A note today

Now that I'm home you probably won't think there is any reason to check up on me through this blog...nothing exciting anymore except "I wonder where she's going next?". I've kind of felt that way myself!
But, we've had a few warm, sunny days here, and I started cleaning the porch. Inspiration! Get rid of some of this stuff - along with the dust and cobwebs! That led to some rearranging, which led to more cleaning and arranging, and now I'm enjoying a "new look" all around the house, and the satisfaction that things are clean again.
Tuesday, I went shopping and it was great to see Mary Jane, whom I used to work with, in the store, and we had to visit awhile. Then, a friend from another state that I hadn't heard from for a few years called. I almost didn't get my shopping done! In the afternoon, and through Thursday morning I had company, and that was a wonderful "lift".
AND....today is my birthday! Now, I usually try to kind of forget those things, but this one has been SO SPECIAL that I have to write about it. Besides the e-card and a few precious greetings by e-mail, my daughters four (that includes one "adopted") took me out to lunch. We laughed and "gossiped"(NOT the malicious kind)and shared and ate. Later, my dear friend and neighbor, Gertrud N., invited me and a few other special friends for coffee/tea/pie/cake.
So, my table is fill of pretty cards and such nice gifts that I didn't expect or deserve! Homemade jelly and salsa; CHOCOLATE; herb tea; lavender aroma therapy; and some books from a granddaughter....
I suppose it all has seemed even more special since my last three birthdays have gone by while I was in a foreign country.

And now I'm home!

Home again...
I don't want to see another airport for a LONG TIME...well, at least not for a week or two. ha. By the time I arrived in Lincoln, Nebraska about 7:00 p.m. CST, 21 hours had passed since Laura and I left the home near Stockholm, Sweden, and headed toward Arlanda Airport. Mid-morning, I was finding my way around London Heathrow, and 8 hours from the time the plane left there, I was one more in the throngs and lines in Chicago. Three times through Security is enough for awhile! Lincoln is still two hours from Kearney, but friends from Grand Island met me and I stayed at their home overnight as that is a little closer. A good night's sleep was VERY welcome by that time!
So, now I'm slowly getting over jet-lag and culture-shock - or whatever. It's been wonderful to see family and friends here again.
Not the top of the list, but one of the best things on it, is the daylight! The 5:00 p.m. sunset yesterday was gorgeous! It was light this morning before 8:00 a.m., even though it was cloudy. Both in Russia and in Scandinavia it wasn't light until 9:00 a.m. and the sun set around 3:30 in the afternoon.
What is next?? I don't know yet. I do know of some visits I like to make, though!