DLand - I'm Back, Really I Am

Yes, I know, it's been a while. I've been sporadic at best in my updating. But time has been something I don't have a lot of lately. I hope, however, you'll be hearing a lot more from me. And this time maybe with a little something extra. Remember, folks, the 10 o'clock show is completely different than the 7 o'clock show. I have lots of stories to tell, but first everyone deserves an update. The biggest news by far is that on Monday, March 18th I moved out of the house. It's a long, long story - the majority of which will most likely be covered in this forum to one degree or another. And if you had to read this paragraph to find out, I'm truly sorry I didn't tell you personally first. But if you have particular questions, no inquiry is too personal or opinion unwanted. I have no reservations about telling my simple life. Hell, it might even increase my d*land "ratings," as it were. As I told Bossman the other day, I would tell my fascinating story to the Airborne Express delivery guy if I thought he would stand still long enough. Bossman has been incredibly hip about the whole thing. He's proved to be not only my best boss ever but also a very good friend. All of you who I've talked to have been fantastic. I can't thank you enough for listening to me drone on and on and also for your words of advice and support. All of you rock.

As far as technicalities and administration, I spent the first week on my brothers' sofa. I now have a cozy little apartment of my own thanks to my parents (they have several rental properties). My dog Sarah and Isis the beautiful black goddess cat have come with me and they provide a fair amount of company - interested and attentive, if not very articulate. This humble abode is a mere three blocks from my parents' house and that has afforded me a lot of previous unreaped quality time with them as well. Momma and Daddy are fabulous. Really, all of you should be jealous that you don't have my mom and dad as your parents.

I have not left forever. And this is not a new thing, at least not for me. These issues have been recurring over and over for many years. I got to the point where I could no longer be the girl who cried wolf saying "I can't live like this." So now, it has become a reality. There are certain things I need from SweetPea before I can go home. And there are certain things I need to do for myself before I can go home. And we're both working as hard and as fast as we can on them. So far, so good. But I'm an optimistic person at heart. I expect this to last a couple of months and we can go from there. But always going forward and never, ever, ever going back.

I have just recently acquired a phone line at the new pad and this has been a life saver in keeping me connected to "the world." I don't actually talk on this phone line - good grief no. But it is the cheapest, fastest way to get me online. One thing I've learned about myself is I can't stand to be without internet access. 24 hours without checking CNN.com or my email and I start to get the shakes.

Today I'm off to New England for a short business trip to one of our clients for training. I have not flown in forever and it's feeling a little weird. I didn't book my hotel or car until last night and never did get around to calling for first class upgrades. Just not enough time in the day. So I'm back in coach class again. What a way to come back to business travel. Ugh. I did sit across from an adorable toddler, though, who made airplane noises the entire time we landed and sat next to a girl (I say girl, she was probably my age) who didn't know what the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel was. She couldn't imagine a bridge that long. Her best comment was "what's so important over there that someone would want to drive 13 miles across the ocean to get to it?".

I have so much more to say, but have to force myself to categorize it. Otherwise, I'll just end up rambling like some hyperactive child. Stay tuned, guys and gals.