Thanks so much for all your kind words. I was both very happy and very sad all day long yesterday. Happy because my son is doing what he wants to be doing and enjoying it very much, and that he was alive and healthy; sad because I worry so incredibly much about him over there and was wishing selfishly that he was safe back home again . . . that they all were. But, his unexpected call (just as I was typing the last words of my post here) was fantastic! We actually had a nice long chat. It was so good to hear his voice and to know that he was OK. Afterwards, I headed down to Albuquerque so that I could meet up with his birthmom near to her office. We had a great lunch at a place called Brava Bistro and while we ate (gazpacho and bruschetta . . .yumm!), I filled her in on family , DS's call and passed along the message that he'd be calling her later that evening so that he could talk to his (half)sisters, too. It was a good seeing her again. I love that she and DS look so much alike. Same coloring, same beautiful pale blond hair, same features, same smile. She and her two young daughters (she's divorced) have become like family to us over the years and have even spent some holidays here with us. I both love and admire her very much . . . plus, she's a lot of fun to be with! As usual, we had someone take a couple of pics of us to send to our (hers and mine . . . we share him now) son. But, please don't think I'm some kind of saint about all of this, I'm not. If she had turned out to be some nutcase, I wouldn't have this kind of arrangement with her. But, she's a wonderful, down-to-earth, very good person (awesome, actually) and everyone of us has benefited hugely from this openness and sharing. Anyhoo, it was a fun lunch. Below is a (cropped) pic taken of us at the restaurant. It shows my special ring. I had them take one to show DS I was wearing it once again. Lynn And here's a pic I took of DS on his first birthday. I gave his birthmom a copy of it. he had a Cookie Monster birthday cake, hence the bright blue icing. Not the greatest idea for a birthday boy in a white outfit (LOL!):

Thank you everyone! As soon as I get my camera back I'lll share pics of the fun we had! Maggie was the bestest Snow White I've ever seen and Max was, well, Max! LOL! He was so cute as we were handing out candy! I had him sitting on the candy table in his Bumbo! Cathy, BOO! YAY the Saints won just becuse it was my Birthday!!! There were so many people in the house and the kids were so excited and hopped up on candy...I couldn't wait to come home and rest! It's been along time since I've done Trick or Treating!

After a long and dreary winter, yesterday and today, it was sunshine all day, and today's temperature hit 60 F. I went walking with my coat un-zipped and my cap in my pocket. It was too early see signs of spring in the flora, but animals were on the move. I'm seeing ducks that had dissapepared last fall and the ever present Canada Geese, except some of these geese are migrating flocks, not the local ones. There was a 'silly' robin singing out his territory, and I heard the call of a woodpecker staking out his boundary. I met people walking who ahd not been out much and they all had smiles. This break in the weather also brought out the infirm walkers, those who walked bent over and with a shuffle, some favoring a sore hip, - but all with smiles.

Thanks ya'll for making Abby's day very special...She's sooo spoiled and yes Toni...I do love my doggies...their a very big part of our lives...(they never ask for the car or beg to go to the mall!) We were so late getting in from the airport last night that I was toooo tired to drag out the party hats or candles for their cupcakes...but I don't they they minded...LOL I'd love to know what was in that truffle...they loved them...their other doggie gourmet treats are on the table and still haven't gotten them yet...but the day is still young! Notice that tacky piece of velcro holding the trash can closed...ABBY IS THE TRASH CAN CULPRIT...the other two NEVER bothered the trash cans till she came along...typical woman...leading the males in her life to a life of crime...