Friends.

I originally titled this post "Happy Memorial Day" but changed it after the content shifted. I had the best day ever. I didn't do a THING. In fact, I am actually still in the pajamas I woke up in this morning. Perfect. Tomorrow I know I'll wake and and be busting at the seams to get out of this tiny apartment but for now I'm enjoying myself. The weather was ugly all day so I don't feel like I missed anything.

I did get out and enjoy the nice, sunny, hot weather on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Sat by the pool with friends a few times. Went swim suit shopping with Tina. Bought TWO new suits. Shame on me but in my defense I am a Summer Baby and I LOVE everything about summer so I NEEDED two new suits. Besides, I haven't bought a suit in FOUR years. So, there! We then chilled in the back yard with Andrea and Terry. It was fun just hanging out and checking out how things have really changed in the past two years since I left Harper Hoods. In addition, my longest and dearest friend Kim put on a party to celebrate her son (my GODSON) turning 18. Wow. I'm not gonna say "I'm old" because that's what everyone says when a child reaches their teen years. I'll say "I'm lucky" to have such close and caring friends. I realize how lucky I am when a bunch of my friends get together. During the party I was thinking about how all of our lives came together and changed over the course of our friendship. Almost all of my friends are like family to me. I love them dearly. I was happy that Kim, Jane, Sara, Tina and mine and Kim's Mom were all there. Just chilling and relaxing. It's so nice. I've known few of them forever and talk all the time, known some of them a short time and talk all the time or known them a short time and haven't talked in longer that we should have. Friends and family are important. I wish I could spend more time with my far-away friends Andrea (Cheating. She only lives a few miles downriver but we don't spend enough time together), Erica, Lottie, Monika...the list goes on...Shells, Karen, Keith, Lisa...you get the point. I love you all!

Geeeeeeze!

Is it the 4th of July? You would've fooled me. I guess I asked for it last week when I let this thought slip out of my fingertips. Damn it, Jackie. I just wanted to go to the BEACH on my birthday! Is that so much to ask for? *pffft* I did have a wonderful birthday! I had dinner at Cliff Bells with G. It was awesome because neither of us could concentrate on the menu without making fun of the oxtail soup and Potato Fingerlings. I'm laughing out loud just thinking about it! Good times. I would've stayed there and talked with him forever. Four years is a mighty long time to catch up on. The highlight of the evening was...when I fell on my ass! Two glasses of wine did that to me? Seriously? I was scooting out of my seat and suddenly I realized I'd scooted my caboose a little too far to the right. I went down gracefully, if I do say so myself! Awesome! Good thing I do not embarrass easily. Can't say the same for G. He's going to be embarrassed just reading this! Thank you, Gregg! *hugs*

Back to what I was saying...I just wanted to go to the beach on my birthday. Here it is two days later AND a holiday and I still have not been to the beach! I remember the last time I went to the beach. Last Sunday. I took Tina and Bev with me and we ventured over to Belle Isle. I have been to Belle Isle once in the past 18 years or so. As a kid we went there ALL THE TIME! It's such a shame that it went through a rough time for about a decade there. I had it on good authority that the beach was doable. We took the bait. It ended up being the most pleasant afternoon. Tina flew her kite, we played Frisbee, walked on the sand and relaxed in the sun. I'm definitely going back!

I forgot who this statue is but I do know that my brother and I were scared of this thing when I was a kid! We always called him "Yankee Doodle" LOL


I just LOVE this view. I'm a proud Detroiter, that's fo sho!


Close-up. I need photoshop so I can make an arrow pointing to my building. Heh. I think the bridge is the coolest thing!


Here's a picture I've posted before but just using it for those of you that don't know what Belle Isle is. It's the patch of green you see in the water on the horizon. It's "technically" in Canadian waters but is only accessible by bridge from Detroit. The land was purchased in the 1800's for $200,000. It's layout and landscape were desinged by the same man that designed Central park and many of the buildings were designed by Albert Kahn. The same man that designed the building I live in. So, click on the link if you want to learn more. One thing it doesn't state on the web page is that it was once a private estate and someone owned the island and lived on it. That's my brief synopsis of what I know about Belle Isle~ which means Beautiful Island.


I'm just going to post the rest of the pictures and let you fill in the blanks. I'm off to eat, drink and be merry! Happy Holiday, everyone!

Catching up.

I've got so many pictures to post! I should've been doing it all along. I know three posts yesterday don't make up for it. I didn't even post about half the things I wanted to. I'm going to do it now. We had some wicked weather last Thursday. I was at a friends house helping her out and then I went out and relaxed in the pool with the kids. (I did swim 10 laps first and thought I was going to have a heart attack!) After about 2 hours the sky became overcast so I decided to head home. Along the way the sky changed. It was wild how fast the storm blew in! I got in my apartment just as the sky open up! It was fun watching the people leaving the Tiger's game race for their vehicles! Here are some photos in no particular order!

The sky gets dark!
Almost home!
Creepy clouds! The streets were so empty it was freaky!


Passed my old apartment building.
My building looming over Grand Circus Park.
Clouds rolling in. Good thing I have underground parking!
Traffic jam. Little did these people know that the brunt of the storm was pounding the 'burbs already!

Some Like it Hot.

I like it hot. I loathe cold weather. As Lisa advised, I'm not complaining! Knowing the weather up here it'll be in the 50's next week! One downfall of the intense heat is the frequent change of clothing. I'm hoping with a 3.4 weight loss I'll be able to fit into more of my hot weather shorts so I don't have to do laundry as often! That's motivation in itself!

My home is finally my own once again! I love having company but I also love it when I have the place to myself. Not that I'm running around naked or anything... speaking of running, I've got errands to run today before the t-storms hit the city. I'm going down to the gym later. Got to work on those arms.