Holiday Wrap-Up

I'm finally back in Austin after a long and busy winter vacation & family visit. Allison joined me and together we made the 22 hour drive to and from Los Angeles. It was great seeing everyone and we had a really good time, but with all the rushing around from one activity to the next, and from one side of the family to the other, we didn't end up getting much actual R&R. I need a vacation from my vacation!

Some holiday highlights:

- Sweet gifts including: a GPS unit from my dad (saved us from getting lost innumerable times), an heirloom quilt and tapestry hand sewn by my grandma and given to me by my aunt (thank you!), and an extensive spoiling by my mom & stepdad which included new years eve at a resort in Palm Springs, snowboarding at Big Bear, and a trip to the dentist to get my teeth cleaned!

- After many unsuccessful attempts (due to it being sold out), we finally saw Avatar. The film had a lot of heart and a message which really resonated with me. Inspiring.

- Allison had never snowboarded before, and promptly smashed her tailbone real good during her first attempt on the bunny slope. I have never seen anyone injured so badly by going so slowly! ;) Thus ended her short winter sports career and began her new found hobby: getting drunk at the lodge!

- Me losing repeatedly at Bananagrams. Damn you Bananagrams!

- Seeing the Pacific Ocean.

- Trader Joe's!

- Back in Texas, At Allison's parent's house, my dog Brutus chased a deer until it jumped and got stuck between two trees. Later, when I discovered what had happened and found my dog nibbling on the dead animal, I had conflicted emotions ranging from anger to sadness to pride. Even Brutus seemed unsure if he had done good or bad. I quickly decided not so scold or punish him. It seems that to be mad at the predator/prey relationship is to be mad at life itself. This deer died and the vultures got a meal. So it goes.