Great News! Especially after enjoying Sonic two times while in Kansas City - we come back to find that they are putting one on Miller Road in Flint - just 25 short miles from my house. This is excellent because I am a huge fan of the Sonic Cherry Limeaide. Michigan did get it's first Sonic not too long ago - however it was in Southgate which meant it wasn't too convenient - well now it will be more convenient. Ok - back to laundry.

My Boys Win Silver!!!

I must admit that I am beaming!!! I am so proud of Josiah & Matt. This is the first time Michigan has competed in this competition and we come home with a medal! When we came out here I said to them, what was most important to me was that they produced something they were proud of - after the competition they both said they were pleased with the final result. So the fact that they got on stage is just gravy. Well I am exhausted and looking forward to a little sleep on the Chicago flight!

My audio team takes the silver!

This is Josiah & Matt. They two of my former students (yes they both successfully graduated.) They are also the Audio Production Contestants from Michigan competing in the SkillsUSA National contest. This picture was take right after our contest meeting - with both of them looking dapper in their contest attire.

Here is a shot of Bartle Hall (the convention center in KC.)

Well I will keep this short because I am blogging for the school - so I have already wrote about our day in Kansas City. (You can read more here.) But I do feel that I need to explain this photo. Bruce and I were hurriedly packing this morning - trying to get out the door to make our seperate flights from Flint and Metro respectively. I left the house and turned onto the main road and noticed something was not right. Well I was correct - I got out of my car to see that I had a very very flat tire. I drove slowly and carefully back home - had Bruce put on the spare and drove much slower to work than normal.

The good thing is that was the most eventful part of my trip - so far. I am very excited to be back in Kansas City. My students are excited too. More to come.

A New Love Affair

Well this affair has been "brewing" for about a year. It started in Europe with my friend Robert - his love for it spilled over to me. Once I got back from Europe - I too fell in love. It has been hard for Bruce - but I think in the end he has accepted the love affair. I am in love with Tim - Tim Hortons. Yes the Canadian Coffee joint has one me over and at $1.40 for a cup of medium coffee - it has become an addiction.
Now I was huge Starbucks girl - but we didn't get our Starbucks here until earlier this year. But in the end it seems like the time I spent alone with Tim has rubbed off, because being that they are located right across the street from each other. I have a chance to choose and these days it's always Tim. What does this say about me? I think maybe it's because I am always going somewhere and Tim is quick and cheap. If I was in the "hang out" mode - I would prefer Starbucks - however they need free wi-fi. Maybe that is what they need to draw me back - free wifi.

Kansas City Here We Come!!!

So I am doing laundry tonight - what can I say I am out of control on Friday nights - none-the-less it's a chore that needs to be done. Bruce and I leave on Monday to head for the city of Fountains aka Kansas City, Missouri. Now we leave at different times from different airports because we are going with our SkillsUSA clubs from each of our schools. However the good news, we are saving our schools money by sharing a room - which as a married couple will be nice.

I am excited as always to head back to KC. Mainly because well I love to eat and Kansas City has great food. Plus it is fun for me to relive my days in KC. Places I will have to hit: Saigon 39 - it's an awesome Vietnamese Restaurant on 39th st, that has killer spring rolls with peanut sauce yum. Then there is Gate's BBQ - they literally yell - "Hi, may I help you" the minute you walk in the door - which you immediately yell back (if you are me) "ham on bun on bread side of bb" - as long as you do that you will be happy. I am also a sucker for the Cheesecake Factory - I know what you are thinking that's a chain, yes but a chain that they do not have in Michigan. Another chain we will hit is Sonic!! Now there is one in Michigan now, but it just arrived in Southgate and I hear there is always a wait and Southgate is a long way to drive from Attica (as I think of it Kansas City maybe closer) - at Sonic in KC I am sure there will be no wait. There is also Murray's Ice Cream and Cookies in Westport that make the best homemade ice cream. Yum. If I have a chance this year I will hit the Grand Cafe' for lunch (while the kids are competing) it's a little price but they have Bree Fondue as an appetizer and it is freaking delicious. So those are my favorites and that means regardless if anyone else wants to go - we will go. Why? Well I have this edge - called I know where I am going and everyone follows me.

