There's no place like home

Last month I was lucky enough to make a trip back home for a dear friend's wedding. 

While we were there, we stayed on through Thanksgiving and had

 ourselves a grand old time. 

There was inordinate amounts of food, lots of catching up with friends, and so many pet cuddles.

This is probably a very common observation, but I think it takes leaving a place to really understand how much it means to you. 

It turns out I missed home more than I thought- and not just because I can't get bean and cheese tacos or cuddle with Chester & Henry down here.

In true "home" fashion, being back there felt like I never left. Isn't that the best?

The first thing I asked for upon arrival in San Antonio was a bean and cheese taco (duh) and queso. My stomach said "THANK YOU SO MUCH I'VE MISSED YOU LIKE CRAZY OH MY GOD."

And of course I was delighted to be reunited with my furry friends. 

I got to catch up with all the people I love, which was so good for the soul!!

We even had Will's little sister there for Thanksgiving! She's studying abroad in Wyoming, so it was great to be able to show her what Thanksgiving is all about, not to mention meet my family. 

Thanksgiving was a success, as usual, and I ate all the things. I've yet to miss a Thanksgiving, so when I finally do it is going to be a very depressing day.

There was also the aforementioned wedding + time in Houston with some besties andddd a gender reveal party for Ronnie! It was a busy, blissful two weeks.

And for the icing on the cake, a seven hour layover in L.A. meant a nice stroll in Santa Monica plus delicious dinner and drinks with my dear Julianne.

It was a whirlwind, but so worth the trip back. I must admit it was a bit hard to leave, but I am still so thankful for this experience I am having. 

Until next time!

Adios

After a week of being home, I've almost forgotten that I don't live here anymore. One can get quite use to the delicious sandwiches of rib roast and brie, homemade Christmas treats, playful animals all around, and sweet parents and friends. But alas, I must return to real life in Houston tomorrow. This means a return to the daily grind at the office [I've been working from home this week, what what], BUT it also means New Years celebrations and my birthday! On Monday I will ring in 24 years of existence. Nearly a quarter of a century. I hope to rejoice in it with lots of food and cupcakes [hint hint].

A few shots from the past couple of days:

The girls got together again one last time for a night of wine and juicy story telling. We've come a long way from high school!

This will be my first birthday ever to not be at home, so my parents and I did an early celebration together at one of my favorite Mexican restaurants here.

In true Mexican restaurant fashion, a large sombrero was placed on my head while I was sung to. I know you're just dying to see pictures of this, but there are none. Thank goodness.

You know, while I was in my dark angry days of unemployment, I couldn't WAIT to get out of this house. Everything annoyed me and I was chomping at the bit to have my independence. Now that I have that sweet freedom, I appreciate home SO much more. Even more than when I was off to college; I think because back then, I could come home whenever I wanted to and there were built in ENORMOUS breaks every semester. So now when I come home, I try to treasure every moment I have here, whether it be just hanging out playing game after game of cards or Trivial Pursuit with my mom, or being silly with treasured old friends. I'm an adult with my own life, and though this will always be home in my heart, it will never be HOME again in the sense of a place where you live permanently. Thinking about it always gets me kind of melancholy :/

WELL. Now that I have been on a prolonged emo streak, I must leave you with something joyous and delightful.
Christmas may be over [and I apologize for not posting this earlier for all you fellow fans], but it's never too late for some Keyboard Cat!!