Monday, July 8, 2013

I Blog Therefore I Am

Welcome!
I'm not exactly sure how this blogging business is going to go. I can be dreadfully bad at follow through. I only know that it will be nice to have a place to vent, rant, remember, share ideas, feeling, thoughts, recipes, remedies and other silliness. It will be especially nice to do this in a format longer than a tweet and shorter than a novel.

First, some history...I am best known for this:
 I'm known for many other things ( some good...some not so good) but this:
remains my most universally recognizable achievement.

Personally, I take greater pride in my amazing, funny, talented, compassionate and kind children but frankly, I think those are qualities they each developed on their own. I may have nudged them a bit but their accomplishments belong solely to them. (As soon as I can get myself together to sync up my iPhoto, I'll be able to post pics of my kids.)

A few years ago I chronicled my life up to that point in my book:

An awful lot has happened since I wrote the words, "The end". I went on tour with the Little House on the Prairie Musical. I broke my back, got divorced, dated a french guy, danced on TV:

all during a very frantic and tumultuous time in my life.

Things seem to be a bit quieter now. I've stepped back from the glaring spotlight since the Dancing was over.

 I've been on a bit of a quest for peace and quiet.


I think I'm nearly there but, it looks like I'm going to have to go through another upheaval to get there. In about two weeks I am driving cross country with The Boy;


two dogs, two cats and our sugar glider,
to our new home in Michigan. 
Yes, I said Michigan! 
Not that I have anything against Michigan, in fact one of my very favorite people in the whole world comes from Michigan...this guy, The Husband;
See the Detroit Tigers logo on the mic in his hand. Not only is he from Michigan but he loves all things Michigan and I am really starting to as well. Granted, my feelings may change a bit four months into my first winter;

But I'm made of very strong stuff. And, as long as The Husband promises I can go back to LA or Hawaii at any time for some sun, I'll be just dandy. 


Or...........I could end up like this guy:

and we all know how badly that ended for him;



In all seriousness, I am very excited about this change in my life. I'm ready to go, to see what is new, what will be, what I will create in this new phase of my life.

Am I afraid? Yes, a little but, all of my life, if something scares me, I do it.... With the exception of skydiving. I see no need to ever skydive. Or bungee jump for that matter....but I digress.

I am ready to jump into this new phase of my life with both feet. I have some very sad goodbyes ahead but also some hellos and hopefully even more self discovery along the way. 

And now I have this blog! 
There's something oddly comforting in social media like this. I think it boils down to all of us wanting to feel like we're not alone. There are forums where we can share our lives, and thus our humanity. 

Isn't that the thing that links us all together, no matter where we are from or how far apart we are?

We are all part of the whole. 

Well, I've got laundry to fold so, I guess I'll sign off for now. 
Hopefully someone will read this, other than my mother.

Be well everyone. 
Be happy. 
Eat ice cream. 
If you love someone, tell them. 
Right now!!
Go on...

and don't forget;



with oceans of love,
me







75 comments:

  1. Ohhhh getting into more social media! This could get interesting. *grabs popcorn, settles into very comfy chair, waits and watches*

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  2. Enjoyed that. Good for you for starting it.

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  3. Bravo! What a beginning :) I have delighted in following the last several months of your life (as I did when you were on Little House, as we are about the same age). I want to welcome you to MICHGAN!! I live in Michigan, and went to Michigan State and LOVE the Tigers! I am also writing my first book and am very proud of my children; so you see, we have a tiny bit in common :)
    You seem to be on a good path...keep walking and thank you for sharing.
    Jules

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  4. Good for you darling...on the blog, the move, and the leap of faith. I too was dragging my feet about blogging, now you can't shut me up!
    Much love!

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  5. Good for you, Melissa! I'm happy to see that you've started this. I totally understand what you're saying about it 'sticking', but I sure hope it does. I love hearing from you. :) Cheers!

