So, I had this goal of reading 50 books by September 1... that's going a little bit rough, but I'm currently reading the Alchemist and LOVING it.  It's so beautiful and philosophical.  Anyways, that post is coming, don't you worry.  I am only at the part where the boy meets the alchemist.

Anyways, I always have these big dreams and big ideas.  I don't really like to do small... so, the new big thing is exercise.  I am looking into getting certified in Group Fitness.  It's super expensive, but I think once I'm teaching I'll appreciate a side gig kind of like that.

If you have any suggestions on how to make it less expensive or words of encouragement, please send them my way!

xoJLG

So... back from the Cherry Festival.  I had SO much fun with the kids I was staying with.  There was Tubby, Chunk, Jumbo and Lumpy.  None of us particularly large, but we all have fat names anyways.  I love it!  When I said earlier that Lori and Tom were husband and wife, what I meant was Lori is WAY too smart to marry Tom! :)  At least, that's what I hear. 

I just finished Lisa Whelchel's book on friendship last night.  I said I was going to walk everyone through the book, but as it turns out, the book is a little like a self journey.  Instead I'll just cover it in one post.

Cherry Fest pics to come REALLY soon!  I promise

xoJLG

So, we have done three days of the Cherry Festival.  Everything is going fairly well, and we are certainly having a lot of fun.  There are, of course, stresses that come with the job, but people are very pleased with the product.  We are serving the new Bacardi Torched Cherry with lemonade and Pepsi.  I really like the lemonade. 

I promise that I will have a ton of pictures to come, but until then you will have to settle for a story or two.  So, I don't know how well the people of Traverse City really like us!  I mean, we have been scolded by small children for things that we were actually doing correctly (i.e. using the service entrance to the beer tent), servers and bartenders have flat out ignored us or forgot about us, and some lady yelled (and, boy, do I mean YELLED) at us for something that was totally out of context and none of her business.  Then the woman had the nerve to ask me for a t-shirt.  I gave her one because I am a bit of a pushover, but I was not happy.

Anyways, other than that, we are making new friends all over the beer tent and the festival.  Some of the volunteers are really fantastic and friendly.  My favorite couple is Lori and Tom.  Lori is hilarious and has great stories to tell.  She is so kind and inviting to those that are stopping by our tent.  She should be getting paid for all the selling she is doing!  Her husband Tom has the system down.  He set it up the first night and then it hasn't changed since.  He knows what works the best for efficiency and appeal.  He's friendly and a big warm teddy bear type of person. 

Then, there is Beer Tent Shirl.  I love that woman.  She is all about making everyone that is working or volunteering in the tent happy, while still following the rules :)  She keeps me informed of what we should do or where we can find things.  She can always hook us up with the person who can drive us to our storage or get us some power for a light when it's dark outside.

These people are so much fun and really make the unwelcoming gestures seem out of the ordinary for the lovely people of Traverse City-- but I'm still concerned that we are not liked by many of those who have never even met us!

Later this week, I will upload the pictures to my computer and post a few of them here.  So, go out and get that Bacardi Torched Cherry rum for your next summer cocktail!

Tomorrow I am leaving for the Traverse City Cherry Festival.  I am going with Bacardi and helping on the street team.  I am really excited to see what the week has in store.  While I'm there, I will do my best to upload some pictures from the week and maybe even finish up those 50 ONIB Book blogs.  I know that I skipped over Book #6 or something (Valerie Bertinelli's) but I wanted to reread it and find some main points to discuss... we'll see when I get a chance.  Then there's Lisa Whelchel's book... and I just finished Alison Arngrim's "Confessions of a Prairie Bitch."  I am SO in love with that book.  I have tons of notes to cover from that book as well.  Then, of course, I need to keep reading!  It's already July.  I am feeling some pressure, but I think I can work it out.

Anyways, if you are by the Cherries, maybe I'll see you there!
xoJLG