We arrived around 10 pm this evening at our home in Texas, exactly thirty minutes earlier than my husband’s projected time.

The house was lit up, the Christmas tree all set after having been put up before we left the last time.

We hauled in our bags and boxes of groceries we brought from LA and settled in.

Arriving here is like going to Grandmother’s house: everything looks as if you’ve just stepped back to 1900.

We put clothes and food away, walked around to admire the new work done, and had a cup of tea.

Now everyone is in bedrooms upstairs. This is the first time that anybody besides us has slept upstairs. It’s wonderful to see these small rooms finished and ready for occupancy.

I can hear someone now walking down the creaky stairs en route to the bathroom. We still have to get a bathroom or two upstairs. Another year…

We tired, but safe.  Cat and dog are here, too, and did well on the journey.

Tomorrow we prepare for our official Christmas dinner with Sandra’s girls and Aunt Holly.

But now, it’s time for bed in this beloved Texas home.