South Pacific dreaming

And we're back. The same car that took us to the airport in July, when this onion was fresh, came for us late last night and six months had passed in an instant. We picked up the terribly missed dogs this morning, and we're here again in our rather messy house which is badly in need of renovation AND we're in Cleveland where it's cold and snowing. Our time in Paradise has come to an abrupt end. Nice that living in a nearly empty house for six months has motivated me to do a serious room-by-room purge in this one, so that I can just stay warm and cozy here at home until spring arrives in another ... three months?? God help us all...

It's been so interesting and exciting coming back to the USA. As much as we loved New Zealand, it sure felt good to get home where everything is familiar, we know where to find what we need, most things happen the way we expect, we can pay for our gas at the pump, and ketchup tastes the way it should. There really is no place like it.

The extended trip back to Ohio was really fun, despite the many hours on planes and in airports. And some gross rude people whose children climbed all over our airplane seats and others that hacked up their lungs on the breakfast at our B&B in Sydney and others that pushed and shoved their way through security. Travel really could completely destroy any faith in humanity that you might have left if you did a whole lot of it (Dennis).

We were sincerely excited to spend 15 minutes in CVS the first morning in LA buying Advil, Butterfingers, lip gloss, Trix cereal, and Reese's peanut butter cups, and to find real bacon on our breakfast plates at a diner in Dana Point. And pie... peach, blueberry, and apple pie -- no meat! Heavenly!!

We saw a lot of family in California that we haven't seen in much too long and also a couple of lovely friends, Joan and Jennifer. Then we got home and found our fridge stocked with foods and treats by some truly priceless girlfriends that I got to see today -- hooray!!! It was the perfect welcome back to the US, along with the sweet gorgeous yummy puppies. We've kissed them a thousand times today!! I'll start up again soon with the rest of the NZ photos -- once we get the kitchen sink re-installed (leaking faucet, not cool!) and at least a few loads of laundry done.

Hoping I'll see you all out and about, though I'm hearing about a big storm heading this way, so maybe not. :o) Be well, xo, K.