December 24, 2007: Thomas Family Photo

My Aunt Charlene has been the photographer in the family.  She has always taken photos of the Thomas family throughout the years.       My Uncle Steve was a photographer, too, and taught my Aunt how to take beautiful photographs.       This is a photo from Christmas 2007 at Dayspring Assisted Living.

August 24, 2007: Birthday in Chicago

I decided that I wanted to celebrate my birthday in Chicago with my Mom and Maggie, so we drove there and spent the day.   I went to Information Resources to visit with my old co-workers which was fun. Then, we walked along the Chicago River over to Michigan Avenue.   Maggie seemed to enjoy all of the attention she got as we walked along the streets.     It truly was a nice day to spend in Chicago.

We spent the night at my friend Dawn Mehren's house in Palos Heights.      We had a good time hanging out with Dawn and seeing inside her childhood home that she now owned.

Summer 2007: Mackinac Island & Mackinaw City

I became a Big Sister to Brittanie Kammers and wanted to take her on a summer vacation to Mackinac Island and Mackinaw City.    My mom, Brittanie, Maggie, and I went on the trip.  We got a cheap hotel in Mackinaw Island that took pets.       We went through the shops in Mackinac City the first day.  I drove all of us over the Mackinac Bridge to the Upper Peninsula so Brittanie could experience that.       

We had to leave Maggie in the room at the hotel when we went to Mackinac Island for the day.  Brittanie enjoyed taking the ferry over to the island. She was quite surprised when she got to the island and saw no automobiles.    We took one of the carriage rides around the island to get a tour.      I had taken my video camera along, so she enjoyed taking videos.

We had a wonderful lunch buffet at the Grand Hotel.   Brittanie was so fascinated by how fancy the hotel and dining room were.    We walked through the whole hotel, which is so beautiful.  We walked around the island and then through more shops. Then, we took the ferry back to Mackinaw City.   

Maggie enjoyed walking all around Mackinaw City.     I think we all had a good time on this vacation.

May 26-28, 2007: Maggies First Vacation to Jamestown, NY

Maggie went on her first vacation which was to Jamestown, New York, for the Lucy Desi Festival. Lucy Arnaz was here so we get to see her tomorrow.   We left Muskegon at 7 a.m. and stopped near Battle Creek. Then, we stopped at these outlet stores we saw near the I-80/I-69 highway.   Maggie liked everyone petting her.  She is a good little traveler.  She slept most of the time.

Anyway, we got to Jamestown around 6:30 p.m. Jamestown is about a 495 mile trip. I forgot how long it was to drive here. I was quite tired from this past week of being on the go and working.     Mom and I took turns driving.   I think my medication also makes me a little more tired too, especially in the mornings.

We got to the hotel and let Maggie roam in the room.  She looked so happy.
She ran all over checking out everything.  I think she was enjoying the traveling
like we do.

Mom and I had dinner at this Italian restaurant which was quite good. Mom had
Italian wedding soup and I had lasagna.  It was a big plate of lasagna, too.   Then,
we came back to the room and got Maggie and walked down to watch
"Lucy Under the Stars".  They played "I Love Lucy" shows on a building.
It was nice to sit outside, too.  Maggie was real good.

Lucy Arnaz did a little show and then cut the ribbon.   In the beginning, 

it started to rain, so they had to stop the program for about 5 minutes.  

But, then the rain stopped and they could continue.    We took Maggie 

to the gravesite of Lucille Ball.  Also, we took a tour at the playhouse. 

They have reproductions of the New York apartment 

sets and the California apartment sets. I snuck in a couple of pictures too.

Saturday evening, we went to the show, 'Tribute to Desi Arnaz' which 

was presented by his daughter, Lucy Arnaz.     It was quite good.   

Then, the highlight of our evening was the Gala we attended at this 

mansion.  

It was pretty neat.  We got to meet the actors who played the 

twin cowboys (Timmy and Jimmy) in one of theI Love Lucy episodes. 

They were 11 yrs old at the time that episode was done.  They are 

now in their 60s.  

We also met this lady, Angela, who is the personal manager 

for Sebastian, who owns this laughter Yoga school in LA.  They were 

on the April 11th Oprah show and telling about this new type of yoga 

that is becoming popular.    

My mom and I got to meet Lucy Arnaz and had our picture taken with her.   

She sure has a cute figure.   

She must work out alot to keep it up.  Lucy Arnaz is quite nice.