October 10, 2012
It's been a busy 10 days, getting ready for our trip to Europe. I have spreadsheets done for both of us--what pieces we are taking and the outfits for both day and night-and all our clothes are in the spare bedroom with the suitcases. I will pack everything up on Friday and we will be driving down to Chicago on Saturday afternoon for our Sunday flight. Our good friend and neighbor Roger Nehrbass passed away last week and his Going Home celebration will be held at the Yacht Club on Saturday. we'll go for a while before leaving for Chicago.
Many of our friends' boats came out of the water this week. It has been cold and windy all week and we were more than happy to help and MORE than happy that we didn't have to take One Oliver II out this year!! Today it was so windy and rough that a large freighter came down the shoreline and anchored off Port Washington for the day-they just weighed anchor a little while ago and are headed over to Michigan.
This will be my last post for Spring/Summer 2012. The next section will be called Danube River Cruise. I will be able to post fairly often but I suspect the pictures will have to wait until we get home.
Here's a beautiful full moon over the lake
We have some amazing cloud formations
Here's the anchored freighter
September 30, 2012
I got home yesterday afternoon from a wonderful trip to Jackson Hole with Mary. We visited my sister Nancy, niece Sarah and great nieces Norah and Laine. We met at O'Hare on Tuesday afternoon and flew to Jackson together. On Wednesday, Sarah and the girls came over and in the afternoon, Laine went home with Mommy and Norah stayed with the rest of us gals for lunch and some time at the playground. Sarah's husband is a professional chef, so Wednesday night he cooked a wonderful meal for us. Thursday Nancy, Mary and I shopped in town and had lunch and then went to pick Norah and Laine up at "school" before the grownups all went out to a yummy meal. Friday Nick treated all of us to lunch at the golf and tennis club, followed by 9 holes of golf and then drinks. The course is so beautiful, with mountains in every direction, and it was such a pretty day. Sarah played with us and after cocktails, she and I went to pick the girls up and then went back to "Nani's" house for spaghetti. Sarah and Eric are adding a new addition to their house and it was such fun to see it in progress. It was so nice to be able to spend so much time with all my girls-such a special few days.
Now we are trying to do some packing for Georgia as well as for a cruise we are taking in a couple of weeks. We are flying to Prague for 3 days and then taking a cruise on the Danube River through Germany and Vienna, stopping in Bratislava and then going to Budapest before flying home. We're traveling with Joe & Rose and Paul & Sharon and we always have so much fun when we travel together. I will of course post about a million pictures!
Here's a picture of Laine-she is almost 3 and she and I were in my room hiding from Rita the Cheetah (Norah)
Mary visiting with Mark Twain
Nancy and I giving Einstein some new ideas
Four generations of lovely ladies
September 26, 2012
It is with mixed emotions--joy and elation? happiness and deliriousness? hope and change/ (oh, not that for sure) that I can announce that One Oliver II has been sold! We closed today and tomorrow she will be heading for her new home in Newport, Rhode Island! Her new owners plan to take her to Florida yet this winter, I believe. As most of you know, if you have followed our blog, we have taken 1-O-2 through 3 countries, 25 states, all 5 of the Great Lakes, most of the major rivers and over 10,000 miles since we first took delivery in June of 2006. We spent 10 months aboard doing the Great Loop and have visited most of the major cities in the east and midwest--Chicago, New York, Boston, and Miami to name a few. We had many wonderful times and a few scary times and lots of visitors. But a couple of years ago, we decided that we had pretty much done everything we wanted to do, boating-wise, and it was time to move on. We are especially thankful that we had such a wonderful friend and broker in Hank Hartmann and he really came through for us, getting the closing done in about 48 hours so that I could travel to Jackson Hole with my Mom to visit my sister, niece and great nieces. More about that in the next post. Just wanted everyone to know that we found a great new home for One Oliver II!!!
