Sunday, May 11, 2008
Great Day for a Baseball Game
My company got a suite at Comerica Park on Saturday afternoon. My Dad and I were part of the second largest crowd at Comerica (45k). We had a good time even though the Tigers got beat by the Yankees for this first time this year.
Friday, May 2, 2008
How Sweep It Is!!
What a great night for Detroit sports teams. The Wings swept the Avs and move onto the next round in the playoffs; the Tigers swept their series with the Yankees in the Bronx (Tigers hadn't done that since 1966) and the Pistons clobbered the 76ers and move onto the next round of the playoffs. Let's keep this momentum going, Boys!
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Trip to Nashville
I was able to spend 4 days at my house in Nashville this past week/weekend. I had some meetings at one of my customers in the Nashville area and took some extra days to check on my house. I was amazed how much my flowers grew in 1 month. There has been lots of sunshine with some rain so everything was green and growing. My tulips and daffodils were as high as my thigh. My ivy and myrtle had grown onto my porch, sidewalk and driveway. I spent several hours cutting back the flowers and sprucing up the flowerbeds. My hostas plants were not out when I left at the end of March and they were big and beautiful.
I was able to see lots of my friends and neighbors. It was nice sleeping in my bed!
I was able to see lots of my friends and neighbors. It was nice sleeping in my bed!
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
GO HABS GO!
During a business trip to Montreal, Canada last week, I attended game 5 of the Canadiens/Bruins series. It was a great game up until the 3rd period, tied 1-1 with about 14 minutes to go in the game. Boston scored a short-handed goal to go up 2-1 and it went downhill from there. With about 9 minutes to go, Boston was up 4-1 and the place cleared out! The fans in Montreal take their hockey very seriously and they let the team know if they are disappointed in their performance. Boston ended up winning 5-1 and set the series at 3-2, Canadiens. To top off the night, some Canadien fans starting burning Bruins jerseys outside the arena and the police on horseback just sat and watched! All in all, it was a great time and a great experience to see a hockey game in Canada. If the Wings play the Canadiens in the playoffs, I will be back in Montreal to watch another game!
During a business trip to Montreal, Canada last week, I attended game 5 of the Canadiens/Bruins series. It was a great game up until the 3rd period, tied 1-1 with about 14 minutes to go in the game. Boston scored a short-handed goal to go up 2-1 and it went downhill from there. With about 9 minutes to go, Boston was up 4-1 and the place cleared out! The fans in Montreal take their hockey very seriously and they let the team know if they are disappointed in their performance. Boston ended up winning 5-1 and set the series at 3-2, Canadiens. To top off the night, some Canadien fans starting burning Bruins jerseys outside the arena and the police on horseback just sat and watched! All in all, it was a great time and a great experience to see a hockey game in Canada. If the Wings play the Canadiens in the playoffs, I will be back in Montreal to watch another game!
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Back in the North
As all of you are aware by now, I am back in Michigan. I accepted another sales position with a steel company in the Detroit area. I am very excited about being back home with my friends and family. I still travel a lot with this job, but instead of just going to Mexico, I also get to travel to Canada and other cities in the USA. I am looking forward to this new experience and see where it may take me in the next year or two.
As all of you are aware by now, I am back in Michigan. I accepted another sales position with a steel company in the Detroit area. I am very excited about being back home with my friends and family. I still travel a lot with this job, but instead of just going to Mexico, I also get to travel to Canada and other cities in the USA. I am looking forward to this new experience and see where it may take me in the next year or two.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
An Extraordinary Night
of deadly tornado weather here in Tennessee. The Nashville area was very lucky as 8 severe storm cells passed either north or south of us and these cells contained tornados at some point during their travel. One major storm cell did manage to hit Nashville with 100 mph winds and hail the size of golf balls. As this storm passed downtown Nashville and headed towards my house the winds died down to 55 mph and not a lot of hail. There was still a threat of a tornado but thankfully it passed the Nashville area without one. Kentucky, again, wasn't as lucky. As soon as this storm cell hit the KY/TN border a tornado touched down. The worst area hit in TN was Memphis and Jackson. Jackson is home to Union University and the college was hit by 2 tornados. And there was a 60 semi pile-up on I-40 that shut down the interstate. The National Weather Service is still trying to count how many tornados actually touched down in those areas (one report I heard was 8). As soon as one storm cell left the area another one was right behind it and this lasted for 9 hours yesterday evening. And these same storms are heading towards the Midwest and East Coast and will produce snow and ice storms.
