Yep, Jilly Bean - I would LOVE that. Or we will move ahead with the cruise idea, but it seems less likely since Josh wants to do the South Pacific vacation so soon. I will not balk at his suggestions, though, as this is a lifelong dream for me.
We had "Electives" we could take in Jr High. (Grade 7). I took a course just on "Australia" as our principal offered it and he was from there. I vowed then, at age 13 that I was going to Australia. Chuck and I spoke of it often, perhaps for our 25th but to be away for 3 t 4 weeks when we have Ryan and younger kids was too much. We did get away once to Hawaii for 3 weeks but after that - we returned twice WITH the kids.
It is so cool that Josh and I spoke of the same dream from the start. New Zealand does not interest me as much (but I haven't studied it much yet - I'm certainly open to it). But he spent a month there and wants to show me around. My dream trip would be to start in New Zealand, do Australia, then a week in Hawaii on the return so I could show him around.
Looking at some Mini venues in the coming months. Last summer I nearly jumped in the car and did a solo road trip your way. There is a new minis museum open in the Kalamazoo area as well as wonderful shops around the state and I want to go to Frankenmuth. Josh suddenly mentioned us going to Mackinaw as well which surprised me because staying at the Grand has also been on my "To Do" list. Me thinks he has been listening, absorbing and he really does aim to please. He just does it in such an offhanded way, I don't always "get it" till later. But I'm no fool - these are wonderful offers.
So, Jilly, we will meet. And Bethie better be coming to see me in Chicago next month, right Beth???? Too many near misses for us. It is time. After all, it has been over a year since I met Karen.
