Not Much Happening...

Well..... not much going on right now. Doldrums of winter? The weather here is depressing. Cold, sleet, snow, gray. Sometimes I wonder why anyone would want to live here. Then summer comes and you appreciate why. That's really all I can complain about, the weather. Life is good otherwise. The kids are all doing well. Amber is busy planning her wedding, searching for the perfect (affordable) dress and venue. I am going to visit her this weekend to help with that search. Hopefully we will have good news to report on the next blog. Tyler called from Hawaii this weekend. He had taken a "hop" over to Kauai with some friends for the weekend. They jumped off cliffs and body surfed in the waves! What a life!! He also reports that school is going well. Scott's on "spring break" this week. Some break, no sun in his future or warm temps. He'll probably spend the week on his computer or just laying around, resting up for the next semester! Zoe sleeps alot. It's hard to even get out for walks some days. We did manage a walk on Saturday but by the time we got back my thighs were frozen and she had sludge hanging from the fur on her stomach, but we did walk! Wait, what happened to "life is good". It sounds like I"m complaining but I think it's mostly the weather. Maybe I have that SADD, seasonal disorder thing! Someone who grew up in warm, sunny climates for the first 35 years of her life probably shouldn't be transplanted to Michigan. I don't think I will ever adjust to the gray. Cold is one thing, you can warm up, but gray, well there's just no cure for that other than sunshine!! This is what we got!!

This is what I want!!

Politics in Michigan?

I rarely weigh in on politics but I have to say that I think The Dixie Chicks spoke for many people who are from Texas and other parts of the U.S. Hindsight is 20/20 but at least more people are seeing clearly now. I congratulate the Dixie Chicks on winning Album of the Year and Song of the Year at the Grammys. After all, one of our best and most important freedoms in the United States of America is that of free speech. I pray for peace.

Music Video:NOT READY TO MAKE NICE (by Dixie Chicks)

Music Video Code provided by VideoCodeZone.Com

Sights of San Diego

Birch Aquarium in La Jolla

Here's the Ring!!

Wow, look at this beauty!! Here's a picture of the engagement ring. Amber absolutely loves it!!

Big and Exciting News Flash!!!

I just wanted you to be among the first to know, Amber and Andrew Porter became engaged last night, February 13! They called us with the happy news and we are so happy for them! No firm date has been decided yet but we were told it will be sometime later this year! Her ring is absolutely gorgeous! She sent a close up and even though I'm sure the picture doesn't do it justice, it's still beautiful!! Exciting times for the Mitchell's and we can't wait to welcome Andrew into our family!!

We loved this picture too and just goes to show what a great couple these two will be since they share a great sense of humor!!

Sad News for The Mitchell Family

Howard's father, Howard Sr., passed away on Saturday, February 10. He had been in the hospital for a week or so and due to several medical problems, his kidneys began to fail. He felt the needed dialysis would be too much for his heart and opted not to take the dialysis. His prognosis wasn't good but we weren't sure how much time he would have left. Howard had just spoken to him the night before. Many members of the family will be together later this week for a service of some type, yet to be determined. We just arrived home last night at midnight and Howard was back on a plane today flying to Florida. Howard Sr. was 81 years old and is survived by his wife, Catherine, two brothers, a sister, 10 children and many grandchildren.

Back from Sunny and Warm San Diego

San Diego was beautiful! It wasn't as warm as we had hoped but it was much warmer than Michigan, that's for sure. People there were complaining about how cold it was but we didn't consider high 60's cold! Howard had to work the first two days we were there so I ventured out on my own. The first day I took a ferry over to Coronado Island and sat on the beach watching the surfers. There's just something about the Ocean that is beyond any comparison. Just listening and watching was enough. The beautiful El Coronado Hotel is always a sight to behold. The beach there always rates high in the Top Ten Beaches poll. I told Howard we should definitely retire here some day. Now if we can only come up with a million bucks as that's about what it takes to live there. Small homes sell for upwards of $500,000. Still, I'm going to work on that!! The next day I drove to the Birch Aquarium to check out their fish collection. The fish were so curious they would come right up to the glass. Check out those scary looking eels!! The view from the back deck of the Aquarium was spectacular. Friday Howard had to work until around noon so I headed back over to Coronado to check out the Dog Beach. Guess I was missing Zoe and I happened to luck out. I met a girl there who had a little Aussie of her own so I enjoyed watching her play frisbee and splash in the surf. Later that day Howard and I drove up to Carlsbad for more sightseeing and lunch in Del Mar. The little beach communities along the coast are so quaint.

Saturday was our day to sail on the America's Cup sail boat, Abracadabra. San Diego Bay was beautiful. It wasn't sunny but there was a strong breeze and the Abracadabra just flew along the water. Everyone who wants to can help sail the boat. Howard worked the grinders (which control the main sail) and we both had a chance to steer. Here's Howard telling me which was to go! We really enjoyed our 3 hour trip on the bay.

The skyline of San Diego is beautiful from any angle. It's really a beautiful area with so much to do. I highly recommend it to anyone wanting a nice break from winter! We came up along side this guy while sailing. He is a local photographer and if you look closely you can see him steering the boat (yes, it's a boat) with his feet. Right foot on the throttle, left foot steering on the wheel!

This boat was also out on the bay that day. Our Captain came very close to it (on purpose) and then steered away. The Abracadabra was amazingly easy to steer and it felt like you were driving a car!

We had a wonderful time in San Diego and I hope we get to go back there again some day. There are still so many things we didn't have a chance to do. Maybe next time!

Bitter Cold Weather!!

It's cold, really, really, cold!! I thought last week was cold but this past week and this weekend is the coldest weather I can remember having in Michigan since we've lived here!! It's been near zero for low's and high's for the past 2 days and the weatherman is saying we have a couple more to look forward to! And to think, it's supposed to be an early Spring according to Phil, the Groundhog. I hope it comes soon.

Tyler reports that it's a balmy 79 degrees in Honolulu right now. Guess we should plan ahead next year and head there. We are leaving for San Diego on Tuesday where the temps are at least in the 60's. Not exactly 80 but it's better than Zero!!

Waikiki Beach

The view from Tyler's balcony.

Amber's moving into her new place this weekend. Thankfully she doesn't have too much to move, just her bed, dresser, book case, clothes and some boxes. And it's not nearly as far as her last move from New York. This one is just a bit down the road.

Today was a good day to stay inside and cook/bake. I made some white chicken chili for Scott to eat while we are gone and some Oatmeal cookies to tide him over in the snack department. Now the day is gone and it's almost time to start dinner/snacks for the Superbowl. Go (fill in the blank because I don't really care)!! But for my friend, Claire, who's a Chicago girl, I will wish her Bears luck just because it will make her happy if they win. Go Bears!!