i had a great visit home this past weekend. friday was my last day at cme. after work amy and i drove to michigan. it was late when we arrived but we stayed up fairly late talking with ellis and christina.


the next morning we met up with mike and lori for breakfast while christina was at work. after breakfast we shopped a bit and then went to mike and lori’s house. i hadn’t seen the new bathroom since the renovation and mike had just purchased an xbox. we played outlaw golf for a while, until we were going to meet up with christina at my dads for a swim. lori had left to get her hair done while we were playing the game. i thought nothing of it at the time, but ellis was acting strange. he kept saying that we should stop playing the game after we finished the current hole, we had to go, etc. i figured he was just antsy to meet up with christina, no biggie.


we finally left and headed to my dads house to swim and hang out. when we pulled into the driveway i thought it was weird that there was a lot of cars in the driveway. i figured they were there working on the pool house addition that my dad was having done or that they were visiting. i didn’t pay much attention as to who’s cars were out there. walking around the corner into the backyard i had an idea that suddenly came true. they were all there to throw a surprise party for my birthday. i was flabbergasted … i had never had a surprise party before. on top of that i had no idea that they were planning one or anything. not even a clue or someone saying something mistakenly. it was pulled off perfectly … kelly had planned it to the tee.


there were a ton of people there, most of whom i hadn’t seen in a long time. originally i was going to have my immediate family over on sunday to hang out and just see each other as we hadn’t done that in a while, and it was my birthday. kelly moved that up a day and threw in a ton more fun … i had a great time. i swam, talked, ate, opened presents, swam, and relaxed. i can’t thank everyone enough … it was such a great time.


the rest of the weekend we hung out, swam, and talked … it was cool to hang out with christina and ellis and just talk. i think it was great for amy and me to make additional amends and for her to get to know everyone better. christina and ellis were very hospitable … we were very comfortable.


we left on monday for the drive home and today i pretty much spent the whole day cleaning house, trying to download earth and beyond, and working out at the gym.


needless to say i haven’t worked out or ate right this past weekend. today i was back on track though, kicking ass and taking names. look for an update at the end of the week regarding my progress.


tomorrow is my birthday as well as my first day at my new job. wish me luck …