Kid Rock Gets Creative With Launch of New Craft Beer

**photo obtained from NBA.com

Cheers to you, Kid Rock! Way to take our poor economic situation into your own hands by coming up with a creative way to pump some life into the mitten state. Most celebrities create a clothing line, jewelry or perfume. But not Kid Rock. He's staying true to his nitty-gritty roots and creating a line of his own beer, with the help of the Michigan Brewing Co.

According to this Detroit Free Press article, Bobby Ritchie is calling all the shots regarding the name, design and pricing of the beer. But the best news of all is the creation of almost 400 new jobs in Michigan. Governor Granholm should be thrilled to hear that!

The Kid Rock branded beer is expected to hit shelves this spring. MAL has high hopes that Kid will introduce his new beer at his favorite bar, the Clarkston Union. We shall see...

Photos from Europe

I've been promising London and Barcelona photos to everyone, so I thought sharing them on my blog would be the best. I realize not everyone uses Facebook, but you can access my photos from Facebook here:

London

Barcelona #1

Barcelona #2

In a nutshell, this was the most amazing trip!!! The trip was a blessing because it couldn't have come at a better time. I really loved London, but Barcelona stole my heart (mainly because I was able to speak Spanish for three days!). There's something about the Spanish culture that draws me in and forces me to be happy. It's impossible to be sad when you're admiring mind-blowing architecture like Gaudi's La Sagrada Familia. 

I absolutely loved the trip, though it sure feels good to be back in the D. Traveling is fun, but I'm happy to return back to a routine. Thanks for taking the time to check out my pics! 

There's Always a Rainbow After the Storm

In one of the stars
I shall be living
In one of them
I shall be laughing
And so it will be
as if all the stars
were laughing
when you look
at the sky at night

~ The Little Prince
Antoine de Saint-Exupery

The above poem is written on a card I received from one of my best friends, Danielle. I was so touched by the words, and the fact that the card is about stars because everyone knows I'm obsessed with them!

To say I've had a difficult week does not even come close to summing up the tragedy that struck my family this past Saturday. I know I'm a strong person, but everyone's strength is put to test at some point, so I guess it was my turn. But, there's a silver lining in every storm cloud. My silver lining is friendship.

I've always felt that I have the greatest friends a person could ask for, and those feelings were confirmed this week. I cannot even begin to explain how grateful I am to everyone who called, e-mailed, sent a text, card, Facebook message, etc. to see how I was doing and to remind me that I don't have to deal with this alone. I'm a crazy combination of sad, frustrated, angry and numb...yet I'm happy at the same time. I'm happy because I know I have an amazing group of friends from all across the country who are refusing to let me fall.

To me, the word friend is synonymous with family. So thanks to each and every one of you for being a part of my family and for reminding me that life has to go on.

One of my favorite quotes of all time is the title of this post: "There's always a rainbow after the storm." Starting tomorrow at 6:05 p.m., I'll be on my way to Europe...first London, then Barcelona to be exact. This trip is a blessing in disguise and couldn't have come at a more appropriate time, so I'd like to think this is the rainbow after the storm. I have to thank everyone again for not allowing me to cancel this trip.

Like good friends always do, everyone keeps asking what they can do to help. So here's my assignment for you while I'm gone....

Please continue to keep my family in your thoughts and prayers.