Dana Burland

As I write this my feet are soaking in our salad bowl. (Note to potential dinner guests: this will be sanitized before your next visit to the duplex.) However pruney my toes may be, this feels wonderful after the long, blister producing weekend I endured. Friday night I received a golden ticket invitation to Grandma Woodhouse’s for a homemade lasagna dinner. The lady talks, cooks and decorates like an absolute champ. Good thing Louise and I were in the need to carbo load! Saturday morning we drove to the mall for the Race for the Cure. We’ve probably walked marathons around that building but this time we laced up, donned our Pink Drink shirts and ran a 5k with over 5,000 breast cancer supporters.  This year neighbors lined their streets to cheer us on, sorority girls passed out water and Grandville High School’s marching band serenaded us as we passed. It was too cool. After a couple hours of well deserved couch potato time we headed downtown to check out Art Prize. Over 1,200...

This, for all my non-Bar Mizvah attending friends, is what the Jewish transition into manhood is all about. Ok, it's a bit more than this, and if you would like the actual details, we can talk about the whole ceremony over matzo and Manishevitz wine sometime. As you can see via the photo to the left, I had quite a lovely time in Fort Wayne celebrating my cousins' duel sports and rock themed Bar Mitzvahs.  My brother and I spent 90 percent of the night breaking it down amist a sea of 13 year olds.  Some highlights include Evan challenging a man who was clearly over 85 to a dance off, watching the Chips beat the Spartans in our hotel room before the party, and getting to spend time with immediate and extended family.  The party was by far the best I've ever been to.  Congratulations boys, and thanks for a fabulous night!  (And yes, the following song was played, apparently three times.)

Evan came to visit me for Labor Day weekend!  We had great weather and spent both Saturday and Sunday at the beach in Grand Haven.  Maybe had a little too much fun by the looks of E's back, hehe.  Beside our time in the sun, we wandered around downtown Grand Rapids, spent some time with friends, got hooked on some new tv shows, went running and biking and attempted to eat well on my meager budget.  Considering everyone was leaving Central and Evan was going to starve , I think he had a pretty good time in Grand Rapids too. :)