I LOVE BACK RUBS! I would love to get a daily back rub/message, oh the life that would be. I've been known to book a message while waiting on my connecting flight, or while on TDY splitting a couples message in half because that was all they had ( seriously 1 session was 1.5 hours so we split it and each got a 30+ minute sessions; seemed like a no brainier to us). I've been given messages gift certificates for Valentines Day, birthdays, and anniversaries. I even think one of the best part of a pedicure is the foot and calf message. Growing up my dad used to rub my neck and shoulders. All I'd have to do is sit on the floor in front of him while he was watching the evening news. It was grand! Then Alan took over and was there to help loosen my tired shoulders at the end of the day. My boys were even pulled into service rubbing my aching neck when I had bad headaches. The warmth of someone rubbing your shoulders and neck helps relax me beyond most anything and is so healing. But this week I had the unbelievable happen. I was so sick that when Alan offered to rub my back I decided it might make me feel better but only a few seconds into it I asked him to stop. WHAT! Stop a back rub! NEVER before have I been the one to end a rub! Always the one giving the rub has either run out of the alotted/purchased time or the family members hands and fingers have worn out longer before I was ready. Now I'd say that I was more than a little under the weather to do this. But thankfully with the proper medications I am on the mend. And I think I am going to ask Alan for a rain check on that back rub when he gets home this evening!

I stumbled across a countdown timer for our return to Oklahoma City last year. It was 339 days ago today that we boarded the plane for our return trip to the good ole U S of A! My oh my how things have changed since our return. We fixed up and sold our home, moved into the Mitchell house, sold our old 5th wheel to a kid that was going to take it to Montana to prospect for GOLD! Sold our boat and all its accessories to the oldest son. Bought a 36 foot Class A Motor home and have torn up the lake deck and storage buildings in prep for leveling the pad for the motorhome. We have enjoyed watching Isabella grow and change from that cute little baby into a precious little toddler girl. She is so sharp, knows what she wants and her vocabulary is growing everyday. She will say a few words to us on the phone and more when we Facetime with her. She knows where the toys are and where we keep the treats! And how to get Cappy to get some "more please". Isabella really likes her cousin "Ryand" and with Ryan's assistance will do things that she would otherwise not do for Nana or Mama. Speaking of Ruan we have been able to see Ryan sing at school programs, be awarded the class math award, play some great basketball and dance in this years recital. She is now texting me and we get pedicures together. Such fun! Ryan is growing up and is no longer a little girl and while still a preteen she is still a child at heart. She made the best Fathers Day card this year and helped Isabella make a card for her Dada too. We are enjoying some trips in the motorhome. Took her (the MMC) to Colorado Springs and Dallas so far with plans to go to the beach later in the year. We are taking each day at a time and looking forward to travels across the USA. Might as well tour the US and get to know her like we did while in Europe. Yes my life is good and I feel so blessed. Not to say I don't have problems. But God never promised a problem free existence. And you know we come through our trials stronger and can look back and see the silver lining (sure it takes longer at times than others). Well that does it I am all caught up on the lat 339 days. Looking for the next 339 to bring much of the same because all in all I truly cannot complain.