Hi, there, Clay!!

Well, so tell me..how have you been? What have you been up to? Are you enjoying any more time of the summer? Count down starts now since school is back!! Cooler nights, Cider mills, pumpkins..yep, typical Michigan weather this time of year:-)

I MISS SUMMER ALREADY!!

Although, we are looking to vacation and possibly move out to the Carolinas. Great opportunities and weather!!

Well, time has flown for me. I took on a new job mid - July and well, the rest of July and the end of August are still a little fuzzy.

I did get to visit my sister - Aikenprincess (Cyn)in Ohio. I had the pleasure of watching her get her bachelors degree certificate walking across the same stage I did 13 years ago!!! NO, that doesn't mean i'm like 100 years old!! I had the opportunity to go to college right out of highschool and get the degree early in an accelerated all year long program so I could get done in 3 years - eheheheheheh!! I'm so glad that I did it that way...watching AP work so hard at all of her homework over the last two years - I just don't know how folks do it in the later years in life when bills are a priority. Any how, it was so awesome to be considered as part of the alumni group and to be so thank you that my sissy wanted me to be there with her!! One of the best days of my life!!! I was proud for her and for the first time in a long time, I was proud of the accomplishment I had made and was able to see where that degree had led me 13 years later. I had never done that - and it was time that I had. (So, PROUD of you Sis!!) NEVER FORGOT TO REFLECT!! Remembering what I had said I would be doing in 10 years and then actually sitting in the present at 10 years - is just an awesome feeling. I had only wished to have a great paying job - and well, that's what I have. (Although, Clay, I still would enjoy being your Project Manager!!)

My family and I did get to go to Kings Island over the Labor Day weekend - and that was a blast!! I road the Italian Job and OMG....I think part of my stomach is still on that ride somewhere!!! That was a great time with the kids!!! They are just centimeters over being able to ride the big ones!! I have to admit, I was a bit nervous about letting them choose when the rides that were scaring the pants off of me, but, you know..i had to let go a bit. And it was just awesome!!

Now that school is back and we have to adapt to a new schedule - again - things are calming down.

I love my new job and still sick that I missed your tour this year, but, never again!!! Looking forward to seeing you over Christmas, Clay.

So, do tell - whatcha doin? - (smiling and waiting with wide eyed anticipation...)

I hope all you Claymates had an incredible summer. For some of us, the weather changes now and it gets cooler, for others - you get to keep the sun. However, if you are feeling a bit tired of that hot stuff - ship it to the north - we could probably use it to keep things from freezing:-)

Love to all!!!

Melody