Off toward Atlanta

On mine and Camille's way down to Atlanta, we stopped in Hilton Head for 3 nights of R&R. We got there in the afternoon and headed straight to an ice cream shop and then over to the lovely beach. It was so hot and humid out, and the water was just as warm. There isn't much relief down South from the heat. Gosh!

We had 3 lovely days at the beach. It really felt like we were on a vacation. Gosh, this job is awesome. (Helps having a car, too.) We stayed in a condo right next to the ocean. Camille found the place for us, and it was just perfect. A tiny little condo that had a deck overlooking the sea. Oh, beautiful.

Every morning, I would wake up for the sunrise, walk the beach for an hour and end on a bench swing reading my book. It was wonderful! I tried to do as much outside in the mornings, because come High Noon I would hide away for 2 hours while the sun was roaring and burning everyone to a crisp. But before that time would come, Camille and I would go for a swim to "cool down" and dry off in the sun. Then, after my lunch and hide out, I would layer on the sunscreen and head out to the beach for an afternoon filled with sunbathing, reading, cat-napping and swimming. The sea was stirred up from the hurricane. A big tree washed up onto the beach over our first night and the water was filled with sand. The beach went out for several feet, and it was shallow, so Camille and I went out pretty far. At night we went out for dinner, rented movies, walked the beach, looked at the stars and slept lightly, getting ready for our next day on the beach. My last night there, I saw a shooting star. And, in the morning, I saw a group of dolphins (or were they sharks?) swimming right off the shore. I took both of these as signs of good luck. The day we left, it poured! I was out walking and got totally drenched by the ran. When it rains down south, it just pours. Unbelievable! We had a pretty intense drive because of the rain. But we made it for our weekend in Atlanta, which is no longer is a drought because of this week's rain.

Friday night, we got together for dinner with our marketing company and Kashi. Both our companies came in to see the tour one last time this year, to discuss any changes and to look over our work. They are proud of us because we have never done so well this year. Dinner was yummy. We went to Repast in downtown Atlanta.

The event went smoothly even though there were thunderstorms all day Sunday. The Summer Shade Art Festival was held in Grant Park, which is Atlanta's oldest and largest park. It was quite lovely. And we all enjoyed having the bosses with us over the weekend.

And off to Florida! Whoopie! Back to the beach. One more week on tour...

On the way to Baltimore

What a week!

I dropped off my Dad in CT Sunday night and Monday morning, I picked up Abbey and Jonathan and we headed toward New Jersey. Abbey with me in the Kashi mobile and Jonathan and Dad in the convertible. It was a HOT and HUMID day and we ended up getting stuck in traffic for 2 hours on the GW bridge. Nice for me and Ab, being in the Kashi car - it's a hybrid so it turns off when we're not moving, but poor J and Dad were cooking in the hot sun waiting for traffic on 95 to move. When we arrived in NJ, we were starved up and had a quick Kashi cracker and cheesy, and then we headed out to the pool. We spent the next two days at the pool, playing croquet, eating goodies my Aunt created and playing with the little children - my cousin's kids. We all had a really nice time, and thoroughly enjoyed introducing more of our family to my new brother-in-law. I really have such a wonderful family, which is always remembered when I introduce important people into my life with my family.

Wednesday afternoon, after a long and competitive game of croquet, which I won with flying colors (we played poison, so once I finished, I went back and killed everyone before they could finish - I rocked it out!!!), we drove into NYC for the evening. I booked the Marriott Marquis for us because Abbey and I used to ride the elevators there and dream about being able to stay there. After driving through the Luncoln Tunnel, being hailed by hundereds of New Yorkers and tourists alike, we pulled into the hotel in Times Sqaure in our bright yellow Kashi mobile. We were forced forward by the valet guys because they thought we were a taxi (many o the taxi's in NYC are actually the same car - a Toyota Hybrid Highlander). Angry that the driver (aka. I) would try to drive up to the entrance, they came up to my window, realized we were guests and put on a huge smile display for us. Ha!

We rode up the elevators that are located on the outside of the walls and entered into our room, which looked right over Times Square.

By late atfternoon we got in line at TKTS, and within 15 minutes we had already purchased our tickets to South Pacific, playing at Lincoln Center. We walked through Rockefeller Center to 5th Avenue, through Central Park and over to the Upper West Side touring Jonathan around. For dinner we stopped at Josie's (an organic restaurant on Amsterdam & 74), had a healthy dinner and spectacular dessert and then walked 7 blocks south to Lincoln Center. South Pacific was wonderful! Very entertaining and joyous music. Abbey and I grew up on South Pacific because our father would frequently rent musicals for us to watch before bedtime. It was a real treat for us to see it performed live. Broadway never disappoints.

