It's been a while....

And for my next trick I will make the Blog reappear!
It has been a while but I am back.  The last couple months can best be described as completely random and crazy busy.  I have been loving every minute of the madness though. Each month brings a new home, each week a different car, and each day different and multiple jobs. There is never a dull moment.  Also these months have brought visits with a couple of friends that I haven't seen since before I left.  Those catch ups have been so amazing and much needed!  During the few quite moments I have been able to really think, reflect and plan the next steps that I would like to take and how to make it all happen...That's for another post though.  Right now I'm gonna give you a look at what you missed while I was neglecting the blog.

I Love Coronado!

  


Just walking along the water on Coronado Island I am reminded of one of the reasons I love this place.  
The gorgeous views and sunny days!

Hotel Del at sunset

I also have been trying to hold up my end of the deal with my self to be a bit like a tourist in my own town.  My wonderful friend and fellow designer Lacey helped me out with this by coming down from LA and visiting.  We walked the island and it was like seeing it again for the first time.  I even took a photo in front of the Del which was something I don't think I ever did while living there.

Down Right Awesome!!!

I also was reunited with my travel buddy Kelsey when she flew in to surprise our good friend Colette to take part in the San Diego Buddy Walk.  It was such an amazing day raising awareness and money for down syndrome.  Team Down Right Awesome had a huge presence. We were in full effect with the band leading the walk and all of us dancing and cheering our way through Balboa Park.  If you don't know about this event you need to find out...look up San Diego Buddy Walk and get in the know.  Also please check out Colette's blog downrightawesome.com 
Start at the beginning and get the whole story of this amazing woman and her family.
Having Kelsey by my side again was so great.  It was fun to be able to talk about some of the travels and troubles with someone who had lived it with me.  I miss her dearly but am so happy that she is doing well with her new adventure in New Hampshire.

San Diego Family Thanksgiving

 To go right along with my year of change I experienced my first Thanksgiving with out my family.  Since my brother and sister-in-law moved to North Carolina the family would not all be making the usual drive to LA (thier old location) where we would, in years past, all meet up for turkey, games and afternoon hikes or naps depending on food consumption.  Instead I was invited to spend it with a group of my friends in San Diego.  I was definitely having a rough time with the thought of not being with my family.  I am such a person of tradition and this was a big break in it for me.  The tradition break was definitely constant with my life of change so, I just gotta go with it.  The day turned out to be so encouraging and a huge blessing.  During dinner we all shared what we are thankful for....For me it was community.  I have always known I have a great community and group of friends here but leaving really brings to light the true strength of your core community within the wider arms of the extended community you have.  It's tough to maintain relationships while gone...when you don't have the weekly comfortable and easy ways to connect the wider arms of the community can become very distant or non existent.  I have realized and am so thankful for my core community of people that have been by my side and continue to be no matter where I am.

As we move into the thick of the holiday season I am just so grateful for all the doors that have opened for me while I have been home to set me up for my next steps in my adventure.  I have been working almost solidly for the past 2 months.  The beauty of these jobs is they are all different and keeping me on my toes.  I am getting to work in an office with the sister of my friend which has been a great.  It has been giving me the feeling of consistency within my non consistent world.  Also the ladies in the office are so caring and kind it's a joy to be around them.  4 afternoons a week I get to teach jumprope to groups of elementary school kids through a program called USA Jump Stars.  I am pretty sure I have a permanent smile for the hour long class I teach.  I am not sure if there is anything in the world that brings me quite as much joy as teaching jumprope.  Mixed in between these jobs I also was able to go back and help out the company I used to work for.  I have helped out with some photo shoots for one of the products I was working on just as I left and also got to help them pack up for their big move.  It was an experience of mixed emotions.  I am excited for them to be moving on to another chapter but it was a bit weird closing out my chapter there.  I left so quickly I never really had full closure....this definitely gave me the closure I needed.

Live Nativity Night... I was in the group to be photographed but
 apparently the lady who took the picture didn't feel like I should be and cut me out.

Christmas....getting into the spirit is so easy and fun staying in houses with kids.  It has been so great watching little ones eyes get wide when they see houses lit up for the first time.  I think one of my favorite moments was taking my friends daughter Brooklyn (age 2) out side with me to look at some holiday lights.  As she walked up to the house and looked up she exclaimed "Sara (pronounced Sa-ya)!!! I Love it!  I just Love it! " Those of you who know this lovely child know that it was said with such delight and excitement that your heart would be immediately warmed.  There is nothing like watching christmas through the eyes of a child.  My San Diego start to the holidays was filled with parties, parades, a living nativity night (photo above) and decorating.  

Let it Snow....Bring on the white Christmas!

     I now have made the trip up North (Redding CA) to be with my family for the remainder of the holiday season.  I was welcomed home with Snow!!!  So exciting.  Gotta love snow covered palm trees.  This year will again be another change though since my brother and sister-in-law will not be home....Pretty sure there will be a computer sitting on the couch next to me Skyping them in so they can open presents and participate in the annual scavenger hunt around the house Christmas morning with us. 

Despite all the changes I am so looking forward to a couple weeks of just being home and not having to coordinate anything in my life....I get to just be.