It's good to be back . . .

I really missed Rex & Japan . . . but it was great to be Home too. Seems like I was in perpetual fast-forward motion the whole 3 weeks though. It went by so fast! I was very lucky to be able to work 4 night shifts at the hospital starting the 2nd night after I arrived and before I had to adjust my circadian rhythm to American daytime. It worked out perfect.

With money making out of the way (to pay for the trip) I was free to work around the property tackling the very long list of chores and business that needed to be taken care of. Whittney helped me a ton and it was fun to watch how much Lou loved being outside all the time - except for when we had to chase after him! We actually built this garden shed. The instructions said it would only take 30 minutes - liars! I think they just say things like that to feel superior! I actually think we rock for doing-it-ourselves! I think Rex & I are gonna really like living out there when we get back - it's so peaceful and beautiful - if we can get it away from Whittney that is!

I also had time for fun. I was able to see almost all my friends which was great. I got to see most of my SU! friends at Darcie & Patti's Halloween party - where I won 1st prize dressed in my Japanese Yukata!; I went to lunch at Swilleys with Laure'; Drinks at the fireside with Jodi, Eileen, Jan, & Karen, and then drinks again the last night with Jodi & Amber; Sandra flew up to Spokane for a night and we shopped & ate our way through 2 days! We stayed at the Montvale Hotel downtown Spokane - very nice! And had a great dinner at the "Catacombs Pub" down in the old coal cellar of the Hotel. I won't soon forget the Peacock Room at the Davenport Hotel and the drunken busload of Coug fans (we won that day) Go Cougs!!; I was guest of honor at Anna's very 1st Cosmo party, which was great! (I've either been a very bad or very good influence???:)- now she's off and running at her new career as a party girl & prn ER nurse - Congratulations! I think you will be very happy Anna!; I went to a 3 day scrapbooking retreat at the Palouse Divide Lodge in Emida, ID (That's the beautiful view from the end window!!) with my Stamping buddies and my friend Jessica from ICU (it sucked that Tina had to work - next time ok?!?); and I even got to give a SU! workshop at my friend Kris's in Colfax on the auspicious night of the last day she spent in her 30's! Happy Birthday again, Kris! Champagne & pomagranite juice "mimosa's" should be your signiture drink!
Whew! Now, after dragging almost 200lbs of luggage back to Japan (I could blame Rex's books - but mostly it was all my Scrapbook paper!), I am ready to relax back into the life of a Japanese housewife and scrapbook all day long!
I'm pretty sure I'll be back for another visit - probably centered around the next PDL retreat Feb 28-Mar 2 I'm thinking - but I'll have to rest up first!
It was great to see you all!
Christina