As I padded over the spongy green patches, memories of camp-fires and mosquito repellant filled my head.  There is something about the Hardwoods in summer.  Sunshine filtering through the trees with the smell of damp ground and the sounds of breaking twigs beneath your feet….aaahhhhh Michigan,  It is always so very comforting in some ways to go back.  In other ways, such a relief to come back home, where a better life began and the other ended.

This was my fourth year in row of going to Michigan over the 4^th of July.  It has come to be a tradition.  A tradition that I welcome every year yet one that once planned haunts me until it comes.  It’s hard to explain really. Somewhat bitter sweet as they say.  This year’s trip was planned because my dad’s condition from Parkinson’s disease is worsening.  I really wanted to be able to see him before he is unable to communicate.  And let me tell you, although his communication is somewhat different than it has been over the years, he is still very able to get his point across.  It comes across loud and clear through those crystal blue eyes of his.  No words necessary.    He is definitely still in there, laying in the weeds but just a bit slower to respond.

The Upper Peninsula is so far from here, so far in distance of course but also so far from what my life is today, yet every time I come back from there I miss it terribly. I feel like I know everyone there, I don’t of course, but it’s so familiar.  It’s such a great trip for me each year.  Lilly accompanied me this year, just the two of us on a little girl’s trip.  I really love to show the kids a bit of the things that I grew up with.  Things they can’t experience here in Naples.  For example, canoeing in a river without worrying about getting eaten by an alligator or just cool water running over a sandy river bed, you just can’t do that in South Florida.  Canoeing yes, but there are many other stressors to think about like alligators and Water Moccasins.  This trip, I introduced Lilly to wild Wintergreen growing on the forest floor.  I knelt down, picked the red berries from the waxy green plant and popped them in my mouth.  Lilly looked on like I was going to immediately die from poisoning.  “Try it Lilly.”  I said.  She wasn’t convinced.  She wouldn’t even touch it.  “I like the wild strawberries better Mom.”   

Our canoe trip was the highlight of our visit. You couldn’t ask for better weather. It took Lilly quite some time to finally take the “leap” and fly into the river on the tire swing. We counted to three…..then we counted again…and again… Well then we just moved to the next person. Our friend Cole did a great job at not only coaxing her to finally jump but also supporting her decision when she didn’t. Jenna was the champion, no fear there. Eventually Andrew succumbed to the peer pressure and finally on the next stop at the next tire swing Lilly had success. The next swing was a bit shorter, less daunting I guess. Eventually… “One,,..Two…Three…she held on, took a slight hop, and lifted her legs…over the river she glided. “Let Go!!, we all screamed. In she splashed, not so gracefully but successfully!! Up from the river water she sputtered with a big proud smile. The applause ensued. “Woo Hoo, good job Lilly!, we all exclaimed.

The 4^th of July was a bit different than the years passed.  Normally, I would see so many people from my past.  But this year….not really.  I did run into my aunt and uncle who I have not seen in quite some time and I actually caught a glimpse of an ex-boyfriend from high school in the parade.   Speaking of the parade  The parade was so hot.  All I could think of was “why am I here, Lilly really doesn’t care about the candy or the parade, I feel sweat trickling down my back, where can I sit, where can I sit out of the sun, I am thirsty, I am hungry, gosh its hot, when does it end??????”.   I  did run into a friend, Lynn.  But that was pretty much it.  I really needed to get back to my Dads for his little family 4^th party.  I left Lilly with my friends so she could do some more boating and tubing.  She really had a great time.  Although the water was frigid, according to our Florida standards, she was still brave enough to participate.   The Pouliots had just purchased the Jet boat the day before we got there so we really were able to take advantage of the lake while we were there.  A new Jet boat full of amateur boaters…probably not such a good idea but everyone survived the tubing.

Every day that I was there I was able to get up to my Dads.  Sometimes early, other days later in the day.  We had good visits.  There isn’t a lot of talking.  Dad isn’t much of a talker anyway but I think he gets frustrated in that it takes him quite a awhile to spit out what he has to say and then he usually has to repeat himself.  And if he is feeling any type of emotion at the time it makes it even more difficult.  So I think he just lets Patty do the talking when he can.

