Back From the North

We just spent some great times up in the Charlevoix and Traverse City areas. We went to the Venetian Festival with Lou, Carole and the boys. I am not sure why they call it the Venetian Festival, it has absolutely nothing to do with Venice, but I am sure that there is a story there somewhere.

There were fireworks both Friday and Saturday night. A good parade on Saturday with the MSU marching band. Ted Lindsay was the grand marshal, and that was ok. He has lost a little shine in my opinion, ever since he was at a wine dinner and wouldn't stop talking, I mean, even when the producers were presenting their wines, the guy wouldn't hold his tongue for two seconds and listen (and maybe even learn something). Don't get me wrong, I have a lot of respect for Mr. Lindsay and what he has done in his career and for the game of hockey, he just isn't as shiny as he used to be.

Where was I, oh yea, the parade. It was the LOOOONNNNGGGGEEESSSTTTT parade in history and had more contest queens and courts than any I have ever seen, not that I am a big parade connaisseur. Then came the band, and they were awesome. The other best part were the bagpipe players - made me think of Suzie and her advice on how there are very few female players (only one in the two bands in the parade on Sat) and how they are in high demand. Charlotte still isn't going for the idea and I am not certain that I could handle the practice sessions anyway.

Saturday night there was also a parade of decorated boats. It was pretty cool to see all the lights. One boat even decorated their passengers, who were dancing. It was a great weekend, spent with Carole and some of her immediate and extended family. We really had a wonderful time.

On Monday we headed for Traverse, after having spent two afternoons on beaches in Charlevoix. In Traverse we found a place outside the city, on Lake Leelanau. This was thanks to Louis and his friend for forever, Gerry Ashburn. Gerry and his family go to these cabins (Westwindresort.net) every year. They are right on the lake, near enough to some big towns and the cabins are great. We were ecstatic.

On Tuesday we rented a pontoon boat in traverse bay and attempted to fish. We did this for 3 hours (reminded me of the famous three hour tour, but no storm) and really had a great time laughing at our inability to fish, bait, reel, or whatever. We ate in town and retreated to our cabin in the evening for another great sunset.

JJ worked on Wednesday, so the kids and I didn't move from the cabins. They swam, I read. They fished, I untangled fishing lines. They played, I read. They swam, I read. It was a good time all around and one that I think we look forward to repeating next year, if we don't go to France on the vineyard. Actually, I liked this place so much it would be fun to rent with other members of the family (in seperate cabins to avoid too much togetherness) and friends and make it a great week. I would ask for feedback, but I am not sure that anyone actually reads this, I think that I am writing more for prosperity's sake, than for information.

It looks like Tahiti at Christmas is out because it is on THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WORLD. I guess that I should have understood that sooner, but I am blond. So we have an agreement to look at the Caribean. Martinique and Guadeloupe sound good, but JJ is looking for his connection on St. Thomas. I will keep everyone posted on how it goes. Martinique sounds like the right plan to me, they speak french, it's warm and inviting, I just have to start looking for somewhere awesome to stay. Again, comments and suggestions are welcome.

big bisous to all
moi

new this week?

Not much, I was in South Carolina for three days but am back now and trying to get things done so that I can blow this office by tomorrow at noon.  We are going up north to Charlevoix for the Venetian festival.  I have never been but Louis and Carole go every year and they (ok, not Lou, but Carole was) were kind enough to get us to reserve for this years festival.  I will report when we get back on how it goes.

We were also trying to reserve something around the same area for the week because Jack has a wine tasting in Traverse on Wednesday, but ofcourse, since we started our search like ten days ago, we found a whole lot of places that were not available until August 21st.  We couldn't understand any of them at first because they were all laughing so hard at our request for dates!!!  Any one who claims that there are problems with the tourism trade in northern Michigan, has not tried to reserve anything in July. 

We are gathering information for a Christmas trip to Tahiti.  My father (of all people) expressed an interest in going and I jumped all over it.  So the five of us and my parents are planning a December trip.  Anyone with any information, please forward it to me.  Dad is appalled, ofcourse, because he was expressing interest in going someday, not necessarily planning on going this year.  How many days are we going to have left to go on vacation with my parents?  Hopefully many, but we cannot take any of them for granted, so we are planning on going now.    I am going to try and get some of my brothers to join us, but I am pretty sure that they are all petrified at the idea of actually going on vacation anywhere with me. 

Thats it for now.

Oh wonderful month of July

We really enjoyed the holiday weekend and spent most of it being lazy. I didn't even manage to get caught up on the ironing, but I did get the laundry done! We went to Dr and Jan Knysz' house for their 4th of July celebration and saw a magnificent display of fireworks over the lake, and we came home to a bonus day on Monday. It was very beneficial and also very cool.

The other bonus on Monday was a mention of Eagle Eye Imports, and two of their wines, by Christopher Cook in the Oakland Press. Much of the hard work put out in June is paying off, and this is just the kind of pay off that EEI is looking for. Jean-Jacques is happy and looking forward to the next challenge, hiring a salesperson in Chicago. I think that once he gets a structure in place in Chicago, he will really be able to look towards the next six months and start going towards his goal. Currently he is treading water so hard to keep things together and keep things looking good, that the poor guy makes me tired just looking at him.

I am on a kick right now about wanting the kids to take golf lessons. So far, no takers, although Luke is thinking about it. JJ and I are both interested in taking lessons together, but I have to get rid of this tendon thing in my thumb before I even look into finding lessons.

Charlotte has decided that she wants to learn to play tennis. I am not sure if this means that someone she is interested in (maybe just a girlfriend) plays tennis up at the club. At any rate, I am going to look into getting her lessons and a racket. It would be a good daddy/daughter (or mother/daughter if my hand heals) activity. In the meantime, I have been asking the kids to walk with me and they are looking at me like I am from outside space. It's just as well because it is really too humid for words right now. I am still managing my three times a week at Curves, so I guess that's something.

Luke asked me when I was going to quit my job and focus only on taking care of him. I told him that when he made enough money I would gladly do just that. His solution? Well he told me that he would do yard work for me, I could pay him, and he would give me his money... Ah, the logic of a five year old.

Actually I am enjoying things at work just now. I feel that I have gotten a handle on some things and since there are some organizational changes in the near past, and bound to be a few in the near future, it makes things exciting. I am going to Anderson South Carolina in a few weeks. This will be the first time I go out and see the customer facility and I am looking forward to it. I hope that it won't be gawd awful sticky and hot.

Summer is zooming by and we (JJ and I) have yet to take vacation and decide if, when and where we are going to go. I have told him that I will follow his lead, but I guess that in light of what he is going through professionally, that it isn't very fair for me to expect him to plan a family vacation for the first time ever! Oh, I really hate it when I am logical, I so prefer the thought of being spoilt, self centered and just an ego maniac...

more soon.