Mini updates

Ben just got home yesterday from a business trip to Chicago and he said he really liked it there. His idea (not mine) - for me to tag along when he goes in November. He does meetings, I get to do Christmas shopping on the Magnificent Mile! Sounds like a plan to me. So now he's got clients in Chicago, Milwaukee, New York, and Santa Monica. Santa Monica is next on my list. Oh, and his new favorite conference in Miami. We are thinking of having me meet him down there on the last day (February of 2009), then heading to Key West. Very excited at that prospect.

So Ben's younger brother, John, is in the Air Force and just got shipped out to Iraq. Balad AFB to be exact. We've enjoyed cruising around the internet checking it out. They have KFC, Taco Bell, Burger King, just to name a few. He was pretty nervous about going, but I think he'll be fine. Things have calmed down and he will be within the base itself, so he should be safe and sound. We can't wait to hear from him more and maybe get some photos.

Ali's dad lives in Missouri and they just got absolutely nailed with tornadoes last week. Luckily Dad and Mikell made it through fine, albeit in a closet, but there was no damage to their house. The same storm though, did kill about 20 people in the same proximity, so we're thankful they are fine.

Our dog Tanner is a mess right now, just like me. He was at day care two weeks ago and got cut on a fence, so they think. To the vet, knocked out, see the cut all the way down to the muscle, got stitches, the whole she-bang. So the stitches came out last Saturday, but then on Monday, Ben went home for lunch to let him out and noticed that the cut had opened right up again. So back to the vet, and STAPLES this time. Those stay in for a good ten days, so hopefully after that he'll be all good.

Ali is coaching girls soccer again and really enjoying it. Our last game is tomorrow and I'm gonna miss them this summer. It's amazing how much time and work it is. Coming up with drills for practice, choosing goalies, assigning positions, hearing the complaints (my toe hurts, my tummy hurts), dealing with 8-9 year olds fighting. It's exhausting, but I love it!