I have never seen such major storms and so many of them at once. And the majority of southern homes do not have basements so finding a safe place isn't easy. I became quite familiar with my jacuzzi bathtub last night and realized it is much larger than I thought!
of deadly tornado weather here in Tennessee. The Nashville area was very lucky as 8 severe storm cells passed either north or south of us and these cells contained tornados at some point during their travel. One major storm cell did manage to hit Nashville with 100 mph winds and hail the size of golf balls. As this storm passed downtown Nashville and headed towards my house the winds died down to 55 mph and not a lot of hail. There was still a threat of a tornado but thankfully it passed the Nashville area without one. Kentucky, again, wasn't as lucky. As soon as this storm cell hit the KY/TN border a tornado touched down. The worst area hit in TN was Memphis and Jackson. Jackson is home to Union University and the college was hit by 2 tornados. And there was a 60 semi pile-up on I-40 that shut down the interstate. The National Weather Service is still trying to count how many tornados actually touched down in those areas (one report I heard was 8). As soon as one storm cell left the area another one was right behind it and this lasted for 9 hours yesterday evening. And these same storms are heading towards the Midwest and East Coast and will produce snow and ice storms.
I have never seen such major storms and so many of them at once. And the majority of southern homes do not have basements so finding a safe place isn't easy. I became quite familiar with my jacuzzi bathtub last night and realized it is much larger than I thought!
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Office/Craft Room
Well, it is finally finished! Mom and Dad helped me hang some things on my walls to complete the room.
Project Table - this is a great table where I can do my crafts. On the wall are clip boards I got for my birthday from James and Amy.
Office Desk - there are 2 desks and this gives me a lot of surface space to work. It's hard to see but on the wall off to the left are framed words that Mom, Dad and I made.
Cubes - there are 3 cubes that have cubby holes to store things. Right now I am storing cards and scrapbook stuff.
View from the doorway.Saturday, December 29, 2007
The Battle of Stones River
My parents and I went to Murfreesboro, TN to visit the battlefield on the banks of the Stones River. We had no idea that this battle took place Dec. 31-Jan. 2, 1862 and this weekend was the 145th anniversary of the battle. There were lots of reenactments to watch in celebration of the anniversary weekend. You can either walk the battlefield grounds (about a 4 mile walk) or drive it (which we opted to do). The Battle of Stones River covered 4,000 acres and Stones River National Battlefield preserves about 600 acres. This was one of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War - about 24,000 men were killed, wounded, or captured during the battle and a National Cemetery was built in 1865 and bodies were moved to the cemetery for final burial. The State of Michigan erected a Historic Landmark at one of the tour stop sites, honoring the men from Michigan who fought in the war. The Hazen Brigade Monument, built in early 1863, is the oldest, intact Civil War monument in the nation which can also be seen on the tour. I forgot my camera so maybe Dad will post some pictures on his blog.
My parents and I went to Murfreesboro, TN to visit the battlefield on the banks of the Stones River. We had no idea that this battle took place Dec. 31-Jan. 2, 1862 and this weekend was the 145th anniversary of the battle. There were lots of reenactments to watch in celebration of the anniversary weekend. You can either walk the battlefield grounds (about a 4 mile walk) or drive it (which we opted to do). The Battle of Stones River covered 4,000 acres and Stones River National Battlefield preserves about 600 acres. This was one of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War - about 24,000 men were killed, wounded, or captured during the battle and a National Cemetery was built in 1865 and bodies were moved to the cemetery for final burial. The State of Michigan erected a Historic Landmark at one of the tour stop sites, honoring the men from Michigan who fought in the war. The Hazen Brigade Monument, built in early 1863, is the oldest, intact Civil War monument in the nation which can also be seen on the tour. I forgot my camera so maybe Dad will post some pictures on his blog.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Thanksgiving Week in the North
I spent Thanksgiving week back in Michigan and what a busy week it was. Since I only get back to the Detroit area once a year, I try to pack in as much as I can.
Shopped with Mom - even went to a new mall
Met friends for lunch and breakfast
Spent time doing crafts - made Christmas cards and word art for my office
Went to 2 Lions game - Lions lost both games
Made wreaths at Mutch's - Mom's cousin's tree farm
Saw snow - it snowed the night before Thanksgiving and stayed the remainer of my trip
And to top it off, we ate a delicious Thanksgiving dinner - twice!
