Happy Belated Birthday Pammy!

Yesterday was my cousin Pammy's birthday. I didn't get a chance to log in last night to post her a message so I'm doing it now! I hope you milestone birthday was great!

Ernesto

Well, we made it through Ernesto! There were what they call rain squals, but other than that it wasn't too bad until around 6 p.m. Then the downpour began and did not want to stop!

Last night we went to a Pirate Adventure dinner theatre. It was great, but of course we got caught in the downpour! Everyone but Elijah was pretty soggy. It was a great show and the food was good. Elijah was too shy to participate on stage, but he did participate from his seat!

Don't know what the day holds for today, but it is sunny again! We did make it to Islands of Adventure the other day and there is a new ride at Seuss Landing. It's a train ride in the sky. We rode it twice and it takes you around Seuss Landing and you can see other parks within the park. Once again it is HOT here! When we left on Tuesday at around 4 p.m. it was 99 degrees!

Another Smokin Day

We're down in Florida and it is HOT! Sunday wasn't bad, there was a couple of quick sprinkles and cooled things off a bit. Yesterday it was sunny and hot! At one point the car thermometer said it was 104 degrees.

So far we've been to Universal Studios and Disney MGM. Today sounds like it's Island of Adventure, but that can change.

Cross your fingers that we don't get evacuated for the hurricane!

Now that's a fire

I forgot to mention that earlier this week we had a fire in our front yard! Robbie was acting funny and naturally you assume he just wants to outside time. Well, when the door to outside was opened, it smelled like burning wood. After a good search of the house - basement and furnace included, we couldn't find anything. While I was upstairs looking out the windows for something, I hear "come quick!" Next thing I know there's a small blaze in our front yard and it is close to the bush . . . yikes! I extinguished it with a bucket of water (and another to be safe). Note to self -- keep mulch off of outdoor lighting!

The New Belt

Today was testing day at karate. Elijah did well and earned his white with yellow stripe belt! He was so proud! They gave him a certificate as well! He stayed focused and worked hard. I'm so proud of him!

I'm writing this from Orlando. We made it down after a brief flight delay -- 30 minutes at the gate and then another 15 in the plane. When we landed we had to wait another 10 because there was lightening and they could not let us off the plane for safety reasons. Then our bags were delayed as well. Overall I think it set us back 1 1/2 hours, but we're here! Hopefully tomorrow will be a smoother day!

Have a good weekend!

Happy Birthday Janinne!

Happy Birthday to my sister-in-law Janinne! I hope your day was great and I'm glad you liked your cards!

The Green Stripe

Elijah earned his green stripe in Karate. Next Saturday he gets to test for a belt -- white with yellow stripe! It should be interesting. After that we get ready to leave for Florida.

Not much else is going on. Have a great weekend!

11 Days and Counting

I don't think I mentioned this earlier, but I stumbled across a sweet deal to go back to Florida. 11 days and counting! I had a week of time share left from 2003 and it was about to expire. The crazy thing was I could only confirm it 2 months in advance, so it's no surprise that I'm down to the wire and book it at the last minute. On a good note, I will be on break from school for 5 of the days, so I'm really excited about that.

On another note, I passed the pre-requisite for Finance. It was pass/fail, so my effort wasn't high, but it's nice to know I passed. We will see how the "real" class goes now! In less and 14 months I will be done! That is very exciting!

Enjoy the rest of your week!

Cincinnati

Yesterday I drove down to Cincinnati for a business/pleasure trip. It was to visit the Kingsgate Conference Center, and see the area. Since it was a Friday, I brought Elijah, along with Grandma & Grandpa H.

We started with a great lunch buffet. From there, we (others from my office and myself), split off from out guests and did a tour of the University of Cincinnati Rec Center and Student Union -- which BTW has a movie theatre and a bar in it -- I think I got ripped off in my undergraduate education! While we were on the tour, the fire alarm went off, so we got to see Cincinnati's finest come in and save the day (well, they would have it it wasn't a false alarm)! After that excitement, we headed off to a great place called Newport on the Levee. Great place to shop, eat and have a great time. It's on the Kentucky side, but has a great view of downtown Cincinnati.

