Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Hot Water or Cold Water?

Hubby went home for a few days and has informed me the hot water heater is leaking and we need to get a new one. Well, I'm all for hot showers, but since we are at the cottage for the summer, I thought perhaps it could wait. Could you shower at the neighbors? It's summer, a cold shower will do you good. Hubby explained it could blow at any time and leak all the water onto the finished lower level. HMMM...to buy it or to risk it....

Hot water heater installed this afternoon, all is well. I'll try it out after Labor Day. I guess no new school clothes for the kids (just joking)!

Monday, July 27, 2009

Don't Play it Again

For the past few summers my kids have chosen a "summer song" which they play over and over anywhere and everywhere.
I enjoyed the song the first 100 times....

2009
"Poker Face" - Lady Gaga
"Right Round" -Flo Rida

2008
"Shake it" - Metro Music Station
"Mercy" - Duffy

2007
"Makes Me Wonder" - Maroon 5

2006
"Sk8er Boi" - Avril Lavigne

Is there a song you're tired of hearing?

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Final Three

M & I will be watching Next Food Network Star tonight at 9:00 eastern to cheer Melissa on to the final 2!

Tonight's episode has something to do with the upcoming movie
Julie & Julia.

Must see TV!

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Rainy Days

Yesterday was a rainy day in northern Michigan.

What to do?

I couldn't talk the kids into playing Euchre and drinking beer all day :)

So we got creative and went to Handz on Art to paint pottery.

It was a fun afternoon. W painted a dog dish for coco, M painted a bowl and I painted a round tile in my fav colors complete with monogram! I'm hoping they'll look this good when fired.




We enjoyed a pizza dinner @ home with another up north Mom & Son which included tasty wine for the moms, fresh just picked cherries and local dairy chocolate milk & oreos for the kids!

Hope you had a fun day too.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Values for All Ages

I love the core values that are stressed at my kid's camp:
I want to post a copy of these @ the cottage, but not sure of the best spot...any suggestions?

Caring: To love others, to be sensitve to the well-being of others, to help others.

"Where there is love, there is life." Gandhi

Honesty: To tell the truth, to act in such a way that you are worthy of trust, to have integrity; making sure your choices match your values.

"Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom." Thomas Jefferson

Respect: To treat others as you would have them treat you; to value the worth of every person, including yourself.

"You don't have to be handicapped to be different. Everyone's different." Kim Peek

Responsibility: To do what is right, what you ought to do; to be accountable for your behavior and obligations.

"The time is always right to do what is right." Martin Luther King, Jr

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Love Bug

My two love bugs....
Herbie was at our Beach Club yesterday and M couldn't resist getting a photo with him. It's a family favorite movie. The kids like the new Herbie with Lindsay Lohan while I enjoy the original which starred Michelle Lee and Buddy Hackett in 1969.

Does Herbie give you a chance to walk down memory lane with a smile?

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Rolex

I want this giant Rolex -- Oh, the places I could hang it :)
I just haven't figured out how to sneak it out of the tournament.

Good luck to Tom Watson today in the British Open.

Friday, July 17, 2009

No TIP?

Have you ever not tipped your waitperson?

I was so tempted last night.  

We ate at the only boat up restaurant on the lake.  It's a burger joint that lures boaters in with the smell of grease for miles away.  Like those Sirens luring Homer to the rocks...I digress.

It's seat yourself, so we got a table, waited forever for the waitress to greet us and when she did it was a weak, "I'll be right back."  It was about 7:45 pm and I hadn't eaten since lunch and was about ready to eat the tablecloth, oh there's no tablecloths.  Well you know the rest, it was all downhill and I'm sure my snarky attitude, like when I said we didn't need menus, only added fuel to the fire, but the waitress started it! I told M (my 7 yr old) that the waitress was either going to spit in my beer or on my burger. Waitress delivers food an hour later -- burger & nachos.  NEVER comes to our table again. Different waitress delivers the bill.  I confirm that the waitstaff still "pools" tips and she says it has it ups and downs.   There are other waitpeople working that we know do a good job, but our waitress was terrible and appears to be a noose around the neck of the others.

Hubby, gracious man that he is, paid the bill and left a tip.  I'm thinking I would have turned my beer glass upside down with a dollar inside it.  No, not really. 

How do you tip for poor service?

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Ted Geisel

Ted Geisel AKA Dr. Seuss has popped up at Target!

Bought these adorable totes made from recycled material for $1.

M gets one fish because she is our swimmer.

W gets Cat in the Hat because he's always up to something.


There was a Horton tote too.  I love Horton, but Horton's pose on the tote was not very flattering.  Horton remains safely in the bin at Target.

What's your favorite Dr. Seuss story or is there a book that your remember most from childhood?

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Blue Pelican



It seems everyone up north was at the Blue Pelican Inn for 2 for Tuesday.  Usually this is a more upscale dining spot (well, for up north) but not on Tuesday.  The food and drink are great and the people watching is even better.  You have a mix of locals, summer residents and vacationeers.  The lines are long and your choices are short:

$2 margaritas/beers
$3 pulled pork sandwiches/burgers

Pulled pork for all but M -- she went cheeseburger and margaritas for mom & dad.

You get your food and then sit under the veranda or at picnic tables on the grass.  

While your parents are waiting in line and you're "saving" the table, feel free to be social by playing a race car game :)  Yep, there's an app for that....

Life up north is always an adventure.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Picky, Picky

Kids are at day camp this week and I went raspberry picking yesterday.  It was the first day the patch was open and I only picked a quart.  So sweet and melt in your mouth.  The kids enjoy going too, so we'll go back next wk.   Any good raspberry recipes/ideas?

We were meeting our former up north babysitters, now college girls home for a few days, for dinner.   I went to Charlevoix and bought fresh whitefish from John Cross (2lbs for $11) and the kids fav chocolate cake slices from Scovie's.  We had fish tacos and everybody was happy.  Ahh the life of a summer college student....

W watched some of the home run derby and we were a little bummed (embarrassed) that Brandon Inge (Detroit Tiger) got 0 home runs.  Yikes!

Happy day to everyone.

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Still got it ??

After a beautiful day of boating, tubing and hanging out at the beach club,  the kids wanted ice cream.  While sitting on the bench @ the ice cream shop, the 7:00 movie let out and a group of 8-11 year old boys & girls walked by us and wanted to pet coco.  I was surprised to hear from a boy about 10 that he liked my dog, my sandals, my Titleist golf hat and my 4 leaf clover Life is Good t-shirt. WOW !!  I forget who said this, "I can go for weeks on one good compliment." but I'm set for the rest of the summer -- thanks young boy!

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Buy the label

How many of us buy a bottle of wine because we are drawn to the label?
Who cares if it's not bearing a wine spectator rating, the label is fun!
Even though I'm the older of two, I couldn't resist this one from "Middle Sister":

I chose the "Mischief Maker" cabernet sauvignon.  I'll let you know if I find any mischief.
Which fun labels have you bought?

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

What flavor are you?

While out boating, we stopped at Higgins for ice cream.
M chose mint chocolate chip in a sprinkle waffle cone and W chose chocolate in a cup.  
Mom sneaks bites from both :)
What flavor do you favor?

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

FBI or CIA

This really is me, but is so not me.
This was the first time I EVER held a gun in my life.
You might as well go big with the automatic rifle, police dept. issued.
Like the bullet proof 35 lb vest?
Somehow I don't think the smile suits this outfit!