"Home is the nicest word there is."

That quote is from Laura Ingalls Wilder. And home is where I am going!!!

I moved away from home about twenty-six years ago. Home is Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I followed my sister across the state to Philadelphia and stayed there until 2002 and then moved to Florida with my now ex-husband. I've been here about nine years. I go home three times a year and always have a hard time re-adjusting to my life when I leave. It took me a long time to realize that I always feel away from home and not HOME. Yes, I like my little apartment here, the near constant sunshine and my awesome friends. I like the winter here because I don't have to scrape the ice off my car windows in the morning before I go to work. I like the little lizards that dart across the sidewalk in front of you when you walk. It's a miracle I never stepped on one. I love the beautiful jacaranda trees in the spring.
(this image from Google)

I love the birds!

But I want to go home!

Home is where my mom and dad still are. Home is where my brother and sisters are. Home is where the Pittsburgh Steelers are. I want to eat chipped ham and drink pop. Not really, I just wanted to say "pop." I want see fall again. I want to buy sweaters and sit in front of a fire when it is cold. But most of all I want to be with my family again. Not just three times a year but any time I want.

My mother made this beautiful quilt hanging of our home in 1982. She still lives here and this is where I am going.

She even included our old boxer and the gifts he left in the yard.

I've been packing and packing! O-M-Gosh, I have so much stuff! I am driving with my dad and all my belongings next weekend from Florida to Pennsylvania. Not looking forward to the the drive but I can't wait to get home.

I won't be able to blog for the next couple weeks but as soon as I have internet I'll be back.

So, I'll see you when I get HOME!