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  6. I read your book...saw you on DWTS...follow you on Twitter...still watch LHOP...why wouldn't I read your blog? Keep up the good work! :)

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  7. Welcome to the blogging world. It's fun! A great way to read other's blogs, opens your world while you relax on the couch. Looking forward to hearing how it all goes :)

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  8. be proud of yourself, enjoy life, enjoy the children, and your husband, I wish you all the best. lovingly daphne from the Netherlands

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  9. In 2000 I moved from beautiful Ventura County to Stillwater, Oklahoma, like you, for love of my partner. While I can't wait to get back home one day soon (please???), I've learned and grown a great deal here. Oklahoma gave me sanctuary when I needed to heal from a bad "Let It Be" kind of dissolution between my manager and myself, as well as from being my father's caretaker during the last two years of his life and a hands-on parent of an adult child with autism. I lost all of my creativity for a long time; couldn't write, couldn't compose, couldn't create anything. In its own good time it all came back, and then some, and I'm happier than I've ever been. Still, I'm looking forward to living in California again!

    I've only just started "Following" you on Twitter, and I'm really looking forward to reading your blog entries here. Sending my best thoughts to you for your move--if you have real love, it doesn't matter what the view is outside your windows. It's what's inside that counts!

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  10. YAY MELISSA!! I am only 2 months younger than you and of course 'discovered' you in Little House. But I have followed your career, grew along with you, and am a huge fan. Believe it or not, one of my fave movies you did and is little known was Sylvester! Seriously. I watch every tv movie I catch you in. So when I saw you on Twitter I followed. I have enjoyed your Tweets. I am happy to see that you've started this blog and I look forward to sharing some life stories. Congrats on your new blog! NancyJ in Ohio

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  11. Loved reading this. Can"t wait for more.

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  12. This is wonderful, so excited to follow your blog. Good luck with your move to Michigan. Been a fan forever. Best of luck to you!

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  13. Love it! Perfect first entry. I will be following along on your journey, my friend. :)

    Kris Phillips

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  14. Hey Melissa, I also moved from my home State of Oregon to Michigan...(Husband was transferred), 13 years later I can honestly say I have gotten use to the storms and the Winters!.. Learning to drive in Snow without chains was the hardest to understand!. Welcome to Michigan and if ever your in the neighborhood (Okemos), Come visit Second Time Around! ;)
    I look forward to your next Blog, tweets
    Julie

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  15. Have followed your career from LHOP to DWTS. Follow you on Twitter....what fun to have a blog to read.
    We made the move from Southern California many years ago to Oklahoma & then Texas. It was not easy leaving family, friends & perfect weather. Definitely a better quality of life for our family. And, we travel a lot...so there's that!
    Best of luck on the new adventure...will look forward to reading all about it!

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  16. Nicely done! Can't wait to welcome you to Michigan. Virtually, of course. I won't jump out of the bushes or anything.

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  17. Nice job, Melissa. You're as good a writer as you are an actress (and dancer, too). I look forward to your next installment.

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  18. You can have my 'Bloom where you're planted.' plaque that hung over 13 kitchen sinks:)

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  19. Yay! Welcome to the world of blogging, from one Melissa to another! :) I too am terrible at the whole blogging thing. I'm on my fourth attempt, lol. I look forward to reading more from you. Good luck with the move too!

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  20. The first entry was certainly a good read - well done, I never know what to say. Best of luck

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  21. Great! From one California Girl to another, Welcome to Michigan. Good luck with your move and your quest for peace and quiet-and the new discoveries that are ahead. And, thanks! I am really looking forward to your blog entries and learning from you through your adventures. It will be fun!

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  22. Hello Melissa: I will be your neighbor across the lake!! I live in SE Wisconsin. I truly have been a fan of yours for what seems like forever!! My mom bought me the Laura Ingalls Wilder books & I never missed LHOP. I grew up on it (born in '72). I am so happy that you have found happiness with Tim. It shows on your face. I look forward to reading this blog as I follow your tweets & insta grams too. Best of luck & much love to you, Tim, The Boy & the critters.

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  24. Really great to see you started blogging :-)

    Hope you enjoy writing and sharing your thoughts and parts of your life.
    Hopefully you are going to have a great time once you settled and unpacked everything.

    For I am also blogging I know how much fun it can be and I hope you'll get on with this for a long time.

    Greetings

    Sindy

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  26. Sorry... new at this... again...

    Melissa,

    I am a good friend of Sandy Peckinpahs. Sandy speaks very highly of you. She is one of the most inspirational people I know so I can only imagine the inspiration her BFF has to share. Thank you for sharing your life. I'm looking forward to the next chapter in your blog.

