Ah, I had a lovely, relaxing vacation with Tim and the future in-laws last week in North Carolina. Humidity! Heat! Hurricanes! Whoo!

I genuinely liked every last relative I met last week. Tim's mom Cindy is as sweet and caring as can be. She fed us well, drove us all over the Outer Banks, and even rented videos for us when the hurricane kept us indoors. Her mom, Linda, reminded me a little of my own mom, though my mother isn't that sarcastic (I liked the sarcasm, especially since Tim had warned me about it). Tim's brother Wayne Jr. is much hipper than I expected, and he's incredibly nice, too -- he was completely gracious about us sleeping in his bed for most of the week. Tim's sister, Jodi, is very sweet and shares my love of cats. And Cindy's husband, John, made me very glad I now eat chicken, as we had at least two very tasty chicken meals during our stay cooked by him.

Ah, now I've started on the relatives and I'm realizing that I'm only half done. Will you forgive me if I only do one more? Tim's dad, Wayne Sr., was very nice and actually reminded me a bit of my brother Michael (I think it was the obvious pride over his truck that they both share). He drove us around where Tim grew up, taking us first to barbeque (oh, my, god, hushpuppies! YUM!) before introducing us to a bunch of very nice aunts, uncles and set of grandparents. Tim's grandfather is incredibly handsome, and must have been god-like in his beauty when he was younger. Man.

Wednesday night, after meeting the paternal relatives (or sampling thereof), we drove into Raleigh and met up with Mike Jasper and Elizabeth and Jason Lundberg and Janet Chui for dinner. Much fun, talking about writing and whatnot. I had met everyone but Elizabeth before, but I ended up seated across from her and I swear I felt as if I'd known her for years, she was so easy/ fun to talk to. We closed down the restaurant and ended up chatting outside on the sidewalk for quite some time. I got many good wedding tips from Janet, Jason and Elizabeth. It was a very fun evening.

It was a great vacation, even if the weather didn't cooperate. We never swam in the ocean, only waded, but I did save a little kid from drowning/ being pulled out to sea by a riptide while we were wading in the surf. I didn't get to climb the big lighthouse (Cape Hatteras) but we did visit a really cool one that was closer (Bodie). I didn't get to ride a ferry, but I did go to the emergency room and was given percocet for my ear infection (which was so strong I was slightly hung over from it the next day).

I came back relaxed. It was a lot of fun, but it's good to be home again with just me, Tim and the cats.