There's no place like home.....

There is some serious truth to the heel clicking and wishing Dorothy did to get out of Oz and back to the place she felt safe, comfortable and taken care of.    Theres beauty and fun in all life's adventures but there is a feeling I just can't replicate any where else except in the town I grew up in surrounded by the loving people who raised me. I am blessed to have two wonderful parents who are still together after 45 years of marriage and absolutely love to have their kids come home and spend time with them.....one rule though....don't get in the way of the work out program.  We will talk more about that later.
I haven't been back home in Redding since last christmas.  That is a pretty long stretch for me so getting home was much needed.  As you saw from the last blog I got some snow which was awesome and it went right along with the serious christmas theme going on around the house.  Christmas at the Lighthall

Christmas Table

  house is not for the faint of heart.  There are christmas trees fully decorated in every room...yes even the bathrooms have small ones.  There are garlands and Santa's, polar bears, reindeer, and Nativities....too many to count (although my mom might be able to give you an accurate number)  This year it went to a new level when even the fish in the fish tank got a tree...waterproof of course and no lights due to the fear of electrical shock.  Now, to some this explosion of the holiday season may seem like too much but for me it feels like home.  I wouldn't want it any other way.  My mom takes so much time and care placing all these items in their spot making it look just right.  I know sometimes people ask her why she still does it now that my brother and I are out of the house.  If I could guess her answer it would be that it brings joy to so many people each year why would she stop.  That is just the kind of lady she is.  For as long as I can remember she has been having a Christmas party at our home for her students (she was a special ed teacher for many years).  This still continues now, even though they are all grown adults living their own lives, they come back each

Where's Emma?

year for this party.  They acctually start calling in November just to make sure she is still having it.  This year my dad had a party for his jump rope team at the house which I got to attend and they all loved coming to the house and searching out all the hidden treasure that are to be found on top of every table, mantle or tree.  I also got a glimpse of what it is going to be like once my brother or I start bringing home our future children to this holiday wonderland.  One of my oldest and dearest friends came over with her daughter and she fell in love

Good times....Good Friends (Amber and Emma)

with the "Polar Bear Room".  She couldn't even sit in her seat to eat lunch she was so excited.  She kept popping in there in between bites to check them out.  As you can see from the photo she felt right at home with them.  Watching her and my mom talk about the different bears and all the other decorations, including an original vintage "Elf on the Shelf",  made me see its more then just putting up the decorations each year its about what each thing means and the stories and history that goes with it.  Each year they go up its another year to share the stories.  We are not the family that changes out pretty colored coordinated christmas themes each year it's an eclectic collection of the family history at the

Look!!!  I'm riding a bike!

holidays.  I am so happy through the eyes of a friend and her child I was able to see this.
Now switching topics, I mentioned the work out regime earlier well here we go....hold on to your chairs people....Sara rode a bike!  I know to many of you this seems like a silly thing to document.  You are probably saying...you're 35 years old not 5...why is this so exciting.  Well if you don't already know about my dislike of this transportation device let me make it very clear that I have not ridden a bike in years and really haven't wanted to.  I like my two feet on the ground not balancing precariously on a piece of metal and rubber.  I am however, happy to report I really loved riding out on the trail.  It was a clear sunny beautiful day out and there were hardly any

Biker Gang ( Me, Ron, Dad, Lauren, Mom)

obstacles for me to be concerned about.  I even kept up with the boys!  My parents have a couple who they ride with often so they joined us too.  The wife Lauren also happens to be the very first person who ever babysat me.  Kinda funny how life weaves it's way around and what people remain in our lives forever.  I liked it so much I even had them take me out on another ride new years day.  A year of change right...might as well add in bike riding.  Now don't get overly excited about this San Diego peeps....I am still not ready to brave the cars but I'm totally game for some trail rides!.  So bike riding was not the only form of exercise my parents do they are also on the kick of going to Power classes at the Gym/Racquet club they belong to.  Since I was staying with them I had to go.  I like to think I am in relatively good shape but apparently I was wrong.  Between these daily classes, playing tennis and bike riding I was incredibly sore.  Lets just say bending the legs to sit down was a very slow painful process.  I am very greatful for this painful kick in the pants I needed to get back in the swing of things.  Working out will continue now that is has started again.  Anything to avoid that pain again.

Reunited and it feels so good!!

 The other best thing about being home was not having to plan any thing and having the biggest decision of the day be am I going to shower or not....many days the not decision won.  I loved being able to just sit at home by the fire and hang out if I wanted although the majority of the time I ended up sewing by the fire.  It was a beautiful thing being reunited with my machine.  I didn't realize how much I missed it till I had it in my hands again.  There was a good 2 day stretch that I am not sure I left the machine except to eat and sleep.  It was amazing!!!  I couldn't bear to part with it again after being reunited so it made the drive back down here to San Diego with me!  Let me know if anyone needs any sewing done....I'm ready to go!

I thoroughly enjoyed my time at home with family and friends...It just fills me up in a way that no other place can.  I may not make it back home again for quite some time but it's good to know it is only a heel click and a wish away if I need it.