Jessie and I just returned from spending 10 days at her parents' house in Manley, NE.  We had a great time, but we're both glad to be home!  Here are some reflections on our home life, inspired by the time away:

Jim & Debbie's house is no larger than ours, but they had ten people and three dogs living there during our visit, and most of the time it didn't feel crowded.  During the New Years' Day party Jessie counted thirty people in the house, but I would have guessed 15.  Debbie's dishwasher ran nonstop and her kitchen is smaller than ours, but we never ran out of clean dishes or food.  Now our house feels positively extravagant, housing just two people and two cats (and about half as much stuff).  We've joked about how we have beds for 8, but now I feel like we really could house a small army if the situation arose.

We went shopping for some wedding things... we settled on our colors and chose bridesmaid dresses and shirts for the groomsmen, and we toured the space where the wedding will be held, and we met with the rental company.  It's really happening, in less than 5 months!  It feels good.

The holiday diet took a toll on both of us.  Our Wii Fit pronounced me "overweight" for the first time (based on BMI, so it may be counting some muscle as fat, but I've got less muscle than I used to).  Then Jessie had severe abdominal pains late Thursday night, which of course went away before we got to the clinic, but they suggested she get her gall bladder checked.  She is still nauseated much of the time, and she's eating a restricted diet to try to prevent another attack.  I'm hoping that if she does need treatment for her gall bladder, it also relieves some of her other digestive problems, because I know how hard it is to be happy without being healthy!

All in all it was a great visit with great people.  But the cats are happy to see us, and the weather is gorgeous today, and it's good to be back!