On the walk back home we re-entered Times Square. Jonathan was a bit shocked by all the ridiculous lights. He asked me when they turned them off at night and was a bit flabbergasted when I said they never did. It's really unbelievable how much power we use that could be supplying a whole country in just 7 blocks. That's New York for ya! $$$

The next morning we enjoyed breakfast on the top of the hotel with a lovely view of Times Square and read the paper. After riding down the cool elevators, we walked to the Empire State Building, Grand Central Terminal (whispering in the corners) and the NY Public Library (I love the Rose Reading Room - where I used to write my best papers for college). Then we hopped in the car and drove to the Brooklyn Bridge, a view of the Statue of Liberty at Battery Park, WTC site and Greenwich Village.

This NYC trip was my treat to A & J to celebrate their marriage. Since J had never been before, I thought it was a nice idea. I think it was pretty eye opening to him, especailly in this heat. I'm glad he saw it. It was NYC at it's best and at it's worst, just like every day in the city, really.

We met Giovanna at W 4th St and hopped on the highway toward Newark airport.

After dropping the kids off at the airport, Giovanna and I drove to Baltimore. Blah!

I'm not the biggest fan of Baltimore, so I did what I needed to do - fedex, whole foods, site check and then got to bed. Boy, did I sleep deeply. I had no idea how tired I was until I could barely wake up. I think all this wedding hype of Abbey and Jonathan coming home was more than any of us could understand until after it was all over. Not so much physically exhausting, but emotionally and mentally - planning, planning, planning. My mother mentioned it to me when we left or Jersey, because that was the end of all this craziness for her then, but I still had A & J for 1 more week, and didn't agree with her until Thursday, when I dropped them off. I love my sister and seeing her married and happy, but working a full-time job on top of enetertaining can create a lot of anxiety and exhaustion. Ah, but it was fun, too.

The event was alright. Not the best. I was a little nervous because we were right, and I mean, right at the end of the peir and we weren't sure if the hurricane was going to hit Baltimore or not. So, we really weighed the tents down as best we could and each night I prayed for low winds. It poured both nights, cleaning off our tents beautifully, and we didn't loose anything in the water, which I am ever-grateful for, but man - I wouldn't ever want to set up that close to the water again. The beach is one thing, on a pier is another.

People in Baltimore don't know much about Kashi, so we had a lot of work to do in terms of educating our consumers on healthy lifestyles. Lots of people had never tried Yoga before, either. So, I thought Baltimore was a great place to be for our little tour. But, if I never had to go back there... I wouldn't.

We are now on our merry way to Atlanta. :)

But first, Camille and I are headed to Hilton Head for the week for a little R&R.

Heading toward Gloucester

What an amazing week!Sunday nightI drove straight to my mother's house in preparation for my sister's wedding. Itwas a long drive, but beautiful. I was driving through little back roads

for an hour.

The only thing that

kept me company on

the road were the

bight yellow

signs of tru

cks tipping over because of how cu

rvy the roads were. And I was in Brandy (my truck) no less. It was fun. I like the challenge of driving the truck through such crazy places.

And I'd done it plenty of times before, so I knew what to expect and that a truck was safe. It was Rt. 8, through MA and upstate CT (before it becomes a highway) for those of you that know that area. I drove past Lenox (my favorite

area) and Kripalu (my Yoga center). And, it is so

lush out here! Even though it was pitch black - the road was beautiful with trees and the little river next to me.

As soon as I woke the next morning, I was set to work. My poor mother had to go in to the office for part of the day, so I got to working in the kitchen. I decided that I wanted to make the wedding cake and the meal following the ceremony, so I began as soon as I woke. Yum yum!

That evening, my sis, future bro-in-law, grandmother and uncle arrived. I finished off the cake and the ladies headed out to dinner. My mother's closest friend took us out for dinner and Art, my step-father through a bachelor party for Jonathan. J is from England and has never been to the Eastern US, so we introduced him to everyone. After a fabulous dinner in Litchfield, the ladies headed back to the house to find our bar packed with men - I don't think I've ever seen this house so packed with just men. It was amazing! We all caught up with the boys and then headed to bed to rest for the big day.

In the morning, we headed into the day full-blast. By Noon we were ready, with bouquets in hand. Abbey and I hopped on the neighbors boat and floated along the lake for a bit and headed in the direction of my mother's lake house. Along the way, neighbors came out to take pictures and watch the lovely ladies go by. It was very sweet. Once we arrived, Michael Buble playing in the background on the boat, my father took Abbey's hand and walked her off the plank and through the little family up the "aisle." Jonathan was waiting for her in front of our justice of peace, who was dressed like a Revolutionary soldier (ha!).

