Moody Blues Concert

 We had killer seats for the concert. Right up front, the stage was 6 feet away from us! I absolutely loved the concert, the music sounded great as ever and they are by far my favorite concert!

We go every year, to me, they are sort of our "fall in love" music. Wildest Dreams, I Know You're Out There Somewhere, Question, all made me think of my honey. And now here we are, together for the rest of our lives.

And you know, he's my Knight in White Satin :)

"...And in the end... The love you take is equal to the love you make." ---The Beatles

Thanks for reading my Heavenly Thoughts

The Hawk

Yesterday in the middle of the afternoon I had the pleasure to step outside to walk to another building for a meeting. It was GLORIOUS!! Blue skies, white puffy clouds, bright sunshine, low humidity, plush trees and a hawk seamlessly soaring overhead. The hawk’s flight pattern was light and whimsical. He seemed so blessed to be flying in the beauty of the day. In and out of the tree tops, rising up and up then turning and gliding down and down. Absolutely free!!

I was reminded of God’s glory and love for all creatures. He provides for each one of us in so many ways. He tells us in Matthew 6:25 – “For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? "Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?”

Just like the hawk, so free, dipping and rising, enjoying the wind carrying him through the sky, that’s how I feel sometimes. At times, I feel like I am soaring through life, confident that I will dip and rise, carefree knowing that my needs are being met, I feel peaceful with the perfect peace that can only come from God, the peace that passes all understanding. Even when my circumstances are challenging, I don’t waiver in my faith that God will carry me through the rough times as well as the good times.

I have become politically opinionated and when I used to look at the insanity around me, I would find myself getting anxious and worry would try to creep in, but much of the time, I lean on God and trust Him that he will find a way for everything to work out for His good. I mean, we will face higher taxes, higher healthcare costs, higher energy costs and our disposable income, if we’re lucky enough to have any, will shrink and shrink. We’ll have less money to save and invest for a retirement future. But I have to trust that when He told us to render to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s that if we follow His word, we will be like the Hawk – free to trust that God will meet our needs.

Free……free as a bird……free to love God…..and trust God……free to be me.

"...And in the end... The love you take is equal to the love you make." ---The Beatles

Thanks for reading my Heavenly Thoughts

Attributes I Wanted in a Husband

Over 5 years ago, I finally sat down with my journal and wrote this VERY list of the top attributes I wanted in a husband. My son suggested I do this. I'm so glad he did, because once I wrote it down the blinders were lifted and I could clearly see what was important to me. NO MORE COMPROMISE!  When I think of a lot of my relationships or dates, they were mainly me compromising and accepting these guys 'as they are' but they weren't what I really wanted.

I suggest everyone does this - it's your roadmap to a successful relationship. And lo and behold, within a year of writing this out, God answered my unspoken prayer and sent me Roland. A lot of people meet him and wonder about him because he's so quiet. But rest assure - he is this list!!  I love him sooo much!


Here's the top attributes on my list:

1. he cannot be addicted to alcohol or drugs, recovering or active. It's preferred that he can go out to dinner or a party, have a drink and be socialable. No judgement on me because I have a drink.
2. he has to have a career. I do, so should he.
3. he has to have a retirement plan. Hey, I'm not getting any younger!! I want to know that I am not going to be stuck working until the day I die! Not only does he have to have a plan for the future, he has to have money saved so that it can come to fruition.
4. he has to love my kids, even though they are grown up and may/may not live with us. First and foremost, I will ALWAYS BE A PARENT!!
5. he has to have his own place to live - apartment, condo or house, I don't care. He CANNOT live at home with his parent(s), unless it's due to parental illness or some other extenuating circumstances that is beneficial to the parent(s).
6. he must have a creative outlet - play an instrument, love music, movies, and art, paint, draw, read books, even playing video games is acceptable. However, the creative outlet can't be the only thing they do!! i.e. if they are a non-working musician they have to have another job. 
7. he has to know how to clean up after himself, can't be a slob, know how to do the dishes, laundry, clean the house.
8. he has to be handy around the house, general maintenance, lawn care, house care.
9. he has to like to eat a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables. I am a vegetarian that eats fish (sometimes grilled chicken) and I cook some very interesting dishes. He has to be adventurous with his diet and willing to try new things as I find them. He has to like to try new restaurants and ethnic food.
10. he has to LOVE THE OUTDOORS! I do and I can't fathom my life without being outside. I love to camp, I love to visit the mountains, tne woods, streams, fields, trees, lakes, sandy beaches, anything outdoors!! I love the fresh air and the beauty of God's creation.
11. he has to have a good sense of humor, an even temperment, be able to put up with my constant need for communication, talking, writing, doing anything. He has to understand that I am an extremely outgoing person and need external stimulation of all kinds.
12. he has to like my friends. I have some neurotic friends, don't we all?? He even has to like them!! I have friends that I have had my whole life, since I was 5, 12, 21. I won't give them up for anyone.
13. he has to like sex as much as I do or more. None of this - once in a while crap, it has to be on a regular basis.
14. he has to think that I am beautiful and have a great body. Even when I don't think it's so great! I mean, I've lost 55 pounds since Sept. and am still working at it to lose more. 
15. he has to think I'm the best thing that's ever happened to him.
16. AND HE MUST LOVE ME MORE THAN I LOVE MYSELF!!

