Back to the Bleakness

So this isn't going to be the most inspirational of all blogs - I just thought I would update quickly to let you all know that I have arrived safely back. I flew in directly to miserable weather and well, it hasn't let up since! Between the rain, grayness and grime everywhere (did I MENTION the rubbish??) I'm not super thrilled to be walking the sidewalks and frequenting the train stations of Manchester again. Having said that, I did have a lovely first weekend back. It was a bit manic (we had a wedding to go to just 3 hours after I got off the plane- and it lasted all day!) but great! I got to catch up with good friends and we really enjoyed staying at Steve and Lynn's lovely new home. We are now house sitting for my dear friend Louisa and also loving her place- which incidently would be just about the perfect size for a new little nest for us. And on that topic-the house hunt continues - we have a few avenues we exploring. I am working full days until next Wed so I cannot do any viewings except for on the weekend. I am definately ready for a place of our own again.

Mostly I'm nursing a bad case of homesickness on top of a sore throat and cough. As much as I love being reunited with my wonderful husband, it was incredibly difficult for me to say goodbye to family and friends. Leaving after the THIRD year was just as hard as leaving the first time- it really doesn't get easier for me! However, as my dad reminded me this morning, I can and will cherish the time that I had with everyone in sunny Cali. Being with you was good for my soul! It also reminded me of how blessed we were to grow up in a place where the outdoors can be enjoyed year round- more or less 24 hours a day. And I mean this literally! I was reminded by a friend of how we used to sleep out in my mom's garden on a futton. It was so great to go to sleep under the stars with the gorgeous smell of summer flowers all around. It is SO amazing to be able to be outdoors at anytime and I really took advantage of being able to eat outside! I really do believe that there will be long meals in the gardens of heaven someday!

I must get my pictures onto a disk and then I will post a few of my lovely month in the sun.