Adventures With Elaine #8

Hi Family and Friends,

I am back in Michigan after doing some work in Philadelphia and Dallas. I have been kept busy with webinars, appointments and some fun and laughter with Laura and her family. I came back to Michigan to celebrate my granddaughter Megan's 17th birthday and watch her cheer for her high school football team.

I had a great evening at the Piano Guys Concert at the Fox Theater in Detroit with Laura, Harold and Elizabeth. The Guys are incredibly talented, humorous and humble. A good time was had for sure and I thank you Laura and Harold!

Megan nominated me for a 5-day Gratitude Challenge on FB, and that turned out to be a great reflective time for me. I try to be conscious of the gifts in my life, but this was really five days of just recalling, remembering and realizing the blessings in my life. I suggest you try it! I think you will find it up uplifting and meaningful. Five days of conscious gratitude really opens one's heart and spirit.

Elizabeth is home from college and sort of getting ready for a semester of study in Spain. It has been amazing the conversations and activities the two of us have gotten into. She asked me three years ago if I would get a piercing with her and I said, "No piercing!" Then I said I would consider one in my ear but that is it. Well guess what? On September 5th we went for our ear piercings...an Opal stud! Not a big deal, right? Wrong! Even though I asked for titanium, I had an allergic reaction to the metal and had to take mine out 3 days later. However Liz E still has hers in and will wear it for both of us...I am done with anything metal!!

A few days later, a gorgeous, Michigan, autumn day arrived and Liz and I went bike riding to Sterling State Park. I haven't ridden a bike in awhile, but, as we all know, that skill comes back pretty quickly. Trust me, Liz looked better in her get-up than I did, but that did not

stop her from posting our pics on FB! We rode around the lake and along a marsh area that was being visited by a lot of Egrets. It was  really a beautiful time with nature at its best, and a fun-loving granddaughter at my side.

It has been a light-hearted visit with Laura, Harold, Megan and Elizabeth and one I will enjoy recalling. I realize yet again, how the simple moments with family and friends, the ones that make us laugh over the silliest things are really special.

At least twice a week, we eagerly waited for Meg to come home from her job with a bag full of pretzel-bites that were still warm from Mrs. Field's. Making a fire at night in the fire pit in Laura's backyard, sitting around it eating s'mores in the light of the full moon was a peak moment for us. Laura heard about a super movie, The Hundred Foot Journey, a PG-rated movie that we enjoyed so much, we recommend it as a must see.

Going through Meg's graduation pictures and trying to pick 'the' best one, became quite the challenge as we all liked different pictures, of course; driving to the grocery store with Liz several times gave us time to discuss life's major challenges but then we would get distracted by something silly like, what I was wearing ("you look like an Easter egg")! I enjoyed listening to Elizabeth's views on sustainable business, but I really enjoyed watching her pretend to get ready for her trip to Spain!!

Thursday, I will do a presentation for parenting grandparents in southeastern Michigan; and, Friday, I leave for Arkansas and then back to the southwest. I will be wearing a big smile as I reflect on my three weeks in Michigan.

With Gratitude,

Elaine