"...And in the end The love you take is equal to the love you make." ---The Beatles

Thanks for reading my Heavenly Thoughts

Wedding

Our wedding day was beautiful!! Everything went as planned. The ceremony, songs, readings, guests, food, weather - all perfect!! Pictures will follow.

The most important thing is that after all these years we are married!!  Bliss.

"...And in the end
The love you take
is equal to the love you make."
---The Beatles

Thanks for reading my Heavenly Thoughts

today is the day

still have some small but important things to take care of today. It's going to be busy but GREAT! Today we are getting married. All of my children are in town and most of my family. My friends will be there and it will be a joyous celebration - one that I've waited for my entire life.

Thank God for bringing us together at just the right time in our lives.

"...And in the end
The love you take
is equal to the love you make."
---The Beatles

Thanks for reading my Heavenly Thoughts

Look how big.....

It's great to be a grandma, again!!

Last night I was babysitting, so I got to take all sorts of pictures of Lyrikah. She's 7 weeks old today and my oh my, how she's grown. When she went to the Dr. last week she was a little more than 12 lbs!! She's starting to fill out and her little legs are definitely getting longer!! She tries to sit up, push off of you with her legs and her favorite place to be is hanging over your shoulder!! She reminds me of her mother.

While I was babysitting, we were looking at pictures of her cousin, Abigail. Remember when she visited in August? Well, it's only a month but check out these pictures that Michelle posted. Oh my little sweetie!! She is really getting big!

Michelle took a whole series of her in her stroller. She is a happy baby that's for sure, always smiling, strong, sitting up by herself, crawling and trying to walk!! And she's only 5 months old. I'm not sure when Michelle took these pics, but in a month she's grown so much!! She is definitely her Father's Girl!! Wow! The whole family will be here in November, there will be lots and lots of pictures of all of us that weekend. Can't wait to see Abi, Michelle and Jake!

"...And in the end
The love you take
is equal to the love you make."
---The Beatles

Thanks for reading my Heavenly Thoughts

O Holy Night!

Our blessed Lord and Savior was born on the holiest night of all! It's so wonderful to remember this event, even if it wasn't "exactly" on 12/25. It's the symbolism and the tradition of what Christmas really means. The Christ child born to teach, lead and then sacrifice his humanity for our souls. Thank you Holy God!!

As we embark on this, the holiest holiday, I pray for peace, love and joy in all of your lives. I hope your celebrations are the most wonderful this year of all! Family & Friends are the MOST important part of this holiday, presents are just a nice addition. Of course, don't tell the kids that, they'll think you're nuts!!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

"...And in the end
The love you take
is equal to the love you make."
---The Beatles

Thanks for reading my Heavenly Thoughts

The Year In Review

We've been living back in Cincinnati for a year now. Bought our house on 12/19, moved in the same day!! What a wonderful year it's been.

Jake and Michelle lived with us for about 7 months. In September, they moved to Kansas City, MO. They love it!! I'm so glad they are happy. Michelle is pregnant and expecting in March. Even more exciting!! A Grandchild in March! Awesome!

Tamara stayed behind in San Diego. It was hard to leave her, but I knew she loved living in San Diego so much, so off we went. She got a couple of roommates, has had a wonderful year working, hanging out with her friends and even fell in love. Her boyfriend is a really nice guy, is in the Navy and this last October was transferred to Rota, Spain. They have been missing each other so much that she is planning a trip to Spain in February! Maybe wedding bells are in her future.....!!

Beka moved back to Cincinnati 3 months before us. She ended up living with her dad, then her oldest brother and today is apartment hunting, ready to live on her own. She has taken some time off from school - but has had a year of growing, learning and experiencing life as a 21 year old. 

