A fluffy gray kitty rests in my lap as I settle on the couch to drink my first cup of coffee. She looks up at me with half-closed eyes and begins to purr. "Oh, Sophie...this is the last morning like this for awhile." She continues to gaze at me lovingly, oblivious to the fact that I just dropped a bombshell. "Grandma Joan", as Nick calls her to Sophie, will stop by daily to offer her a little company and feed her the Fancy Feast she so dearly loves.

Tomorrow, I will begin my first real vacation in God knows how long. Around about April, we were out eating when Nick said, "I did something this week, and I've tried to keep it a secret, but I just can't." I waited for him to continue, wondering which direction that statement would go. "I bought airline tickets. I'm taking you to The Keys for your birthday."



My suitcase is mostly packed, but knowing myself as I do, I will most likely empty it tonight and then pack it all over again. My aunts gave me early birthday presents at work yesterday, and today is my last day at work. The last week has been a blur, and I have been stressed out with the [overwhelming] bevy of details...but as that fluffy gray kitty pounced on my belly early this morning, I woke up and looked to Nick (who had just stirred), whispering, "I'm excited."

Drinking coffee while looking at a Southern sunrise, running with the shoreline in view, a week sightseeing and exploring, celebrating number twenty-six in a most unforgettable way..."I'm excited," doesn't really do it justice.