I traveled for work (very, very rare these days) last weekend to New Orleans. It was a five day trip that I booked — for a 5 hour meeting. It was an EXCELLENT meeting — it was so powerful — and I could have flown in Saturday morning and home Sunday evening. I would have preferred that; I missed my husband, I missed our teens, I missed the sights and sounds and smells of home.

But! I did eat beignets three times at Cafe du Monde, I did bond with a bunch of peers from across the country, I did get to ride in the Bicycle Second Line in New Orleans with a brass band leading us on a 10 mile ride around the city! So, those are all excellent.

But! When I am out of town for even one day; the ‘make-up’ of missed meetings lasts alllll week; and Tuesday is/was a real bear. My colleagues were interested in some of the ideas I brought back; I got an actual grant I wrote (second time EVER); and I am letting go of four direct reports (all people I respect and admire!) to a colleague and taking 2 of his direct reports.

It’s all good; I’m just sitting at my kitchen table working at 7:13 p.m. But now it’s working for fun — updating my little blog– and then I get to log off and go read. Home again, home again: YAY!