It seems that my post from the airport yesterday didn’t publish. No worries, that means I can tell my stories again 😉 I’ve been home again for about an hour. Long enough to unpack, throw the laundry in, put the Nespresso machine to good use and catch up quickly on the mail. I had a little luck yesterday. It turns out that my original flight from SFO to SLC was going to be delayed. There’s only one flight per day from SLC to Amsterdam and I had no desire to get stuck there overnight. I asked and they put me on the nonstop from SFO with KLM directly to Amsterdam. While I didn’t get in any earlier, I also didn’t get stuck in SLC. I checked the flights I would have taken and sure enough I would have missed in SLC. Having worked for the airlines for so many years can sometimes be a good thing, especially when it comes to connection paranoia 😉

Haven’t seen the boys yet. They are out with Kate and the big dog group. There was a little bit of drama with the house sitter and the dates we had agreed upon. The pets had to spend last night by themselves. I was able to find someone to come and feed them their dinner and walk them and come again early this morning to let them out and feed them. However, they spent the night alone and they left me a few surprises. I can’t wait to see them again as the cats are ignoring me.

I had a really good week while I was in the US. I ate at Cactus three times, thanks to Laura’s influence. I also discovered the thrill of Ancestry.com – again thanks to Laura. I spent some quality time with my friends Glen and Lily. I had a great sushi dinner with my SuperMom friend, Jan. I finished my Friday by drinking beers outdoors on Mercer Island with Becky and Joni the Rose Princess. I missed making it to my favorite coffee place, Dub Sea and I missed going for automated sushi with my friend Dave.

This time, I really felt that I was saying my good byes to places in Seattle. I went by the last house that Mom and I lived in together. Turns out my tenants have made it into a recording studio, among other things. They gave me the grand tour. It is not our house anymore. It feels so different there now. Like we were never there. They are obviously really enjoying it and that makes me happy. It is not Home anymore. I used to think that I might return to that house with a partner and raise a family there. Now that seems unlikely.

I also let go of memories and unanswered questions. I faced and let go of my biggest fear – which was really exciting actually and something I wouldn’t have been able to do a few years ago. I realized that the Seattle I remembered has changed significantly, even in the past six months and I don’t fit there anymore. I went to Ballard too and said good bye to familiar places or more accurately where familiar places used to be since most of them are now gone.

On Saturday morning I left for San Francisco. I had been invited to a wedding of a former coworker and I was thrilled to be part of their celebration. It was a beautiful wedding, simple and heart felt. It made me want to get married 🙂 Watching them together and listening to their vows, the message of hope came through and starting again instead of staying still and sorrowful. As Glen and Lily were also there, the evening was fun and I didn’t feel out of place or anxious.

I had plenty of time to appreciate the San Francisco scenery since the traffic was so bad it took me 2 hours to get there and 2 hours to get back. The distance was only 40 miles. I was glad the rental car had air conditioning. I would have a really hard time having to make a daily car commute. I drove alot this past week and I was very happy to see Beatrix when the taxi dropped me off today 😉

Tomorrow evening I have a first date. I will be getting there by bike. It makes life so much easier when you don’t have to go by car! I picked an unusual place so we’ll see how it goes. Considering it’s been a good 15 years since I asked someone out, I am sure that I am out of practice. However, I am pretty impressed with myself that I took the step. Taking the step was the biggie, even if it had been a NO WAY. I will not be wearing fleece or any other outdoor living sort of fabrics for anyone who was worried!

I think that’s enough for today. I am crashing pretty hard despite the coffee so I am going take a nap with the boys for 30 minutes or so.