Well, maybe not quite like living at home.  I did sleep again until I woke up which was later than my home time.  But the reason it feels like living at home is because the four of us living here have an entire house to ourselves with freedom to use the entire house as we like.

I am once again trying to imagine how it will be when I get home.  Things will be different.  First of all I will have a lot to unload and to find places in which to give everything a home.  That in itself will be a challenge because I didn’t have any places left to put things when I left home.  After I arrive home I will have but a few days left at home alone before my husband retires and joins my everyday.  After hearing all the stories of other people’s retirement I guess that is when things will really change.  But the reason it feels like living at home is because the four of us living here have an entire house to ourselves.

I am reflecting.  Reflecting over these past 105 days.  It has been such an amazing journey. Mostly good, some regrets.  I just choose not to write about the negatives and keep my optimism high.  Every day has in some way been wonderful.  Part of the “wonderful”l is just knowing in my heart that I have a husband who awaits my return, yet loved and trusted in ME; my abilities, my fortitude, my resourcefulness, my wisdom to encourage me in this endeavor.   His trust in me gave me the confidence that I could really undertake such a challenge.  It has been a wonderful challenge and the day has not come that I have tired of it.  It was only possible for me to do so because of the generosity of so many of my friends, family, and some strangers in providing me places to stay, offering me meals, and even taking their precious time to take me to places of interest in their area.  For that, I offer many thanks.  Every family that I have visited I offer reciprocal invitation to visit us and stay in our home.  I really do hope someday you will take me up on our offer and we can lavish you with the kind of hospitality that you have bestowed upon me.  Thank you for making my dream possible to see each of you again.  I will cherish these memories.  My reason for coming to each place was not for the place to stay, but to visit with each of you.  You have all made this trip precious to me.

Now, let’s go to today.  It is family time once again.  I am renewing grown-up acquaintances with my nephew and niece and new acquaintance with their three daughters.   Three precious little girls who may not even remember who I am in years to come.  But that matters not to me.  What matters is that I had the opportunity to meet them, talk with them, hold the tiny 2 month old baby and carry these memories away in my heart.  I also have made the acquaintance of my nephews step son who is 9 years old.  I have fallen in love with him as if he were one of my own family.  It is so delightful to meet children who are kind and considerate and fun to be around.  This little boy is one of them.  He is big brother to two beautiful little sisters.

Today we, niece Ericka, her daughter, and former brother-in-law David just spend time talking and preparing things for the week ahead.  We shopped for food, did preparation of food when we got back and then took off to have dinner at nephew’s home.  It is a busy place with four children and five adults and two awesome little feisty dogs always wanting you to throw their ball so they can fight over it.  Buddy and Sam.  And Buddy decided that he liked my lap best.  If I sat down he was on my lap.  He looks like a little red fox and he is another dog I would just love to take home with me.  We had a wonderful dinner, had a good visit, and hooked up Brian’s boat to his truck for our outing tomorrow on Lake Coeur d’Alene.

Came home and prepared more food for tomorrow’s picnic, did my laundry and now my blog.  It is late so I must close for tonight.

Good night.  1:02 a.m.