Rosetta Stone

Ola.

I started Portuguese lessons last night using the online Rosetta Stone package. We leave on Sunday for our "look see" visit to Sao Paulo. Let's see how much I can get done this week. This feels like school!

Hannah can't go with us. We applied for our tourist visas while she was in Europe (with her passport) so she is going to hang with my Mom next week. Sure wish she could be part of the decision-making team.

Tchau.

Weird Thursdays!

Not sure what was going through Jackson's mind last night but he decided to use Dan's beard trimmer to give himself a little haircut on all his already close coiffure. It didn't work too well and now he has a bad stripe down the middle. Sharp!

Hannah and I went to Joe Louis Arena last night for the American Idol Live show. One of the Crain advertising clients called the office at the last second and was looking for tickets. We weren't planning to use the suite but I said sure, I'll go over and open it up and order up some food for the client and his family. The dude showed up with his crew, ate our pizza, drank some beverages, used the bathroom and listened to two songs. Then they moved down to the main floor. How rude!

Ro, Jackson and Denzel are headed North to fish with Rick and the guys this weekend. What used to be a week-long "guy trip" is now a weekend with everybody's busy schedule. You should see how much stuff they have piled up to take! Unbelievable.

Lori is coming down for dinner tonight with Hannah and I. Should be fun....and a lot simpler than what the guys do!

P.S. Jackson Hair Upate: Ro took Jackson to BoRics this afternoon and they fixed him up. It's really short but at least it is all one length now.

Trapped in Plymouth

I just survived a three-day sales meeting for Automotive News. There's something to be said for the "bonding" and "networking" that can happen when everyone is locked in the same meeting room for two-and-a-half days but it sure was fabulous to get home today and not have to talk to people anymore. The crew at AN is the best and they are in many ways like family so we did have a few laughs but I like my private time.

Departing the D

I started this blog in January 2007 as our family prepared to move to China. I thought it would be a fun way to chronicle the experience and keep in touch with people after we left. We started Chinese lessons, told all of our friends and colleagues and got ready to move across the world.

Then the Chinese government changed their mind about the need for a design sculptor and we were out. It took us almost a year to recover. I shut my business, took a fantastic job and the kids settled back into life in the D.

Now, I think we really are going to be departing. We're headed to Sao Paulo, Brazil the first week of August to look at housing and schools and make the final decision. We could be gone by September.

GM had some rough announcements this week which I thought might be the end of it. But after hearing Rick Wagoner mention Brazil three times in his remarks as a growth area, I don't think that is the case at all.

We first learned about this early in June but I didn't want to jinx it by telling too many people. We told our parents and I told my boss, Keith. Other than that, we've tried to be normal as we filled out visa applications and got so, so much documentation together. Slowly, slowly, I've started telling people. We've pulled Hannah out of Liggett. I told my team at work about the possibility yesterday. A few people have looked at the house to rent it. We've sold some extra stuff on Craig's List. This may happen.

Should I start Portugese lessons??

Hannah Cloned in Europe

Hannah now has a twin. Her name is Hannah too. Both girls came off the plane in matching People to People outfits, blue Italia jackets and french braids. Big fun!

Hannah got home Wednesday night and had a great time. As the last 48 hours of gone on, more and more details of her European adventure have been revealed. She is building a slideshow of the 500 or so photos she shot. I'm grateful that she had an amazing experience that I think will stay with her for quite some time. It sure seemed like a nice mix of learning, playing, shopping and just being 14.

Hannah Comes Home on Wednesday!

She lands at 11:30 p.m. tomorrow night.

OK, I've been watching Hannah's spending online throughout the past 20 days she's been in Europe. It is really the only way I've been able to follow what she's doing and where she is as she has trekked through France, Switzerland, Austria and Italy. She's down to $36. Time to come home little girl!

Rock On Rob

This irresponsible-looking example of a brother-in-law doesn't look 40, does he? Could this guy with his psychedelic wall-coverings, garage man cave, Star Wars collectibles and Grateful Dead bootleg cassettes really be responsible for a wife and two adorable children?

Happy Birthday Rob!

Twilight Gathering A Hit

I took Thursday off (gasp!) and helped set up the Twilight Gathering auction for the Women's Caring Program. I don't know how this group of women does it but they sure have a lot of fun, while doing a lot of good. It was a totally enjoyable day and they raised about $250,000 to fund childcare for families coming off welfare. That will help 100 families have a fresh start. Pretty cool, eh?

The home in Milford where they have this event is just beautiful. Rolling hills, beautiful flowers, two big dogs and a very casual attitude. There were more than 600 women there but everyone felt comfortable. Jackson and my Mom helped out too!

The guys went up to Frankfort salmon fishing this weekend so I'm all alone. Very strange. I can't remember a summer where I've spent so much time by myself. I think Hannah's trip has something to do with it. She is in Italy now. She gets back Wednesday night just before midnight. Thank goodness.

I'm headed to a 40th birthday party tonight for Dan's brother Rob. I get the sister-in-law of the year award for going by myself. Rob is a lot of fun so I'm looking forward to it.

I just got back from a run so I better get in the shower. We sold a mission desk we don't use on Craig's List. The people are supposed to be here at 10 and I think I would scare them with my sweaty self. Man, is it hot today!

The Upper Terrace

Here are a few snaps of Ro's handiwork when the guy is on a deadline. Last week, he finished the patio. (If you remember, our deck collapsed last Fall during Sean and Amber's wedding reception.) It is now a beautiful landscaped patio at ground level. Ro calls it the "Upper Terrace." He did an amazing job with the three tons of fieldstone he had delivered.

This week, the butler's pantry! All I have done is laundry.

Home!

Jackson got back yesterday from ROTC camp. He was hungry, smelly, tired and sunburned...but he seems like he had a great time. Tucked in his hand when he got off the bus was a trophy that recognized him as the best cadet in Delta company. He is very proud of that piece of hardware!

We had a great time in East Aurora. We drove through Canada and even made a quick stop at Niagara Falls. The Roycroft Inn is beautiful. We couldn't get to the rest of the campus (artisan shops and stuff) because of the Fourth of July holiday but we made the most of it. We even took in a smalltown parade from the patio where we were having dinner. (Ro kept looking for the Animal House cake float.) That night, we went down to the ballfields in the park and they had a fireworks show. Pretty amazing display for a small town!

On Friday, we went to Graycliff which is the Frank Lloyd Wright summer home of the Martin family. It is right on the Lake and had great windows and gardens everywhere. Before we dashed yesterday morning, we went to the Darwin Martin estate in Buffalo. Both houses are undergoing a lot of renovation but you can tell they are doing a stellar job at bringing the houses back to life.

Hannah called from Austria yesterday. She is at her home stay house for the next two days. Sure seems like she is having a great time. I'll be glad when we're all together again.

What a surprise! The guys are out fishing now.

We're off to East Aurora

Our kidless state gives us the freedom to take off tomorrow for East Aurora, NY and the Roycroft Inn. We're back on Saturday. We purchased a gift certificate to the Inn during an auction last February in Asheville. A little R&R and arts and crafts nirvana will be good for the soul.