During the year, of course we've had Snicker living with us, direct from California. But later this year, we adopted Charlie. Charlie is a dachshund and has fit in really well in our family. So now, it's just the 2 of us and the 2 dogs living here.

We've thoroughly enjoyed the yard, our nice lifestyle, quiet and peaceful. We started going to Loveland United Methodist Church in October. His sister and brother-in-law attend church there, so we thought we'd give it a try. Well, turns out we really like it. We've volunteered to help out at the Turkey Dinner, bake sale, attended the Living Nativity, which I highly recommend to everyone to see. I'm going to help with the video equipment during one of the services and he's going to start playing in the Praise Band. I'm very proud of him and happy that he likes it so much.

We've decorated the house for Christmas, inside and out. We have a beautiful tree and all of our lovely decorations. I am really happy to see all the presents under the tree, all the surprises that are held there.

One thing that is different living here. We haven't spend as much time with my friends as I would have liked. Partly because we're really busy, between my working full time and doing some volunteer activities, and his dialysis treatments 3 times a week, we're not always feeling social. I could go by myself, but I really don't want to go without him. I don't mind doing things alone, but I would prefer to be with him, especially after not being with him for 30+ years.

Work is going really well. My project took a change of direction when we were entering the development cycle. We thought that we would hand off the requirements and receive status, questions and provide answers and approvals. However, that changed in an instance and suddenly we were doing Agile Method. Daily activity and involvement is required. I even became a Certified Scrum Master in July. In November, at my annual review, I received my promotion! Hard work paid off all the way around. Delivered a great project on 11/25, nearly a year to the day of starting on it. I'm really proud of the accomplishments of my team, including all the challenges and successes!

So, as we end 2008, we have so much to give thanks for:
Happy, healthy kids
Solid, Happy, Loving relationship, a true partnership. We really do help each other (even when he's a jerk !! hehe!)
Perky little dogs that love running around here.
Great old friends and new friends 
Good career, part of a company that is amazing

Goals for next year:
1. study for pmp - take the test in the April timeframe
2. wrap up my current project and move onto another challenge
3. take a trip to Florida in February
4. put in a big vegetable garden in the spring

Those things will keep us busy!

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year!

"...And in the end
The love you take
is equal to the love you make."
---The Beatles

Thanks for reading my Heavenly Thoughts

Happy Holidays

Wow, I totally have not written since October! I have no excuse...it only takes a few minutes to jot something down. I have had a tough time writing all year this year. I've even tried to have a "theme" to help me commit to writing. That didn't help!!

So, Happy Holidays to everyone! I hope you experience the Peace, Joy and Love of the Holy Advent Season.

"...And in the end
The love you take
is equal to the love you make."
---The Beatles

Thanks for reading my Heavenly Thoughts

Happy Independence Day - July 4th

This time of year is pretty fun for me and full of memories. My oldest daughter was born on July 2nd 1976. The bi-centennial year of our nation's birthdate. I was hoping she'd wait just 2 more days and be born on 4th of July! Every year we'd celebrate with the immediate family on her birthday, but at all cookouts and camping or wherever we were, we'd celebrate with everyone on July 4th. So she was kind of lucky to have 2 birthday parties. The down side was many times her friends were out of town on vacation when it was her birthday, so party attendance was a little lacking. (So, we moved it a little later in July :)

I also get pretty patriotic at this time. I think of my Dad who served at the end of WWII and during Korea. He was a 'lifer' and a patriot. No matter what sort of problems he had, he was first and foremost a veteran. My "husband" is also a patriot. He served in the Air Force and then was a 'lifer' working for Dept of Def for the Navy. He is a wonderful man and I love him very much. I am proud of his service and his sense of duty.

So, Happy Birthday Tamara - I love you sooooooooooo much!!! And Happy Birthday US, stay strong, we need you the most right now.

"...And in the end
The love you take
is equal to the love you make."
---The Beatles

Thanks for reading my Heavenly Thoughts

planning a WEDDING

August 17th! We're getting married - finally, after 3 (really 33) long years!! Hawaiian theme wedding - shorts, casual :) It's gonna be "dog days" of summer in Ohio! Gotta make us comfy! Main idea: get married, enjoy ourselves, and have the best day of our lives! More details later as plans come together. I'm just so glad to set the date.

"...And in the end
The love you take
is equal to the love you make."
---The Beatles

Thanks for reading my Heavenly Thoughts

Happy Valentine's Day

Here's a BIG KISS to everyone! Happy Valentine's Day!! Hope love is in the air for you.