Shopped with Mom - even went to a new mall
Met friends for lunch and breakfast
Spent time doing crafts - made Christmas cards and word art for my office
Went to 2 Lions game - Lions lost both games
Made wreaths at Mutch's - Mom's cousin's tree farm
Saw snow - it snowed the night before Thanksgiving and stayed the remainer of my trip
And to top it off, we ate a delicious Thanksgiving dinner - twice!
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Boy, was I wrong
about the Lions taking it to the Packers. It was what I expected them to do especially on Thanksgiving Day and especially when playoff hopes were still evident. On Thanksgiving Day, the Lions should have been thankful that Favre didn't put a lot of points on the board and really embarrassed the Lions (which he could have easily done). It was still fun being at the game.
about the Lions taking it to the Packers. It was what I expected them to do especially on Thanksgiving Day and especially when playoff hopes were still evident. On Thanksgiving Day, the Lions should have been thankful that Favre didn't put a lot of points on the board and really embarrassed the Lions (which he could have easily done). It was still fun being at the game.
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Friday, November 9, 2007
A Night with Gnash
Working for a Japanese company definitely has its perks; one is the amount of holiday time we get off and the other is parties. We find any reason to have a party! If someone leaves the company, we have a party. If someone is getting married, we have a party. Our Operations Manager is getting married in a couple of weeks so we organized a party in East Nashville at a place called 3 Crows Bar. A bar that features pool, darts, and the ever popular trivia (which is a popular thing to do in Nashville). Joey is a huge Predators fan (and always lets me know when they beat the Wings - which isn't that often!). He is a Nashvillian and was so happy when Nashville got a NHL team 10 years ago. Anne, our party manager, arranged for Gnash, the Predators' mascot) to come to the bar and meet all of us. Of course my fellow co-workers made me get my picture taken with Gnash since I am a Wings fan. I did promise Gnash that I would go to a Preds game, as long as they were playing the Wings! It was another fun night in Nashville.
Saturday, November 3, 2007
The 100th Meeting
between Michigan and Michigan State - a game I always love to watch and have always rooted for the underdog - State. It has been 6 long years since State beat U of M and that win back in 2001 was controversial, but a win nonetheless. Today I thought the Spartans would come out victorious as they were playing a good game up until about 4 minutes left in the 4th quarter. State was up 24-21 with about 3 minutes to go in the game. Henne throws a bomb, a jump ball, in the endzone to Manningham and the Wolverines go up 28-24. State had 2:20 left on the clock to go 70 yards to score a touchdown. But the Wolverine defense with its contant blitzing denied the Spartans of a victory. This was State's 5th loss this season of 7 points or less while U of M has won their last 8 after losing their first 2 games of the season. If Michigan can win their next 2 games they will be Rose Bowl bound.
I will be rooting for the Wolverines in 2 weeks when they host #1 Ohio State - another game I love to watch but root for the Wolverines. I just can't seem to be a Wolverines fan all the time!
between Michigan and Michigan State - a game I always love to watch and have always rooted for the underdog - State. It has been 6 long years since State beat U of M and that win back in 2001 was controversial, but a win nonetheless. Today I thought the Spartans would come out victorious as they were playing a good game up until about 4 minutes left in the 4th quarter. State was up 24-21 with about 3 minutes to go in the game. Henne throws a bomb, a jump ball, in the endzone to Manningham and the Wolverines go up 28-24. State had 2:20 left on the clock to go 70 yards to score a touchdown. But the Wolverine defense with its contant blitzing denied the Spartans of a victory. This was State's 5th loss this season of 7 points or less while U of M has won their last 8 after losing their first 2 games of the season. If Michigan can win their next 2 games they will be Rose Bowl bound.
I will be rooting for the Wolverines in 2 weeks when they host #1 Ohio State - another game I love to watch but root for the Wolverines. I just can't seem to be a Wolverines fan all the time!
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
House Update
After attempting for 10 months to get some house repairs done on my home (crack walls and nail pops), the builder finally sent some workers last week and finished the repairs in 2 days. What a relief to get this done as it has been lingering for a long time and not to mention my house has been torn up since June (when they first began the work). Mom and Dad are in town so they were able to be at my house the first day while I was at work. I took a vacation day the second day and Mom and I spent most of the day shopping while Dad stayed home to keep an eye on the work.
I posted some pictures below that I took with my new digital camera. I am still trying to figure out all of the features it has to offer but so far I like it.
The picture of the Great Room shows the new metal art work hanging above the couch. I have a smaller version that is similar to this and Mom found the larger one this year at the Peach Festival. I was so glad to hear the same artist was still selling his work. The trick was trying to get it to Tennessee. Mom and Dad had trouble fitting it in the car so they had to be creative and and actually hung it from a rope from the back seat - I should have taken a picture of that because it was interesting to see how they came up with that idea! It got to Nashville in 1 piece.
