Yes, Santa, I've been a very, very good girl.

Bruce has been home for two weeks but it's hard to believe. In a way I feel like he just got home yesterday, but then there are moments when it feels as if he was never gone. It's odd in a way to feel like this, but either way I am so truly happy to enjoy his company again. This wonderful man has let me sleep in almost every morning. He's gotten up with Alyssa, made her breakfast, entertained her... all while I sleep away upstairs. Two mornings I even slept til 9am! I almost feel rested. HAHAHAHA.... then I remember that all hell is about to break loose with our schedule. Oh, the joy of it. Actually, I am very excited. Or at least I will be when we're in a house and unpacking.

I saw a Rheumatologist today. He asked me many questions, was concerned with my symptoms, and actually told me three things that my symptoms may be pointing to. He reviewed the xrays that were in the system and was able to see a couple of things that the initial Dr. who had ordered the xray missed. After he did an examination I went and had blood work, has a very specific x-ray of my pelvis done, then picked up a vitamin D supplement from the pharmacy for the deficiency I seem to have. I can't tell you how much better I feel, just from the fact alone that I was able to see a Dr. that seem to care, took the time to listen, followed up with his own questions, and finally gave me an idea of what my immune system may be doing. A part of me has relaxed just knowing that this man is obviously a good Dr. Too bad we're moving in two weeks, but he did say he will connect me with a Dr where we are going.

We took Alyssa to see Santa this morning. Poor Santa. He looked as if he was about to have congestive heart failure. He was sweating and wearing the weakest smile. The poor man needed a fan with that thick suit on. I may just call the mall tomorrow and tell them do something about that. Well, anyway, Alyssa sat on his lap, told him to look at her pretty dress, then told him she wanted a book, a ball, and a piano. Santa's got it covered. **wink**

This Christmas is going to big for us. Bruce is home, Alyssa turns three, and of course Santa's coming. What a day! Bruce already gave me my Christmas present 'cause I was just so damn good. It's a Kindle Fire. It is so cool and like any kid with a new toy, I take it everywhere with me. Now the big question is: What do I get him???? He wanted a camera, which we tried to buy, but they were out, and now he says he doesn't want one right now. What's a girl to do?!?! Brainstorming begins...

Merry Christmas!

What is this?... A second honeymoon?

I'm a happy woman. I've gotten to sleep in three mornings in a row, I got to go shopping by myself today without having to rush, and I have my husband to keep me very warm at night in bed. Now, if this damn crick in my neck would go away, everything would be perfect.

I got some good deals today shopping. We needed a new printer, scanner, and copier, and I found one on sale at Target... add to that my Target $8 off  $80 coupon and a $5 Target gift card, and I walked out of there with one inexpensive wireless all-in-one. Bruce already has it put together/loaded up/ whatever it is that needed to be done so that I can print from my upstairs laptop should I feel inclined (lazy) to do so.

We're decorating our tree tonight. Then I plan on sleeping in AGAIN tomorrow morning. But, don't think I didn't offer to get up with Alyssa... I did. Bruce just says he isn't tired, and I figure I'll be back to getting up with her every morning he's at work, so I'm going to enjoy it while I can. I slept until 9am the last two mornings! Considering I usually got up anywhere between 4:45am and 5:45am when he was in South Korea, this is a BIG deal for me.

Crack is not good for the heart

The dreadful, year-long unaccompanied tour is OVER! I picked my husband up from the airport on Thursday night. It was touch and go for a few minutes, though. As I was driving to the airport my phone rang from a number I didn't know. When I answered it, it was a collect call from Bruce. My heart fell. He was supposed to be up in the air at that very moment, but he wasn't. There was a needed repair on the plane, and they were "pretty sure" they could fix it. They were only waiting to find out if the flight was going to be cancelled because of how late it was getting. He was flying in to the Augusta Airport, which is not a big airport. It's tiny, and there are no arriving flights after 11:40. It was 11:25 at that moment. Anyway, I asked him to call me back and let me know, but he never called. I was so excited to see him, yet I was so worried there was going to be another delay. I was beginning to make a plan to drive to Atlanta, if needed, and I waited in my car, at the airport, for him to call back. I got on my phone and pulled up the airline's flight schedule, but all it was reporting was that the flight was on time. Since I knew that wasn't true, I went on in to see if I could find out if the plane even took off. It had, thank goodness. About forty minutes later, people started coming down the terminal. I was right there waiting with full perma-grin. Then a man walked up to me and asked if I was waiting on a gentleman coming from Korea. **heart stopped** He was very serious. When I replied "yes", he paused, then started laughing that my husband was waiting at the wrong baggage claim. He said he was sure he'd be along in a minute, once he figured it out. Ahhhh.... relief washed over me. It was only a few more moments until I saw my absolutely wonderful and handsome husband walking towards me. He was sporting a pretty good grin, too. It was such an incredibly happy moment for me. We hugged, kissed, looked at each other, kissed again, and then that crack in my heart completely closed.

The Homecoming Outfit

OCD cleaning going on here... something big must be about to happen!

I'm sick of it. Absolutely, completely sick of it. And I refuse to sleep two more nights alone. That's it. I draw the line. It's a good thing my husband is coming home.... lol.

I've been vacuuming, dusting, cleaning bathrooms. I've just finished a glass of wine, and I figure I deserved it. It was the last of some ChocoVino.... thanks Renae.

Alyssa is watching one of the many Christmas movies I've recorded. That's been a surprise to me. I had no clue I would develop this overwhelming urge to record/watch every classic Christmas cartoon from my childhood. Yet here I am, loving every minute of Rudolph's Shiny New Year, and Santa Claus is Comin' to Town, among others. OH, and I have, in every way, made up for not decorating for Christmas the last five years! I've got the tree, tons of ornaments just ready to be carefully placed on each limb in hopes of a gorgeous "themed" tree that my husband wants **grin and roll eyes**, the table has a pretty snowflake tablecloth with a neat little centerpiece, the top of my bookcase is now a winter wonderland, and I've even bought three framed pictures for the walls. Ahhhhh.... for me, this year is worth celebrating. Bruce will be home, Alyssa is old enough that she's beginning to understand what Santa's about, and.... well, I just felt like it. Bruce and I have also bought some beautiful fine pewter snowflakes that we are going to start "our" tradition with. We've decided to have one engraved each year, with the date and the place of where we're currently living.

The next time I write something on here, I'm going to be a satisfied woman. **wink, wink** No more sleeping alone for me! Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!



................... dancing a little jig..............................