    Best to you,
    Kimbo :)

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  27. Hi Melissa!
    I look forward to visiting your blog!

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  28. Hi Melissa and Timmy B! Welcome to Michigan! Hoping things are good and you're getting settled into to your Little House!
    If I can ever do anything........please feel free! You know where I am!

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  29. Dear Melissa, I am so happy for you to be starting a new chapter in your lifre with the love of your life. I have grown up with you on LHOTP, we are the same age and I too have been through 2 divorces and im now married to the love of my life. I was in an auto accident back in 2007 and messed up my back. Ive had 2 back surgeries and i live in pain. I can only imagine what you have gone through. Michigan will be nice, except for the winter.. You will hate the snow, when the roads are slick and scary to drive on. I live in Utah and hate the cold winters. I wish you much happiness, in everything you do! Sincerely, Leslie Jean

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  31. Welcome to Michigan. The winters can take some getting used to, the politics SUCK, but the state and its people are grand. I'm native and wouldn't live anywhere but here. When you are settled and ready to explore the state some, come on up to the Traverse City area. You may just find another move in order, :-) Best wishes!

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  32. I'm glad you have started a blog. I hope you keep it up. You are one of my favorite Twitter people. I enjoyed following you on DWTS. I hope you find your new life in Michigan everything you hoped it would be.I looklb forward to your next post.

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  33. You will love Michigan - I grew up there, in fact, I went to ELHS where your hubby went. He was a class ahead of me and I will always remember his performance in the opening scene of Guys and Dolls. I miss Michigan and it's beauty and simplicity. We hope to retire there one day. I'm sure you'll enjoy the new adventures.... can't wait to read about them on your blog. :-)

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  34. I am so intrigued! I'll be reading. Good luck.

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  35. Thank you for saying, "Eat ice-cream." Happy you started a blog. The "peace" picture is gorgeous. All the best to you and your family in Michigan. If ever you are in Minnesota, a cup of coffee and some good ice-cream is yours on me!

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  37. Also living in Michigan. Also newly blogging about "mid-life". Looking forward to reading more.

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  38. Welcome to the Neighborhood.

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  39. I enjoyed reading your piece. I was born and raised in Lansing, Michigan, and my husband was born in the U. P. and raised in Lansing. Michigan is a beautiful state, but we are not fans of snow anymore, so we retired to Myrtle Beach, S. C.

    I too have begun blogging about mid life changes and life changes in general. You and Tim will enjoy the town you have chosen as it is a slower pace of life. I look forward to reading more from you. Enjoy your new home :)

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  40. I am so happy for you. I am a MI native Livingston county and currently live in NJ. I get back there quiet often to see my family (daughter, grandchildren, my Mom and friends). It's so peaceful and the people are wonderful. You will find it will quickly become home to you. I hope you like lakes there are a lot fo them and hometown festivals. Fall is AMAZING... winter, you'll adjust. Dress in layers and get out/enjoy the snow. . I am about your age so I get exactly what you are saying and you say it quite well. I wish you much happiness and look forward to reading aobut all of your new adventures with you husband. Thanks for sharing. Deb

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  41. Welcome to Michigan. I love it here and you will as well.

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  42. Welcome to blogging Melissa! You will find it to be a very welcoming place :-)

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  43. I so enjoy your writing style and look forward to reading more. :)

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  44. Hi Melissa! My name is Lisa& I'd like to welcome you to Howell! I moved here nearly 14 years ago w/ my husband & 2 daughters. Michigan is the state we've lived in the longest & now call "home". Michigan is a beautiful state with so much to see & do! Our family has barely scratched the surface of seeing &experiencing all this wonderful statehas to offer! We've never regretted our move to this quiet little town. Hope you & your family enjoy your stay here for however long it ends up being!

