It was a very long weekend, but BOY was it a good one.

I'm wiped out. I probably need to ingest nothing but raw veggies and filtered water for the next week to make up for all the food and booze I've had since Wednesday night, but I don't regret a darn thing. Dietsch and I got through our first major holiday together, and it was all good.

And now, because I know you're not sick of seeing sappy photos of us yet... here are a couple more (many thanks to the loverly Lauren who again demonstrates her black belt in photo-fu):

Okay, so I'm a day early, but Lauren started a thread on her forum, and I wanted to post what I posted there:

I've had to deal with a lot of crappiness this year. Standing by me through all of that were my mom and dad, who are always even more loving and supportive and amazing than they need to be. I am thankful for them every single day.

My friends have saved my sanity, shown incredible compassion and empathy, made me laugh, made me cry, and have demonstrated time and again just what it is to be a friend to someone. Many of them have stood by me in ways that even certain family members couldn't, and that counts for a hell of a lot. Friends are our chosen family, the saying goes, and I am thankful for each and every one of mine, old and new.

I've got a great job, a great apartment, and a great roommate, and though I bitch about them from time to time, when it comes down to it I am always appreciative of them.

I have two adorable cats, who love me unconditionally and enrich my life in many ways. I'm thankful to have them in my life, and I'm incredibly thankful that they are both pretty healthy these days... that wasn't always the case, but it seems like we've weathered the scary bits.

Last but certainly not least, I am thankful for the incredible, unexpected bit of wonderfulness I got this year. Michael, honey, I am more thankful for you than I could ever adequately express.

There's only one month left until my birthday.

And look... I've made it so easy for you to pick out a present for me...

Five years ago this morning, I got a phone call that I'll pretty much never forget.

Grandma D. and I had had a bit of a weird relationship. She was cranky and ornery and difficult most of the time, and despite our early years of sharing "Brown Eyed Girl" and bad primetime soaps... well, we had some issues. Those weeks leading up to her death were one of the darkest times of my life, so I hadn't been really good about keeping in touch. And then she was gone, and I never got to say goodbye.

It still hurts.

One week and counting! I don't know where this year has gone!

As of just a few moments ago, the groceries for our Thanksgiving feast have been ordered, and they'll be delivered on Monday. Our guest is bringing a sure-to-be-lovely dessert, and I'm splitting the cooking duties with my guy. Here's what the menu looks like:

cocktails
Bleu d'Auvergne
English Farmhouse Cheddar