This post is a translation of the texts found buried in the stratafied layers of the suitcase of Soleil. It is believed to chronicle the events of the month of July 2003. This was a previously undocumented period in this individual's life. Many consider this to be quite a lucky find.

July 4, 2003
Fireworks don't seem to impress me the way they did when I was younger. I remember going to Brainerd, MN with my father and watching the colors from the high school football field. My cousins and I would run around waving glo-stiks and introducing ourselves to interesting people.
This year, there were fewer ooohs and aaahs, but I enjoyed the company of family as much as ever. It's not often that I can convince my homebody hubby to close up shop and go visiting, so spending several days with the sisters-in-law and the baby (soon to be a big brother) was a nice treat.
I can't help but wish it were the 8th, however. I can't wait to be surrounded by my own family.

July 5, 2003
I've been to Texas a couple of times before. These were short stops during long trips and are best remembered for the cockroach infested hotel rooms (they WERE cheap) and the red-neck attitude. I was offended by the "American Owned" signs outside of establishments. Overall, TX earned a low spot on my list of places to visit.
That has all changed. San Antonio has shown me a cleaner, brighter, friendlier face. We spent today along San Antonio's Riverwalk. Being a holiday weekend, it was crowded and noisy, but in a cheerful way. Despite a less-than-stunning lunch at Republic of Texas (who ever heard of fajitas and quesadillas made with only AMERICAN cheese???) we had a good time watching the people and ducks. We walked past the Wax Museum and Ripley's Haunted Adventure, but the lines were out of this world, so we went to have dessert at Chili's instead. We had the Molten Chocolate Cake!
We're both having trouble adjusting to the humidity. A soon as you step outside it feels like you're in a steam room. Of course, everyone keeps their air conditioning on extra high to counteract it. You alternate between cooking and freezing. Makes me appreciate our dry heat back home.

July 6, 2003
Today we went to the COOLEST place for lunch. It's called the Magic Time Machine. The tables are all hidden away in cooks and crannies. The decor is decidedly eclectic and the waiters and waitresses each dress like their favorites character. We saw Robin Hood, Belle, Cinderella, Jasmine, Snow White, Little Red Riding Hood, someone from Top Gun and the best - our server - Crazy Susan. He was named after his mother and spent some time in prison for either removing tags from mattresses or not rewinding a video (depending on who you talk to). He assured us that he was rehabilitated.
The food was good too. We ordered a variety of things - brisket (a staple in TX), roast pork, turkey, etc. It all has a Medieval feel to it. Next time I want to go with a bunch of people and order the "Roman Orgy". I guess they just fling huge hunks of meat and bread down on the table and you have at it. Sounds like fun!
We played a round of mini golf afterwards. I'm going to say that it must have been the heat that made my game so unpredictable. Despite 4 holes in 1 I still ended up with a 52. I'll just assume the rest of the holes were par 4.

July 7, 2003
We took the baby to Seaworld today. Or maybe I should say he took us. He was so excited, telling us all about the whales and dolphins we would see. And see them, we did! We caught Shamu's show first thing and a dolphin/beluga whale show right afterwards. I'm so jealous of the people who spend all their time playing with those amazing creatures. I don't envy them the having to perform for crowds, but it's well worth it, I'm sure.
We also managed to get in some swimming at teh Lost Lagoon before the thunder strom swept up. I had forgotten how quickly storms move in the middle of the country. Although I mostly want nice sunny weather, I am hoping to see a good, strong rain storm while I'm here. We just don't get them at home.

July 8, 2003
Part 1
Currently flying over Omaha. I can't wait to get to MSP. This is the start of my long vacation. Unfortunately, it's also the start of my long separation from Mikey. I already miss him.
Part 2
Flights went well. Thom and Kathy met me at the airport and we headed home. Stopped on Snelling and Grand at a great little place called Khyber Pass Cafe. I never knew I liked Afghani food so well! Easy to eat vegetarian there, too.

July 11, 2003
I've had a busy couple of days. T&K are getting ready for their trip to Germany so we've been running errands. Wednesday wewent to dinner at Gramma Jeanne's. Cousin Amy and son were there. I hadn't met that little guy since he was an infant. He had me in stitches several times throughout the night. Thom and I made eggrolls (which I liked even though he uses bean sprouts in them) and cream cheese wontons (which he liked even though I make them with veggies chopped up inside!!) and everyone enjoyed.
Kathy and I worked out at Curves (exercise place for women) on Thursday. I really enjoyed their routine. I would consider joining (there's one in Temecula) if it weren't for the fact that I couldn't work out with Mikey. We had yummy sandwiches at a cute little place filled with knitting paraphenalia and good karma. We talked at some length.
Today we got the cabin ready for the party tomorrow and did some fishing. I proved to myself that I could bait a hook with a leech (YUCK) and caught a couple of fish in the first 10 minutes or so, and then I sat back and enjoyed the lack and the trees. There was a pair of loons calling to each other and a heron flew over. It was a nice chance to really talk with Thom. Probably the best day of the trip so far.