In other news, our house sitter came over tonight to learn the ropes - she is going to house sit for us while we are in Europe. She is a great girl - one of Bruce's former students, but I had to give her the smoking lecture. One moment as I stand on soapbox - I can't believe all the kids starting to smoke. I have tons of my students who do it too. I mean really I know this makes me sound old - I can't believe all the kids smoking these days - but really what is the attraction. There are volumes of research about it's negative effects, it is super addictive, it is super expensive, it can lead to things like yellow teeth and wrinkles and you smell bad, but they do it and don't care. I know at that age you think you are invincible, but I just don't get why they start in the first place. I give them the lecture and I am sure it doesn't help but I just want to shake them and say - STOP IT!!!! Ok, I am back off the soapbox.

Wow High School is Cool?

That is what both Sophie and Max said yesterday when visiting Bruce's school. My mom, sister and the kids headed to Lapeer county for a visit yesterday. It was Bruce's last day of school, I took a personal day. So I thought it might be fun to visit Bruce. I didn't tell them why - which lead to my mom constantly asking is this a good idea to take these two to a computer lab. But when they got there - it was cute because they both were very excited to see Uncle Bruce. And then we headed back to the Ag Science room - where Mrs. Ball gladly let us go back into the barn and help her feed the animals. The kids got to see goats, sheep, pigs and a cow - you knwo ever exciting stuff for these city slickers from Chicago. It was cute because they were feeding the sheep from there hands and kept saying things like - "look mom, we're farmers." "Farming is fun." And there was more, but Bruce and I can't remember them all.

Then we headed to the Lapeer Recreation Center which has a very pool - especially if you are 3 or 4 years old. The pool has a small water slide, big water slide and a whirlpool (not one that is warm, but one that has a circular current (and after some coaxing to get the kids in it, they really liked it.) There are some other splash toys, but in the big hit was the water slide. It was cute because they didn't want to go on it, until Aunt Jennie and Grandma showed them how it was done and then suddenly it was the coolest thing ever. We went on it over and over and over again. Then there was turmoil because everyone wanted to go with Aunt Jennie (what can I say, I'm a hot commodity.) Sophie said to Krista when she asked her why she didn't want to go with her, "Mom you are only my favorite in Chicago." However trust me a little more time with Aunt Jennie and mom returns to being number one.

Then we came home and played Rock Band on the Playstation. We didn't do very well - our high score was making it 25% the way through one song. Hey what can I say we like to march to the beat of a different drum and guitar. Then we played Sonic the Hedgehog. The most impressive thing is when Sonic goes up to these people in the game and you have to read what they are saying and my super smart 4 year-old niece was reading it faster than most of us. She is one smart cookie (good genes.) I looked to Bruce and said it will be disappointing when we have kids and they are not nearly this smart.

Then we headed out to the Chilly Cow in Attica for Ice Cream. Max and Sophie got chocolate ice cream with sprinkles, however half way through Max decided that sharing with me was more fun because our ice creams "taste better together." After the ice cream they headed back to Manchester to check in on Grandpa, because I am sure he missed all their energy. I am also pretty sure that Sophie and Max probably had a nap on the way home. Overall, we had a great time. I always love having them over to hang out with me.

I'm in Love -- with my Nike+

Screen Porch Loungin'

For those of you who are G. Love Fans, I am sure you see the reference. Tonight I am on the screened in porch enjoying a little out doors, but not too much hence the screen, with the cats and dog. After a couple days of big storms with lots of rains the temperature is a lovely 65 with a breeze and no humidity.

Today, was the last day I had students reporting for the 2007-2008 school year. I still work until the end of June, but I will bide my time with working on my curriculum for next year. You know inventing new things to ruin my students lives, most adults would call it work/projects/tools to help them learn. But remember here I teach high schoolers who tend to have an eye for the dramatic.

When I got home today, Bruce and I headed to the park for a run. We have been pretty good keeping on track for our marathon training. Since May 5 - I have run 62 miles. I am sure all of you avid runners know that isn't a huge accomplishment, but for me it is. So far, I am injury free and feeling good. However, I am knocking on wood, because we all know that I don't have the best injury free record.