"...And in the end
The love you take
is equal to the love you make."
---The Beatles

Thanks for reading my Heavenly Thoughts

Everything happens for a reason

"Everything Happens For A Reason" We've heard this saying, probably repeated it from time to time. I know I have. I believe it. The older I get the more I believe it. How can I not believe it? Think of how many things have happened and how many people we've touched in our lives.

I was driving to work this morning and this popped into my mind. One of my routes to work passes by someone's complex that I used to hang out with. It made me think about past relationships and my life. Pretty deep for first thing in the morning. So here's what I was thinking. I dated this guy for a short time. And for people that really know me, they know I'm an easy going person, I love just about everyone. And I don't apologize for that, because of that I have some very wonderful friends everywhere I worked and lived.

Anyway, this particular person really had some big issues in his life. The issues were pretty overwhelming for him and I think that without my critical and organizational thinking, he wouldn't have gotten through it without imploding! After we got it all put together, we stopped seeing each other. Just in enough time to provide him with a place to live. Mission completed!

Another friend had health issues and didn't want to ask for help. But through numerous conversations and persuasion, she finally did ask for help, told more people about her health and actually got quite a bit of support through her family, close friends and health professionals. She had cancer and she did finally pass on. But when she passed she had so much support and love in her life. I'm so thankful.

Another close friend that I love dearly spent time with me and my family, got his self-esteem boosted quite a bit and has been able to carry that on in his music career. He's an excellent musician, close and very dear person. I haven't spoken to him in over a year, but I am certain that he's doing great.

And in these three examples were the outcomes all for them? NO!! I certainly have gained some experience, love, caring, and life lessons from them too. They have all helped me to grow as a person, to learn from their experiences and to share parts of ourselves with each other. I think that everyone we meet gives us a piece of themselves and vice versa.

I am the sum-total of all the life experiences that I have and they have prepared me for the challenges that I face on a daily basis. I don't always handle everything 100% right, but I do try and I try to learn from others to incorporate improvements to myself. So, for all the folks that I have met in my life, I thank you for leaving a little bit of yourself for me to be a better person.

And now the reward for me is my current life - I have been so blessed. I live with the love of my life and even though I have loved others in my life, none have affected me or touched me the same as he has. His love has never left me all my life. How blessed!!

"...And in the end
The love you take
is equal to the love you make."
---The Beatles

Thanks for reading my Heavenly Thoughts

Carpe Diem!! "Seize the Day"

I'm about to make an announcement about a change that I'm making in my personal life that has a high impact on not only my immediate family, but friends, co-workers, companies and the like. This announcement is bubbling up in me to come out. BUT, I have one more hurdle to cross (hopefully today) in order to make the announcement. Timing IS everything!

I've given this serious thought for the last 7 months. Our family has discussed it and agreed with the plan. My best friend and I have talked about the feasibility, timing, steps to complete to get there. Originally we were talking next summer. However, it's like a speeding train, once it's in motion it's quite a task to stop it.

You know when things are working out when all pieces of the puzzle fit together so nicely that you couldn't have planned it that way. That's what it's like. Call it Karma, call it kismet, call it divine intervention, call it whatever you want. But do understand that even I, the project manager of my life, could not have pulled all of this together (again!) without help from above.

I can tell you this much: I love my life, I love the people and friends in my life and no matter what has happened they have been there for me through thick and thin, successes and failures, happy and sad times. We've kept a positive outlook and been able to influence our situation for the common good - the "win-win" - in our lives.

Last Christmas, we pulled together to help a family in Cincinnati that I knew was in need. We provided presents, rent money, food, Christmas tree and decorations, AND LOTS OF EVERYTHING, all while I was lying in bed recovering from foot surgery. I found my friends to be very generous, caring, giving and loving. And I was NOT surprised. They are great friends!! All Blessed and sharing the Blessings!

I am fortunate. I don't have any regrets, I cherish the memories, I try to live life to the fullest and seize the moment! Carpe Diem! I hope to be able to share my announcement by Monday night. I think many of you will be surprised, even shocked perhaps. Some of you will just nod and know that it's the best decision for me. And others will think I'm crazy! And you know what - you'll all be right! I am crazy, I am excited, I am happy and it IS the best thing for me and my 'soon-to-be' hubby.

More to come…………………...

