Jeff, Narin, Paul and Danny at Lake Tahoe, CA on July 4th weekend

Today I am off to visit my brother Jeff, my sister-in-law Narin, my nephews Paul and Danny and my soon to emerge, but not really shown in this photo, niece Rita (due October 27, 2010) in California.

I was born in New York, but raised in Southern California from age two on and spent the bulk of my life as a California girl (yes…that Beach Boys song was about me). Some of you may be stunned right now to learn that I am not a native North Dakotan…just let it soak in slowly…you will realize soon the number of questions in your mind that clears up.   I only arrived in North Dakota in 1997 (and yes, I plan to stay – sorry to dash any hopes any one may have that I am returning to California – you are stuck with me North Dakota because I love you so). I wouldn’t want to move back to Southern California, but it still is a darn nice place to visit.

I visited Central California a year and half ago, but I have not visited Southern California for about six years. I am excited to return and visit my brother and his family and to see old friends. It amazes me how quickly time passes…from days to weeks to months to years…and before you know it decades have passed (well the decades part really depends on your age, but you get the picture).

My brother has a full agenda planned for my visit – time with family, time with friends, time at local artists’ events, time on the beach…plenty of time to make memories that I can bring back with me to North Dakota and keep safe until next I visit. I will be eating authentic Mexican food, drinking margaritas, soaking in the rays and watching the surfers…oh yes, I’ll be livin’ large California style.

One of my old California friends told me he already alerted authorities that I was arriving in the state and they were increasing their security precautions to prepare for my arrival.  I don’t know how much trouble one new forty age woman from North Dakota can cause, but what the heck, I intend to find out!  Pray for California…I’ll do what I can to make North Dakota proud.  😉

Day three hundred and eighty of the new forty – obla di obla da

Ms. C