I’m currently lying in my parents’ guest room, trying to get sleepy, and there are just some things I feel must be expressed for their ultimate, simple goodness. I had a FULL day today.  It’s the kind of day that leaves me here, exhausted and yawning, but still I’m wired enough to write a blog posting! 🙂  It’s one of the best kinds of days, in my opinion.  It started with jokes and laughing this morning as Otman and I were getting ready to part ways for the day, then I went to work. I was able to make one of my graphic design clients really happy and even more excited about her wedding by delivering her Save the Date cards that I designed for her. There is such an immense satisfaction and beautiful feeling when I deliver something I’ve designed and it brightens their day! I went on my lunch break and mailed out the gazillion wedding invitations that I personally designed, and can’t wait to start receiving the RSVP notes back in the mail! I then worked the rest of the day, left work, came home and packed up my clothes and my dog, and drove to Greenville! I stopped by Petsmart on the way into town and walked Dexter in with me to go grab a bag of food for him for the weekend, because I completely forgot to bring his food with me. It never ceases to amaze me at what a loving, happy fella he is. Everyone loves him! (yes, I know, I just wrote a whole blog posting about him… but he’s my baby!)

After Petsmart, I grabbed the K9 and the dog food and we went to see Michelle, and I had a really nice dinner with her! We basically just chilled in the local Mexican restaurant for an hour, and I showed her my newest graphic design and custom printing projects, including the AMAZING  new album I just had delivered with the photo shoot from my sister’s birthday published in it! I designed the entire album, had it printed by KISS Wedding Books, and as usual, I’m super pleased with the high-quality and professional attention and care that was given to my photographs.  Look for pictures of the album on a blog post coming soon!! Michelle and I chatted and laughed about things, which is what we always do together!  Thanks for coming out to dinner, Michelle!  Happy birthday!

After I dropped Michelle off, I made my way home and saw a message from my good friend Bridget, who I believe is definitely a kindred spirit! She came over and we hung out, talking our heads off, catching up, showing each other pictures, and talking about, well everything! We don’t spend nearly enough time together, and it’s bittersweet, because although we would like to hang out more often, it’s still a ton of fun catching up like we did last night!  There’s something about late-night gab sessions that are just good for the soul. Thanks for coming over, Bridget!

So, now I’m lying in bed in what used to be my sister’s old room, with Dexter lightly snoring on the floor at the foot of the bed, and there’s certain things that are running through my mind that make me happy deep inside, just by being completely simple. I’m content tonight, and that’s all I can ask for. Most of all, I’m grateful for this feeling and this day.

• I’m grateful for Mom for opening the door to her house up at midnight because I didn’t have a house key, and being sweet and loving when she did it.
• I’m grateful for the relaxed, open conversation I had with my Dad this evening when I got home.
• I’m grateful for the absolutely cute scene of Dexter holding up and giving his paw to my dad over and over so he could keep getting petted.
• I’m grateful for the smirk on Dad’s face as Dexter kept giving him his paw for some lovin.’
• I’m grateful for friends like Michelle that will come out in their pajamas at a moment’s notice to go have Mexican food with me!
• I’m grateful for delicious, cold water that just sometimes tastes better than anything else on earth – especially after watching Bridget enjoy it like it was her first after a trek through the Sahara! LOL
• I’m grateful for my insomniac, spontaneous friend Bridget who takes off and comes to visit me at my parents’ house at 11 o’clock at night! What fun!
• I’m grateful for the fact that my mom always makes sure there is a box of tissues no more than an arm’s length away no matter where you are in the house.
• I’m grateful for great friends, family and the life I have been blessed with.
• I’m grateful for you for reading this blog and sharing these moments with me.