Two Weeks To Go-

Two weeks from tomorrow, Marcel and I will be heading to the airport and heading back home after our two month vacay.

I was talking to Desere yesterday about how I have mixed feelings about this. It's happening regardless of how I feel about it, but yet I always start having this internal tug-of-war when the two week mark hits.

I miss our home in Holland. I miss Desere, Bobbi and my other friends there, and it goes without saying that I miss Mister Mistoffelees, who is the greatest cat ever!

Of course, my mother-in-law may beg to differ that Mister M. is the greatest cat ever, since he's been quite the little devil while at her place- jumping on the counter tops, on tables, and hiding puzzle pieces of puzzles she was working on (that's her own fault though, since I told her not to attempt that with him around). I like to assume that his antics are because he misses me so much, and I'm sure that's the case.

As promised before I left, I did buy him lots of treats, plus some new mice (not the real type), and a laser toy, that will probably be his favorite. Something that he'll find less than thrilling is the Christmas cape that I bought for next Christmas, and the little collar with bells and such. I have a feeling if cats could roll their eyes, he would be rolling his when he sees that. I couldn't help it though, it was too cute to leave behind.

Here, I'll miss my family and friends and the great fun we've been having. I'll miss being able to go to my nephews programs at school or church, and I'll also miss being able to go see Samantha's girls in their school programs. I'll miss sushi, and being able to drive 10 minutes to Samantha's and 4 hours to Julies, and canasta games with mom and diddy, Steve and Michelle. Those games have been extremely comical and fun.

What I won't miss is rednecks who have no respect for other peoples property and who drive their 4-wheelers on my parents property and other properties in the area in hopes of spotlighting a deer and shooting it while it's defenses are down.

What I will miss, is trying to catch those losers and hoping that the game warden gets his hands on them so they can kiss their 4- wheelers, guns, trucks etc.. goodbye. (This is the subject of a journal entry that will follow at some point)

It goes without saying that I'll miss mom and diddy, who I love and adore beyond words, and I'll miss my brother, who I've spent more time with this trip and who I admire a great deal.

I'll miss 24 hour shopping, the outlets- although my pocketbook will not.

There is so much I'll miss here.. but I know that I'll be happy to settle back in my life in Neverland once again.

Marcel and I have a five year wedding anniversary coming up, a few weeks after we arrive home. We're looking forward to it, plus plan to take a trip to celebrate, but think we'll wait until the weather is a bit warmer.

We're still in the talking stages of a new doggie, although Marcel has finally started giving in a little on the type of dog and we may actually be able to choose one together. I'd love a mini- Australian Shephard, but I don't think that will happen. Maybe the terrier breed that Toto was in the Wizard of Oz, and I could name him (of course), Toto. Wouldn't that be cute?

As you can probably see from this entry- my thoughts are jumping from one place to the other, and I've determined it's either an age thing, or a 'too much on my mind thing'.

One thing I do know for sure, is that 2009 is going to be a great year. The possibities are endless, so make the most of each and every day!

Since I haven't done one this year, and since I lost all the ones that weren't backed up on JS, I think I'll start hard copying these too..

Nothing like starting the year off full of gratitude.

My Gratitude List for January 6, 2009.

Today I'm Grateful For:

1- A new year, which is filled with endless possibilities and opportunities to reach out and grasp.

2- The true friendships that I have formed in my life. I feel extremely blessed.

3- Compromise.

4- Love- which is something that without it, this world would cease to exist.

5- Family.