September 22, 2012
Well, we spent the week getting rid of things! We made a trip to St. Vinny's and then they came out on Thursday and picked up the furniture from the garage. We gave the wood away via Freecycle and today Oliver loaded all the scrap into the truck to take to the landfill on Monday. The basement and garage look amazing-we can't believe we got so much done.
On Wednesday night, I went to Messina's with a group of ladies from church for a ladies night out and we had a great time and a wonderful dinner-one of my favorite restaurants! Last night we went to Victor's with J&R and P&S. Thursday was my precious great niece Norah's birthday. on Tuesday, Mary and I are flying to Jackson, WY to celebrate her birthday in person! I'll be there until next Saturday.
This morning the sky was just amazing. It was trying to storm but the sun was also trying to come out. it was COLD and windy and we waited until late morning to walk the dogs. Oliver turned the second water heater on andlater I plan to take my first whirlpool bath of the season!
Marina likes to spend time in the basement with her dad. I couldn't find her one day-lloked everywhere and finally discovered her hiding place!
Here's the sky over the lighthouse this morning
And at the same time, this is what it looked like over the bluff
September 15, 2012
Well another week of hard work on the basement. Had SOME time for fun though. On Monday night I went to the Yacht Club for the initial meeting of a book and wine club. There were 8 of us ladies (and neighbor Bill, the bartender) and we selected a book--The Light Between Oceans--as our first read. It's a wonderful book-I can't put it down. We'll meet once a month to enjoy book discussions-and wine, of course! On Thursday night, we went to the club to watch the Packers cream the Bears! There was a big crowd there, so good food, lots of cheering and much wine and beer. Last night we enoyed cocktails on Rose Marie with the Schaefers, Paul&Sharon, Sandy&Mike, and Julie&Bill. We celebrated the birht on Wednesday of P&S new grandaughter Emily Marie, as well as Julie's Wednesday birthday as well! After cocktails, most of us went to Beanie's for a Mexican dinner. Today we spent lots of time back in the basement so are having an early dinner of hotdogs and then to bed!
For those of you who have seen our basement, notice the absence of the spooky room! We still have lots of stuff to get rid of, much of which is stacked and ready to go to St. Vincent's, but we are sure happy with our progress.
Of course, now the garage is full! St. Vinny's is coming next Thursday to take all the furniture out here, and we hope that someone will be able to use the 2x4's and plywood. Either way, by the time we leave for Georgia, all will be gone!!
September 8, 2012
Wow-haven't posted for two weeks but I'm not sure why. It's not like we've been doing much. We've done the usual stuff-dinner on Friday nights with our friends, church, got the dogs groomed, etc. Oliver has been working very hard in the basement. The people who lived here years ago built a room down there for their daughter. It was a little creepy and made the basement seem small and cramped, and we always talked about tearing it out. Oliver finally got started and is down there tearing out the last piece, the plywood floor. We're hoping to give away the 60+ 2x4's, which he took all the naiuls out of, and the nice plywood. I also managed to give away the exercise equipment that was gathering dust and hopefully we'll have time to straighten things up before we leave for the winter but in any event, it's a great imporvement.
Yesterday I felt kind of yucky-headachy and nauseous, so we didn't go out anywhere but tonight is the steak fry at the Yacht Club so I think we'll make it down there, at least for a while. It's very cool and fallish here today and reminds us that we don't have much time left with our boat friends.
We had rain yesterday and here is a beautiful double rainbow....
August 25, 2012
Well, I haven't had the best week ever although there were a few high points! Last Sunday was Maritime Festival here in Port and I volunteered to work in the children's area. We helped the kids make different crafts-I was doing light houses, which actually were really cute. We had TONS of kids and were busy from 11-4. Around noon, I went to brush something off the back of my leg and got stung by a bee. Actually-it turned out I was stung twice. Although it hurt, I didn't think much of it and after I was done working, we had drinks on Russ and Dorothy's boat-while a storm passed over-and then Joe & Rose and Oliver & I went to Pasta Shoppe for dinner. On Monday, my leg started hurting while we were walking the dogs and by Monday night it REALLY hurt and was swollen. I tried to sleep but ended up sitting up all night in a recliner with an ice bag under my leg. Tuesday was really uncomfortable as well, with more ice bag, benadryl cream, benadryl oral, etc. Finally by Wednesday it started getting better and by Thursday I was back walking the dogs. Still really itchy though! Friday morning we had 2 new windows installed in our bedroom and had a conference call with our financial guy. Last night we went to Harvey's for dinner with Joe and Rose, and ran into Paul&Vicky and Sue & Tom. After a yummy dinner, we stopped by Freeport Music Festival for a couple of drinks at the Yacht Club. Today is just dog walking and house cleaning. Hope I have something more interetsing next week!
