The kids are out of school and I love this time of year. I am the kind of person that over does it. I say yes to all requests the kids have during the school year and in the summer I get a break. No projects, not as many volunteer at the concession stand days, and no need to make something “for the whole class.”

As I was reveling in the prospect of a more relaxed schedule I was reminded that there’s summer band, weight lifting, conditioning, and all the laundry to be done before we can go on our vacation trip. Relaxed apparently is just a state of mind and not an actual condition of family life. Is it that way at your house? 

Oh and did I mention there’s a mole running around in my backyard. The minute we think we know where he’s digging a new tunnel forms! So are lives have turned into some sort of Looney Tunes Cartoon where the mole is constantly outsmarting us and foiling our plans. Look. Evidence.

And two quick thank yous to pass along; THANK YOU to the Bedford Junior High for inviting me to speak at 8th Grade Recognition this year. I was honored to be there and so impressed by the accomplishments of the kids. Also THANK YOU to all the people who continue to visit this blog even though I’m so sporadic with posting.

So welcome to summer I’d appreciate any advice on this mole situation and also what are your plans for vacation?

I hope you get a chance to relax.. even if it is just a state of mind.

The Survivor Lap kicks off the relay for Life.  All the people in purple shirts are cancer survivors. They had over $57,000 to START the day and were aiming to raise $130,000 organizers tell me that walkers raised over $139,000! Amazing!

And just to prove we’re two people. Here’s me introducing Rep. Kathy Angerer who spoke along with Senator Randy Richardville. I joked that since both Kathy and I were there at the same time it would put to rest the rumor that we are the same person. (I didn’t take a pic of Richardville, because usually no one mistakes he and I for one another. )

Great job Bedford and thank you Relay for Life for including me in one of the most inspiring community events in the world! And also thank you for suffering through my silly jokes. (see above)

Congratulations on a wonderful 2008 Relay for Life.

I’ll be helping kick off the Relay for Life at Bedford Community Stadium Saturday morning. Come join us. I hope to post a few pics of the event on Sunday. See you there!

 Here are some of the good looking and intelligent 8th grade students who were in my career day sessions. They were all fun and inquisitive. I had a great time. Thank you Bedford Junior High for inviting me again this year.

I am speaking at Bedford Junior High School’s Career Day. I’ve done this event  for years because it’s so much fun to talk to the kids. They’re right on the cusp of high school and since they get to choose what careers they’d like to learn about they always participate in the discussion.

Each year I bring my Bedford Bronco Yearbook circa 1982-1984. They usually get a kick out of how dorky we looked back then, okay how dorky I looked back then.

One of my favorite moments during this BJHS career day event was a few years back. An eighth grade student introduced herself as Rebecca. She then said “I was you for Halloween.”

Hunh?

Young Rebecca explained that for Halloween she donned a blazer and fashioned a microphone with a 13ABC mic flag (the things around the mic with station logos on them.) Young Rebecca then created a television out of a card board box by cutting out a “screen.” She walked around  with her head framed in the t.v. and explained that she was Rebecca Regnier, 13 Action News, if anyone didn’t get it.

I am sure she scared quite a few people with this costume.

When I go back to talk to 13 year-olds I try to remember my thoughts as a 13 year-old. They’re about the same except now I can drive.

I remember being so over “one way halls” and “one way stairs” at the Junior High. I also remember I was allowed to spend a ridiculous amount of time “decorating the showcase.” This was the case at the front of the school and for some reason I got to make a display for it. See, me dorky.

 So what were you thinking in the eighth grade? Were you thinking in eighth grade? Who was President? What was he thinking?

I’ll try to take a few pictures and post them after the big day. And just a side note I realize I used quoatation marks quite a bit today. I don’t know “why.”

Meanwhile… SO SICK OF SNOW! And so is the school district. I talked to several school districts in Michigan and Ohio that are out of calamity time.  So parents if you plan to go out of town for the summer it would be wise to keep in mind the school year might have one or two extra days after the currently posted  last-day-of-school.