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  45. If you can make it through death, divorce and moving...you can certainly make it through meonopause! If you need help with blogspot, we have a Facebook group that is just for that. Bloggers on Blogger (Blogspot), you'd be welcome to glean from us. https://www.facebook.com/groups/200012936826755/ just click on request to join.
    for what it's worth

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  46. Welcome to the mitten. I'm one of the ones who have always lived here and I do really love it. Did you know that Lake Superior has enough water to cover the entirety of north and south america with a foot of water? Michigan also has more than 11,000 lakes. There, now you know two facts. I'm going to go ahead and apologize now for March. You'll see. Grey. Grey. Grey. But summer makes up for it. And cherries. And Lake Michigan beaches. And fall colors. And apple orchards. I'm curious to see what you think. Howell is a nice quiet place, I have family there but I'm about an hour away.
    -another Melissa

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  47. Welcome home Melissa. Watching the lightening in the distance across my Livingston County lake, and then chasing fireflies across my lawn on the walk from the seaplane dock to the deck, I was reminded of how very special our shared state, and community, is. Always, after my frequent travels, I sigh, walking back into the easy mid-west comfort. May this new part of your journey bring you joy.

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  48. Welcome to Michigan Melissa. It's great to have you here. Love your blog too.

    Michael

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  49. You may just find you love our winters!! We get all four glorious seasons! And we have soo many neat places for you to explore. And seriously, you should hit the Nature Center at Kensington Metro Park. Bring some sunflower birdseed and the chickadee's and titmouses will come to your hand!

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  50. Welcome to Michigan! A must this fall is to drive up to the Traverse City, Petoskey, Harbor Springs area. The fall leaves will be amazing and the little towns, especially Harbor Springs are so peaceful and beautiful. Winters aren't that bad, especially if you take a trip or two to palm tree and beach destinations.

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  51. Welcome to Michigan Melissa, you're going to love it here. I live down the road a bit in South Lyon. We measure distance in time 'round here so you are about 15 minutes away (: My town is having our annual Pumpkinfest soon you should come check it out, I think you would enjoy it and yep we have a dairy queen. Looking forward to reading more of your blog

    Christine

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  52. Welcome to Mi!!!!! Really enjoyed your blog...way to funny! Actually our winters are pretty mild,sometimes, you might even experience a few days of all 4 seasons in 1. Hope you find some peace...I do! :)

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  53. Good start on the blog, Melissa! While I may have started watching you on Little House, you are much more than that. You are a very fine actress who has made some excellent movies. I have probably seen most of them. That is what I will remember you for. Just saw "Thicker Than Water" the other night. Thank you so much for the fine entertainment over the years. Enjoy small town life and do get to Mackinac Island some time. It is very relaxing.

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  54. Plan a trip somewhere warm and sunny every Feb/Mar and you'll love this area just fine.

    Kensington is great year round.

    Thompson Lake is always a blast. Get to the island at least once for the sake of local culture.

    Concerts on the courthouse lawn is great.
    August 16 Emerging Soul - Rock & Soul
    August 23 Rusty Wright Blues Band - The Best Blues in the Land
    August 30 Lucas Hoge - Nashville Rocks Out

    You'll enjoy Melon Festival this weekend and the Legend of Sleepy hollow coming up. Bundle up for Fantasy of Lights Parade.

    Welcome to Howell. It's a great place to live.

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  55. Reading your blog the other night inspired a blog post of my own. That's saying something because I am a HORRIBLE blogger.

    http://woodsyswhatnots.blogspot.com/2013/08/fourth-grade-school-picture-and-mid.html



    BTW---- There's chatter in my circle of girlfriends that our beloved Opera House might finally get the attention it needs for full renovations and grand events once more.


    Thanks so much for being so sweet to all of my girlfriends whom you've already run into. That's awesome!!

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  56. Welcome to Michigan Melissa!!! Im a Michigan native who's recently moved home to be closer to my aging parents. In sure you'll love it here. I have had a hard time readjusting to the lack of sun; from Nov-Apr. I seriously was going to start looking into light therapy. Having lived in beautuful Colo for 21 yrs; where the sun shines over 325 days a year; my first winter home was challenging!! Im water baby that needed a Lake Michigan fix. I love to just go down & breathe the air in at the beach; when doing this i know im home.......

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  57. Hi Melissa! I'm soooo glad you have found yourself a home in Michigan! I have lived here all of my life, and can't imagine being anywhere else. I hope you enjoy the 4 seasons; Christmas day is so beautiful with new fallen snow. If anyone hasn't told you yet, "watch out for deer!" That is a "Michigan thing," as it is almost harvest time and you are very likely to see many a deer grazing, especially at dusk.