Breaking News from Almont: Water Tower Terror (Bruce's Title)
And to answer your question, yes I was in the car when I did this awesome video.

Crazy Winds & A Wild Storm...

They predicted wild weather today and it turns out they were right for once. I was rushing down to Partridge Creek in Utica to return some things after the world's longest graduation ceremony. Bruce's class video taped a graduation for a small school today and despite the fact there were only 60 some graduates it took 2 hours. Wow! So at 4:30 pm I knew that if I got down there I would have 45 minutes to run my errands. Well right before I got there the ran came and so did the wind. It was blowing so hard that it literally lifted Amber (my car) off the ground. I parked and ran into Nordstorm, well tried to run inside. The wind was blowing so hard, I could not pull the doors open. The tornado sirens were blaring. I had to put one leg on the other door (yes I was in a skirt, but drastic times call for drastic measures) and pull the door open. Now why the two women that were just sitting on the chairs at the doors watching me struggle did not rise to help me, I don't know. But note to anyone sitting at Nordstrom's watching a panicked woman in a rain storm, help her. When I finally mustered up the strength to get inside, I had apparently attracted the attention of all the sales people (who also just watched me.) They came over to see if I was ok, which was nice. But no one in Nordstrom's seemed to realize that there was a tornado warning outside and it was raining sideways, or the wind was so strong that trees were bending sideways - it was almost surreal.

I stayed in the store until the storm passed. However, I was probably the most freaked out shopper these sales ladies had seen in quite some time. Once the storm passed, I started my trek back up M53 to Lapeer County. As I drove you could see the storm damage get worse. When I got to the small town of Almont it was probably the worst. That's where the picture from above came from. Water was just spewing out of the water tower, which meant I had to pull over and snap a photo. Then the journalist in me had to call channel 4 and WWJ to let them know what was going on. WWJ had me on live (yes I was part of their storm team coverage, I know I am lame.) I got to tell Bill Ripota about my drive from M-59 to I-69 along M-53- practicing all those techniques I learned as a producer.

I am home safe and sound now. But needless to say, I am still pretty worked up from this whole ordeal. I am sure this isn't the worst storm I have lived through - however, it is the worst storm that I have been in and not been near home or some kind of reasonable shelter.

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I hear it's nice in Nice....

So great deals go quickly as they come on the world of online travel booking. And it turns out that the great deal to Ibiza vanished less than 24 hours after appearing into my life. And due to the face that there are seven of us in our 7:11 running club, making a decision is often difficult so we had to say No to Ibiza. But with that came a new adventure, we are now scheduled for a weekend in the French Rivera in Nice (pronouned: Neese.)

We are flying Baboo airlines. Yes that is right I said Baboo. It's a Swiss carrier that has lots of cheapish flights out of Geneva. There was a lot of debate about renting a van and making the drive. But we decided to keep the van for the next weekend.

So now I am excited about a couple days on the French Rivera - not so excited about all the topless beaches - but I am sure the boys will enjoy that. I am nearly a month out from my trip to Europe. Wow!!

I can't believe how fast this school year has gone. I have just 3 days left with my students. It is crazy. Graduations have come and gone. I miss my seniors, but I think this is something that will happen every year. They are great kids and they will do well and as much as I miss them, I am really excited about what's next for them. I am sure they all have great things ahead of them.

Ibiza????

So tonight the 7:11 club had a very important conference call - what are we going to do when we are in Europe on the weekends. We found cheap tickets to the Mediterranean Island of Ibiza. And it looks like in lieu of any other ideas/prices from the group we are headed there. However, Bruce is standing next to me voting for Newfoundland - I think that was Robert's idea. Karyn and Meghan are still pushing Italy, so we will see what they come back with tomorrow for plans. Tony is pretty much up for anything and well Joachim - well he's MIA on Skype (Lori can you provide any help in that department,) but I am sure he will be on board.

Why am I posting this now with no firm plans? Well I am looking to see if anyone knows anything about this place. It looks nice on the Internet - somewhere the 7:11 club would really fit in - but you know if you have been there or knows someone who has - that would be super helpful. As for now, I am off to bed.

Gutter Guards & Whirlybirds

Dog Bed Blues - Isn't she cute?