Home for Christmas

"Gee, Toto, I don't think we're in Phoenix anymore."
-- Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz

OK, so maybe I used a little creative license when citing this classic quote, but I'm sure the fictional Dorothy could relate to the surreal feeling of waking up to a warm and sunny day, flying 1,500 miles through cloud-laced skies and then landing in the snowy flat midwest terrain - all in a few hours time.

It's possible, I've discovered to feel at home in two distinct places,
to love the life you lead, the person you are and the people you see.
How lucky to wake up in Phoenix and see a lake, mountains, palm trees.
How lucky to wake up in Hinsdale and see our parklike backyard transformed into a winter wonderland.













The beauty of the Christmas season is displayed in unique ways.
In Phoenix, we were awed by twinkling cactus, glowing palm trees and bright snowflakes hanging from mesquite trees.
In Hinsdale, I love spotlights on the snow, candles in the windows, snow covered creches and gently falling flakes.
Most of all, I love knowing that a babe was born in a manger to a humble and faithful mother who believed in the power of God and the destiny of her child.

Snowbirds On the Move

It's been really amazing waking up to this view every morning for 14 days. We "moved in" on

November 21 and since then have celebrated a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends, Katie's 20th birthday and Nick's 24th birthday. I feel so fortunate to be with my children on those special days. If this is a dream, I don't want to wake up!

The trip from Hinsdale to Phoenix was uneventful. Jeff, my mother and I departed home at 6 a.m. on a Thursday morning in a van packed wall to wall and to the ceiling with patio lounge chairs, trikes, boxes of kitchen stuff, suitcases and Ozzie in his kennel. We made it to Oklahoma City the first night. We crossed over into Arizona just as the sun was setting on Friday, stopped in Flagstaff for dinner with Katie and friends, then slept at Dean and Brenda's in Phoenix that night.

Nick joined us at the new house on the Saturday before Thanksgiving to unpack the van and set up the kitchen,where Ozzie quickly made himself at home. He was a curious kitty exploring inside...

and out. Most days he only goes as far as his leash will stretch. The few times we've let him run loose, he hightails it to the neighbors' yards on either side - even the one with Rocky the barking dog.

Jeff and I agreed that we feel like we're on vacation. Even Katie said she felt like we were staying at a resort. Life certainly feels different where it's warm and sunny in December and you can fish right in your own backyard.