So we arrived back home in Alberta earlier this week after our three week holiday in the UK.  The jet-lag has passed (sort of) and it has been just wonderful to stretch out in our own space.  And you know what - I do think this is "home" now.

The girls both seemed very happy to be back, which is wonderful as I was a little nervous how they would feel - and even hubby is relaxed and positive and happy to be here - which is marvelous!!  Mind you - he did have to go straight onto an early shift the next day and had that familiar sinking feeling about work again - it's just not something he thinks of a career anymore - it just pays the bills.  Now, in some ways, this is a momentous shift in attitude for him.  He's gone from loving his job (in the UK) to shrugging "well, it pays the bills" now here in Calgary.  I feel bad in some ways as I see the spark of excitement about work has been snuffed out.  He just never was one of those "it'll do" type of people about his working life (lucky bugger!) so I wonder if this has been a step too far?  However, he's generally a calm and positive person, and he does see so many aspects of our lives in Alberta in such an optimistic light.  Hence we were all pleased to be back home again.

It was both exciting and horrible to see old friends again, then have to give them a hug and say goodbye.  I really felt it more this time around than I did when we actually emigrated last year.  It had been wonderful to sink into those familiar and comfortable relationships again, open a bottle of wine, and just immediately strike up the conversations where we had left off.  A few too many tears from me this time around.

Both hubby and me had bit of a guilt trip too - we both have friends and siblings that don't really seem to have many other close friends apart from us - so it was hard to leave again, this time being fully aware of just how much we have been missed.  Which is lovely, somewhat flattering, but we left feeling a heavy burden of responsiblity about those people's own happiness in life.  OK - so we know it's not purely down to us (and we're not that big-headed to think it is) but it does weigh on one's mind that perhaps we should "be there" more.

OK - let's cheer up now.  The dog!  His name is Smudge, by the way.  Some friends here in Cochrane had generously offered to look after for him for the three weeks, and we jumped at the offer as he's only 9 months old and a kennel might have been a bit overwhelming for him.  In view of the high temperatures in Calgary while we were away, we'd authorised  a bit of a hair cut (he's a black, fluffy Cockerpoo).  And boy, he was cropped - looks too much like the poodle bit of his name now, and not enough Cocker!!  But hey, it'll grow.  He was very quiet the first 48 hours and kept giving me soulful but suspicious looks as if to question a) why we abandoned him in the first place and b) were we really going to stay this time?!  But the third morning he was back to his normal cheeky, mischievious and slightly full-on annoying little self.  Bless.  The friends who looked after him kinda took to him too, and we've been offered full-on dog-sitting services whenever we need it - which is cute. 

So - kids back to school on 2nd Sept, and I need to find some personal direction in my life - oh and earn a few dollars too - so back to the drawing board!!!