August 18, 2012
Happy Birthday to my wonderful Mary Mom!!! We had a nice visit with her when we went to Grand Rapids on Tuesday. Besides celebrating an early birthday with her, we had planned to bring Daddy's golf cart home with us and then take it to St. Simons. We got it into the truck with no problem but it was really big and the thought of driving it all the way to Port and then SSI was a bit daunting. So we unloaded it and back into the garage it went! I guess if we want a cart in SSI, we'll have to buy one down there.
We had a nice family dinner on Wednesday night with sister Carol and her husband Tom, nephew Aaron, niece Ashley and her husband, great nephew Cooper and a good friend of the family, Dan. It was fun to be with them all and get caught up. Aaron has gotten an internship in Cincinnati and they were going to look for an apartment for him this week-end.
On the way home from GR, we stopped to pick up a little Welsh Terrier girl who was being fostered in GR. We took her to Hammond, IN to meet another Terrier lover who then drove her to Tennessee. She will be treated for heartworm and a fatty tumor before being turned over to WT Cares -they will find her a new forever home! She was a seet girl and a good little traveler.
Here's cute little Cooper
Here's cute little Sassy
And then this morning, I heard the dogs going crazy andf found this little fawn walking around the yard munching on bushes!
August 13, 2012
We had a very special week-end. Nancy and Nick came on Friday afternoon and we had a nice cook-out with them. Then Saturday evening baby Erin was baptized, followed by a party at Buca di Beppo to celebrate her second birthday, which was Thursday. Daddy Dave has a very big family and we always have so much fun when we all get together! Chris and Dave, his parents, are wonderful hosts, although they are to blame for more than a few extra pounds! We had a huge dinner, much laughter and fun, and enjoyed watching Erin open her gifts. We are blessed to be part of such a wonderful family. Last night we enjoyed coctials with Mike and Sandy, and Russ and Dorothy. More blessings!!
Here's Libby, Dave and Erin, Dave's Mother, his brother Nick and me -standing in for my niece Sarah as Godmother
Father Tim and Libby, Dave and Erin
Erin was ready to change clothes
Chris did a great job cutting the cake so that the kids all got part of the Disney pictures! There were 13 little ones there and every one of them was perfectly behaved.
August 7, 2012
We went to the Chinooks game tonight with Paul and Sharon and had a great time. When we came through the gate, a young girl stopped us and asked if we would participate in an on-field promotion so Oliver volunteered me! More about that later. We had dinner and then made our way to our seats-the WORST seats in the whole place, I think. They were in the front row of the grandstand and there was a railing right in front of our eyes-we either had to duck or sit up real straight to see! Later in the game, Oliver and Paul moved up a few rows and had a better view! It was a nice night, cooler after a rainshower that happened before we got there, so we were very comfortable and Sharon and I chatted most of the game! Paul went down to the bathroom and as he was walking back up the steps, they were throwing tee shirts into the crowd and he just put out his hand and one landed right in it! In the middle of the fifth inning, as instructed, I went over to the dugout and climbed over the fence onto the top and they showed a picture on the scoreboard that I was to identify. The funny thing was, when we went last time, the picture was of St. Basil's Cathedral in Red Square in Moscow and Oliver and I laughed about how we had taken the exact same picture when we were there. So they show this picture and I can't see it! I think it maybe looks like Disney World but I let her give me a clue and guess what---it was St. Basil's Cathedral!!! So I say Russia and I won a $20 gift card at the Highland House, a restaurant in Mequon! Oh, and it was travel mug giveaway night so we each got a nice travel mug. So for our $32 in tickets, we ended up with 4 travel mugs, a tee shirt and a $20 gift card---and a whole lot of fun!!! We're sorry that the Chinooks lost to the Mallards 7-4 and that we didn't discover this jewel until the season was almost over but we'll look forward to next year!
