Who I am at my core can most often be reflected in the waves of life that toss me to and fro, creating a climate in which I will strive or thrive. Either I find a flow or am taken out with the tide..... Nothing has ever pulled me in so deep quite like SoCal........ can I come up for air now?

As I walk the strand at the beach or local streets, there are few who say "hello" or flash a friendly smile. It is so unlike the warm sunshine felt on the skin and the person I have wanted to be....... myself. After 15 months, this "cool climate" on a 90 degree November day, has gotten very stale.

For now, I see seasons in terms of school sessions, college years, and graduations and somehow I fit my own future in there:) Making college connections for Logan can be a part time job, and choosing options for Austin's future is time consuming.

To help bring the "Spirit" to SoCal, Logan's begun listening to Christmas music and tuning into holiday related shows:) He was always the one who made the seasons more festive, fun and celebratory back home and has tried here too.

I continue wrapping up rental business this week, that's weighed on me for a while. Ironically things seem to run more smoothly for me there. My budget is shot to hell but trusting for a turn around and to no longer be overwhelmed by it:)

Within this community, there has been an honesty that has risen from a tragedy. It is a gift to humanity and one that keeps on giving................ Love and Life.

The countdown to "Christmas" is on.

It seems we arrived in Redondo Beach at just the perfect time, as it feels we're riding a wave.......

Tonight the HS Varsity team swept their local rivals, Mira Costa High, in a match of 3 games, which hasn't been done since 1999. Sweet victory:) Logan has such an opportunity, as a sophomore, at such a time and with such a team as this. To see his smiles, laughter, and free spirit being released has been so good......

As I put time and effort into building a coast to coast network through my House of Secrets blog and motivational words, I'm finding more of my purpose in all of this too........ bringing a little bit of "magic" from the east to the west, a common phrase I've been told since 2014 began:)

Chynna's moving along, having found a FT job in her field, and finishing her PT classes twice a week at Cal State Long Beach. Her schedule has really picked up in many ways and remaining in motion is key to finding fortunes. Spiritual motion, above all, is the most effective way to finding "success."

She'll slowly transition into moving into a room of her own in Redondo Beach, near the beach, and mostly out of necessity for now. Plans are for her to have a roommate and move in after the Easter holiday, which could cut my wardrobe by a 1/4... not good. She will begin her own quest for independence......

In this land of individualism, on a quest for greatness, many run this familiar race. Some run in vain, others race for victory; defining moments are determined by a destiny not held in our hands but by One with divine purposes. We just need to cooperate......

In the area we live, in SoCal and surrounding communities, the mentality seems to be less stress is best. I find myself resisting strife as never before; jealousies are intolerable, and reconciliation is a top priority. Knowing who to trust proves difficult in a land of superficiality, but time does tell the pure from profane. We've landed in a "magical" community.

Balancing the board, riding an ongoing wave, and enjoying the "water."