Our Dream

It's great to be in a loving relationship where we share the same dream. The Toltecs describe the Dream as our own reality. We make it what we want - sometimes it's a bad life full of misery and other times it's a wonderful life full of love and happiness. Since LOVE and HAPPINESS come from our hearts, we are responsible for which way our dream is going - good or bad.

Our dream comes with the dream to move back to Ohio, now that he's retired. Since we are both from there, we find it to be just as beautiful as people find California. I have to say, after living here for 2 years, my observations and viewpoints are still from an outsider point of view. I see people working 2 and 3 jobs just to pay for a stucco house and a "designer" car. It is definitely the land of "who can out do their neighbors". Which house has the best landscaping, the best car, the most stuff........Geez! Get a life! Not our dream!

click here http://flickr.com/photos/disposabl/307405848/ to see more from the same photographer!

There was a song, when I was a teenager, by the Monkees (ok, don't laugh) called Pleasant Valley Sunday. They talked about all the track houses that look the same (just like in the pic), people washing their cars, cutting their grass - yes, believe it or not people in California USED TO cut their own grass!!!

I like where we live - compared to other places in No San Diego County. But look how close everyone lives - I can lie in bed at night and hear people coughing and one neighbor who has a smokers cough I hear her gagging all night long, I hear people dial their cordless phones - you know the "beep beep beep" of numbers? Yea, I can hear that. I hear the young mother next door yelling at her kids all day long while her marine husband is on base. No wonder they are sooo happy when dad gets home! I hear kids telling their parents good night. I mean it's ridiculous. It's never 100% quiet and it's never 100% dark here.

But we have our dream - our dream to live in Cincinnati again, to return to the place where our family and friends live. And it can't be soon enough for me. Don't get me wrong, it's been great living here, I love the ocean, the mountains, the weather - but the truth is friends are few and far between, I spend at least 12 hrs /day commuting and working. I wake up at 5am and have to go to bed around 9:30 or 10. It seems all I do is work, so we can just live.

And now that he's retired, he helps me so much. I don't have to do the grocery shopping or laundry or even clean the house. He does it so I can come home and spend time with him, and on the weekends, we can just do what we want to. That is soooooooooooooo nice! He even cooks dinner most nights. He and I are living our dream. It's great.

Our dream includes that hope to move back to the land of our roots. Here's an example of a dream house for us. Big yard, pool, hot tub, lots of green, privacy, no coughing neighbors right outside! I hope it happens soon!

looking at wedding rings

Could it possibly be that close that it's time to ring shop? I hope so, it's been a long time waiting to get married. We've been waiting for over 2 years now, in fact, I left Cincinnati 2 years ago this weekend to come out to California to get married.

I guess it's worth the wait. We are very deeply in love with each other. We have enough love to see us through because we are happy, we trust each other, we are responsible for ourselves, we complete each other. I like that. He truly is the right person for me. Even on the days that I am not my best and my behavior is not the best - he still loves me - and vice versa.

Our dreams are compatible. Our dreams are the same. We might see things differently on the surface, but deep down we have the same values, morals, ethics, love, and goals. It's great to be with him. It's great to share with him. I love my life, I love my future husband!

Live, Laugh, and Love

I try to stay positive. I think it's important to try my hardest, do my best and always try to improve myself. No matter what has happened to me in my life, I've tried to remain positive. And I've had alot of shit happen over the years.........money problems, relationship problems, parent/kid problems, job problems, drama, chaos and hassles. But through it all, I have tried to remember the God is with me, He alone carries me through every situation. He doesn't give me more that I can handle. And He blesses me beyond my wildest dreams.

I mean, look at the last few years. I made a list of all the attributes I wished for in a man. I prayed and asked God to help me find this man, to put him in my life so I could have a partner, someone to face every day life with, someone to grow old with, someone that wouldn't be in it for just himself. And what happens, a few months laterI get a phone call that changes my life.

I've spent the last two years living in California with him, waiting for the 'right time' to tie the knot. It's been wonderful, not necessarily perfect, but it wasn't supposed to be perfect. NOTHING is perfect, only God. But wonderful - it's definitely been wonderful. He spoils me, I try to spoil him back. We are partners, we face everything together, we love each other our whole lives, have known each other our whole lives. It's just been the greatest 2 years with him. It's fantastic!

We laugh, love, cry, care and LIVE for each other, for our happiness. It's great! It's what I always wanted. Thanks Honey!! You are the BEST! And our relationship is an answer to my prayers and a dream come true.