August 4, 2012
Another very nice week-end under way here! Last night we celebrated Joe and Rose's 32nd anniversary with them and Sharon and Paul at Beanies. We had a fun time and as usual at a Mexican restaurant, WAAAAY overate!! Tonight we went into Milwaukee for dinner at Mader's-a very well known German restaurant that has been visited by almost every celebrity you could name but which I had never been to. Oloiver had weiner schnitzel and I had beef and mushroom strudel-both very good and way too much food! Then we went to see Barry Manilow in concert. Now, I saw Barry in concert in 1977 so how good could he still be, right? Wrong-he is amazing. Puts on a very intimate feeling show-just 4 guys in his band and 2 back up singers and him. His voice hasn't changed a bit in 45 years-he still hits the high notes (so many older singers don't even try) and to prove he hasn't changed, he did a number that starts with a big screen with him singing in the early 70s and then he came out and sang with himself and you could not tell when it switched from 70s Barry to live Barry. We were just knocked out! The crowd is VERY into the music, he invites people to sing along and boy did they ever! We were most impressed when his encore was a song (One Voice) that he sang a capella. And he is so humble and so obvioulsy pleased with the audience's reaction to him-just really nice to see someone like that. He just turned 69 in June and is not a bit shy about admitting it! We enjoyed ourselves so much.
Church tomorrow, walk the dogs and then rest. We were talking tonight about how different our life is up here-lots to do, going out quite a bit and overeating! In Georgia we are much more structured and more into our daytime activities and quiet, low calorie nights at home! We concluded it's good to have some of each!
July 30, 2012
We had so much fun tonight with Joe and Rose at the Lakeshore Chinooks game at Kapco Park, on the campus of Concordia University in Mequon. The Chinooks play in the Norhtwoods League, a league of 16 teams of college players from around the country. They are not paid and stay with local host families (more about that later). The state of the art stadium is brand new, built by Kapco Metal Plating (I think is the name) and among the owners of the team are Robin Yount and Bob Uecker. After buying our $7 tickets, we had dinner. The food is under the direction of US Foods Executive Chef Jovan Djokovic’ who previously worked at the Pfister Hotel, Mader’s German Restaurant, The Hunt Club at Geneva National, and Spago in Chicago. He is classically trained in French cuisine, American Regional, German, Asian, Latin, Italian and good old-fashioned Bar and Grille grub. We watched a bit of a senior men's softball game before the Chinooks met the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters. It was a nice warm night with a soft breeze blowing, since it is close to the shore of Lake Michigan. They have fun events between innings, like the minnow race (something like the Brewer's sausage race), a tire race, and one where two people spin around a bat until they are so dizzy they can't stand up and then they have to toss a tennis ball into a bucket. Very entertaining! The mascot is "Gill" and he is a great big happy Chinook. The Chinooks played very well and won the game 7-2.
Here's the beautiful stadium
Here's Gill on first base
July 29, 2012
Here's Gill doing the polka with a lady
Here's the beautiful evening sky as the game progressed
I asked Oliver if I could be a host family for a player and he said I could have one. I picked Charlie. Here he is.
Here's Charlie at bat
Here's Charlie at first plate
It's funny because I picked Charlie BEFORE I knew he is a junior at Notre Dame--my Daddy's alma mater!! I recognize fate when it hits me in the head! Now, there may be a problem because it seems Charlie lives in Whitefish Bay which is only about 15 miles from here so he may not WANT a host family.
We're hoping to get to at least one of their last 4 games in the next couple of weeks.
