DMB Cleveland

Wednesday night my friend Dana and I went to Dave Matthews in Cleveland! Blossom, our outdoor venue, is not my favorite, but I couldn't pass it up. My friend Kevin came through once again with great tickets for us, and a VIP pass for the band lounge with food and drinks. Gotta love it!

The Lake House

My mom's side of the family (which is probably half of the people who read this) has had a lake house in Roaming Rock, OH since the 70's. It's a home that now four generations of people have been able to enjoy. However, I have not been there since I was in college. I used to go there often in high school and college when my cousins (well, like third cousins) all lived closer.

This is one of the first years in a LONG time that there have not been any summer weddings on that side. I have been lucky enough to see most of my cousins through touring, but weddings are really the only time that we all get together. So someone came up with the wonderful idea of inviting us all to the lake for a fun Saturday together!

Things ten years later at the lake were a little different- everyone has the cutest kids in the world now! I swear, we create some good lookin' babies. Last year five girls were preggo at the same time- crazy. Almost everyone was able to come. People brought food, drinks, corn hole, cards... but the real entertainment was of course the kids. The weather was less than desirable, but that didn't stop them from swimming and tubing and playing outside.

We took a huge family photo for my cousin Patrick, who is in Afghanistan. It was next to impossible to get the kids to sit still for it and not have a few of them crying! So they were bribed with fruit snacks, and all the girls singing "The Wheels On The Bus". My Aunt Kathy has the pic on her camera, so I will post it when she sends it out.

Enjoy the pics from our fun family day!!

Buffalo, NY

I have not had internet in like FOUR DAYS!! Shoot me! I was able to check my email and Facebook from houses I was babysitting at, but not able to post any blogs with photos until it was fixed. It's really sad how much I am online, as I have discovered by not having it all weekend!

Last week I decided to go see my friend Beth in Buffalo for a few days. I was supposed to be in Tahoe with Darrel for a wedding, and I just really wanted to get out and go somewhere, rather than sit home. I met Beth the second year of tour, and just love her. She is not around often- her boyfriend lives in Portland, and she works on cruise ships. But, she just happened to be three hours away last week, house sitting for her aunt.

There is a bit of irony that goes along with my planned Buffalo trip. My dad was up at our house in Ontario last week, and had forgotten his passport at home. It's a long story, but he realized it once he had already gotten in. As of June 1st, you have to have your passport to get home. What are the chances that I was going to be on the border of Canada, on the same day that my Dad needed his passport (Thursday).

This was the perfect excuse for Beth and I to take a short little trip into Canada to meet up with him for lunch. I have done the Falls before- totally a tourist trap. So we decided to go to Niagara on the Lake instead. It's a bit further, but so much nicer. Just a quaint little wine town with shops and restaurants and bakeries and parks. It was really nice to just walk around and enjoy it for a few hours. And make sure that my Dad could get back into his own country!

After our afternoon at Niagara on the Lake, we hit up the Buffalo mall. I never would have thought that Buffalo would have such a killer mall, but they did! I guess people come down from Canada to shop there, which makes sense. I hit Forever 21 and Urban Outfitters, and got some of the most unbelievable deals of my life. Literally, shirts at Urban that were $48, for $5.

Beth and I just hung out for those few days, made dinner in, played games, and chatted. It was exactly what I needed, and I thank her for putting me up at her aunt's house and being such a great friend!!

Just A Quick Update

Some of my friends have been asking why the heck I have not posted a blog in so long. Most of you know, but some of you don't, that Darrel and I are no longer together. And that's the reason, plain and simple. I have had a hard few weeks, and I am sure I will have many more. Not a lot of fun things going on. But I promise that I will be back up and running soon!

This upcoming week is actually looking good for me- I am headed to Indy tomorrow to go out to dinner with some people about a possible new job! It would mean relocating to Toronto for a while, then numerous cities after, but I am really hoping it works out. Not saying anything more, in case it doesn't. :)

Then later this week (Wednesday and Thursday), I am driving to Buffalo to see a friend from tour, and hang out for a few days.

Oddly enough, my dad is in Ontario for the week, and left his passport at home by accident. I guess you can get up there without one, but not back without one. (I'm sure he would get back eventually, but it might take some doing). Since I am going to be in Buffalo ANYWAY, I can just cross over the border 10 miles away, give him his passport, and he can come home on Thursday! Seriously, what are the chances that I would have plans to be so close!?

I'll keep you posted.....