After a week of being home and not having to work, I am struggling to get back into my daily routine. I only had to work three days this week which was great, but man it still felt like a long, long week! My brain still wants to be on vacation mode, and I’m finding it difficult to once again get out of bed before the sun comes up. I am also really homesick after spending so much time with my family, and all I really want to do is go back.

Other than the wedding, and all of the other wedding-related festivities that went on while I was home, the rest of the trip was actually very relaxing. I slept in every day, usually did some kind of work out, would go on walks with my mom and Zeus, hung out outside in the gazebo, and just spent some good, quality time with my family.

The weather was perfect the entire week. I heard several people complaining about the humidity, but coming from swamp land DC, I thought it felt perfect outside. I wanted to spend as much time outside as I could, and that first full day we were home, Nate and I spent almost the entire afternoon hanging out in the gazebo reading, watching TV, and snoozing with Zeus. What I’d give to have a few more hours out there!

Growing up, I would always go on walks with my parents, and I was glad I was able to go on a few with my mom while I was home. This is when we can talk about anything and everything, and solve all of the world’s problems as well. 😉 Zeus also keeps us on our toes while we are walking. He likes to hunt frogs and other little critters, and he’ll also try to eat just about anything he sees lying around. One time I thought he darted after a pine cone laying on the ground, but right before it went in his mouth I realized it was a dead bird. The thing was down his throat before I even had a chance to react! Poor little guy couldn’t even die peacefully.

Speaking of Zeus, we got plenty of snuggles in while I was home. The big goober still isn’t the best snuggler around, but he’s getting there! Just have to find that sweet spot on his back and he’ll melt right into your lap. It’s always hard saying goodbye to Zeus whenever I leave home. He knows something is going on, and he gives you those adorable puppy dog eyes that make you never want to leave him. One of these days I’ll figure out how to smuggle a 100 pound dog into my carry on and sneak him back to VA with me…

On our final day in Watertown, Tanner and Molly invited us to join them on a boat ride around the lake. Even though I got a little sun burnt, it was a perfect day to be out on the water, and it was so relaxing I nearly dozed off a few times. It was a fantastic way to end our vacation, and thank you Molly and Tanner for letting us crash your honey moon!!

These memories from my vacation last week, and all the memories from growing up in South Dakota are what got me through this short, but tiring work week. I enjoy my life out here on the East Coast, but South Dakota will always be home, and the people in it will always hold a special place in my heart. I’m already looking forward to my next trip back home!

Until next time! 🙂

Megan Reiffenberger