Rusty

I would like to introduce you to the newest member of our family!! Rusty, a 10-month old, male, Jack Russell Terrier. He is soooooo sweet! We just got him and he fit right into the routine, even the first day! He has a couple little outfits, lots of toys, more energythan he knows what to do with, and he just loves to cuddle!!

We are so happy to have found him. And we did jump through some hoops to find him. We had some important criteria. We were not going to buy from a breeder, we wanted to rescue a dog. We scoped out the shelters, but found mostly pit bull/mixes. Not what we wanted.

We definitely wanted a small dog, we don't have that much yard space. My first choice was a chihuahua, but believe it or not, I was having trouble finding a purebred tan chihuahua at the shelters. I mainly want it to carry around in a purse! Shame on me. But they are so cute. He wanted a Jack Russell Terrier mainly. if we could not find one, then a red, mini-Dachshund would be okay.

But after going to all kinds of shelters, checking out rescue sites online, craigslist and petfinder.com. We scoured everything resource we could and just kept looking and looking. And then we even had a bad experience with a woman that runs a rescue here in San Diego. She ended up being pretty pushy and rude. She had pretty many dogs and I suspect that she really didn't want to give any of them up. Long story short, I am glad we didn't get a dog from her. I have a feeling we would have had trouble out of her.

Instead, I dealt with an organization called Critter Crossings. They are a home grown organization and believe in Fostering Dogs for Life. I am happy to have dealt with them. They offer help, support, suggestions of vets, trainers, behaviorists and more.

The first day we had him, our first stop was Petco to SPOIL him. Toys, snacks, toys, new bed, toys, dog dish, toys and oh, yea, did I mention we bought him toys!! He's got balls that light, squeak, ropes, tennis, bouncey, hide-a-treat inside, and he's torn pretty much of them up already!! OH BOY!!

So far this week (remember, only since Sunday) he tore up 3 tennis balls, 1 squeaky tennis shoe, 1 stuffed, squeaky cow, 1 double headed gopher (don't ask, it was strange)!!! Time to shop for more!!

Needless to say, we LOVE him! He's a good little guy! He does have issues with other dogs, so we will take him to a behavior specialist - you know, like the Dog Whisperer.

"Here's all you need to know about men and women: Women are crazy, and men are stupid. And the main reason women are crazy is that men are stupid."

-- George Carlin

Happy Valentine's Day

SURPRISE!! I got flowers delivered to my office today from my sweetie!! Wow! The best part is that I totally did not expect this because I have always looked at Valentine's Day as a day for kids to have fun at school, have a party, make sentences out of candy hearts and generally show who they have crushes on!!

For adults, I see it as a "hallmark holiday", created so the card, candy, restaurants, and more can have one more excuse to take money out of your pocket. I'm not a cynic, I just think that love should be every day and not just celebrated one day a year. I'm sure there are others out there that think this same way.

In fact, it's 7pm and I'm still at work. Mostly women are left here because the guys had to scoot home for dinners out, and all the other stuff that goes with the holiday. Well, good for them and their wives, hope they can live up to it year after year. Seems like alot of pressure.

Oh well, the surprise was fantastic! I love him and I know that he loves me. It was just great to get flowers at work and for him to show me! He's terrific!

Happy Valentine's Day! I Love You!!

"Here's all you need to know about men and women: Women are crazy, and men are stupid. And the main reason women are crazy is that men are stupid."

-- George Carlin

I LOVE MY LIFE!!!

Do you love your life? I sure LOVE MINE!! I have many things going for me and even though it's not perfect, it's damn close!! Closer than I've ever been before!

I mean, I have the love of my life back after 30 years and I have to tell you it's AMAZING!! We are so much in love even after all these years. If we had stayed together, we'd be celebrating our 35th anniversary this year!! And to be honest, we feel like it's always been this way. We were madly in love in the 70's and are still madly in love. It's cRAzY, I know, but we really have loved each other all this time and still do. We've only been living together for 1 1/2 years right now, but it's GLORIOUS!! I can't imagine my life without him.

And you know, he overlooks all my "idiosyncrasies" and loves all parts of me. I feel the same about him and it's wonderful.

I've waited my whole life to be loved like this and now I have it and I'm not letting it go. I am going to cherish him, love him, and take care of him no matter what! It's more than wonderful!!

And you know, the kids love him, the girls live with us and they think he's great! They see how much he loves me and that makes them very happy. All-in-all, he did manage to put things back together and make it all right!! Thanks, honey!!

"Here's all you need to know about men and women: Women are crazy, and men are stupid. And the main reason women are crazy is that men are stupid."

-- George Carlin