Okay, I can do better than that.

I'm not satisfied with my last post. I always do that; I want to say what's on my mind then back out because I think of all the angles people might be able to take on what I say. You know what, I'm just gonna do it.

I have this really cool little book. It's actually a christian book. And I don't think christian books are cool. I mean, come on. they just aren't. They might have good points in them and be very "good for you" but they aren't cool. I've never understood why Christians have to sacrifice good writing for what they want to say. It's been one of my biggest struggles in reading christian literature. It's just not well written.

So back to the book. Philip Yancey wrote a book called "What's so amazing about grace?". And after he wrote it, somehow an artist or maybe a publisher, or an agent, (I have no idea) read it and thought it was actually good. He must have been afraid to come out and admit it at first; I would've been. But he somehow got Philip to agree to let the book be used to make a visual edition of the same name. The result is really cool. And I'm not saying cool for a christian book. I'm just sayin' plain and simple cool. Here's a link to the book. Philip says in the intro on the visual edition that he secretly hopes this book will inspire people to go out and read the full length book because he has so much more to say.

I didn't.

I didn't need to. The book stands alone. There's a page that has a prayer written over and over again in it like something you'd see a child writing on a blackboard for some sort of school punishment. It says: "Dear God, please make the bad people good, and the good people nice." I really want to pray that prayer whenever anyone asks me to say a prayer. Martin says I'm just asking for trouble if I do. And he's almost always wiser than me on social issues so I listen. But for the first time in a long time, that's a prayer that sounds right.

Summer (I guess)

Alright. I've got to have something worth talking about.....

Summer in Petoskey has been beautiful and cool. Not, I repeat not beautifully cool. Martin told me the other day that he was at a business lunch and the men around the table were saying how much they've loved the summer because they haven't been sweating and it hasn't been too hot. Am I in some other world? Summer used to mean something. Like weather that made ice-cream instantly melt, and ice tea glasses sweat. You get none of that up here. And I just keep shaking my head when I think: "I'm a northerner". Maybe I only thought I was. This is just silly.

We have had lots of rain lately which has made the trees, lawns, and flowers stunning. I love summer wildflowers. We played a round of golf today at a new course and I couldn't stop saying how beautiful everything looked. I'm thankful to have a husband that understands my need to verbalize those thoughts. He agrees every time and never gets tired of me saying it.

Despite the weather, we've managed to have some fun outdoor activities with friends,, and have had several out-of-town friends and family stay with us. We love to host people for their vacation to Petoskey.

I turned 30. And for my bday, we went to Chicago (of course). Always a good time there.

More babies have been born and conceived. I'm convinced my friends are aiming for doubling the population of this town in 5 years. Which, is fine with me. I think this town could use more people in it. Year-round.

Turns out I don't have much to talk about. It's nice to sit for a minute and collect thoughts though.

Some things I've thought/felt the last few weeks

(photo: friends who moved away came up about a week ago. had fun w/rock band)

I miss my nieces and nephews; all 11 (12 in about a week or two) of them.

I want my grams to keep an alert mind and it seems like she's not. It's sad to realize.

Having 4 sets of stairs in our place is wonderful forced exercise. Especially for someone who forgets things in other rooms on a daily basis.

Michigan is in a heck of a lot of trouble. People are fleeing and those that aren't are beaten and frustrated.

I love tulips.

Doing a good job at work isn't always enough to keep you from being reprimanded.

I'm so ready for a new job.

I'm just starting to accept being 30 next month.

Not having children is separating us from our dear friends.

Rollerblading is scary for me. But I have a lot of fun doing it.

Mountain biking is a blast.

Dining room chairs would be so nice.

And if spring ever gets here, I was ready for it 2 months ago.

Venice Island, Fl

Had a great week off from the relentless cold in northern Michigan. We drove with Danielle and Cheyenne (CJ) to Venice Island, Fl. Took 24 hours of driving but it was worth it. 85 and sunny does wonderful things to the soul after a winter up here. I lost count of how many times Martin said he wasn't going to get in the car to go back. But he did, and we're getting warmer and warmer days here. We've started our yearly conversations of "I'm remembering why we live here now" and "look at all the people who live up here with us!" (you don't see many people in the winter up here. It's not that big of a town and -25 tends to keep sane humans inside)

My email doesn't know me

Refund. Ha.

Leaving

We're going to Florida for a week. So, hopefully I'll have lots 'o photos when I return.

Bye.

Piano

Well, It's obviously not a real piano. But it's good enough for me. We got this about a month ago actually and family/friends have been asking about it. Plus, I don't think I told Brandy about it.

I'm pretty stinking excited about it. I took piano lessons for probably 6 or so years just like so many other people did when they were kids. My sister, Brandy was the real player. She was so good. I'd listen to her practice daily from my bedroom. We were never allowed to sit by her and watch her. She wouldn't allow it. Anyway, all of that to say that I grew up with beautiful piano music playing in the house. And I miss it. I miss playing it too. So, I'm going to learn again. I don't want to do anything with it except teach myself enough to pull out a hymnal or Christmas book and play.

And of course a side note on how messy the dining room is. Seriously, it usually isn't that bad mom. I promise. it's very tidy right now as I'm typing this.