Mr. ROTC

Isn't this the scariest photo in the world for the mother of a 15-year old? Jackson is so into ROTC. He has a big drill team competition on Saturday and a baseball doubleheader. The Cass program is pretty awesome. If Jackson is slipping in a class, then we just mention it to his ROTC leaders and they put the pressure on. I do like that part of it. But oh, all this military mania makes me nervous!

The Party is On

Tomorrow night I'm chaperoning the St. Clare 7th and 8th grade dance. I've threatened Hannah that I'm going to show off my best boogie moves. What do chaperones wear?? Probably something that allows them to blend into the wood paneling so they can bust any teens that get too close, eh?

Jackson is taking part in the Military Ball next Wednesday with his ROTC group. I guess it is a big deal. He even asked Malanie to be his date. Dan is going to have to do the pickup and dropoff because I'm headed to LA for work. Too bad...it would have been fun to see him all dressed up and nervous.

This weekend is the St. Clare Auction too. Ro gave them a pot, my Mom donated a couple gorgeous quilts and I even put in an angora silk scarf that I wove. Hope we don't buy too much...we're supposed to be moving. One year we bought a terrific Mexican vacation with the Santoscoys at the Auction. It was one of the greatest vacations ever.

Last night, the auction set-up began. Man, some of those Moms have such design/decorating vision. It is a '20s theme and they have way cool centerpieces and stage decorations. I'll take some photos on Saturday and show off how they transform a dark church social hall into a party haven. Helen and I had a lot of laughs last night trying to measure everything correctly so we didn't get busted for doing something wrong.

World Headquarters

I am supposed to be writing a provocative feature story on a new Ford partnership but my mind is wandering so I'm going to write up this blog entry first. I thought you would like a tour of my world headquarters here in the D. The entire space is about 12 x 12 square and its located on the second floor of a great historic home (built in 1896) on Jefferson Avenue. It has been converted to offices and there is a wonderful ad firm downstairs. I look out the front window at the Detroit River. It's the best and I am so comfortable here.




The first photo shows my desk and the all-important coffee pot.






OK, quick look the other way and you see my conference room. Dan made me a great office table (graced by a Ro pot and one of my weavings). On the wall, I hung some old automotive ads that target women ...I like the one that says "What A Difference Our Second Car Has Made for Our Girls."

Next to the window is the radiator with the all important John Kerry singing doll (he's the president here!), a signed snap from Kermit, a photo of the kids and one of the 100+ distinguished clowns I worked with at the Thanksgiving Parade, a Happy Feet windup doll from a press kit for Great Lakes Crossing, a Christmas ornament sent from White Castle, a Ford Warriors in Pink magnet, an invitation for the Crain's House Party that I worked on, an American Idol Finale ticket and a bracelet from this year's Auto Show. I also squeeze in my XM Radio (usually tuned to Bluesville).


Before leaving this time-killing tour, you have to take a minute to admire the Pumpkin Spice paint job. My Mom and I stripped a bunch of yucky blue wallpaper and painted the room before I started the company in the Fall of 2005. (Thanks Mom!)

"The window has opened"

Ro just called. He got an email from Asia and they said that the HR team has reopened the clay modeler manager position. His name still needs to be approved by some sort of board later this month before we're official, but this is great progress. It's enough anyway for me to get through the day. :)

Back to work....

No official word yet

We're still in limbo on our Shanghai Adventure. Our hope is that we get word by the end of the month so we can plan a "look-see" visit soon, with a departure late June/mid-July. Dan and Jackson got things in motion this weekend. They rented a 10x20 storage unit and started moving some of our big boxes and the boat/trailer into it. It is amazing how we've successfully filled every nook and cranny of our house with crap. Even if we don't go, it looks like the house next door has finally been sold to the nicest young couple (Sean and Amber) so we need to clear out anyway so they can have their half of the garage. I think Mary Lou would have really liked them. They want kids and dogs and really seem like they will make the house a fun place. I knew Jackson had a serious "man crush" when Sean told him he collects skateboards and bikes.

