The trip home was long but God Bless America. I love to travel and travel easily but am always glad to return to Anerican soil. Many things I loved about Turkey, their leather goods, their wine, eggplant at every meal, their coffee, but the undercurrent anti-American sentiment was enough to make me ready to leave. We made some history there as I was inducted into the International Political Comsultants as their first female Vice President and for that I was proud. The best part about Thanksgivimg is my family loved me enough to treat me out and that was a real treat …thanks.

Its the day my beloved Hayden crossed over to the other side. Hard to believe its been six years, boy oh boy. I do miss him. Decided to spend the day wandering through Turkey and reflecting on life and love and where I am headed. I did at least make history while here being Inducted as the first female Vice President of this austere. Ody of International Political Consultants. My work here is not yet done. I miss you sweet boy. Love, Mom

Ran across a quote today which is attributed to Louis Pasteur but clearly can be claimed by me: Let me tell you the secret that has led me to my goal. My strength lies in my tenacity. Yep, that’s the Nancy Todd theory.

Turkey is an interesting place but then interesting has to factor in all their dishes are loaded with sugar, the chanting the 90 percent Muslim population does loudly five times a day, their music is a little “tinny” to the ears but their wine could give the French a run for their money. The buffet at breakfast is one of the most amazing I’ve ever seen and I’ve seen some incredible ones. This is the first time I’ve ever seen an entire honeycomb mounted for people to take a portion for their plates, a healthy alternative for sure and a guy squeezing fresh apples, cherries, mangos, pineapples and oranges for breakfast juices. Amazing.

Both children have school projects about famous explorers due the day I return from Turkey so I’ve been after them to get them done before I get on the plane Sunday. School was out Thursday and Friday so we went to work. Sierra had to build a replica of a sled and Lincoln a ship. While I was working with Sis I noticed Lincoln had all of his men down below” on his ship. “Lincoln, don’t you think the leader of this expedition would be on deck leading?” I ask. “yeah, but I don’t want to put a bunch of glue all over my men and ruin them.” “don’t worry”, I say “we can tape him down on top.” We must have used a pound of tape to get that guy on top of his boat made out of two UPS boxes he had cleverly put together. When we stood back to admire our work I noticed Lincoln looked deep in thought. “What’s up bud?” I ask. “Well I was just thinking if this guy was leading this expedition from Spain, don’t you think he would be on the FRONT of the boat?” Well, you can tell I’m not a yachtsman, that’s all I can say.

> So kids get off the bus and I’m waiting right through the gates. Lincoln “MOM, there were these fifth graders on the bus and I finally just had to move away from them, blah, blah, Mr. So… Teacher at school they were going to cut his guts out and make him eat them, more and more, finally takes a breath, and they used some really bad words.” “that’s not good Lincoln” “well they didn’t use the S word, they used the F word”. That’s really bad Lincoln I say. ” well it wasn’t the F-i one it was the F-e one”. Highlight of my day …