Dad gets mad at me a bit when I am there.  I am always speaking my mind.  If he isn’t doing something he should the therapist in me speaks out and lets him know.  Well that doesn’t go over too well.  “Dad, you are aspirating, have you done your exercises from the speech therapist?”, those ice blue eyes just about burn a hole through my face.  “No.” he states.  And continues to fry my corneas with his glare.  “Well Dad, if you want me to come visit again I will.  You don’t have to go and get pneumonia and end of on your death bed.  Do the exercises!”.  I get ….silence then…”O.K.”  That’s what I call meaningful conversation.

Not sure I can do it....without music

I have been putting it off and putting it off.  When technology doesn't work for me I am a huge procrastinator.  Mostly because I have taught myself practically everything the hard way.  You know, screwing up and being forced to fix it myself.  It took me weeks a few years back to figure out how to get music on my blog.  Weeks!  I was so happy when I conquered.  Now here we are....no music.  I have been avoiding this blog like the plague because I didn't want to sit here for hours trying to figure it out.  Well, it seems that Play List just isn't available anymore so...not sure if I'll ever have music again.  Its too bad because the music is the best part!



So Gee since my last post... a lot has been going on.  The biggest thing was the Keys.  As usual it was very successful!  I have so many pics.  I haven't even gone through them yet.  I took like 450 pictures.  Kids are the best for the camera.  Most are happy to strike a pose.  I have learned that my Jack will strike a pose, any pose except the pose I'm looking for.  Which actually makes for the best pics.

Some of us rented a boat and went tubing and others went fishing.  We had a blast as evidenced by these smiling faces!  Except Dillon, he looks a bit troubled now that I look closely.

The first night the boys had a little football scrimmage in the sunset.  So cute.  I'm sure they all knew the rules, or which way they were supposed to be running but eventually...Mark figured it out! :)

We spent lots of time in the pool.  So much time in the sun! 
The kids never tire of the swimming.  Either the beach or the pool, beach or pool....

We played a lot of volleyball also, unfortunately I don't have any pics of that because I am the photographer and I was playing. 

 While we were out on the boat we pulled up to a little island and went looking for treasures.  I found these horseshoe crabs.  It looks like one big crab but its actually two!  They were attached!  I tried to get them apart but couldn't.  I don't think they were too happy with me.  We also found a few hermit crabs and quite a few interesting fish.

The kids have become quite good at the little paddle boats.  Especially Jack.  He is a pro for sure!

On our way off the island we stopped on the side of the road in the lower keys and relaxed in the water, found more treasures, and got our last taste of the keys before coming home.

Can't wait till next year.

Summer is Coming!!

Summer time, Summer time sum sum summertim!  Summer is coming!  Everyone loves summer,...picnics, sleeping in, summer camp, staying up late, vacation...Its exhausting but we love it!  The kids can't wait till school is out!  But tell me how wierd it is...the last three days of school are 1/2 days??? Hello,..why go to school?  Do you think they are going to learn anything?  I am going to think of it as a kind of weining.  The kids being weined from school and the parents being weined from schedules and solace.  This is not something I welcome... I am a little nervous for the end of school.  I'm half out of my mind with the kids as it is, now what??  A 6 y/o little boy needs running, jumping, swimming, screaming, laughing, yelling, COMPLAINING, playing, gaming, running, jumping...oh I said that already.  I'm exhausted just typing it!  God love him, the little genius but good lord mama needs some rest and a drink!

We don't have real big plans this year for summer vacation.  We were going to go to Italy in July.  Decided Jack was too young and started planning that trip for next year.  Well after much consideration and anxiety attacks I convinced Brett to make the trip next year...just the two of us.  Much better plan.  Our first trip abroad I want to remember for the awesome time we had, not how miserable we all were because .........  God love him and so do I but he is just high maintenance and I long for the day when that ends.  Sooo....this year.  Mac has a volleyball tournament in Ohio.  A national tournament because she and her team is fantastic.  So we are doing that then Lilly and I will be going to the UP to see Grandpa Perry for a few days.  Thats about it!  We have to save for that Italy trip anyway.

We are leaving Thursday for our annual Memorial day weekend trip to Duck key.  Thats always a good trip.  I barely need to bring clothes for that trip.  Bikini all day,..I'm good.  The Keys are the greatest.  Sand Volleyball, pools, beaches, Pina Coladas, Margharitas and fresh fish. (Insert Jimmy Buffet tune).  I do tend to gain a few pounds but its worth it.  Rest and relaxation.  Thankfully my kids are like little fish so no water worries.    Just lots of sunscreen needed!  We love this trip.   

