The weeks home were, strange. Yes, it was wonderful to see our families and friends. Greenbean fell into all her usual habits and behaviors, sleeping on my pillow at night, although she does beg more than we had her trained. In the time we were home, we were busier than we ever were living there. We only ate two meals in the house, the rest involved eating out, whether with family, friends or coworkers. It was just so much. It didn't feel like a vacation. We both had an odd sense of home sickness. Home sick for England and the life and routines we've established there. I was made home sick for my little house seeing that it's not being cared for the way I would care for it if I were there. Home sick for the U.S. as we start to dream about what's next when we come back. This past year has flown by, making the coming year seem very short. Will we have enough time to do and see everything we want around England and other places in Europe? All of a sudden it just seems like there is not enough time. We'll have to make plans soon if we want see these things happen. I want to camp and hike in the Peak District and in Snowdonia, the Lake District and in Scotland. I want to dip my toes into the Atlantic Ocean from this side of the pond. I want to drive through the French countryside, have crepes at a cafe on the Champs E'lysee and float along the canals of Venice, or go to Tuscany to see the Palio di Siena (DiSiena is a name in my family tree). There is just so much. There are more solid promises of visits from friends and family this coming year. Hopefully we'll be able to combine some of the ideas of what we want to do with their visits. For now, it feels so good to back to our little flat.