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I?m back at work today, trying to settle back into the grind of life. I had such a great time in Minnesota, though. I arrived on Friday morning at about nine am. The flight was more than half empty and my bag was already at baggage claim when I got there. So I headed for the curb and hadn?t been standing there five minutes when my mom pulled up. From the airport we went to breakfast, then to see my dad and aunt at work, and then we ran errands and shopped all day. I found a pair of slacks (hi, Kim!) at Sears for SIX BUCKS. No hemming required. Awww, yeah.

Friday night I just hung out with the fam and ate great food. Saturday morning I drove down to Red Wing to meet a friend from college (hi, Mike!). We had lunch at Perkins and had a great time catching up. Saturday night was girls night and we went to Buca de Beppo?s for dinner where they embarrassed me thoroughly before heading out for some karaoke. We had a rocking good time.

Sunday was the shower and that was so much fun. I got to see people I haven?t laid eyes on in YEARS! Friends from college and even high school came (hi, Molly and Kristen!), and even a girl I used to baby-sit who is now a Junior in high school (hi, Katie!). I can?t believe how old I am.

That night we celebrated my sister?s birthday (hi, Colleen!) and ate the best pizza in St. Paul. Then it got stormy and I stood out on my parent?s deck and let the rush and roar of the wind hit me. The sky got dark and my brother joined me out there (hi, Michael!) and we had a good talk. When it started raining we went back inside.

Monday morning I got up and my dad made me French toast and sausage with real maple syrup. I gorged myself and then we took a walk up in the woods. Everything smelled damp and earthy and it was wonderful.

After our walk I got my suitcase together and he took me to the airport. I was sad to go, but it?s good to be back in Jersey again. The bustle and the noise and the traffic and the funky smell in the air all say home. Hello funky smell!