back in mi

i have been out of touch for a few days, taking some time off prior to orientation.

chicago was good. it is always good to see family. i think we all drive each other crazy, but what would we do without each other? i love everyone of them dearly. how big the babies are! andy at three and brandon rapidly approaching one. i am so glad to have them so close.

i spent a day on my dad's boat up around the fox lake area. i cannot remember the last time i spent an entire day on a boat. it took me back to every summer growing up, visiting dad and kathy in florida. every weekend was spent on the boat, either fishing, lobstering, or diving (the adults) and snorkeling (me). weekends off the coast of fort lauderdale and miami, or down off the coast of big pine key (http://www.fla-keys.com/lowerkeys/) in the florida keys. fresh seafood was in abundance. those were some good times. nothing beats the spray of warm salt water on your face.

ha. big pine key. there are many islands around big pine key. one was used to film pt-109 (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0057393/), the story of jfk's experiences as a captain of a pt boat. everytime we went out,
"know what was filmed there?"
"yeah, dad."
"pt-109. story of jfk."
"yeah, dad."

going back in for the night...
"see that island?"
"yeah, dad. jfk."
"it's where they shot pt-109."
"yeah, dad."

good memories. ;)

on my way back to mi, i added to my family. mikey and i are pleased to welcome dakota, a 12 pound black and white female cat. so far, so good. she's a sweet pea. just as active and full of life as is my dear mikey. long days ahead, and mikey deserves a friend.

i must confess that i am a person that needs her alone time. without it i am an big ball of crankiness... these three weeks with plenty of time on my own, i am ready to re-engage. i pity the person that phones me next... are they in for a long, long, long conversation.

back to reading...
more tomorrow on orientation, but if you care for a sneak peek, here you go: http://www.law.msu.edu/orientation/schedule.html