The Great Room now has handmade window treatments and these were designed and made by Mom. The pictures don't do it justice but they are awesome!
I also bought new office furniture, a project table that opens up for more surface space and organization cubes. Mom and Dad delayed their return trip home by 2 days because I would not be able to assemble the 12 pieces by myself. And not to mention how heavy and large these pieces are. Even the instructions state 2 people are needed for assembly. I will post some pictures later as I don't have the room put completely together yet.
Dad also had fun fixing a running toilet and a printer cable that I accidently sucked up in the vacuum. Mom gave my myrtle a major haircut and transplanted some pieces under my deck and in the area where grass is not growing in my backyard.
We did make time to do some Geocaching and drive around in my new cross-over vehicle. I promise during my parents' next visit, we will not work as much and spend more time enjoying Nashville. Always glad when they can come visit.
After attempting for 10 months to get some house repairs done on my home (crack walls and nail pops), the builder finally sent some workers last week and finished the repairs in 2 days. What a relief to get this done as it has been lingering for a long time and not to mention my house has been torn up since June (when they first began the work). Mom and Dad are in town so they were able to be at my house the first day while I was at work. I took a vacation day the second day and Mom and I spent most of the day shopping while Dad stayed home to keep an eye on the work.
I posted some pictures below that I took with my new digital camera. I am still trying to figure out all of the features it has to offer but so far I like it.
The picture of the Great Room shows the new metal art work hanging above the couch. I have a smaller version that is similar to this and Mom found the larger one this year at the Peach Festival. I was so glad to hear the same artist was still selling his work. The trick was trying to get it to Tennessee. Mom and Dad had trouble fitting it in the car so they had to be creative and and actually hung it from a rope from the back seat - I should have taken a picture of that because it was interesting to see how they came up with that idea! It got to Nashville in 1 piece.
The Great Room now has handmade window treatments and these were designed and made by Mom. The pictures don't do it justice but they are awesome!
I also bought new office furniture, a project table that opens up for more surface space and organization cubes. Mom and Dad delayed their return trip home by 2 days because I would not be able to assemble the 12 pieces by myself. And not to mention how heavy and large these pieces are. Even the instructions state 2 people are needed for assembly. I will post some pictures later as I don't have the room put completely together yet.
Dad also had fun fixing a running toilet and a printer cable that I accidently sucked up in the vacuum. Mom gave my myrtle a major haircut and transplanted some pieces under my deck and in the area where grass is not growing in my backyard.
We did make time to do some Geocaching and drive around in my new cross-over vehicle. I promise during my parents' next visit, we will not work as much and spend more time enjoying Nashville. Always glad when they can come visit.
Sunday, October 7, 2007
Smoke Free Nashville
Well, it is official. All restaurants and local establishments (bars, clubs, etc) in Nashville and Metro are now smoke free. This has been in the works for quite some time and became official about a week ago. It is getting mixed reviews of course. The restaurants and bars say business is up because more non-smokers are now coming out and the smokers are still coming out just not smoking. It seems to be working so far but only time will tell if the new Mayor makes a change. I, for one, am excited about the change.
Well, it is official. All restaurants and local establishments (bars, clubs, etc) in Nashville and Metro are now smoke free. This has been in the works for quite some time and became official about a week ago. It is getting mixed reviews of course. The restaurants and bars say business is up because more non-smokers are now coming out and the smokers are still coming out just not smoking. It seems to be working so far but only time will tell if the new Mayor makes a change. I, for one, am excited about the change.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Sunday, August 26, 2007
A Week at Emerald Lake
I spent the past week at Emerald Lake and it was great to be back in Michigan. And it was nice that the weather got a bit cooler because I have been dealing with 100+ degree weather for almost a month. Mom and Dad picked me up at the Grand Rapids Airport which was my first time ever flying into GRR. I must say it is one of the nicest, cleanest airports I have ever been in and very customer friendly with an awesome waiting area outside the food court with lots of tables, lots of windows to watch the planes comes in and TV monitors with weather info across the country.
We spent the afternoon at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum. The museum is beautifully located on the banks of the Grand River - what an impressive site. I learned lots of things that I either did not remember or never knew. It is an awesome museum and very well done. It is also the only Presidential museum that is separate from the Presidential Library. Gerald R. Ford's Library is located in Ann Arbor.