July 12, 2003
Woke up this morning to a surprise outside my bedroom door. Kathy made a huge, life-sized, cardboard copy of Mikey from one of our wedding pictures. It was nice to see his adorable face! We took him to the party and everyone had to take pictures with "Mikey".
I banged my elbow on the screen door so hard that my arm was completely numb from teh elbow down for about 2 whole minutes. I have had trouble bending my arm all day.
Our party went well. Neil, Tori, Lisa, Espen, Steve, Sandy, Ryan and Ethan all came. We grilled, snacked and of course, had S'mores. Espen especially enjoyed roasting the marshmallows, although a previous bad experience with too many marshmallows kept him from tasting his own creatinos. I enjoyed watching the kids playing in the lake and had a very nice conversation with Lisa about some books we both enjoyed. A splendid time was had by all.

July 15, 2003
On the road again...
I'm now at Mom's. She and Ty came to pick me up on Sunday. I have been placed in charge of taming the CUTEST little Siamese kitten. It slept with me last night and nibbles on my fingers when she plays. Her cheeks are white and her nose is dark so she looks like a little fox. We are calling her KitKat.
Monday we spent some time with Grandma. It's getting harder and harder to see her in person. Over the phone it's easier to pretend that nothing is changing, but in person it's impossible to not notice how old she is looking. I worry about her all teh time. When I was younger, I always imagined myself living with her and helping her in her declining years. Now I'm lucky if I see her once a year. Nothing ever turns out the way you imagine.
Today was spent with Shanta and the kids. I got to see the inside of their house for the first time and then we spent the day at the beach. I truly do adore those kids and I have the utmost respect for my sister. She rocks as a mom. She's even learning to be downright domestic (I saw her cooking AND cleaning!). It's scary!!

July 16, 2003
Part 1
Ty's dog attacked a porcupine and got a mouthful of quills yesterday. Today we go to the vet. The sad thing is, this probably won't be the last time this happens. Dumb dogs seems to have an overwhelming urge to attack the prickly animals no matter how painful the result. Ugh.
My little kitten is relaxed enough to be very playful now. It's still scared of me when I stand up though. It's going to be sad to leave the little darling, although I know Devon will love it lots. I wish I could smuggle it home in my suitcase.
Part 2
I went to one of my sister's softball games. She plays on a local team (sponsored by the bar). It looked like fun. She's been playing with that team for as long as she's been old enough and they are pretty good. Makes me think I should find something like that at home. If only I weren't so darn lazy!

July 17, 2003
Part 1
I haven't called my dad yet. I keep thinking about it, but it doesn't happen.
Part 2
I miss Mikey. It's hard for me to not have him to discuss things with. I'm used to having him around all the time. :(
KitKat has bonded to me. Next step is to get her used to other people. She's so silly. I watched her chase not only her own tail, but also her own hind foot for several minutes this morning.
I have learned that Chris' kids were able to come for the wedding. I look at the pictures with his kids and my sibs and it hurts to not be in the. It makes me kind of angry becasue one of their justifications for not changing the date to one that I could come to was that his kids wouldn't be there either. When I asked my mom she said, "They were able to arrange it after all." I wanted to arrange it too, damn it.
If Mikey were here, I would have someone to talk to about it. Right now all I can do is ignore it. Much the way I have been ignoring this whole thing. I don't want more step-siblings. I don't want another step-parent. I don't want any of this to be happening.

July 18, 2003
As much as I have been keeping up to date about my siblings' lives by phone and through mom, it takes being here and seeing them face to face to really show me how much they have grown and changed. The hardest part is watching the boys go through the pain and confusion of the teenaged years, knowing it gets so much better, but not being able to tell them. Or trying to tell them and knowing they don't believe me.
We took Grandma to the doctor today and were much relieved to get good news instead of the bad news we were all expecting. Even Grandma, the lady who recently said that anything she got for her birthday was just one more things to add to her will (to which I commented that I should get her something *I* wanted), was forced to be positive for a while.

Here ends the pages found in what is being called the "Suitcase of Soleil" among knowledgable circles. We are still missing important data between July 19 and July 17. It is suspected that some traumatic event prevented Soleil from putting the rest of her trip into words. Perhaps someday the story will come out. Until then, we must be happy with what we have.