Jacquelyn's Space

My niece Brianna came over today and we played babies, LOL. My husband and brother -in- law were cutting down some trees so Bri hung out with me. Earlier in the week I told her I had tons of homework I needed to work on but after I graduate we could play babies and Barbies and have a tea party. Well, she didn’t really care about my homework today and insisted I play babies with her (and tried to get me to do all the other stuff too). She couldn’t wait for me to do my homework, ha. So today I showed her some of my baby dolls, some of my Barbies (had to get those down out of the closet),  and my real china play tea set. I even cleaned a little – dusted the Barbie boxes, the TV, and washed the sink out so we could wash our babies. Bri wanted to give all the babies a bath in the tub but I had to put my foot down.  Oh, and Bri and I watched me and my husband’s wedding video while we played. Bri was my flower girl so it was fun for her to see herself  when she was little little – she doesn’t remember the wedding.

It was fun playing, I need to do more of that; today was not the right time to do it. Bri and I still have big plans for when I get out of school. We want to have a tea party, but first we are going to give all the babies a bath. Of course we will have to change their outfits so I have to get out their clothes too. And Bri wants me to get out my baby doll furniture too. LOL.

Isn’t anyone ironic anymore? Or perhaps the better question would be: Doesn’t anyone know what irony is anymore?

I have lately come to discover that I am highly ironic. I suppose I always kinda knew but just didn’t really know what to call this trait of mine, LOL.

I always thought the biggest failing of Americans was their lack of irony. They are very serious there! Naturally, there are exceptions… the Jewish, Italian, and Irish humor of the East Coast.
Colin Firth

Perhaps that is why – Americans aren’t really taught much about irony or may not have much of an understanding of the concept. I know I used to be pretty lost about it but now I realize…perhaps that is why I am so often misunderstood, ha. 😉

Love this:

Irony is the gaiety of reflection and the joy of wisdom.
Anatole France

Now I really can’t wait for our Mackinac trip. Well, for one, I really need to get away… and to my very special place where I rejuvenate. For two, I am excited about our trip because not only are we going to stay at the Grand again but I also booked a second night at Small Point Cottage. I have always wanted to stay there – the place intrigues me, and it reminds me of a place that would be in Anne of Green Gables. So now I will be able to see what it is like and explore a new place on Mackinac.

Alright! Planning a trip to Mackinac Island. My husband thought it would be a good idea to take his son on a trip for his graduation. He asked him where he would like to go – maybe Chicago, maybe Mackinac. My stepson said Mackinac. The Grand Hotel was running an awesome special (but dates are limited and you have to jump at the special when it comes around because the rooms go quickly) so my husband and I booked the only conceivable date that fell under that special rate and worked for all three of us the best. Of course that didn’t work for my stepson – well not really him but you know…petty bitches will be petty bitches. Yes, I said it – petty bitch 😉

Happily, the Grand sent me an email  about extending their special. I called yesterday morning to book an additional day for my husband and I so we could stay two nights at the Grand for a deeply discounted rate. Well, the second date I wanted was no longer available but I found out they had added some days to the special. I ended up switching our reservation to an earlier date which will allow my stepson to go. This makes my husband happy 🙂 So now we all get to go and live it up at the Grand Hotel for a couple of days. I can’t wait! I so need that.

I was looking at hotels on Mackinac to book a night either before or after our Grand Hotel stay. I like to spend some time on the island – not just a day trip or one night. Oh yeah, I’ll take it if I have to but I prefer to have time to relax and get into that island rhythm. Looking at all the hotels, I can’t wait to go now. I don’t know where I will end up booking another night but I don’t really care too much. It would be nice to stay somewhere I haven’t yet but anywhere will do, really. I just can’t wait to get out and hike the island, walk down main street, listen to the boom of the cannon from the fort, smell the geraniums (not the horses, ha), see the Straits and all the Mackinac colors. I can’t wait to feel Mackinac.

I used to wonder why I was so enchanted by that small, tourist-y island but I think I hit upon the crux of it today. I think Mackinac is the only place I have ever been that as soon as I step on its sacred ground I forget everything … I am just in the moment. I am pulled right into the sights, (good) smells and sounds of the island. I love the oddly dual nature of the place – the honest hustle and bustle of the main streets and the serenity of the forest paths, limestone and lakes. For me, Mackinac is full of the simple, pure pleasures of the senses and a magical joy. My heart, my senses are so full when I am on the island I don’t have time to think about anything but Mackinac. I really need that right now.

*Me (fat and happy, ha) at the before dinner reception on the Grand porch last fall. It was an enchanting evening: Beautiful sunset washed the porch and Straits a golden hue. Then the deepening twilight at dinner – after a mild full-moonlit night walk about the porch and then down through the quiet, tree sheltered streets of the island.

Is it bad luck to try on your cap, gown, and graduation regalia before the ceremony?

I bought my cap and gown today. I bought my Honor Society medals and cords a few weeks ago (except for my University Honor cords that I’ll get on graduation day and my Sigma Tau Delta stuff  – got to get that) AND I even went all out and bought some printed announcements – couldn’t resist. Now if I can only remember which side the tassel starts on.

I am excited…yet  sad. I really don’t want to leave my school. I love it there and wish I could stay forever. That’s not right, is it? Ha. I feel like it is going to be preschool all over again. I’ll be walking back from getting my diplomas holding back tears. No tears, tears don’t make for good pictures. Damn these medals are heavy.