Wednesday November 24, 2010

So much going on, not enough time. I feel that the last week has been an unending journey, but all positive.

Since my last blog, I spent last Saturday morning with a group of Nobles, volunteering their time to clean the bus garage. We spent about 3 1/2 hours cleaning and preparing the vehicles for this week's trips. We also did a fall cleaning of the external portion of the garage, cutting down all the weeds and making it look pretty good. I left the garage around noon, had some lunch, enjoying the best wings in detroit at the Sweetwater Tavern (MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM) and then headed up to the Shrine Center.

Carrie had her Ladies Luncheon on Saturday, and by all accounts it was successful and I am very proud of her. Her event staff and herself went all out to conduct a slightly different version of a luncheon. I stayed away awaiting a visit from our Amish partner from Coldwater who was bringing some items to the Shrine Center. He showed up around 5 PM and we had a very nice conversation.

Carrie and I finally left around 7:00 P.M. Tired!!!!

Sunday: Day of Rest

Monday: Went down to the Shrine Center for some quick meetings with some Nobles regarding the final stages of the Festival of Lights show. I also met briefly with the commercial staff regarding holiday decorations of the hall, it should look very nice.

Tuesday: "FEZTASTIC". First of all I went to the Shrine Center after work for a quick finance committee. Then I headed over to the Hazel Park Racetrack to attend the annual christmas tree lighting at the neighboring HP ice arena, conducted by the city. We joined in the celebration, which was followed by the official ribbon cutting ceremony of our first Annual Shriners Festival of Lights. I had the opportunity to meet the parade Marshall, Miss Erin Cummings, of Detroit 187 Fame. She was very pleasant and seemed to have a good time. We were also joined by over a 100 Nobles, Family and friends, and a Clydesdale horse and of course one of our own beautiful Arabian Horses fromt the Shrine Horse Troop.

I had the honor of being one of the first people to drive through the Festival of Lights and I was really impressed by the hard work by our Nobles, the racetrack, and production team. I am very optimistic that this will turn out to be a very successful event. By the amount of cars waiting behind us, it was a really good start to the event.

Following the light show, the Shriners met at a local watering hole to have some food and bonding. Carrie joined us there after her long commute from Ann Arbor, and we had a very good time.

Thanksgiving is tomorrow and I cannot begin to list all that I am thankful. I feel that our lives have been blessed by the Supreme Architecht, given the opportunity to give back to an organization like the Shriners, and have the most wonderful woman in the world as my wife. I wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving and a great weekend.