Where in the World is Casey Cote?

Granny's 80th birthday party

It feels like forever since I've typed a sentence on this page. I thought that after coming back from vacation I'd feel refreshed and ready to jump into all things blogging again, but I've literally had no time to think about this space. Well, until now, of course. Today is the first day in 3.5 weeks that I've sat down for more than 30 minutes. No joke. When I said I'd be go, go, go after the cruise, I halfway thought I'd really have a handful of days where life would be busier than usual and then a smattering of days where I could veg out and watch Boy Meets World re-runs. Turns out, when I could have used a vacation after my vacation, instead I got hopping a 9 hour flight to NC and driving a billion hours around America and vet appointments and family functions and literally no time to eat a home-cooked meal or sleep a full 8 hours. I've eaten out every meal but breakfast and haven't slept past 5am since coming home. I'm as gross and as out of my routine as I've ever been.

I guess I should back up and tell you that our cruise was AWESOME. It was hands down the most perfect way to celebrate the ending of our time in Europe. We visited Venice, Slovenia, Croatia (Split & Dubrovnik), Montenegro, Greece (Corfu & Olympia), Malta, Sicily, and San Marino...a total dream Adriatic itinerary. Our ship was luxurious, the weather perfect (warm, and no rain until the day we left!), the company most enjoyable (hi Chin & Glory!), and the views we saw...unparalleled to any other vacation we've taken. It was the cruise of beautiful vistas and charming walled cities. I've been giving myself a hearty pat on the back for booking such a brilliant sailing...and high-fiving Celebrity Cruises for, once again, giving us one of the most memorable vacations of our lives. In fact, we loved it so much that we went ahead and booked a 2015 cruise with them. This time to the Caribbean! I'm already counting down the days. ;)

In case you missed the post on Instagram, you might be wondering why I'm even currently back in North Carolina. On day 2 of our cruise, I got an email from my mom letting me know that my grandma had passed away. This is the grandma that just 2.5 months ago went through cancer surgery. She was cancer free post-surgery, but her frail 83-year-old body just couldn't recover from the strain of the procedure (and then subsequent infections from having a low immune system). Before we left for our vacation, I'd gotten word that she'd been moved to Hospice care, but they wholeheartedly thought she'd last a while. At least until our cruise was over and I was able to come home to see her one more time. Unfortunately, her body had other plans and she went home to be with Jesus just 3 short days after being moved. D and I contemplated canceling our cruise (I was pretty distraught about the thought of missing another grandparent's funeral--I missed my MeeMaw's service in 2010 because I was stuck in Cuba with D during his deployment R&R), but of course, like all loving families do, they reassured us Granny wouldn't have wanted us change our plans, lose money, and miss out on our last trip abroad (and neither did they). We reluctantly went on our way, but after hearing of her passing while sailing, I'll admit it was hard to fully enjoy our cruise knowing my family was back home dealing with grief and funeral plans. It was a bittersweet, to say the least. I attribute the lovely weather we had to my sweet Granny smiling down on us from above. She was a special part of my life and I'll cherish her always! Hence why I'm typing to you from my parent's couch. 

 

The day after arriving back in Germany, I dumped out my cruise suitcase (literally dumped it, clothes are probably still all over our bedroom floor), haphazardly packed another suitcase, kissed D goodbye (he had to get back to work--sad face), and hopped a flight back to NC to spend some time with my family and to take care of some super important moving things. Which I CANNOT WAIT to tell you about...but have to because it's just not quite the right time yet. You should know it's big, though. Big and exciting and totally life changing. No buns in the oven, so holster your ovaries ladies! They'll be time for that later. Anywho...since coming home, I've been enjoying spending time going through old photo albums, reminiscing with family about Granny, visiting with aunts and uncles I haven't seen in years. It's been nice. Incredibly busy, but super nice. This impromptu trip home also provided me with the opportunity to snuggle my BFF's new 3 week old bundle of joy (I bottled up some of his baby smell for later) and put my arms around a family member who's recently been diagnosed with a life changing disease. While I'm physically, mentally, and emotionally drained from the non-stop nature of my life as of late, I know I'm supposed to be home right now. Divine placement, if you will. The Lord knew I couldn't carry on with all I have to do with this move until I knew my family was good and my heart was centered again. Proof that His plan, once again, is always much, much better than mine.

 So, that's where in the world I am right now. Whole lotta crazzy, whole lotta busy, but a whole lotta love covering all of us this week. I've got 2 more days left in NC (quick trip, obviously), then I fly back to Germany and have 1 week to get the last few moving things squared away before the movers come. $&@*#!! Needless to say, this blog might continue to be kind of blank from now until July. I had every intention to come back from cruising and schedule dozens of posts to hold me over while we move..but Superwoman, I am not. For the time being, I'm cool with that. You guys understand, don't you? Of course you do. If you want to keep up with me, Instagram is your best bet. I can totally manage an occasional 30 second insta post of my pup or some cardboard boxes. Riveting stuff, I tell ya. They'll be time for travel posts and fun stuff when we're settled in Florida, right? 20 days!!!! Oh...and thank you, by the way, for all the love you all have floated my way in emails, comments, and tweets upon hearing about my Granny. You guys are always keeping my blog love tank full. Much appreciated. With that, I'm off to find something to eat other than Bojangles. Wish me luck. ;)

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