July 29, 2012
Another week gone-the days are flying by! We didn't do too much this week, just the general maintenance stuff. Friday night we had our usual cocktails and dinner with Joe & Rose and Paul & Sharon. Didn't stop at the Yacht Club as we wanted to see part of the Olympics. Saturday we had a WONDERFUL time out at Big Cedar Lake with Tom and Sue Shannon. We met at their house, along with their friend Ed who is just a really nice and fun guy. Then we went to their friends Ray and Mary's beautiful house on the lake for cocktails. We were joined by Kathy and Fred, long time friends of the Shannons, and jumped in Ray and Mary's big pontoon boat for a leisurely three hour cruise around the lake. (It ended WAY better than that OTHER 3 hour cruise!!). We enjoyed wine, hors d'oeuvres, and wonderful tenderloin sandwiches along the way. We also made a stop to tour the house and private island where Kathy and Fred spend much of their time. The weather was perfect, the company couldn't have been better, and we were exhausted but happy when we finally fell into bed. We were able to make it to church yesterday but that was all that we accomplished! Wanted to join our friends down at Lions Fish derby for music (Vinyl Groove) and fun but just couldn't quite get it going!
Nothing too much this week. Hopefully I'll get some pictures from Sue of our cruise, as I forgot to take my camera!!!
July 23, 2012
THE FISH DAYS OF OUR LIVES
Sad to say, another Fish Day has come and gone. It seems once that big day arrives, summer is almost over! Oliver worked very hard on Friday, finishing the rock garden around the new deck, so we unfotunately missed the Fishmas Eve activities but we were up and ready to go early Saturday morning. The best thing about the day was the text message we received shortly before ten from a frined of ours saying she and her family were in town for the parade! We walked up to Wisconsin Street and found Richelle and Jeff, their boys Dominick and Brock, and their friends who happen to live in our neighborhood! We wathced the parade with them and it was great fun to catch up. After the parade, we walked to Upper Lake Park and ran into our friend Alice, so we had fish and chips with her. Oliver went back to the house while Alice and I strolled through the arts and crafts show and a little of the car show. After Oliver's napo, we walked down to the Yacht Club so he could begin his 3 hour shift cooking up fish, shrimp and chips. It was HOT but we kept the boys well hydrated with water--and a few Coronas. While he cooked, I chatted with friends and then spent some time at the marina with Joe and Rose and Mike and Sandy. We walked back home at about 7, and were joined later for fireworks by Tom and Sue, and Vickie and Paul. It was just a beautiful night-warm with a soft breeze and no bugs-we enjoyed our wine, companionship and great firewroks. by 11, we were snug in bed, dreaming of next year's Fish Day.
Last night we enjoyed cocktails on J&R's boat, a little well needed rain and a fun dinner at Pasta Shoppe. Paul and Sharon had been out boating for the last 10 days so we needed to hear about their trip.
Here's Oliver's work on the rock garden around the deck. This will keep mud from splashing on the siding and I can put different flowers out all year.
The Red Hat Ladies always have a great float for the parade
The South Shore Drill team from Chicago is always the last unit of the parade and the crowd favorite
The fireworks were great, as usual
July 17, 2012
First of all, my friend Sue (mother of Cody and Rocker) lost her dear Airedale Doon this morning. He had been in ill health for quite a while but we're never ready to let them go, even though it is the last important thing we do for them. Our hearts are very heavy here.
It's so very hot here today, as I guess it is everywhere. My flowers are suffering-or should I say June's flowers that are planted in my yard-so I feel an even bigger obligation to try to get them through this! Everytime I go out to water, Skipper insists on coming-he barks and barks and I thought turning the hose on him might help--but it turns out he thinks this is a VERY fun game!
Marina on the other hand prefers indoor parties. Here she is getting ready for a wild time.
July 16, 2012
We had such a fun day yesterday! Joe and Rose had 4 tickets to the Brewers-Pirates game so we all went and what a beautiful day. We sat in the shade and a nice breeze was blowing through the open roof and the Brewers won, 4-1, so it was just a perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Later, we had cocktails on their boat, with friends Bill and Julie, and then went for pizza at Pasta Shoppe. We just couldn't have had a nicer week-end.
