Crrrrrrraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack!

Saturday was a busy one. I got up, got some work done and headed out to Sarah and Loren's to do some extreme cooking. I got back and continued the cooking, making soup and cupcakes for Joe's Sunday dinner. Finally, around 11:30, I sat down to watch Tina Fey do a spot-on Sarah Palin impersonation.

Not long after I sat down, I heard this "creeeeeeak."
I looked out the window and, through the dark and rain, saw taillights. So, I just assumed it must have been the car cutting through the parking lot next to our house running over a plastic bottle or something.

About three minutes later the loudest, most thunderous "CRAAAAAAAACK!" and I was sure the giant tree next to our living room was crashing into the house, destined to crush me. (It's amazing the thoughts that can go through your head in 1.2 seconds).

I yelled for Dan and ran into the bathroom. Not to the back of the house, away from the tree, but to the bathroom, on the other side of the living room, which makes no sense at all.

Once I realized the tree didn't actually crash through the roof, I ran into Dan's workroom in a panic and we headed outside. This is what we saw from our front porch:



A giant portion of this huge tree fell directly over Dan's Jeep, which was parked in the driveway. And when I say over, I mean over. It was hovering over his Jeep and on all four sides of it, but didn't actually come to rest on the Jeep and doesn't seem to have done any actual damage.



He backed through all of the branches to get his Jeep out of there. At the time we didn't know that that branch was still barely attached to the tree, so we weren't really sure what was going to happen.



But, he got it out and everything seems OK. The landlord is getting a tree service here first thing in the morning and we're trying not to take it as some kind of an omen. :)

And he's off!

Tonight the Buys clan met at Sarah's for one last dinner before Joe shoves off for L.A. To gather around the table for us to create some last memories before we're begging security to get backstage and Joe doesn't admit that he knows us. Here's a little note from Joe to the family...



4 My Family…

Well, I’m out – I wasn’t sure if I could pull it off but I’m on my way, and there is no way it could be possible with out the help of all of you. This is beyond crazy for me, rewind even 2 years ago and I never would have imagined even thinking of wanting to do this…but here I am. And you know, it’s not like I’m the only person who’s ventured this route – clearly others from our family and went down a similar path, but in this case for me…it’s definitely different. “Oh so and so is going to…” no big deal, but now I am? It’s every emotion in the world.
It’s not that I feel the need to prove to anybody that I can do this –but that I want to follow a dream in which I believe will make me extremely happy as a career choice. Since I can remember music and more importantly, hip-hop music, has been in my bloodline. I don’t know how I got my mom to purchase unedited west coast “gangsta” rap for me at age 10 – but she did, and aside from my 8th grade stint, it worked out for the best.
There is a love and joy that music brings me – first by listening, but more importantly by recording and especially performing. I love it – and if anybody has told me anything from our family its 1) get your education and 2) follow your dreams – you can be what ever you want. Granted, nobody knows the outcome, but I truly believe if you stick to your vision and just work hard while being good to not only life but people, success will follow (not to be confused with money and fame).
I’m so blessed to have the people close to me that I do – how many families can get irritated because there whole family, not just mom or dad, is so involved. And though it can seem like a bad thing, it rarely is (except of course from Karen’s numerous death threats about relationships – which she’s often right). My head has been spinning the last week because of how many contacts I’ve received and advice I’ve been given, but I wouldn’t change it for the world. Thank you so much.
I guess all I want to make clear in this letter is that, no matter how long I’m away – whether it’s 2 months, a year or 10 years; I know where home is. I know how hard this is on a lot of people (including myself), but I just have this feeling in my heart that I need to do this. It may work exactly the way I envision or it may be a little different, but regardless, due to the way I have been brought up by so many great people – I will be okay. Thank you to everyone who has made this possible, because with out all the things I’ve learned from that fall day in 1984 to this moment – I wouldn’t be able to do half the things I’ve achieved today. So thank you, keep in touch and visit my mom frequently. I love you all.

Joseph ‘JBiZzNys’ Buys

Knitting for change.

OK, so the knitting had nothing to do with Obama, change or wanting change, or needing change for a dollar.

