Chicago

I'm in the Chicago area - Hoffman Estates to be exact. I took the train out on Saturday from Michigan, and Tarzan picked me up at the train station. It was fun taking the train, and I'll probably do it again. I'm here all week, and then Tarzan will drive me back to Michigan on Saturday. I came out this week because my company Backyard Soaps & More has a wholesale show at the Chicago Merchandise Mart. We come to Chicago in January and July to market our line to retailers from all over the country. I went yesterday, and saw the booth, talked to some of our sales reps, customers, our VP of Sales and our Marketing Specialist Joann who is working the booth for 4 days. She and I ate lunch, and I had a great time hanging out. Our booth looks great, although next year we need to get a big vinyl sign with our logo on it. Here are some pictures for your enjoyment.

Fun with blog backgrounds

Thanks to inspiration from Sweet Pea over at Hopes & Dreams for us, I decided to have some fun with my blog background. This is my Valentine theme. The only thing I can't figure out is how to put a picture in that cute little frame on the header? Is it even possible?

New pictures of Rascal

It took about 2 weeks, but Rascal is now getting along splendidly with my other 2 cats. Here are some new pictures of her.



She looks like a skunk in this picture with her bushy black tail!

Germany it is!

Just got a voice mail from my soon-to-be 16 year old nephew Reed. He just found out where he is going for his junior year of high school abroad through the Rotary Youth Exchange......he's going to Germany. I was so hoping he'd be going to Spain or Argentina, but Germany will still be a good experience - he'll experience a new culture and get to see the world. However he'll be learning a language that really isn't all that necessary to learn since so many Germans speak English. I was so hoping that he's learn Spanish so we could speak it together. I wanted him to experience some of the same adventures I did while living for 3 years in Spain and while traveling several times to Argentina. I really hope he at least gets to experience a small town in Germany, and not a big city.

You see he would have ended up in a Spanish speaking country, but at the last minute he switched his priority list of countries (after he had already submitted a list that I had helped him create). He had to list in order of preference over 30 countries; knowing he would most likely be going to one of the top 5 on his list. He kept Spain as #1, but ended up putting Germany as #2 and moved Argentina down the list. He did this without consulting me. I know he is not my child, but you see, I'm the most well traveled person in our entire family and I don't know.....I guess I was hoping to advise him a little more. Instead he listened to I-don't-know-who.

He reads my blog too, so I know he'll read this. I'll get excited Reed, I promise, I really will. Just give me a bit of time to get used to the idea of Germany. I'll help you get your blog started and your fundraising letter written. I don't know if I'll come visit you in Germany, but maybe if you want to meet up in Spain or Italy at the end of your year abroad - we can do that. Also lest you forget my dear nephew - we have a deal that you will study in Spain during your college years.

At least you will be getting out of Marysville, Michigan and for that I am absolutely thrilled.