Pure Michigan

I keep seeing signs and t.v. commercials for "Pure Michigan"! It is this year's way of promoting the Great Lakes State. Charles and I differ on the opinion of Michigan. He hates the cold, winter months. I appreciate the fact that the bugs are not pestering me during those months. Well, we have been enjoying Pure Michigan! Drinking coffee while watching the ducks on the lake is so relaxing. Driving myself around on uncrowded streets is fantastic. Listening to the radio blaring when a great song is on just makes me happy!

It has been a lot of visiting and reconnecting with friends and family. I love to visit my Grandma. She is in the middle stages of her dementia, and she cannot always remember that I am living in another country. Well, she is quite the funny little lady. We keep our visits short, but I always leave with a smile.

We will be moving out of our temporary residence in Howell, and we will be moving in with my parents. My mom and I have been planning some activities while we are in Tennessee. I think it will be a lot of fun, and it will be a great way to finish our home visit.

I still have a lot of shopping to do and visiting also. Charles is leaving for India on Sunday.

So Much Fun!

Everyone is asking, "Is it nice to be back?" I keep saying "YES!" with a big smile. The weather was unbelievable for many of the days so far. It would get very cool at night. The kind of weather where you put on a sweatshirt or climb under a nice comforter. The view of the lake in the morning is spectacular.

Charles' parents were able to come up for a couple of weeks. Grandpa Marshall likes to fish, so we rented a boat. He was out there many mornings before I was even up! He often took the kids out as well. N prefers to fish from the dock, but you cannot always catch much there. Grandma Marshall had a blast riding in the paddle boat with the kids. Yes, we have video. Grandma Marshall took the girls shopping for clothes. E has really gotten into shopping, so it was a trip to remember. The kids to not get to see them much, so it was good to have them here to visit and make some lasting memories.

We often see Charles' Aunt and Uncle in the summer when they are back to visit. Since Charles' Dad was here, they visited a little more often. It was really nice to see them and listen to their stories. Aunt Jerrine can keep us entertained for hours with all her stories.

There are no shortage of critters to keep me on my toes. We are enjoying the house, but so are the earwigs. I have to kill a few a day, and they can get into the craziest places. I opened up the coffee filter holder to put in a fresh coffee filter and one was there. A little surprise, but I really do not want that with my coffee. I find them in the washing machine, around the doors, etc. At least the chipmunks understand that they need to stay outside. There are many of those running around. There is also a family of rabbits/bunnies living in the bushes here. We have seen turtles, ducks, and swans on the lake as well.

We had a BBQ and enjoyed relaxing and spending time with family and friends. We saw some fireworks on the lake and made a bonfire. Smores all around!

The weather turned hot! Of course, we made plans to go to the Detroit Tigers game as well as Cedar Point on the two hottest days since we have been here. The Tigers won. Cedar Point was fun. M is fearless. I could not even stomach to ride some of the newer ones. E is fearless, but she met her match with the Magnum. Charles said that she looked terrified in the picture that they take while you are on the ride. She did manage to ride a few more. She was not big enough for all of them. N rode some of the rides. He loved the Gemini which is one of my favorites. M gets to go back next week. She really wants to ride the dragster. That just looks too crazy for me!

We are enjoying having my parents around again. My mom has even stayed a couple of nights to watch the kids. Just like old times.

Being in Michigan feels like a really long vacation with everything that we are doing. I never thought that I would be vacationing in Michigan for 6 weeks! We do miss Midnight. I hope she is staying cool in India.

So Soon?

I know I just posted something yesterday, but I thought I would do another quick post.

Wednesday night on the way home from church, Charles told me that his dad called and mentioned that there is a mouse in the house. Of course, I am not too happy with this news. I thought I had left the house that had all the critters. I have not seen it, and I am just fine with that.

E has turned into a little shopper. We have been doing a lot of shopping, and she is enjoying trying on all sorts of outfits. I will be in trouble in a couple of years. M is just getting older. She picked out a beautiful dress. They have dances at their school. She looked beautiful and older. N is just happy with me bringing stuff home.

It is great just browsing in clean stores. I do not feel like I have to put hand sanitizer on when I pick up something to look at it. Driving has been awesome. I think I scared my friend the day we went to the mall, but I have not done that since.

We are enjoying cooler weather and lots of sunshine. I love just putting a sweatshirt on in the morning and drinking my coffee with the local news on in the background. This is the life.

What is the first thing you will do/will eat?

The last few days before we left Chennai, we were asking each other and friends, "What is the first thing you will eat?" I was really enjoying listening to the kids responses. M told everyone that her Grandma promised her a donut. Grandma and Grandpa met us at the car rental facility with donuts in hand! The kids were so excited!

We have been enjoying catching up with our family and friends. The kids have been at sleepovers, and their grandparents from Florida are staying with us for awhile. Our nephews from Florida have also been able to sleepover for a few nights.

We are staying at a house on a lake. I have been enjoying the peacefulness and beauty the lake has to offer early in the morning. The kids have been having fun fishing with Grandpa or going out in a paddle boat with Grandma.

So far the weather has really cooperated with our trip back. We have had some thunderstorms, but it has been mostly sunny and cool. It is supposed to get hot in a couple of days.

It is funny how some things will remind you a story in India. Some times when I am driving, I think, "Our driver would just pull out and go." In India, the cars will slow down and veer around you. Here, you will get hit! We are not being woke up early in the morning to the obnoxious crows, but instead we hear birds chirping. Lovely!

We have enjoyed Frankenmuth Chicken, Outback Steak, hot dogs, cheesy potatoes and ambrosia (my Grandma's special salad). It has been great doing laundry in less than 2 hours (that is washing and drying). Our showers last longer than 7 minutes, and it does not take 2 hours to get to a mall. When we go out to dinner, they want to take your order right away and give your check soon after the plates are cleared.

Next week is the Detroit Tigers game and Cedar Point! Stay tuned!