that I’ll never need but just schlepped 1,000 miles.
  • Finding Something I can Eat: Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha. Remember, I am a vegan who doesn’t eat gluten, sugar, or anything processed. BONUS: I generally lose weight on vacation. NOT BONUS: I generally emit grumbly noises from my stomach and mouth on vacation.

All that being said, I love getting away with Philip, seeing new places, and getting out of my rut. But, traveling takes it’s toll on my health. As the vacation wears on, my batteries lose their charge. By the time I get home, I’m running on empty. So, I need several days to recover from my fun. Leave it to me to get sick from having too much fun (without any alcohol involved).

Yeah. No. That's not my problem.

Yeah. No. That’s not my problem. And I don;’t mean bad hair or dental issues.

I’m slowly recovering and just wanted to make an appearance to let you know I’m back. I also posted on Legends Undying for my Sunday Contributor gig. Hop over there and check out why I think I haven’t gotten Freshly Pressed in a long, long time.

Just so you know I did have fun, here are a few pictures of Philip’s and my excellent adventure to the Bahamas, via Fort Lauderdale, FL.

It's a big world out there and I don't know which way to go next.

It’s a big world out there and I don’t know which way to go next.

Some views were postcard worthy…

palm trees

The sand felt like baby powder between my toes.

The sand felt like baby powder between my toes. And the ocean was refreshing.

Some views were, well, less picturesque.

Too many Bahama Mamas?

Too many Bahama Mamas?

Other pictures were irresistible for a variety of reasons…

Now, that's my kind of restaurant. I just wish they served something I could eat.

Now, that’s my kind of restaurant. I just wish they served something I could eat.

I only ventured onto the beach after 4:00 pm, when the sun was low. I was probably the only person there trying hard NOT to tan.

I only ventured onto the beach after 4:00 pm, when the sun was low. I was probably the only person there trying hard NOT to tan.

Philip really wanted me to wear a two-piece bathing suit. I wore it once. and he was sure to get a picture of me in it.

Philip really wanted me to wear a two-piece bathing suit. I wore it once. and he was sure to get a picture of me in it. Here I’m by the pool and in the shade.

I don’t want to leave you with that picture of me, so I’ll leave you with this…

Can't you just hear the rhythmic rush of the surf?

Can’t you just hear the rhythmic rush of the surf?

Since the holidays are upon us, I’ll won’t be posting too frequently until after the New Year. But I’ll try to catch up on your blogs as much as possible while still recovering from all this fun in the shade! And, yes, I believe there will be a new year. Why? Because my book is coming out and the world can’t end before that happens!

The world is not ending. The world is not ending. The world is not ending. Someone hug me now.

The world is not ending. The world is not ending. The world is not ending. Someone hug me now.