On Saturday we wrapped up with business and were off to enjoy the rest of the weekend on our own. Thanks to the great team at Kingsgate, (and it looks like our friends at the SpringHill Suites as well), we received free tickets to the Beach Waterpark. What a great day! Elijah had a blast -- actually we all did!

We are about to go down and have dinner . . . enjoy the rest of your weekend!

My big boy

Elijah had his first sleepover last night. He stayed at Aunt Laurie's and hung out with Madison. This was his first night away from home without me. Needless to say I think he slept better than I did! He didn't come home until after 4 p.m. today! He said he had fun and I think Maddie had fun too!

Happy Birthday Terry!

Happy birthday to my step father Terry! I didn't get to see him today to wish him a happy birthday in person, but I hope his day was great!

I'd also like to wish a few others a happy b-day: Michelle, Lindsey, and Jen! They all had birthdays on the 9th!

When it rains

It Pours!

Well, my mom had surgery on Friday. She's doing very well by the way. Yesterday my dad calls and says he isn't coming over because he doesn't feel well. Next thing I know, he's off to the hospital. He has a major ear infection which was causing him other problems. I bailed him out today and he has to follow up with a specialist.

Some of you may remember, when my mom had her breast cancer surgery almost two years ago, my dad collapsed about two days after and ended up with a pacemaker!

Too much drama!

Homecoming Weekend

For those of you who are/were Dearbornites, it's homecoming weekend! I don't know if I'll make it, but we'll see!

I got my grade today and it was right! I also got my weekly grades for finance. I had to do a financial analysis on Exxon Mobil and my professor wrote: "This assignment was excellent." That made me feel really good considering I've never taken a finance class before!

Gotta run . . . my mom had shoulder surgery today and needs my assistance. Have a great weekend!

Happy Birthday Josh!

Happy 17th Birthday to Kevin's son Josh! I hope your day was great!

How hot is it?

Well, it's so hot here that yesterday my rearview mirror fell off! I had to go to Murray's to get the stuff to put it back on! That's hot!

Problem Solved . . . maybe!

I got my Econ professor to update the gradebook. Let's hope it was before he submitted grades, or else I'll still have to get the university involved!

Other than that, it is HOT here! Elijah and I went to karate this morning and I felt like we walked into a sauna!

On a last note, happy birthday to my second cousin Kenny. He is actually over in Europe now and has been there for almost two months! I hope your day was great -- wherever you are!

Frustration

Well, I'm glad Econ is over. The professor "jacked" my grade and has mysteriously overlook 52 points that I am due! Needless to say, I may have to get the university involved to get it straightened out.

Now it's time for finance. I just started a three week pre-requisite (pass/fail), then it is eight weeks of the "real" finance. Here's the one thing I don't get about this program. All the classes are three credit hours except for 3: accounting, finance, and statistics. They are four credit hour classes and are eight weeks long (instead of six). Now for accounting and finance, there are pre-reqs lasting three weeks. Why would you have someone take a total of 11 weeks of a class? Some of these six week classes should be eight weeks. I don't get it. So basically, I'll be doing finance until October!

Nothing else is going on, except I've got sinus/allergy problems. Have a great weekend!

Happy Birthday Kevin!

Happy Birthday to my oldest and dearest friend Kevin! It has been a tough year for him, so please keep him in your prayers. Cheers to a new year for you . . . I hope it brings you everything you have ever wished for!

The Red Stripe

Elijah earned another stripe tonight at karate! One more and he gets to test for a belt! The instructor was doing a demonstration and had Elijah do the move with him, Elijah was grinning from ear to ear! I get such a kick out of watching him in class!

Where does the time go?

This is the last weekend of economics. Boo-hoo. I can't believe how fast these last six weeks have gone by. Tuesday starts a finance pre-req -- three weeks long. Then eight weeks of finance. Should be interesting. As far as econ goes, our team project has been on the company 3M. Since it happens to be a huge company, we based our study on the health care division. Needless to say, I have learned more about health care products than I ever imagined.

Other than that, my weekend is filled with karate, a birthday party and a bridal shower . . . while finishing my final project and completing my final exam. Wish me luck!

Have a nice weekend!