It's official: I'll be flying out to North Carolina on Christmas day to visit my brother and his family for a week. I will be meeting my nieces and nephew for the first time. The oldest, my niece, is 10 years old.

My niece is, in my estimation, a junior crazy cat lady in training. I'm sure she and I will get along in person. I've been writing letters to her for awhile, and I have a feeling that we'll shift from a paper relationship to living one very nicely.

I've wanted to visit The South for awhile, and I consider North Carolina to be one of the southernly states. I told my brother I'm interested in seeing historical sites, grocery stores, and eating real barbecue. Kooky roadside attractions, too, but not as important as getting slow-cooked meat.

Pooky won't be going with me—finances factor into the decision. He also has more duties at work and so getting that amount of time off isn't easy. I may have to stow Smee in my luggage as I don't think I can be away from my Ami that long. I'll be coming back on the 31st, then I leave for Module 3 on the night of the 3rd for a four-day stint with my classmates. I will have just enough time to unpack my stuff, wash it, and reload.

I have a lay-over in Las Vegas on both flights coming and going, so I will get to see a little bit of the wonders. I've something like a morbid curiosity about Las Vegas—too bad I can't go into the city, but the airport will do just fine.