The week in review:
The circus was in town so we took Spencer and Garrett. It had been a long time since I had been to the circus. The kids had a good time and it was nicely done.
My cousin Angie had a get together for the entire family. It was good to see lots of family. The kids played on Kamber's new play structure and large sandbox. I enjoyed all of the good food and laughing with the family. And to make the day complete, we had a bonfire with S'mores.
We spent some time geocaching in the area. I didn't find any, but Mom, Dad and James did (even in the rain). We also played card games which was fun because the Reagans are so competitive! Shane gave us a tour of the fire hall and Lee gave us some fresh vegetables from his garden - yum! We also had Buddy's Pizzas and Achatz Michigan Four Berry Pies. And got to drive the Ranger and go on a ride back east through the woods and farms. Can't wait for next summer to come so I can return to the lake.
Here are some pictures from activities from the week.
Spencer, James and Garrett in the backseat of Dad's truck ready to go geocaching. Spencer loves to sit in the third row seat of the SUV!
Grandpa Reagan and Spencer at the circus.
Spencer and Garrett laying on the airbed while I blow it up.
I spent the past week at Emerald Lake and it was great to be back in Michigan. And it was nice that the weather got a bit cooler because I have been dealing with 100+ degree weather for almost a month. Mom and Dad picked me up at the Grand Rapids Airport which was my first time ever flying into GRR. I must say it is one of the nicest, cleanest airports I have ever been in and very customer friendly with an awesome waiting area outside the food court with lots of tables, lots of windows to watch the planes comes in and TV monitors with weather info across the country.
We spent the afternoon at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum. The museum is beautifully located on the banks of the Grand River - what an impressive site. I learned lots of things that I either did not remember or never knew. It is an awesome museum and very well done. It is also the only Presidential museum that is separate from the Presidential Library. Gerald R. Ford's Library is located in Ann Arbor.
The week in review:
The circus was in town so we took Spencer and Garrett. It had been a long time since I had been to the circus. The kids had a good time and it was nicely done.
My cousin Angie had a get together for the entire family. It was good to see lots of family. The kids played on Kamber's new play structure and large sandbox. I enjoyed all of the good food and laughing with the family. And to make the day complete, we had a bonfire with S'mores.
We spent some time geocaching in the area. I didn't find any, but Mom, Dad and James did (even in the rain). We also played card games which was fun because the Reagans are so competitive! Shane gave us a tour of the fire hall and Lee gave us some fresh vegetables from his garden - yum! We also had Buddy's Pizzas and Achatz Michigan Four Berry Pies. And got to drive the Ranger and go on a ride back east through the woods and farms. Can't wait for next summer to come so I can return to the lake.
Here are some pictures from activities from the week.
Spencer, James and Garrett in the backseat of Dad's truck ready to go geocaching. Spencer loves to sit in the third row seat of the SUV!
Spencer and Garrett bowling in Big Rapids at The Gate.
Grandma Reagan reading with Spencer. An activity they love to do together.
Grandma Reagan and Spencer on the dock at Emerald Lake.
Spencer on the steps to the lake that my Uncle Kelvin and cousin Lee built.
My cousin Shane and Spencer at the Evart Fire Hall.
Garrett playing with a fire hose at the Fire Hall.
Grandpa Reagan and Spencer at the circus.
James and Amy at the circus.
Garrett and Spencer playing in the Muskegon River in Big Rapids.
Garrett helping Grandpa Reagan put together a new storage box. Garrett almost put the whole thing together by himself!
Spencer and Garrett laying on the airbed while I blow it up.
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Weekend in Mobile, AL
I spent last weekend near Mobile, AL at my friend, Michelle's parents beach home. 8 girls in all went on this adventure way down south. What an amazing house and beautiful location on the water. It was a very, very hot weekend even for the south - record heat well into the 100's. Even the water was hot! But we had a great time playing beach volleyball, swimming, playing card games on the patio, shopping and eating food Michelle's Mom sent along with us (southern mac and cheese, lasagna, and fried chicken). Can't wait to go again!
I spent last weekend near Mobile, AL at my friend, Michelle's parents beach home. 8 girls in all went on this adventure way down south. What an amazing house and beautiful location on the water. It was a very, very hot weekend even for the south - record heat well into the 100's. Even the water was hot! But we had a great time playing beach volleyball, swimming, playing card games on the patio, shopping and eating food Michelle's Mom sent along with us (southern mac and cheese, lasagna, and fried chicken). Can't wait to go again!
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