We have no-win weather in the Chicago suburbs this week. Earlier in the week it was warm, in the 50’s, but it was foggy, drizzly and gloomy. My lamppost, which has a light sensor, was on most of the time.

Yesterday and today, the sun is peeping out from behind the clouds, but the temperature has dropped below freezing.

We’re weather wimps right now. In February, when the temperature hovers near 32 degrees, we’re going to think we’re in a warming trend and wear our spring jackets. Right now, I’m bundling up in my down coat every day. I love my down coat!

When the leaves started turning brown and dropping off of the trees, it made me remember how excited I was just a few short months ago to see the green leaves. How can the trees be bare again so soon?

Walking home from school earlier this week in the gloom

This kind of weather makes me think about summertime. On our family vacation, we went to the sunny state of Arizona. We spent time in the Painted Desert, where it was hot.

I loved the flat plateaus, the colors, the blue skies and the endless highways. I loved feeling the sun on my face when we were looking at dinosaur tracks and standing on the Four Corners. One of our hotels in the middle of the desert had an outdoor salt water pool, and I wanted to stay by the pool all.day.long.

Most of all, I loved being with Ed and the girls all.day.long.

The Painted Desert

With the fall comes the cold weather and the bare trees. And also school and work and routine. Getting up at 6:00 to make breakfasts and pack lunches. Going to the grocery store, wondering what to make for dinner, picking up the girls from school and getting them to do their homework. The sun sets at 4:30, which makes it impossible to go outside and play after dinner.

My California Dream is not about California at all. It’s about being outside with the kids and Ed; being away from our routine, being out in the sun.

Looking at dinosaur tracks.

Smack dab in the middle of the desert

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