I think all this waiting is making us all a little crazy. We're suddenly on a fitness binge. Ro bought an elliptical machine and a BowFlex and has been getting up at 5 a.m. to use them. Hannah even asked to go running with me last night. Maybe there will be a little less of us to move to China.

Hoops

Basketball season ended last week for Hannah and her friends. Hannah and her best bud, Taylor, took home the hardware at the sports banquet. Taylor was most improved and Hannah won the sportsmanship award. When Coach gave Hannah the award, he said the school would really miss Hannah next year when we moved. I expected her to be sad but not Hannah. "I can't wait to play ball in China" was her reply. How cool. The 7th Grade Falcons didn't win many games but they had lots of fun and were coached wonderfully by the oh-so patient Coach Bruce. Hannah and Taylor move on to softball season next.

Jackson is playing baseball for Cass Tech. He's going to catch. They've been conditioning all winter. Cass doesn't have a baseball diamond (the old high school has to be torn down first) so they play at Northern High School. He said they have something like 24 games. It is going to be a long Spring.

Go Green

We had a blast at the Run and Parade yesterday. This is our neighbor Lynn and her son, Nathan. Living near us is dangerous. I invited Lynn to come run with Jackson and I in the Corktown Races and before you know it, we sucked them into the Greening of Detroit party and Nathan was dressed as a tree walking in the Parade passing out green beads. Lynn and Jackson kicked butt in the 4-mile race...Jackson did it in 28 minutes and Lynn in 36. I got as far as the Greening office (still 3.5 miles!) and ran in for a beer. How embarrassing. I had to mail my time chip back today! Big fun...awesome weather. We all marched in the Parade and were joined by Hannah's pals--Rosemary, Taylor and Phoebe--and Trish and Alaina Hubbell passing out beads. Jackson rode his skateboard alongside. The Maucks and the Stanleys were waiting at the Greening Gig when we finished. We are sure lucky to have such fab friends.

Jackson is a star!

Top of the Morning! Jackson's photo from last year's St. Patrick's Day Parade is in the Free Press Twist! section today. Tomorrow is the big parade. We're going to run in the Corktown Races first and then go to the Greening of Detroit "Big Gig!"

China--On Hold

GM gave us the word today. We're officially "on hold." Now what?

Eventful Saturday

One of the reasons I started the blog was so I could learn how to post a lot of photos once we get to China (we will get there...got to think positive!). So I wanted to show off a few images from yesterday. At weaving class yesterday, two of my buddies finished major projects. Kathy finished half (!) of a 9 foot rag rug and Jenny took a boucle two-piece shawl off her loom. I am so not worthy. I'm working on a bumpy scarf.





After class, we dashed across the street for Noah's birthday party. Hard to believe he is six years old already. I love his pirate hat.



Ro and Hannah went to the Daddy Daughter Dance at St. Clare last night. Obviously, they rocked the place! Notice, you don't see Ro dancing.




Does anybody know how to put the photos next to one another? But hey, they posted! One step at a time, right?

All Night Long

Man, I am so old. I don't think I've gone 24 hours without sleep in a decade and that was when I walking sick babies around the living room all night long. I helped with a Ford press conference on Thursday morning where we debuted seven new ads. The ad side was way slow with the final edits (in California) so I didn't get my last tapes, screen grabs and mpegs until the last possible second. I worked like a wild woman from 9 p.m. Wednesday (after a full day of already working and two hours of Chinese class) all night long, did the press conference at 8:30 a.m., took part in a meeting at 1 p.m. and rehearsed for a new business pitch at 3. I finally got to bed at 9 p.m. Thursday night. The new business presentation was at 7:30 a.m. on Friday. So, I was off again early on Friday. SIDE NOTE: Our pitch went great and I think we got the business.

Needless to say, my old 43-year old bod doesn't bounce back like in the good old days. What happened?