Greetings From Michigan!

Yep -- you heard me right, we're vacationing in Michigan. Mel's spent the last few weeks (since shes off work) planning out a quick getaway vacation. So here we are!

Yesterday we took off around 9am & drove up to Silver Lake. This is a destination that Mel's been to a number of times before & she wanted to share it with me. There are HUGE rolling sand dunes that separate Silver Lake from Lake Michigan. We had to climb an extremely steep graded dune RIGHT after we got out of the car. I thought this task was gonna be tough, but not impossible. Half-way up, I realized that this was next to impossible. We drove about 5 hours then climbed this hill -- my legs were BURNING! After a short break we walked around some more up & down dunes as well as along the shores. Boats were lining the shore as well as people out swimming & riding jet skis. There couldn't have been a more perfect day.

Mel & I found a spot on the beach where we just sat, talked, & enjoyed the sun....so much so, that I got a li'l crispy on the right side of my face.

After that -- we checked into our hotel. The hotel was very nice & unique in the fact that there were 7-8 rather large turtles in the middle of the hotel. This area was similar to an exhibit you'd see at the zoo. It was fenced off to guests, but is open to see them. Although this was unique in itself, we witnessed one male mate with a female! Interesting to say the least, but even worse was when we went back to check 'em out & he was mounting a different one?! Weird.

After we got cleaned up from the day, we went to dinner in Pentwater -- a nearby harbortown. We ate & walked around. After walking around, we headed back to the hotel but stopped by a local putt-putt course. This place was great! Kinda like the courses you'd find in Florida -- winding around in the trees with waterfalls, hills, etc. It was probably one of the best courses we've played.

We headed back to the hotel & relaxed -- even swam & hit the hot tub!

Day 2 began with breakfast at the hotel then back to Silver Lake to check out a cool lighthouse followed by lunch at a local joint in town. The weather wasn't nearly as good as yesterday. Overcast, even sprinkles throughout the day. So, we decided to make our way down to Muskegon to go through some parks & check out various beaches. We found our next hotel, then headed to Grand Haven which, we must admit, we like ALOT. The long boardwalk of restaurants & shops was awesome. Its a nice harbor-type town with lots of people walking around & neat boats to look at. We hung around for the World Famous Musical Fountain show, then we headed back to rest for the night.

Tune in tomorrow for more of the Michigan Road Trip!

Happy Father's Day!

To all the fathers out there -- Happy Father's Day!

I don't know about most families, but I know in my family my parents really sacrificed alot for my brothers & me. I know that my dad had other things that he would rather be doing instead of coaching years upon years of Little League, going to basketball games, & dozens of marching band contests. He did all that because we wanted to. I know that he got us involved in activities that would allow us to grow into great men. But my dad was always unselfish & always put his family first. Working to support us as kids, then as we grew into young men in high school, then as we went off to college -- I know it was special for my dad to see us do all these things. Never once did he let his own personal feelings come into play. Even to this day, he wants to make sure that my Mom is taken care of before himself. A true gentleman.

Our parents played a huge role in how Rob, Randy & I turned out. The connection between father & son is undeniable just as mother & child. Boys always have special connections with their fathers & I never realized the extent of this until we recieved our wedding video back from the videographer & my dad said into the camera, "Pat, you're my best friend."

The first time I saw it, I teared up & thought -- "Wow, I'm my dad's best friend???" I guess I never realized it & now that they live out-of-state, its kind of sad to think back at all of the great times we had when we were younger & how its harder to get together now that we're all adults.

I love my dad so much & while day-to-day activities make it difficult to keep in touch all the time, he needs to know that.

Happy Father's Day

2 Years....

Hola!

Today Mel & I celebrate 2 years of marriage! How crazy is that?? We've been together for like 7 years if you count the dating & such, but 2 official years married. We looked it up, & supposedly its our Cotton Anniversary. Haha.

I've been off work, so we have spent the whole weekend together -- with the exception of Randy & I golfing for the first time this summer on Saturday. Of course, he beat me by 3 strokes....I'll get him sometime this summer.

Tonight we dine bigtime! Im taking her to a surprise dinner somewhere (I'll tell ya later). Here's a hint: I made reservations. LOL.

Who knows what we'll do afterwards but at least we'll be together!

Hope all is well with everyone,

Hasta la vista!

Yikes, been a while!

Hello again!

Well, things have kinda been crazy as of late -- I finished up my tour of duty at the Castleton Store & have since moved on to the Greenwood Store. Here's my Week 1 analysis:

My new location is CRAZY. From the customers to the employees, its crazy. Crazy busy, crazy characters, crazy everything. Don't get me wrong, I think once I adjust to the scene & get comfortable -- I think I'll fit right in. HAHA (interesting to think)

Now my previous stores have been way more organized, structured, & stable. Hopefully, I can implement some things that will allow the new store to have some of that as well as keep everything loose.

So far the people have been nice & welcoming -- I'm sure they think I'm a little too quiet for their environment, but if they only knew! I've not yet come out of my shell, as I tend to hold back until I get comfortable with the new surroundings.

I'll tell you though, my favorite things??
1. The last time I filled up my gas tank, was last Thursday!
2. I've come home 2 times already for lunch with Mel! (the other times I went some staff &
today I met Mel & others at the mall to eat, how great!)
3. The latest Ive gotten home, was like 10:30pm....& thats only cuz were open til 9 now & we got
held up with some long transactions. The other day I got off at 5 & got home around 5:15ish -
sweet.

I'll admit -- Initially, I dont like the change, but I think its cuz there are alot of things different that I would like to change, but know its not necessarily my right/boundaries to do so - but once Im comfortable, I'll implement some things to smooth out processes.

Well, thats the update -- stay tuned for more!

Friends

This past weekend was a rather eye-opening one for me. Mainly because I hung out with my friends for most of the weekend due to a good friend's wedding. (Congrats guys -- although now when we yell, "Hey Cheever!", are you both going to look?)

Anyways -- my wake up call came when I found out that 2 of my other close friends are possibly moving away to pursue job/life opportunities in another city. Granted, Chicago isn't all that far away by any means, but its farther away than the north side where they are now.
I'll be the first to admit, I'm not always there to hang out as often as they get together, but its still nice knowing they're up there & able to hang out when the time is right.

Another bit of news I got is that my best friend is seeing someone he's very interested in & apparently all is well on that front. You go, G.

I guess the fact that I've known all these guys since college & we've all been pretty close since then, has given me a pretty secure feeling that they'd always be around. I'm pretty much in my ideal situation with my wife, job, house, location, etc. But, its kinda selfish of me to think that this "ideal situation" is ideal for everybody. When this weekend I found out that it may not be for them.

I completely respect them for following their heart & where they feel they should go & what they feel they should pursue. But, selfishly, its kinda unsettling to know they may move on & the rare times we spend together now could become even more rare in the near future.

Enough about that -- I've learned to let the chips fall where they may & let God do his work. Our job is to make the most of the time we have & let it ride.

Here's to fun times this summer.

Until next time!