They're Back! (The Stretch!)

Carrie and Shane got back Saturday evening! She drove all the way from New Jersey to home far faster and with fewer breaks than she should have. I didn't take any pictures Saturday night, because we were too busy catching up.

Sunday morning was a reprieve. Carrie and Shane didn't have to worry about chores, because Laura and Amy came out. 

Kila has warmed up to them and the dogs had a lot of fun running underfoot.

Loki had less fun than Kila. He got tired of her chasing him!

Loki was clever. He'd use the barn to his advantage. He's not afraid of going in, but Kila is.

Loki would duck into the barn and she'd run allll the way around to the other side to meet him. Only he'd double back. She'd step out and run allll the way back the other way, ad nauseum. 

So far, this is the farthest she's willing to come in. The horse stalls seem to be the dividing line she won't cross....yet.

Sunday was a day to unpack, go through mail, and readjust from luxury to normality.

Which didn't go well for Carrie. She woke up in the middle of the night and puked. The bathroom sink caught most of it. She felt like she was still at sea. It was a first in her long history of cruising.

Broken sleep made for a rough morning. The car was frozen over, too! The Bucket-mobile is supposed to go back to Grandma and Grandpa's, but with Carrie sick it may take longer than expected.

I did what I could to help with morning chores before running off to work, as well.

Carrie called a teledoc while I was at work. I ducked out during my planning to pick it up. Unfortunately, it turned out half the county had the same idea.

There was a backup on the way home, too! I delivered the medicine and then turned around to go back to school for wrestling practice. 

There was an email that Shane would have soccer afterschool, but a follow-up said, "Oop! Just kidding! We're done!" I left practice early to come home and provide parenting support while Carrie rested in the other room.

I took Shane to school the next morning. Carrie didn't feel well enough to wait at the bus stop with him. It's on my way and it's become the new routine ever since. The only catch is I leave 10 minutes before the bus comes, so Shane has to be sure he's ready to roll out then or I'll leave him!

Carrie felt bad for days. I got a text one morning that it took her 40 minutes just to throw hay. I ended up doing most of the horse chores over the week. I offered to clean up the bathroom for her, too, but she insisted she'd do it herself. I did it anyway when the smell got to me (You can only hold your breath whenever brushing your teeth so long...).

Eventually, Carrie got back to feeling normal. Being exhausted from cruising solo with Shane may have exacerbated the problem. She will cruise again (it's her job!) and hopefully won't suffer through the same ordeal. 

I'm just glad Carrie and Shane made it back home to me. Life and the farm were too empty without them!