Throughout high school, I was active in band. We always had fun playing at the football and basketball games. For 5 years I played the clarinet. I also took piano lessons for 3 years, and cello for 2. My junior year of band, the junior and senior class took a trip to New York City. Mom even went as a chaperone. We definitely had a lot of fun, and I would love to go back again. 

I may not live there anymore, but Michigan is still "home" to me. It hasn't exactly been easy, but I try to go home at least once a year. My mom doesn't exactly like it when I'm home once a year, because I usually don't tell her when I'll be there. I like to surprise her. She never knows when to expect me, and on several occasions when I call her while she's at work, she'll ask me where I am... just to make sure that I won't be in Negaunee when she gets home from work. 

I only have one sister who happens to be 27 months older than me. As long as we're apart we have a good relationship. As soon as I'm home, we can only be around each other for a little while before we start to annoy each other. We're sisters... you can't blame us. She lives about two hours (slowly driving) from our parents. My paternal grandparents, one aunt and two cousins also live in the same town as my sister. It makes it real easy on me, and I'm not in a car forever trying to see all my family. 

There is another part of my family that I haven't mentioned yet, and that's Saydee. She's half dalmation/half black lab and fully believes that she's a human. When I left home, she claimed my double bed as her own, and has a fit if there is something in her way of getting on it. She sighs when she doesn't get her way and that includes when dad goes out to camp and doesn't take her. 

I've mentioned the camp several times, but have yet to tell you about it. It's on Helen Lake, near Republic, MI. It's not really a camp, its more like a second home.  It's got indoor heating, running water, electricity, phones, and even satellite TV. Rough life I know, but when we're out there during the winter, we need something to do. Helen Lake is big enough to water-ski on, and when I'm home that's one thing I love to do. Either water-skiing, tubing or knee boarding. There is also a raft that gets put into the lake that we can swim to, and jump off.