Well... I think I am ready to talk... tell you all what has been up with me... why I disappeared.

Remember when I told you my husband deployed to Korea?

Well he had an affair, started treating us really badly, our son and I...and we have since gotten a divorce. The divorce was final in April 2007...

Now for the reality of it all... it was the best thing that has ever happened to me. I know that seems weird... but I am happier than I have ever been...

I don't want to play the blame game... the truth is... I wouldn't change it for the world... my life has been amazing... it is hard to explain... but true.

Justin (my son) and I are having a wonderful holiday season. Our house is decorated... a beautiful tree... a Christmas quilt, and Santa's everywhere. It is so warm... a lot of red, rustic greens, and golden beige...

I have been dating... which has been a wonderful way of figuring out who I am and what I want in my own life.

Things were pretty casual... but I have since met a really nice guy... an amazing guy that I am seeing exclusively.

He is a gamer... of course (laugh) ... an Xbox fan

I have gotten most of my shopping done... just a few little stocking stuffers needed.

I am off of work for two weeks (curls up) and I need the rest... I work twelve hour shifts, so... it can drain you.

I have met so many wonderful people... and I work with a lot of great people.

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

I don't know how much I can come on here... real life calls and I am having a lot of fun just finding myself again, exploring, discovering the world... having little adventures... finding new interests.

I hope to visit again soon...

Michelle

Justin and I have added a lot to our collection since you last heard from us.

During our transition I was able to set aside a little money in anticipation of some VI releases!

Once we moved, found our own place, and got settled... I was able to get my son some real collector goodies that would make any Halo fan GASP!

Justin got...

The Limited Edition Halo 3 XBOX 360!

The Limited edition Halo 3 Legendary Pack (with Extras, Helmet etc.)

The Limited Edition Spartan (Master Chief) Wireless Controller w/ free LE MC Figurine (XBOX 360)

The Official Halo 3 Strategy Guide

Justin has added a lot of Halo related goodies to his collection (more info later). He plans on decorating his room in Star Wars/ Halo theme.

I will stop back in and update you on Justin and his ever expanding collection.

He is doing really well in school! In fact his SOLs were amazing and he makes As, Bs, and Cs... uh without trying, lol. When he makes even a small attempt, he gets A plus bonus questions. He is really smart! He likes his school a lot, uh except for homework, lol! He comments that school is so easy this year... he seems bored with it and I have to laugh when he describes it as "work" or a "job".

He has a friend who lives right down the road from us, within walking distance. Our neighbor is also my twelve year old cousin, which works out great for him. He is having a lot of fun and finding himself every step of the way. He has a lot of support and has matured beyond his years. Sometimes he says things that amaze me, he has become so wise. Our difficult year has helped him to grow and see the world in a very different way. He remains loving, positive, forgiving, honest, helpful, and fun spirited.

I am so very proud of him...

Chelle

I am alive everyone...

Justin (my son) and I have survived a series of personal tragedies and changes ...

I do not have internet service (I am at the library) and I am not sure when I will get it again.

We are doing very well and I will check in again with you some time next week.

My time is limited, I work a lot and my primary focus is my son, so... I am sorry for the disappearance but I have my reasons.

Justin and I are still gaming, we are thinking of you and we hope to work through this and return to GS.

We are very happy, so... no worries.

Much Love,

Chelle

Justin has all the movies on DVD, plus the trivial pursuit DVD board game; he has a lot of toys, books, etc.  However, his favorite thing that I bought him for Christmas was the "Star Wars Super Collector's Wish Book - Third Edition!"  It lists all the various Star Wars items ever made, the cost, value, etc.  He loves that book, hehe.  I will eventually post a few images of various Star Wars items that he has and loves.  However... I will also post some of the items that he found in his wish book that he wants the most.  Right now I am just going to post his video games...

Here are the games that Justin has:

Lego Star Wars (XBOX)

Lego Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy (XBOX)

Star Wars: Battlefront (XBOX)

Star Wars: Battlefront II (XBOX)

Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (XBOX)

Star Wars: Jedi Starfighter (XBOX)

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (XBOX)

Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords (XBOX)

Star Wars Republic Commando (XBOX)

Star Wars Rogue Leader: Rogue Squadron II (GC)

Star Wars Rogue Squadron III: Rebel Strike (GC)

Here are the games that Justin wants:

Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy (XBOX)

Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast (XBOX)

Star Wars Bounty Hunter (GC)

Star Wars: Lethal Alliance (PSP)

Star Wars: Obi-Wan (XBOX)

Star Wars Racer Revenge (PS2)

Star Wars Starfighter: Special Edition (XBOX)

Star Wars: Super Bombad Racing (PS2)

Star Wars: The Clone Wars (XBOX)

More coming soon...

Today is Justin's birthday and it has been a lot of fun.  He didn't want to go out; he wanted to get video games, lol.  I think we have been running around so much lately that a day at home, some down time, sounded really... good to him.  He got a bunch of games... Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (XBOX), Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords (XBOX), Star Wars: Jedi Starfighter (XBOX), and Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (XBOX). 

It all came to less than $50, which was cool.  Yes... even after a Star Wars Christmas he wanted more Star Wars stuff for his birthday.

Then we went to the grocery store and I let him pick out his birthday dinner.  He wanted this lovely chocolate fudge cake and Cyclone Brownie Ice cream.  For his birthday dinner he wanted shrimp, broccoli, and corn on the cob, hehe.  He also picked out a bunch of treats, junk food, to nibble on all day while he was playing his games.

He turned eleven today and it was so funny because he asked me, "Do I look different?  Does my voice sound different mommy?"  It was so cute, he feels like a man.  He stood beside me, I am 5'4 and he said, "I am almost as tall as you mommy!"  He comes to about my eye brows, he was so impressed.

He ate so much I was in shock, but he is so tall and skinny, nothing sticks.  I am so proud of him; he has such a wonderful heart and cares so much about other people.  He had a hard time picking games and food because he wanted to know what I wanted.

I also got a wonderful birthday present today, lol.  A woman at the deli was talking to us and Justin was telling her about the party, the games, and she said, "I hope you and your sister have fun!"  Sister?!  She thought I was his sister, lol.  I told her that I was his mom and she looked at me like I was crazy.  She said I must have good genetics because I look so young.  That is the second time this has happened to me in the past two months.  When I took the car to get fixed the mechanic said that when my dad got back he could bring it by the auto hobby shop anytime.  Not my dad, my husband I thought, I am a dependent wife, not a daughter, but I had to giggle and didn't want to correct him.