Girls Trip 2012

OK .  6^th Annual Girls Trip was a success!  No real drama.  I have to say South Beach…tres expensive!  I think more than New York actually.  We stayed at The Palms Hotel and Spa.  Its about 1 mile North of downtown South Beach.  Pretty nice place,…not the Ritz but good.  I can’t believe the price of a drink in South Beach.  We stopped one night at the “W” for a drink after dinner….get this…… Southern Comfort on the rocks,( you know the cheap, sweet stuff) $25!!! How do they get away with it??  The possibility of spotting a celebrity maybe, just one glimpse of George Clooney sipping a Martini would make it worth the money spent.  Well obviously if that would have happened I would have started the post with the announcement.  Suffice to say we only stayed for one. 

 And needless to say, quite happy I smuggled a couple bottles of wine in my suitcase! 

But back to the good stuff…10 of us girls.  Beachin it, going to the spa, shopping, napping, eating, drinking, laughing….oh a lot of laughing.  You see I have this wax story.  I really didn’t know it was that funny.  But telling a story to Nancy always makes it more funny.  And I have found that the more you reveal, the truth,…it’s flippin hilarious.  As I type, I’m smiling.   You see, I told this story three times  And…more was revealed each time.  All truth.  I can’t type the story because there is a good chance someone would read it that I really don’t want to hear it.  But feel free to ask me.  My first waxing experience is ingrained on my brain, surly not to be forgotten.

OK so back to the trip.  First night we had sushi at Nobu, fantastic.  Second Night, Prime 112 Steakhouse.  Awesome!  Honestly the best green salad I have ever had.  I am not sure why, but the salad did include these sweet chunks of bacon with just the right amount of salty to them.  Mouth-watering good. 

The highlight of my spa experience was the steam room.  Honestly the best steam room I have ever been in.  Face melting steam.  The best around.  The spa itself..eehhh not so great but the steam room was fantastic.  Our “spa whores” of the group, this trip was no different…..we did not see much of them.  They even went out looking for an additional spa and got treatments there!

We are already planning another trip.  One weekend a year just isn't enough time.  We are talking about a ski trip.........

Back Again..

I'm back.  I had my "last blog", which spanned about two years time, printed out into a book recently.  It was received so well by the family that I just had to continue blogging.  I do keep a paper diary for the kids for funny, special, remarkable or terrific things that happen but not a TRUE diary.  The blog,...well its something that is in the middle I guess.  If I wrote what I really feel....well the family probably wouldn't be able to read it.  Hell, no one would be able to read it probably.  I'd probably get burned at the stake!

So, a lot has been going on lately.  Today like in about 30 minutes, is Lilly's first slumber party.  She is turning 9.  Just a bit of History...I planned a girls trip months ago.  I planned it, I picked dates..no problem there.  Made the reservations, cheered it up with the girls, made the down-payment.....wrote it on...the...calendar....shit!  I'll be gone for Lillys Birthday!!  So anyway...having the slumber a week early.  No problem!  So here we are, surrounded by Hello Kitty..What cat looks like that by the way......I am just hoping there are no "cat" fights here!!  You know how chicks can be...regardless if they are big ones or little ones.  Pray for peace!

On another note, my girlfriends Grandmother died a few days ago.  Heidi is so very sad.  I know exactly how she feels.  I am not sure she knows that or thinks that but I truly do.  Losing a Grandparent is not always that traumatic.  But when your favorite Grandparent dies, the one that has been there for you since birth, the one that you could go to at all times, that supported you but told you like it is at the same time...losing that person is hard.  Brought back some memories for me.  I wish Grandma Alta had met my husband...boy she would have given him a run for his money.  And my kids...my poor kids.  Grandma Alta was so good and special to me and my sisters.  That relationship...is so special.  My kids won't know that relationship.  That is truly what makes me sad.  I know Heidi had that same special relationship with her Grandmother.

OK.  On a good happy note.  I leave for my girls trip in 4 !/2 Days!!!!  I am so excited.  I have not really thought about it much in the last few days because I was getting ready for Lillys party.  But now that is all I will be focused on......Going to South Beach!!