But last night I had to cover Barack Obama speaking at North Farmington High School. The only problem? Press had to arrive about 2 1/2 hours early. One of the Secret Service agents searching my bag found my knitting (with wooden needles so as to not set off any detectors) asked, "Expecting him to be boring?"

I responded, "Not at all, when he starts in two and a half hours."

My two competitors and I took our spots behind the media barricade on the floor when we noticed they put chairs up on the balcony behind us for overflow press. We decided it would be a better vantage point and moved up there. It was perfect. Obama's press entourage took up more than the space below, so it was a wise choice to move regardless.

Although at first I kind of dreaded the circus I thought it would be, I actually got in and out quite easily. It was an interesting night, an interesting event, and no doubt a snapshot in history (in a way).

And to top it all off, I got quite of bit of knitting done on one of my custom orders done before it started.

Click HERE to read my story.

Kirsten

Update: Gupp's kitchen masterpiece continues

Here are a few new photos from the chaos that currently is Gupp's kitchen. It's looking awesome already. I can't wait to see it.

Joe's Journey

As a mother I will admit that I don’t like the idea of Joe going to California. No mother would like that idea…at least any mother that is worth her “salt” as a mother. I now have an idea how Mom felt when Maggie left for Hawaii. The fear of the unknown is not a comfortable feeling for a mom. Although we all like to think we raise our kids to be independent, to go after their dreams and to take risks to reach their goals, we really don’t like it when they finally decide to do what we have been preaching about their entire lives.

I know I am prejudiced, but I think JBizznys is quite a unique individual. We butted heads on several occasions in junior high, a few times in high school and a little when he was in college. I’m sure he would be glad to tell you stories of me hanging up on him, not answering the phone or locking myself in my room with the TV up loud so I couldn’t hear him. Through it all he somehow came through the other side and ended up doing (for the most part) the right thing in my eyes and, after all, doing the right thing by a mother’s standard, is very comforting.

Well, here we are at a crossroads in life. It all started at my house on weekends with his friends, doing rap and now several years later he has a CD and additional songs and public appearances in different venues under his belt. One of the highlights for me was watching him perform at the Detroit State Fair in 2007. It was exhilarating for all of us and especially for “the mom.”

The time has come for this ole’ mom to let her baby boy spread his wings and do what he wants to do. I am proud that he graduated from the best school in the country (right, Dan?) and that he has set an example for many young people whose lives he has touched. I’m grateful that he came into my life, even though I was way too old to be pregnant in 1984….God knew what He was doing by sending him. For the most part he has contributed many interesting stories in the Balice history and has provided us with lots of entertainment. I feel blessed that “he’s…a…my boy” and I feel proud of all that he is and all that he will become.

Joe’s departure will be on September 15. Please join us at the best watering hole in town on Tuesday, September 9 at 6:00 (or whenever) to wish him well on his journey. You will probably witness “the mom” crying. Don’t worry about it too much, crying cleanses the soul and it is as much a part of my life on a regular basis as breathing.

SEE YOU AT GREGORY’S


To Joseph Clayton Aka JBizzNys

COCOON

Along a dusty road in India there sat a beggar who sold cocoons. A young boy watched him day after day, and the beggar finally beckoned to him.

"Do you know what beauty lies within this chrysalis? I will give you one so you might see for yourself. But you must be careful not to handle the cocoon until the butterfly comes out."

The boy was enchanted with the gift and hurried home to await the butterfly. He laid the cocoon on the floor and became aware of a curious thing. The butterfly was beating its fragile wings against the hard wall of the chrysalis until it appeared it would surely perish, before it could break the unyielding prison. Wanting only to help, the boy swiftly pried the cocoon open.

Out flopped a wet, brown, ugly thing which quickly died. When the beggar discovered what had happened, he explained to the boy "In order for the butterfly wings to grow strong enough to support him, it is necessary that he beat them against the walls of his cocoon. Only by this struggle can his wings become beautiful and durable. When you denied him that struggle, you took away from him his only chance of survival."

May the walls of your cocoon be just thick enough to allow you to struggle just long enough to emerge the beautiful person I already know you to be. M.D.

Maggie's heading north!