After the beautiful ceremony, we headed in for one of the best meals I've made. And then cut the wedding cake! :) The rest of the day we spent swimming in the lake and getting to know Jonathan. My father and younger sister had never met him before. Craziness!

It was truly a lovely day.

Wednesday I took Abbey and Jonathan to the ring shop so they could pick out their rings and we went shopping for beer and food for our party later on. We had the "reception" at 5pm, which was local friends that came over for a cook out. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and we drank lots of beer. Mike Gould, a good family friend, showed up to the party in his scuba diving suit - he came in on the water. It was hysterical.

Thursday, we went for a swim in the morning, and then I got in my truck with my sis and father and headed to Providence, RI, to drop off Z and pick up Giovanna at the bus station. It was fun travelling with the family in the truck. :)

Of course, we got stuck in traffic passing by Boston, but we made it to Gloucester and my father and I walked around the area. We had dinner at a Mexican restaurant and slept well in our big rental house. The few hours we had before set up, my father and I walked the town, visited the harbor and found an extremely old cemetery that we wandered around. My father is a genealogist, and absolutely loves cemeteries.

The event went smoothly. We were right beside the water, and it was a whole lot of fun having my Dad work for me. It's not often that happens. :) We had some really great staff working for us this weekend, and Dave was with us again. The weekend was pretty great.

Gosh, only 3 weeks left!

Brockport, NY

15 hours of driving to CT from Chicago. And I made it! I actually had a really nice drive. I love driving and that car - the Toyota Hybrid Highlander is an awesome one. Such a smooth ride with so many gadgets to play with and an awesome radio system. I brought strange music with me for the this half of the tour and it was entertaining.

Once I arrived, I walked into my mother's house and went to bed exhausted.

The week was a whirlwind of wedding errands and visiting friends. My mother, step-father and myself are planning this wedding in just 7 days! It's crazy. We bought flowers, looked at wedding rings, ordered bouquets and more flowers, planned the meals, tried on dresses and more dresses, painted the yoga room, planned the menus, etc. It was a lot of fun and a lot of work. But my mother and I are really enjoying ourselves with all this planning. It's actually a lot of fun! Not really stressful at all. Although, imagine trying to plan a wedding with no Abbey in sight - she and Jonathan are busy in England! We're so excited that is doesn't really even matter. (In fact, maybe it's easier to plan without the bride around to tell us what to do. We just do it.) We've taken it into our own hands and are making an exceptional wedding, I think. :) I'll be sure to post pics next week.

I also spent a lazy afternoon in Topsmead Park in Litchfield with my Dad. We brought up a picnic with Kashi crackers, cheese, fresh veggies and Riesling. We played Mille Bournes, our favorite French card game.

I spent my final day in CT with my friend Kim, checking out her new photo-store and with Heather and her babies for lunch. She is such a good friend. We've known each other since 5th grade and have kept in touch somehow or another through it all. We're certainly in very different places in our lives, she's at home with 2 adorable kids and happily married, and I'm never at home and not a boyfriend in sight! ;) But I'm working like a dog, and, well, I'm married to my work. Which I'm happy with, for now. It's a lot of work, but I'm helping people step by step and it's just wonderful what the Tour gives to our world.

As for Rochester. We had a lovely weekend. People in New York State don't know so much about Kashi, so we got to talking. :) It was a lovely weekend.

Off to the wedding -- 6 hour drive Sunday night in Brandy.

Evanston, IL

I spent the first half of the week in Indy with Camille, my caterer. We had a great time. She was taking care of 2 of her grand kids for the week and that certainly kept my mind occupied and off of work. She and husband took my to dinner in a golf cart and rode me around the town in the golf cart. It was a lot of fun. They took me into the forest to see the deer and a dam. It was really quite fun. Camille is an awesome lady, and was very kind to take me in for a couple nights. I was happy to take a break from hotel life and to finally meet Camille's family and see her in her home.

The second half of the week was spent in Northbrook, IL. I went out to dinner with Natalia, a past employee with the Kashi DOC. We had a lovely dinner in Evanston and laughed a lot about the past and present. I love to laugh, and it's such a relief to know so many happy and funny people.

The weekend was great. Evanston is an adorable town. I really liked it. There were 2 whole foods within just a few blocks of one another. And we all went to a live mic at a coffee shop and watched Jason perform. He's an awesome singer and guitar player - kinda like Jack Johnson sound.

I was interviewed by a student at Northwestern about Kashi and really enjoyed answering all her questions. It reminded me how much I love my job, and what an awesome one it is!

I had this brilliant idea -- why don't' I go to CT for the week and help my Momma prepare for Abbey's wedding... 15 hour drive later--