Home Sweet Home

We found ourselves with about a week to spare between Rancho Cucamonga and our reservation at Pismo Beach.  We were driving on the 15 South and Ken said, we could always go to Oceanside.  Really??  We had done a ton of driving in the last month, and I never imagined that Ken would want to go further South before going Northwest.  After those words left Ken's mouth, it only took me about five minutes to find a park and make a reservation in Vista.  Our good friends, Carolyn and Richard Johnson had just sent an email saying that they would not be able to meet up with us in Pismo Beach as we had tentatively planned for later in July.  They were so excited that we were coming to visit them, they actually came to the park where we were as soon as we got there.  I cannot explain how awesome it is to have someone there to greet you when you get into a park.  It was a real homecoming!  We are still without a refrigerator at this time, but Carolyn took care of that.  They had us over on Sunday afternoon for a delicious New England baked garlic shrimp dinner with baked potatoes.  It was yummy, and the time spent with them was so much fun.  We laughed until we cried.

My dear friend Georgia is experiencing horrendous back pain and was not able to get out but we were able to visit at her home for a bit.  Georgia and I became fast friends when she visited my store and was still living in Arizona.  We worked together for a while and have done art together for years.   She made me see that I do have some artistic talent and has encouraged and mentored me.  My grandkids love her and will never forget the paint sponges she gave them when babysitting them while we went to the temple with Ken and Sarah before their wedding.  They still talk about their time with Georgia the artist.  We had to take a selfie before I left!

My sweet friend Mariah had recently given birth to twins, and I couldn't wait to see her and the sweet babies.  Mariah looks amazing and is such an amazing mom.  Baby Dallin was awake the whole time and snuggled right in.  Lily slept through the entire visit.

We were able to attend church in our home ward, and it was amazing to be back among so many friends.  Our former neighbors were packing for a trip back East, but we were able to spend a little time with them.  Pat and Dick were the best neighbors ever, and we consider them family, or as Ken likes to say "my brother from another mother."

Our time there flew by.  We were able to get in to see our dentist, get X rays,  exam, cleaning and mission paper work filled out.  Thank you Dr. Rosell for fitting us both in on such short notice.

I was also able to get an appointment with my hairdresser who highlighted and trimmed my hair.  I wish now I would have let her cut it.  A ponytail is so convenient when we are riding bikes, but it is driving me crazy otherwise!  I think I am ready for some layers and some of the length to go.  Stay  tuned for the makeover.   My goal is to find a stylist before my birthday on the 13th.

We were able to hit Ken's favorite breakfast spot in Solana Beach, Pipes, and the best donut shop in the entire country, VGs.  Of course we had to take a walk on the boardwalk in Carlsbad and on the pier in Oceanside.

The trip was short and sweet, I knew we wouldn't have time to see everyone we would have liked to visit, so we stayed pretty low key while we were in town, and are already looking forward to an encore visit some time soon.  We headed out of Vista and hit 5 North, reminiscent of the start of this journey 15 months earlier.  Life is good.  We are still having fun, and the journey continues.