This will be my last post for 2007. I will be visiting my family in St. Louis for the week of Christmas. This time tomorrow I will be well into our 10 hour drive with my husband, two kids, and our ever faithful dog.

After 9 years, Cleveland of course has become my home. But there is still something to be said about going Home for the holidays (home with a capital H). There will be plenty of teasing and joking among my brother, sister, and I. It will almost feel like we're in high school again except now we have spouses and instead of me wrestling my brother for the last holiday cookie my oldest son will take up the challenge. The dogs will lounge around keeping at least one eye open for a stray crumb to fall and the other eye watching out for the wobbly one year old.

At the end of the day when the kids are in bed and we discover there is nothing on TV, we will play a rather spirited game of Trivia Pursuit or Monopoly. Late at night when we should all go to bed, a call will be made to Imo's Pizza and we will sit around drink beer and eat pizza reminiscing over family stories.

Going Home for the holidays is like wearing an old favorite sweatshirt fresh from the dryer. It isn't perfect. It has some stains and some fraying, but it is warm, comfortable, and cozy and it is yours.

I hope wherever you are you have wonderful and safe holiday with your family. See you next year.