Excuses!

Our new favorite excuse: "Sorry, we can't… we'll be in Africa!"

Several invitations have come our way in the last few weeks that we've had to turn down because we'll be on a safari in SOUTH AFRICA!!! Our financial analyst I work with at GenFlex died laughing when I used that line the first time. Then he realized I was serious!

We are getting so excited for our 9 day safari… I've been picking up clothes and such for us for the last month. In August we updated our tetanus boosters and Hep A immunizations, wer vaccinated for polio, took typhoid fever pills and picked up Malaria anti-biotics as well as anti-diarrheal pills "just in case."

Last week Mike got a box in the mail with incredible descriptions of our private suite where we'll be staying, the activities to do there and instructions for every step along the way. We also received two small duffel bags with "Edward Jones, South Africa, 2008" printed on them. I thought it was a nice gift until I realized we have to pack NINE DAYS worth of travel wear in those tiny little bags, not to exceed 33 pounds each. Every time I think about it, I laugh! I'm the girl who just packed four pairs of shoes, three outfits and three dress options to go to Butler, Indiana for two nights. Yes, this will be an experience of all sorts for the Macks! :) But it's going to be INCREDIBLE!!!

That's the Africa update for now. I'll have to scan in pictures of our lodges in Kruger National Park because they're unbelievable. We have our own private "plunge pool" looking over the river that runs through the park. I'm pretty sure that's a direct contradiction to the word "Safari," but we will thoroughly enjoy both parts of the safari trip equally.

Here are a few photos I found online of our private suite, its deck, an aerial view of the whole place, and a safari vehicle! Oh yeah, and a lion!