In 1995 Bill Bryson got into his car and took a weeks-long farewell motoring trip about England before moving his family back to the United States. The book about that trip, Notes from a Small Island, is uproarious and endlessly endearing, one of the most acute and affectionate portrayals of England in all its glorious eccentricity ever written. Two decades later, he set out again to rediscover that country, and the result is The Road to Little Dribbling. Nothing is funnier than Bill Bryson on the road—prepare for the total joy and multiple episodes of unseemly laughter.

2017 is almost gone. Can you believe it? I know that I can't. It seems like just last week we were watching the ball drop and then the boys and I went back to playing games for a while before I chased them off to bed. But, here we are and since it's been a pretty big year around here, I thought that it was the perfect time for a year in review post. Positive things only because I don't think it's healthy for any of us to dwell on the negatives...just take what you can from them and move on. It's all any of us can do and remain (mostly) sane.

So, how did we do? Read on to find out!

Roger -
This kid had a pretty huge year. Back in the Spring, he was chosen not only for the Thornapple Jazz Festival All Star band, but also for the District 10 MSBOA All Star Jazz band. As if that wasn't enough, as soon as school was out, he attended the Aquinas Jazz camp and followed it up by leaving for Dominica less than 36 hours later. We both want to say thank you to those who helped get him there. It was an expensive trip and he couldn't have done it without his sponsors. While there, he helped remove fishing line from the coral reefs, went scuba diving, and studied invasive species which included catching and measuring tiny lizards and all sorts of things. It was an amazing experience for him and he still talks about it!

Since he's been back, he hasn't exactly rested on his laurels. He now has a job working at the local movie theatre, is an officer in Business Professionals of America, and is an honor student. As if that wasn't enough, he was/is leadership in his high school band and helped out a lot with marching band. Jazz season is upon us now and he's lead tenor in the high school jazz band. Perhaps most exciting for this Fall was his auditioning and being chosen to play with the Kalamazoo Youth Jazz Orchestra. Needless to say, he's one busy kid and this mom is a tiny bit relieved that he'll have his driver's license soon.

Ben -

Not one to let his brother look busier than him, Ben dove into working with the high school varsity teams again this year. He started the year with his second year of managing the varsity boys basketball team. It wasn't the most stellar of seasons, but his work running the camera for all of their games was highly praised. As soon as basketball wrapped for the year, he jumped right into working with the baseball team. It was a lot of hiking to the field, but he made some really good friends who helped out with rides and really enjoyed being outside and wearing the "infamous" duck hat. You'll have to ask him about that...lol

Summer came and found Ben working out at the YMCA summer camp, helping out in their kitchens. He really enjoyed it and learned some great skills that he can continue to hone. Once school came around again, Ben started his senior year. Yep, this kid is graduating this year! He worked hard with the football team, joined the Key Club, and helps out wherever he can. On top of that, he got to attend two Michigan State football games to cheer on his Spartans. We're back in the swing of basketball season and if he's not behind the camera, he's at practice encouraging the guys to work hard and to rebound.

Katrina -
As for me, I'm tired just writing about everything my boys did this past year. I know that I probably missed a few things too! As Ben says, "in all my free time", I was blessed to work with Nick and we published not one, but two books. Nick is an amazing storyteller and I am truly honored that he invited me into a universe that he created and said, "Here, it's yours now. Have fun." I'm incredibly proud of The Tether : None Good and The Tether : Except One. 

While most of my time belongs to getting the boys where they need to be or attending their events, I have also written a supplemental "novella" to go alongside books 1 and 2. In fact, with any luck, I'll be sending it off to Nick tonight for him to check out and to give me feedback on. I have some ideas for it that I'm hoping our readers will really like.

Looking back at 2017, my year doesn't look nearly as impressive as my boys, but knowing that I'm a big part of their years makes it all worth it. I'm looking forward to another "action packed" year. There will be more sports, more jazz, and more books and I'm thankful that I get to share those moments with all of you.





If you like what you've read here, please share it with others using these buttons:

Yet again, I'm behind over at Sunday Shutterbugs. However, today I found the perfect picture to handle both of the themes! This photo was taken over four years ago now when I visited England. Oh how badly I wish I could go back. I fell in love with the land over there and want to spend more time exploring places like this. This was taken in Hastings on a very foggy, rainy day but I never regretted getting soaked to the skin because I had the chance to see this. Oh, in case you're wondering, this week's themes are Rock and Rain. I wish we did more things like this with our resources and anyone who says to come in out of the rain has never experienced the pure joy that being in nature can bring.

Hi all! I just wanted to let you know I haven't fallen off the face of the Earth, I've just gone to Canada for a week. I'm hanging out with the awesome nickle and also go to see Kath. Yay! I'll be back next week and don't be surprised if I sneak in a few entries while I'm gone.

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Hiltons of Branson. All opinions are 100% mine.

How would y'all like to enjoy an exclusive Italian Culinary Weekend right after Valentine's Day? I know it sure sounds wonderful to me. From February 26th-27th, the Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel is bringing Italy to Branson, Missouri. The weekend will include a reception featuring antipasto and hors d’oeuvres paired with great Italian wines, on Friday night. On Saturday, participants will experience a hands-on cooking demonstration. The evening wraps up with a 5 course dinner.

I think this would be a great couple's weekend and I've seen the pictures of the hotel and it's fantastic. I love the fact that they're pet friendly, as well as being close to so many of the great places that Branson has. Personally, I would love to stay an extra day or so to check out the theatre district and the museums.

Now, I won't be attending this event, but you never know when another one might come up that I'll be able to go to go to. I've never been to Branson, but I've heard great things about it. For those of you who are interested in this event, check out the "fine print."

Package costs are based on double occupancy and start at $429.00 (excluding tax and gratuity) for two people. It includes deluxe king or double queen accommodations Friday and Saturday night, Friday evening reception, Saturday cooking school, Saturday evening five-course dinner, and a goodie bag filled with items for the home chef. Reservations must be made prior to February 23, 2010.

If any of you do go (or have been to Branson), I would love to hear about it. Is it a couples retreat or more of a family destination?

Sorry everyone for not posting yesterday. Yesterday was one of those days that I never want to relive again. Because of that, I'm not going to post details here to the blog. I'm just going to say that it was a really bad, emotionally draining day that I hope some good came out of having to live through.

Now, because of that I didn't do a menu plan for this week. I'm not really going to worry about that though, because there is plenty of food here and I'm going out of town for the weekend. You won't hear me say this often, but thank god for Canada. More specifically, thank god for my friends in Canada. There is a lovely event going on there this weekend and I'm so glad that after 5 months here, I'm going to be back among friends and being wrapped up in their love. That's something that I really need this weekend. I can't wait to see nickle (who sometimes comments here), her lovely man Rob and gobsmacks of other people. Oh, and I get to finally meet Belladonna in person! She makes the most wonderful things and you know, I might talk to her about being a featured shop here on the blog. I don't know why that didn't occur to me earlier...duh!

Anyway, now that I've rambled on a bit and honestly, it helped me to do that...I should probably write about my tackle for today. There's a lot to get done before Thursday, but today my focus is going to be essentials. I need to write a shopping list, a packing list and to do at least 3 hours of kgb work. If there's time, I'll be sweeping the laundry room floor and changing the cat litter as well. I suspect that somehow I'll find the time. But, these things won't tackle themselves, so I'm off!