I was stocking my aisle at Longs this morning
when an older lady came up to me and told me she had something she needed to tell me.
She told me that her husband, who she lost a long time ago,
told her that when you see good in a person, you tell them right away.
Don't wait till they are gone.
She ended up telling me that I light up the whole place with my smile.
I was so touched by her going out of her way to tell me that.

And yesterday, at the register at Borders,
way more than half of the people I rang up donated to Toys-4-Tots.
You know everyone is tightening their purse strings, and yet they wanted to help.
It really makes me feel good to see that.
When the Marine Corp reserve guys came to pick up the boxes of books and toys for the drive,
I asked one of them something about if they had to wrap all those items.
He explained that this year, the response is so wonderful.
There are more kids in need this year, but there is so much more to distribute.

Sometimes you feel like you could just hug the world.

I got stuck doing computer work at Borders today, which I don't really like.
But as I sat there, all my wonderful co-workers brightened my day by saying hello,
offering to help, and by just being caring.
And at the end of the day, I get to spend time with honeybunch.
He excites me and calms me all at once.
The perfect end to the perfect day.

The highlight of my day was getting Maureen McCormick's book signed today.
True, I have always been a fan of "The Brady Bunch",
but I didn't expect to become so...speechless in her midst!

I haven't had a whole bunch of experience in dealing with famous people,
just a little...
but never have I become so in awe of someone.
Haha.

I've met Mackenzie Astin at Longs.
He was a super nice guy!
I think it was when Sean Astin was filming "50 First Dates" because
he mentioned his brother was filming something on Kauai at the time.
Very handsome, with the clearest blue eyes...
yet, if name on credit card/mental a-ha! had not occurred,
I would never have known he was a famous person.
And man, was I a "Facts of Life" fan when that show was in its' hey-day.

I've seen Owen Wilson a couple of times at Borders.
And at clubs in the 90's I saw Bobby Brown, Prince and Eddie Murphy.

And I did help Adam Arkin at Borders, who is the nicest, most ordinary guy in all the world
Rene goes nuts, she loves him so much from "Northern Exposure".

With all the book and cd signings we've had since I've been at Borders,
this is the very first time I've stood in that line for something to be signed.

I'm standing in line, and Rene makes that post-it with my name on it.
Then I think I'm 3rd or 4th in line...I was maybe hungry (lack of blood sugar, maybe?)
but I was very nervous and jittery all of a sudden.
When I get to be next, Kris takes me up to her and introduces me
as one of her supervisors, her "magic supervisor", which was cool on her part.
Then Maureen starts talking to me and I can't say a thing.
Tongue-tied and starstruck, in true lame-o fashion!
I told her I timed finishing work with the signing, which was at least one thing
I could manage to croak out.
She was so nice and down-to-earth.
I loved watching her on "Celebrity Fit Club", she was my favorite person on there.
I feel like she held the whole group together.
The voice of reason.
And a classy lady, totally.

I am almost halfway through the book and boy, is it compelling!
It's so funny because I know all the episodes she talks about when talking about the show.
I've watched that show so much over the years.
And I was in love with Peter for the longest time.
Even though I knew I was watching repeats and the real Peter was quite a bit older than me.
What struck me as so cute in this book is that the real person behind Marcia Brady
was a lot less like Marcia and a lot more like how I was.
Boy crazy and insecure and going through a lot of things she didn't know how to deal with.
I mean, someone you think would have an easy, perfect life having the same sorts of problems.
Wow.
I guess that's what they mean when they say things are tough all over.

I miss Jeff!
I sent him an email for his birthday, and in writing it I got a bit choked up.
(WOW, big surprise!)
I needed to thank him for being such a rare individual, I mean he is the only person
who has ever affected me the way he does.
It's hard to explain and I think I maybe should wait till I'm not as tipsy.
Plus I'm reading a tell-all biography and that may be influencing me to say too much.
Haha.
So some other time.

The way I feel is no big secret though.
I think he is amazing, inside and out.
He can be blunt and he can say things you don't want to hear.
He will never sugarcoat anything.
He is strong and full of integrity in all the ways that matter.
I love his smile and I love his great mind.
Each and everyday is a new adventure.
All our yesterdays and tomorrows cease to matter.
Because when I am holding him, time stands still.
And in that moment together, I feel bliss like I never thought possible.
Like Jody Watley says...love and romance...I never knew it could feel like this.
Yeah, he's some kind of lover, alright.

Wow.

I don't really have much to write about,
not much at all on my mind or anything like that.
I do miss Jeff.
I know time apart is good for us, but I still crave his hugs.

I dusted off my keyboard and have been fooling around with some songs.
I play and play and I realize how much I suck at the piano.
But I tried playing "Open Arms" and I remembered!
And I remember I spent so much time trying to learn that.
So even though I feel like all the time I spend on trying to read and play music
is nothing but a waste, like solving a hard crossword puzzle...
I guess it IS true that practice makes perfect.

I'm looking forward to watching Late Night With Jimmy Fallon" tonight.
And I am watching "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" right now.
I never knew it till now, but Rusty on this show is David from "Rosanne".
Leonard from Jeff's fave show, "Big Bang Theory".
My favorite part is the big knot of Christmas lights.
I still crack up thinking about it.

I am listening to classical music on iTunes radio.
Totally awesome.
I downloaded the surprised kitten video and put it on my iPod.
I bought Jeff's bday present, part of it.
Went to the mall for the first time in ages!

I bought myself a good pillow that is sooo awesome.
I got a lot of things done at work today.
I wish I'd bought the new Murakami book I have on hold at work
because I feel like reading some of it now.
I am hooked!

I have all my Buddist/meditation/spiritual/metaphysical books
on the shelf right in front of me.
So I will probably read some OSHO tonight.
Well, if I need to read anything.
I'm pretty tired and I may just pass right out, hugging my pillow like it was Jeff.
I know I may sound very pathetic and hopeless, but it's not as bad as that.
I know I need the extra time and energy at work, just push things out for the holidays.
And I have the time to plan something special for Jeff's bday.
Thinking what I can cook for a good dinner.
We shall see.

I'm gonna play a little piano until Jimmy Fallon comes on.