Hello, hello! Am back home after a week away... visited my parents and worked from their house while Mike took some vacation time off. We also spent a day up in Toronto while we were out that way, and it was a rather whirlwind whoosh north of the border capped off by a visit to the Hockey Hall of Fame. Which was actually really, really cool. I didn't even try to catch up with any digi pals up that way geographically because a) we were in town for like 24 hours, and b) said 24 hours were an early anniversary getaway and the time we were spending together was meant to be just the two of us. Maybe next time we'll be up there a wee bit longer!

Working from my parents' house does have its perks -- in between work tasks, I did manage to take a jaunt or two with mom to do some shopping... As my own boss, as long as I get the work done, I do allow myself the occasional fun and frivolity during the work day. Heck, I always work through lunch, so it all evens out in the wash. Also went to the cemetery to visit my grandparents and left them a lovely geranium plant. And I didn't cry this time. I felt sad, but there were no tears. Still miss them every single day, though, and it's hard to visit that neck of the woods without feeling their absence more profoundly/deeply.

Besides that, not much else is shaking around here. Mike and I are going to see Tom Petty and Steve Winwood tomorrow night -- feels like we bought those tickets EONS ago.

And I'm a busy bee house cleaning this week as my brother and his posse are visiting this weekend. Had to put away some of the fragile items in my living room. My nephews are respectful of things and if you tell them not to touch stuff they won't, but accidents can happen, so I put anything of sentimental value that was the least bit breakable in a box out in the garage... My house is officially nephew-proofed. Can't wait to see everyone!

Today is the 20-year anniversary of the day I met my husband, Mike. An auspicious occasion, to be sure, although neither one of us knew at the time how much of one it would be for both of us long-term, per se. I was dating someone else and we were just friends for a number of years before I broke up with the other guy and Mike and I started dating in 1991. But today... today is special. Because we met. And because we liked each other enough to be friends and hang out and do stuff together as friends. Until we became more.

Here's to 20 years... almost half my life. I'm so glad I met you, Mike! And thanks for letting me make various.... errr... mix tapes from your CDs.