A week from today, I will be in my home country. South Carolina is as far removed as another country can be. I love California and I love South Carolina. I can't wait to see my family. I miss them so very much. My mother, my sisters, my nephew but almost most importantly, my dog. When I met M. and he told me he was allergic to dogs I consulted my sister who is a NP in an allergy specialists office. She confirmed that even though my baby is marketed as a dog to get if you have pet allergies, no animal is allergy free. M. could be on allergy medications but after 2 weeks he gets very bad headaches and he couldn't live on them (we were thinking positively that our new relationship would prosper). I spent three days deciding what to do. M. was on the fence and my Chelsea Belle almost won. I could not imagine giving her up. That dog always adored my mother. So much so, that when we would go there to visit, Chelsea Belle would sigh and roll her eyes when it was time for us to leave. The transition was very easy for them, I was a wreck for the first few weeks I was with M. in Malibu.



Chelsea Belle 




I had Chelsea for 8 years and now she is almost 12. Her nose is no longer black but everything else about her is just as beautiful as when she was 1 year old. We had so many routines. She loved to pull on my hair scrunchies when I first walked in the door. It was her way of greeting me, our little game. Now when I pack, I always make sure I have a scrunchie so that I can put it in my hair just before I walk in the door. Chelsea still does what she did when she lived with me. I know she knows me. She just doesn't miss me. I play little baby games with her - "round and round the garden, goes a teddy bear, one step......two steps........get her right there right there" as I tickle her belly and she begs for more. She still remembers her puppy school hand signals. I can't wait to see her.

What I miss about South Carolina:

:: Sweet Tea
:: Moss on the oak trees
:: Humidity
:: Grits
:: Fishing at the lake
:: Manners
:: Dressing up to go to the mall
:: Hash and Rice
:: Sunday dinner
:: Spending a day on the boat
:: Hearing shag music
:: Country Ham and Bacon
:: Family reunions
:: Thunder storms
:: State Fair

There are so many other things I miss. It is very different there. Women care about how they look. They would never leave the house in sweats and a t-shirt. Children are respectful. I still say "yes ma'am", "no ma'am", "yes sir", "no sir" to people older than me when I go back. The men are chivalrous and polite. The pace is slow and relaxed.

I am in 1 ww. I will count down the days. Then, after I am there for 10 days, I will think how much I miss California and all it has to offer.

My sisters will get a poncho. I found a better, easier pattern and it will fit them unlike the other one fit for the statue of liberty. I also have made two scarves so far. I have a sore spot on my right palm from my crochet hook. The yarn is magnificent - almost like angora.

I miss my family. I can't wait to see them. I can't wait to go home.