I've pre-posted my vacation log so it runs thru tomorrow (Friday) and am glad that I've given myself the gift of catching my breath after this wonderful experience.

I wasn't planning on starting up the daily blog again until this weekend, but I was sitting here watching Dr. Phil (shut it- I *LOVE* Dr. Phil). The bearded eye-roller is on a business trip and returns tomorrow, which explains why I'm watching Dr. Phil at 9pm. I have a list of things I do when BER travels:

• Watch the shows I save for the weekend (Dr. Phil, Oprah, American Idol (yay- Jordon!), and Dancing With the Stars (thanks to Kathy Howe for turning me on to this show... I must kill you NOW) and The Bachelor (shut it! I cry at the finale every.stinkin'.time. and this time was no different.)


• Have my Vietnamese Hot Chili Garlic Sauce (stinky breath that I wouldn't subject on BER , but yum!)


• Stay in my jammies all day on my telecommute days with no makeup

OK, that's neither here nor there, but I was positive you'd be interested in what I do while BER was traveling.

Anyhoo.... What a great day.

It started with lunch with one of my favorite people in the world who shares the same middle name as me. I've told her this many times... when we get together it fills my soul. There's just something about her that I connect with more than just about anyone else. Plus? She gives the best hugs ever.

Maybe I should have lunch with her every day.

Girlfriends are the best. I only have a handful of 'true' real-life girlfriends, but I treasure them SO MUCH even if I don't see them often.

If you're in my "real" life and I've given you my blog address- you are one of the people I count as my 'true' girlfriends- be assured of that. I don't trust very many people in my 'real' life to give this blog address to.

I drove to work because I had a doctors appointment after work. On my way home, I listened to one of my favorite CDs- Don Henley's Inside Job. Whenever I hear the lyrics from the song Annabel, I *always* think about my sons and it brings tears to my eyes.

I watch you sleeping
My weary heart rises up on wings
I hear your laughter
Something deep down inside me sings

Oh child, I cannot tell you how the time just flies
But I have had my days of glory under sunny skies
These days, your bright dreams are all I want to see
Sleep tight, Annabel
You can always count on me

In this cold world, folks will judge you
Though they don't know you at all
And I may not be there to catch you
Anytime that you might fall

But, you got my hard head
And your mother's grace
All the likeness of the loved ones right there in your face ( ::chills:: )
And I know in the end you'll be who you will be (something I've always encouaged to my sons)

So sleep tight, Annabel
You can always count on me

Then I topped it off with a song that I relate to in ways that boggle my mind- My Thanksgiving. I'm only pasting the words that ring true to me:

Now the trouble with you and me, my friend
Is the trouble with this nation
Too many blessings, too little appreciation


I've got great expectations
I've got family and friends
I've got satisfying work
I've got a back that bends

For every breath, for every day of living
This is my Thanksgiving

Have you noticed that an angry man
Can only get so far
Until he reconciles the way he thinks things ought to be
With the way things are

Here in this fragmented world, I still believe
In learning how to give love, and how to receive it
And I would not be among those who abuse this privilege
Sometimes you get the best light from a burning bridge

And I don't mind saying that I still love it all
I wallowed in the springtime
Now I'm welcoming the fall

For every moment of joy
Every hour of fear
For every winding road that brought me here
For every breath, for every day of living
This is my Thanksgiving

For everyone who helped me start
And for everything that broke my heart
For every breath, for every day of living
This is my Thanksgiving

Amen brother Don, that song just says it all.

When I got home, I found a letter from my sweet grandmother in my mailbox. I have a little file folder in my filing cabinet with a heart on it. Her letters are in that file. She tells me how much she loves getting letters from me and I can totally relate because it could be the worst day ever, but when I see her writing on an envelope, suddenly my world becomes a million times brighter.

Since BER was out of town, I thought it would be a great night to give her a call. I'm still smiling from that conversation.

I lived for 46 years without my grandmother in my life, and am so grateful that I met her, even though it took 46 years. I'm so grateful that have the opportunity to get to know her. She's in her 90's, and what are the chances that she'd live this long- long enough to allow me to connect with her?

I'll tell you this- you'd never guess her age, so I'm hoping that I have as much time as possible with her. We have a lot of time to make up.

That brings me back to Dr. Phil. The show was about people who grew up not knowing anything about one or both of their parents. As I listened to their stories, I hoped for them that they will eventually find the missing piece to the puzzle, like I have. Because I have a wonderful dad- the man who raised me, it was so easy all of these years to pretend that finding this side of my heritage didn't matter- but now that I have it? It DOES matter. I feel so enriched and fulfilled now that the missing pieces are together, and I feel so blessed.

The evening was topped off with a call from the bearded eye-roller . I never thought it would be possible for me to miss someone so much after just one day- but this house feels so empty without his presence. Who knew that I'd be so happy that I would miss someone so much? I sure didn't. I am not exaggerating when I say that I'm thankful EVERY DAY that I've found someone that makes me feel this way.

Yep, it's been a great day.