Part II - Glasgow

Our VIP visitor came to London at the perfect time of the year. The weather was wonderful, the street markets were lively, and there was a bank holiday weekend. A perfect excuse to take a trip somewhere that none of us had ever ventured before. Glasgow, Scotland! We booked our return train tickets, loaded up our bags, and headed north.

We were ready...

...and excited...

...and a little bit cramped. But still happy!

The views on the train ride were beautiful. Next time, we are renting a car and just driving around the countryside to see what there is to see. I wanted to jump off the train and frolic around the rolling hills.

Check out those little sheep dots!

We arrived at our hotel on the later side so we grabbed a quick bite and a drink and settled in for the night. Thoroughly refreshed, we woke up bright and early the next day to get breakfast and get going. Mike opted for the traditional Scottish breakfast. 

Just a light meal, really.

The area of town that we stayed in was very close to the University of Glasgow, so we made that our first stop. The areas surrounding the main grounds are meticulously maintained and picturesque...

So much so that Otis had to stop to work on his dog modelling. He has an audition coming up...

Like I said, the grounds were beautiful, and the university itself wasn't too shabby either.

"Oh hey, I'll just meet you guys in the quad later...I've got to get to Midwifery"

It seems the curriculum has changed quite a bit these days.

Our next stop was Kelvingrove Park, where there seemed to be little surprises around every corner. 

Statues...

Bagpipers practicing among the trees... 

...and there was one particular tree that we came across that deserved special attention. Mixed in with the leaves were little bits of paper with wishes on them. Anyone walking by could write down their wish for the universe, and hang it in the wind. All of the wishes were very lovely....peace on earth, more hand-holding, fewer worries. All left by people that, I believe, want the world to be a little bit brighter. 

I wrote down my greatest wish of all. I think it's a pretty good one. 

The way I see it, now, in some small way, my Mom has been to Glasgow too.

We finished up at the park with a solid tree-climb....

More dog posing....

and finally wrapped up the first day in the city with a few drinks down a hidden street off the main drag. 

Phew, there is so much more Glasgow to show you, but I will save it for the next post. I know I said that this series of entries would be a trilogy, but I think it's going to turn into a Friday the 13th scenario. Start with I, end up with XVII. I'll try to keep it down to IV.

VIP Visitor - Part I

I got really lucky when I married my husband. He is a keeper through and through...I mean, come on....he proposed to this face...

What a saint. Yes, I won the lottery with this gentleman. But on the day that I said "I do",  I also gained brothers...and sisters...and nieces and nephews...and a wonderful mother-in-law! I got to be a member of a very select group of people that have always treated me as one of their own...always accepted me for who I am.

Thank you for that, all of you. 

A few weeks ago, the CEO of the Schulte crew made her way from the Windy City to pay us a visit. And boy, did we have a blast. She told us that she wanted to see what our lives were like in our new city (and country...and continent), so we took her for a spin around our neighborhood...and beyond. 

The first couple of days were all about catching up on old memories and new stories...and food, of course. Our first epic meal was held at home and consisted of homemade tuna nigiri and mussels with basil bread crumbs (thanks to Ina Garten's recipe...that fabulously pretentious lady. Seriously, what the hell is "good" mayo. I shop at Sainsbury's/Jewel/Kroger....I'm buying Hellmans). Sorry, you really should try that recipe. It is fabulous and you will lick your fingers clean in the end. Pinky swear.

We ate, drank adult beverages, and talked until the wee hours of the morning. I absolutely loved watched these two sharing memories from days gone by.

Otis was happy to be included in the festivities.

On the first trip out into the city together, our obvious first stop was Borough Market. I can honestly say that I will never get tired of going there. It gets extremely busy if you venture out anytime after 11am, but the crowds and the chaos are totally worth the fuss.

We took her around the market and central London to some of our favorite spots in the area.

We weren't drunk...but we are certainly cheesy.

Ye Olde Cheshire Cheesy.....ahhhhhh, get it?? I'm sorry you had to read that.

And that was just the first three days! Stay tuned.

There's no place like....

Last week I clicked my ruby reds together on a Thursday and found myself flying into my most favorite place on earth...home. Michigan to be exact. Seeing the coastline appear in the window of the plane gave me warm fuzzies.

I love the glove. Absolutely smitten with the mitten. For any non-US citizens reading, the state is shaped like this...

For Michiganers, the shape of our lovely state makes it quite easy to show others where we are from by simply pointing to an area of our palm. I guarantee you that every single person from here has done this exact act no more than 400 times in their life....give or take a few. 

Anyway...

I love my great lakes home. It is beautiful beyond words, and I feel like I have been spoiled rotten to have grown up there. It is also where the most interesting man in the world lives...my Dad!

Going home and spending time with my Dad at the lake is better than the most luxurious vacation to a remote island. He tells the best stories and cheesy jokes, and I am so proud to be his daughter. He and I have a long fishing history together. One that we continue to this day. Sometimes we catch some decent fish....

...and other times we are happy to catch anything at all....

It doesn't really matter what we haul in...we don't really care. The company and the views are top notch. 

This is "The Accountant", as my Dad calls him. He is all business. On time, every morning.

Doesn't stick around for long though.

My reason for coming home in the first place was to celebrate one of my best friends weddings. Carla has been in my life since we were awkward pre-teens in stretch pants and head bands. She's one of the good ones in life, one that you never want to let get away from you. I love her to pieces and could not have picked a better match for her than Ted. I'm sure that 40 years down the road, Mike and I will be laughing it up with the two of them just the same as we do today. 

The big day began with a beauty makeover for myself and the other bridesmaids. Carla is amazingly gorgeous without an ounce of extra help, so she didn't need many add-ons. 

I always forget what an odd bird I am....until I see pictures like this.

Reunion!

The wedding was absolutely beautiful and went off without a hitch. As always, Carla had everything planned out perfectly and a great time was had by all in attendance. 

Dad got to come too....

...and got all of his girls back together again. 

Leaving home after such a fantastic weekend was bittersweet...but I am so thankful that I got to be there to see two people start their lives together with all of their friends and family in tow. 

Congratulations, Carla and Ted! Here's to millions of minutes of laughter and love.