A quiet Thanksgiving . . .

It was a great blessing to be able to share the day with those I love the most -

Our table set for three with my mom's new tradition of reading a children's book -

Out for a walk in between dinner and pie - it was cold, but worth it -

those two lovebirds . . .

What I am "ful" of . . .

Thanksgiving is tomorrow - in case you were wondering. If ever a holiday has tradition, this is the one. One of those grand traditions is to make exclamations of gratitude. Just so you know, I will get to my exclamations - but I'm taking the long way around. Lately I have been full of it - full to the brim with it! What is "it" you ask? Nothing good.

I have been full of anger and frustrations, self doubt and annoyances. I think there was even a little of hypocrisy and self pity in there, just to top it off. I hate feeling those things but often times it is a daily or hourly battle. It is for all of us, though. Knowing that is often the key to emptying all of those awful things that I am full of and becoming full of something else. It really is all about the perspective. I think, if anything, seeing a different part of the world has given me a lesson on perspective - the world does not revolve around me, for what it's worth, it probably doesn't even know my name, but I'm okay with that. I can be okay, because there are those that DO know my name and love me in spite of it :) and One who knows it all and with that knowledge, I am never alone.

I have more blessings than there are minutes in the eternities to express and name them, and so today, on this eve of thanks, I leave not a list of what I have been given, but a promise to give more. A dedication connected to a hope to become full of love and charity, full of patience and understanding, to be brimming with tolerance and empathy and the ability to see what others need and not only what I lack . . . for therein lies happiness.

Colusseum and Trevi Fountain . . .

Even touching it didn't seem real -

I think I took a picture from EVERY possible angle - you shall see . . .

oops - should have rotated that -

To think that it was all covered in marble that the Vatican stole to create Saint Peters -

First things WAY first . . .

Happy Birthday Pop!
I love you and am so grateful to have you as my father. There really is no one better - thank you for your sacrifice and love and all that you do for me! I hope you have a wonderful day!!!!!!!

Secondly - - - - -

I'm home! Yup, it's a little earlier than planned. Explanation: it was just a feeling, I followed it, here I am. Never fear however, because I still have to show you Rome, Barcelona, Lake Garda and what would this blog be without a little Stefan searching? Nothing, I tell ya. Until tomorrow, my friends . . .

We interrupt your regularly scheduled European vacation . . .

. . . for a little victory Maté -

AND some awesome Sarah Bareilles dancing . . .

(the victory comes in me going to the hair salon in ITALY all by my lonesome and communicating enough to get a sweet new cut and color:) - the Sarah Bareilles dancing? Do you even have to ask? She rocks and I have primo dancing skills - period.)

At some point I guess I must move on . . . .

Rome - Italy

(the webding font:) for Rome, Italy)

After an early start we wait for our flight with a Panini . . .

First shot of Rome - cool, no?

We got dropped off at the wrong bus stop and had to take a taxi - it was fun, my kind of way to travel:)

shots from the car - - - -

there it is! The Colosseum!

This was taken after a really hard afternoon with some not some good moments - can you tell:)

So beautiful - so unreal for us both!

That's right folks - Susy Chard in front of the Colosseum!

me:)

our very own Vanna White (haha or should I say, "our very own Susy Brown:)")

Colosseum moments . . .

a very surreal moment to be sitting amongst such incredible history

our 5 euro :( cokes and bruschetta - first food of the day, very delicious:)

tomorrow - - - - inside the Colosseum and some Stefan action . . .