Missing My Angel and Company

Let me introduce Angel Marie Maki. My other child. The hardest decision I had to make with moving to China was my babies, Angel, Dobbie and Boudreaux the Cat - where should they go?
Angel is a 14 year old Lab Mix. She was given to us when she was a year old. Angel immediately won my heart with her calm personality. She is a big girl. Weighing in at 85lbs. We have moved her from Michigan to Louisiana to Kentucky and now back in Michigan to stay with my in laws. I know that she is not in the best of shape - old girls hips are a problem but with her medications she gets around just fine.

Our decision was to send her and her buddies to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to stay on the farm. I don't know if she will still be with us when I return but I do know that the farm is a great place for her to live out her final years. Comfortable and I know that my in laws will care for her probably better then I could. I am at ease with my decision but I miss them all so much.

Bill is at work all day and Derek will be going to school in a couple of weeks which leaves me home alone and that will be difficult. Angel was my shadow and my comfort. I miss her so much.

Bill - My Bill

I had it brought to my attention that I have
no pictures of Bill posted. So here is the man that moved me to China.

We have been married for nearly 16 years.

Always an adventure.

This was taken this past Sat. as we strolled around

Confucius Temple. It is that a temple and from what

I can tell it is still used for religious worship. This is one

area that they will not allow us access. I wouldn't want sightseers wondering around my church during worship -

so no biggie.

Great place to spend the day. Anything you want you can find here. Jade, purses, mealworms - I do mean ANYTHING.

On a different note - I have thrown my back out. Not just a

little out but cussing like a sailor out. Just bent over to put the passports away and WHAMMY.....so now I am trying not to move and taking some emergency meds I brought from

the States. THIS SUCKS!

Nanjing

Welcome to our new home.

We have relocated to Nanjing, China. I am so far out of
my norm it is amazing. I cannot begin to explain the
mixed emotions that course through me. I am elated
with the experience but overwhelmed.
It took about 6 days to get over the jet lag. The first
four days were horrible. Waking up at 5AM thinking
it was nearly noon. Around 2pm your body would start
shutting down. You wanted dinner but adjusting to the
smells and food is more then you can stand so you a leery
of anything you go eat. Around 6 to 7pm you are ready to
go to bed. Derek and I both fell asleep on the sofa for
several nights. You just cannot make yourself stay awake.
I was finally able to stay awake till 10pm, then midnight
to allow my body to sleep in till 7am. It is getting easier everyday.

Food is getting easier. There are some great places to eat.
The biggest problem is language. I am starting Chinese
lessons next week. We always complain about people
coming to live in the US and not learning English. I am not
going to be one of those people so I will learn Chinese. At least
I hope to figure it out enough not be a dork. So ordering food is
the challenge. We have two great German places
with wonderful dishes. There are a couple Mexican restaurants
that we have not tried but heard good things about and a couple Italian.
The place that I like the best has been a Chinese
place that we just call HOTPOTS.

These are pictures that I took today as we wondered around.
I cannot spell it but it sounds like FUGI MAA, is a shopping area around
a Confucius temple. Bill, Derek and I wondered around the temple for
I bit and tried to read what signs were in English. It is amazing how old this city
is and how much there is to see and learn.

More to come......

Chicago Days

I am in Chicago.

It has been a great week with Nicole and Chris. Andrew, college roommate, joined us for the weekend.

Friday evening will not be mentioned due to the amount of martini's consumed. Bar is across the block from the kids apartment and a pleasant stroll home.

Sat. was the Puerto Rican Day Parade in downtown. Probably not the most sane idea to go walk the waterfront but we did. Great weather and on a few extra miles. Lovely afternoon. Rode the Ferris Wheel on Navy Pier. Wonderful views and my height phobia only hummed in the background.

Sunday was chill in downtown Naperville. Love the river walk for a stretch after lunch at the Frank Sinatra Bar. Barefoot in the park. Horrific band playing somewhere close by. Sounded like cats coughing up hairballs.

The remainder of the week has consisted of hanging around the house. Tuesday I made Gumbo for my future son in law. Condition of invading their home. Tomorrow I am on the road again to the UP. Eleven more days till Bill arrives and I am counting down the days.

Till we meet again. Peace.

Thank you Lord for friends that just get you.
Let me introduce my girls, Kathy on the left and Ashley in the middle.
This are two of the most amazing women I have met. Both of them have been a tremendous support to me and my family in the past several years. I am really going to miss friday nights in the pole barn. Jeiger and Redbull. Sugar Free, remember one regular redbull equals a Whopper. Silver Patron and singing Johnny Cash. You two are the definition of Friend. Thanks for all the love.

Homeless

We are on the road. Derek and I left Kentucky on Friday the 30th of May. Off to Upper Pennisula of Michigan. Fun times, freazing times.
Why was it 87 degrees in Kentucky and 51 degrees in the UP? Twelve hours, that is the total amount of time it took for me to be butt numb and freezing. I now remember why I don't want to live here any longer. I like to be warm but not too warm. Louisiana warm. Uck.
So I am freezing, tired and cranky.
Good news is I have a month till I see Bill and a month till Rothbury Festival.
There is 39 days till we permenantly relocate to China. Cool.
Okay, so it is a little chilly in the UP. I will deal with it.