Connections in MI

Wednesday night - up until 11:30PM packing and getting ready - up at 3:30 AM to catch my flight

Thursday - Metro Airport to Plymouth, 40 minutes - - - Bed #1

• Jeff and Liz - my cousin and his wife - hoping consistent long distance contact ensues - they read my blog they said - that makes me smile.
• Naomi - Missy's friend at Missy's wedding rehearsal dinner.

Friday - Plymouth to Ann Arbor and back, 20 minutes each way - - - Bed #2

• Ryan my brother - visited his work studio at Zingermans and his apartment - great conversation - we are so much alike on a base level and yet different in significant ways as well - but our shared genetics and shared experiences are a wonderful base for a nicely maturing relationship - he seems happy and healthy and very fulfilled in his position at work.
• Dawn, Naomi, some guy at the table whose name I don't remember, Rich and Summer - all at Missy's wedding - we had lots of fun, nice conversations and connections - lots and lots of dancing too!

Saturday - Plymouth to Warren, 45 minutes; Warren to Auburn Hills, 45 minutes - - - Bed #3

• Lunch with Jeff and Liz - more in depth conversation - sharing about life, family experiences and future plans - Beth and I both like them a lot - and I am not just saying that because they read my blog (smile).
• Beth's mom and her family - celebrated Beth's mom's 60th birthday - she has knee surgery a week ago - she is staying with her brother and sister in law - I find them a little repressed - I hope they don't read this blog!
• Off to Beth's dad to see him and his wife, Susan - a nice chat late into the night - a little talk about Omie the Homie - Greg and Susan both seem happy and healthy.

Sunday - Auburn Hills to Monroe, 1.5 hours; Monroe to Ypsilanti, 45 minutes - - - Bed #4

• A visit with my Mom and Kenny and my Grandma too - my grandma is doing very well at 94 - I think it was my and Beth's first time just hanging with her (my mom and Kenny were there too but normally we are there with lots of relatives) - the one on one time was nice.
• After we went to my mom's house for a back yard BBQ - my mom seems to be healing well from her back surgery and looks healthy - our visit was really pleasant and it was nice to spend the day with them - as with my grandma it was nice to have the one on one time with my mom too.
• Then off to Christie and Dennis's house to see them and their two kiddos Brady (2.75) and Sam (.75) - It's always nice to spend time with C and D - their kids are great - Brady is super smart, super articulate and verbal, and super cute - they told us they wanted us to be in their will as their kid's guardians if anything ever happened - wow!

Monday - Ypsilanti to Rochester Hills, 1.5 hours - - - Bed #5

• Started the morning visiting the apple orchard with Christie, Brady and Sammy - then off to Ann Arbor with the whole crew to have lunch at Zingermans and say hello to Ryan.
• Finally, off to Beth's mom's - a little nesting finally - two days at least, out of the next six in MI, where we will be in the same bed and just kind of relaxing - we made dinner for Beth's mom and chatted with her - and now, here I am sending emails and blogging - ready for a little settling in - the next big plans are on Thursday night at Beth's aunt's house - we will see KC (we went to Burning Man with him), his brother, mother, stepfather, stepsiblings and Beth's dad, step-mom, brother and a bunch of people we don't know for a birthday/anniversary/other celebrations party - oh yeah it's my and Beth;s fifth year wedding anniversary so we are taking a restaurant prepared picnic basket to the park where we were married =)

Lots of conversations, lots of connections, lots of smiles and lots of time with my sweetie. So far, so good!