Home

Carl and I have been missing home. We both feel the need to go back to the States for a while and spend some time at home - seeing family and friends.

I also decided I wanted to be home when the presidential election takes place. Even though we have both sent in absentee ballots, and we don't have to go home to vote, I want to be there for all the news coverage and all the excitement of this election. This is an historic event for our country - no matter who wins - and I don't want to hear about it from across the ocean. I want to be a part of it. If Obama wins, I especially want to be a part of the celebration.

We were already planning to be home for two weeks around Thanksgiving -- with family coming to our place -- so we have decided to extend the time. This also allows me the opportunity to go to San Francisco and visit some more with my new little grandson, Nathaniel, who exerts a very strong pull on me. I can see that I will never want to be away from him for too long. During the coming month, I will see him at his place in the beginning of the month, while we watch the election returns together, and then I will see him again at my place at the end of the month, while our family celebrates Thanksgiving together.

This is going to be a great month!