I will be attending this event on September 21st in Traverse City. This
guy's book moved me, big time. I would highly recommend his book, Three
Cups of Tea. If anyone would like to join me, please let me know.

-- Maggie

Sunday, September 21, 2008 at 2:00 PM

TRAVERSE CITY FUNDRAISING TEA

Firefly Restaurant

310 Cass Street

Traverse City, MI

Contact: Sally Stilwill

Email: sstilwill@gmail.com

Presentation to follow at the State Theater, 233 E. Front

Tickets Required - $50 -ticket request should be sent to Stilwill/Three Cups of Tea,

PO Box 352, Traverse City, MI 49685. Checks made out to CAI, all proceeds to

benefit Greg’s Work. Please include self addressed stamped envelope and contact info.

Sunday, September 21, 2008 at 7:00 PM (Sold Out)

TRAVERSE CITY COMMUNITY READ

City Opera House

106 East Front Street

Traverse City, MI

Contact: Ruth Bay

Email: jackbay@charter.net

Reception prior to event at 6:00 PM

Tickets $10

Monday, September 22, 2008 at 9:25 AM

TRAVERSE CITY WEST HIGH SCHOOL

5376 N Long Lake Rd

Traverse City, MI 49684

Contact: Ruth Bay

Email: jackbay@charter.net

Find out details about Greg Mortensen, his book 3 cups of tea and his appearance in Traverse City CLICK HERE.

And, we're back!

Sorry for the lack of posts (though, sadly, I've not gotten one complaint) but it's been super crazy time around here moving to the new house in Royal Oak, etc.

I will have photos of the new pad soon. Dan's got it in tip top shape.
The other night, we made personal pizzas and decided to take it to our front porch for dinner.

(face paint courtesy of the Detroit Zoo)

I surprised the troops with dessert -- cake and pudding
and fruit and whipped cream and chocolate

Then I taught Claire how to squirt whipped cream right into her mouth.
I told her to close her eyes and open her mouth. Though she later admitted she was
worried I would put a raspberry in her mouth ("yuck!") she did as I instructed. It paid off
handsomely for her. Especially the time I also dripped chocolate in her mouth on
top of the whipped cream.

The next day, I woke up to find a fully dressed and accessorized Claire watching "The Littles." I made her a waffle and let her eat it in front of the TV, since she was sitting so sweetly on the chair "Kirsten's mom" gave her.



Later in the day, we decided to let her stretch out her legs for a bit at the park, considering it was her last day before starting school!

It turns out a park we often go to is only about 3 blocks away and we hadn't figured that out yet.





Other than that, Claire started Kindergarten yesterday and came home full of first-day-of-school adrenaline and excitement. She has at least one new friend already, went to gym class for the first time and doesn't like her after school room because there are Power Rangers on the walls.

Here are a couple of pics of the proud daddy and his baby heading out the door for the first day of school.





Dan's working hard on various projects, including pitching an original score for a Nike spot today, which is quite impressive. If and when I can, I'll post it here. Also, he's leaving taking off for NYC for 11 days.

His production partner on many of the aforementioned various projects, as well as the Nike ad, is Paul Simon's engineer and is bringing Dan in to work as his assistant on the recording of Simon's wife -- Edie Brickell's new album. So, he'll be gone from Sept. 15 to Sept. 26. I will be lonely. Come visit. :)

Of course, I'll have plenty to do. In addition to my gig at the paper,this week I begin in my new capacity as marketing director for my chiropractor. She's putting me on the payroll and Saturday we will meet to make my plan of attack. I'm not sure where I'll find all the time to do this, but I will and I'll do it well (hopefully). Wish me luck. :)

On top of that a couple of weeks ago I started a volunteer position as newsletter editor for VegMichigan.

AND I just got two custom blanket orders off of my last round of e-mails so I have to get to those, as well as stockpiling scarves and other items for the Detroit Urban Craft Fair (tired of hearing about it yet?) Sounds like "the aunts" are considering a visit during the fair, and I think that sounds great!

On that note, it's my one night with no late meetings, so I'm going to get knitting and try to get to bed early!

Sorry if you're tired of hearing about us. There's a solution to that: send me some stuff!!!!

And please, someone comment so I know you're at least reading this. :)

xo, Kirst