Another entry for the scrapbook

It was a long day.

At 3:30 my mom picked me up from work and we drove to my house. I got out of the car with the keys and she took position with the camera.

"No mom, I want to go in the front door!" I said when she aimed for the side door.

I marched up the steps and pulled on the screen door. Nothing. It wouldn't open. Hmm. They must have locked it too. So I went to the side door and my mom once again got ready with the camera.

I tried to put the key in the door knob but it wouldn't go. I tried putting it in the deadbolt, turned it (mom snapped away) and prepared to swing the door open.

But the door wouldn't budge.

I fiddled with the lock again and again and then threw my weight against the door. It flew open the second time and I stumbled in. Way to make an entrance, Jillian.

I found that the living room and master bedroom seemed a lot bigger than I remembered them but the spare room seemed smaller. The bathroom walls weren't the same colour I thought they were. It's funny what you remember.

My dad phoned to say he was on his way. "Doesn't Elmo get an invite?" he asked. Funny dad. He sure has taken a shine to Elmo these days. So sure enough, dad drove Truck over with Elmo and a case of beer.

We checked over the place to assess what needed doing. Around 5:30 my grandma, aunt and her husband popped over with some sparkling wine. The night felt pretty surreal.

Around 7:00 we went home and waited for my sister to get off work before returning. I had purchased a bottle of Robert Mondavi wine on the weekend and I wanted to have a glass of it in my house tonight. Last year on this day I was in California doing the wine tours and the Robert Mondavi winery was my favourite. With so many memories of California popping up in the last few days I wanted to honour it at least once more.

I booked Thursday and Friday off work so tomorrow my mom and I will start cleaning. My dad said he'll cut the grass and check the eavestroughs. Hopefully I'll get to start painting on Thursday.

More adventures to come. Stay tuned.

First pictures here.