    Welcome to you and your family, and God bless :)
    Kristina Vernon
    Mason, Michigan

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  58. Michigan is a beautiful state. We are lucky. Enjoy!

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  59. Welcome to the mid-Michigan area. I think you'll be able to deal with the winters before too long. I moved here from Hawaii (!) and it's all been good. I volunteer at a Lansing nature center and our fall festival is October 12-13. I'm in charge of recruiting "celebrity stirrers" of our apple butter kettle and you definitely would be the biggest celebrity there! Any chance you could devote an hour out of your busy weekend to come help us celebrate fall and stir our copper kettle?

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  60. I am sorry, if there are some things you not get with my english, I are form Denmark, and I just love you in LHOTP, you just the best...
    I hope that you will be blogging more

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  62. Whoa! Do I get the change thing...at 45, I suddenly realize I know much less than I thought I did. I love the name of your blog...midlife...because it really is about where you are now. There are so many seasons to our lives and it makes sense to embrace where we are right now. Good job , Melissa!

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  63. Hi Melissa!
    I'm writing from France so excuse my English.
    I discovered your blog thanks to another one called http://hookedonhouses.net; I check on it every night cause there are always beautiful houses on it and tonight it was yours, just one shot of your beautiful victorian house under the snow. So I clicked on the link to your blog and started reading it. Of course, at first I was just curious about reading Laura Ingalls (sorry, even if I saw you in many movies, as you said it's your best achievement in the business) and finally I discovered you. More, I met you. And I really enjoyed it; I liked it because you are new at it and we can feel it, so it's really genuine; you write your feelings like it comes; you talk about age (by the way you look beautiful at 49), annoyances that come with it, new life, new hopes and expectations... I like picturing you stopping blogging because the laundry's calling! It's so normal! Be sure not only your mom is reading you and I'll come back very soon to know some more about you. Congrats for your wedding, good luck for your new life (I can't imagine the change between the glitters of Hollywood and the life in Michigan!), such a change is so brave and uneasy, I did it myself 2 years ago and I'm still not adjusted to it (and I live nearby Aix-en-Provence, so it's not awful!). Sorry I've been long, I still have so many things to write but I'll cut it now. Hope you'll read me. If you have some time to kill one day, maybe you'll stop by my blog (I translate most of my posts in English), it's new and so not expert too.
    http://monblogmyblog.wordpress.com
    thank you for your time
    xoxo

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  64. Welcome to Michigan, Milford is a quaint little town with good resturants also down miss Glen Arbor at the top of Michigan near Traverse City M05 is a beautiful drive and ohh you should see our sand dunes. Who knew! Deb

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  65. Your post cracked me up. thanks for putting the smile on my face! BTW, love your photos of you with the "teeth" you posted! that is when I discovered my favorite child star and my favorite family program on the planet even till this day! You've got a great sense of humor and would be so happy to bump into you at the village market some day. the thought of having such a down to earth addition to our population here makes me very happy! Have a great day M!

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  66. Hi M!
    Wow! I never in a million years would have suspected you moving to Michigan! I'm glad to see you are enjoying the state I grew up and still live in, and love. I used to think I wanted to move south where it's warm all year round, but, I know I would miss the season we have here in Michigan. And right now, fall is just weeks away, and if you haven't had a chance to enjoy the fall colors of Michigan, I recommend you get ready because they can be awesome! My parents used to always go for a cruise up and down I-75 to see the fall colors. Mom passed away last November, so I don't know if Dad will still go on the ride or not. He did it more for Mom who loved the colors. I hope he does.

    So, welcome to Michigan M!

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  67. You're probably aware by now that many people from Michigan move to places like Arizona, so I had to chuckle when I heard you had moved here. Surprisingly, Michigan has some really cool places to visit, and I encourage you to subscribe to "Hour Detroit Magazine" to assist you in your Michigan task list. Among my recommendations are The Barn Theater near Kalamazoo, The DSO in Detroit, Elvis Festival in Ypsilanti, Bronners Christmas Wonderland in Frankenmuth, and of course Mackinac Island. Welcome to Michigan.

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  68. OPPO POKER BONUS NEW MEMBER 20.000!!!

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