On Saturday, Oliver finished the deck and it looks great. I washed the front of the house-cleaning all the windowsills-and it really looks nice. Today I'll do the back, if it's not too hot. Here's the view from the deck-the Dennis Sullivan happened to be going by.
Ande here's the deck. He did such a great job. Now a little landscaping and we're done!
July 14, 2012
We had another fun night. Went down to the Yacht Club at 5:30 to help Bill set up the bar outside for the Freeport Music Festival night-happens 4 times a summer and the club sells beer and wine, another group sells brats and desserts, and the bands are always good. last night was the best ever. The warmup band was 2 guys who were really good but the main band just blew everybody away. They're called caravan of Thieves and are a "gypsy swing" band. Sounds odd but they were incredibly entertaining-a guy with a violin, a guy with a guitar who sang, a girl with a guitar who also sang and a guy with a bass guitar. There was a huge crowd and nobody left til the very end. Just a fun time although we were tired today!
Oliver is finishing the deck today. it looks great and I'll post pictures tomorrow. The best thing is the guys finished the siding yesterday!! It was really hot but they finished the stuff they needed ladders for right before it started puring down rain (which we so desperately needed) so then they just did a few touch up items and packed up their trailer and truck. I wish I had taken a picture of THAT!!
Now I need advice from anybody who looks at these pictures. My plan was to paint the brick the same color of the siding but now we are not sure that we don't like the contrasting color better. Any thoughts?
July 13, 2012
We had such a nice evening last night! We went over to Bill and June's for a scrumptious chicken stir fry and egg roll dinner and then we watched "We Bought a Zoo". It was a very sweet movie and we all enjoyed it.
Today is very hot and the guys are still working on the siding and Oliver on the deck. Glad all my work is inside stuff!!
July 12, 2012
I have never seen people work as hard in my life as these guys!! It's hot, although not as hot as last week, and they are up and down ladders, ripping siding off, and then it takes them an hour to clean up every night. They start working at 8 and last night they were here til 7:30. I honestly don't know why it doesn't cost a million dollars to do this! Yesterday the work seemed to go slower but they still should be done by Friday. Oliver continues to wrok on the deck AND his truck is over at the dealer, having the bed painted, so we have a LOT going on here! Here's a few pix of yetsreda's work.
July 11, 2012
I forgot to post the pictures last night. After another day of grinding, punding, sawing, and drilling, they pretty much have the back of the house and the south side done. In the one picture, you can see the difference in color and the brick that I am going to have to paint!
Marina and Skipper have been champs about all this. Marina mostly stays in the closet and Skipper lays in a chair and oversees but sometimes they both get up on the table to look out!
Later on July 9, 2012
If you've ever had a tooth pulled, you know that grinding sound it makes when they are twisting with the puller-THAT'S what it sounded like as they removed the old siding and wood from our house. That and pounding. I finally went into one of the front bedrooms and closed the door! They showed up at 10, although from now on they will be here at 8, and they work ubtil 7!! They think they will finish on Friday. I sure hope so. I must say, though, they got a lot done today and it is going to look really nice. They cleaned up really well before they left, too. I'm going to make some cookies for them in the morning. Then I have to go get some paint matched to the siding so I can start painting the brick. Here's some pix of the work:
July 9, 2012
Today is the day they are supposed to start putting new siding on our house. Oliver is as excited as if we were actually spending a lot of money on something FUN!! We do need it but I am not looking forward to having men climbing all over my house for the next 8 or 9 days. Marina and Skipper will handle it very well, I'm sure!
Every time I wake up with a headache, feeling like I haven't gotten nearly enough sleep, it has something to do with Bill and June! It was so beautiful yesterday, now that the heat has broken, that they invited a few of us over for appetizers and drinks. That was at 5:30. At 7, we found ourselves down on the beach and it was just a gorgeous evening. After huffing and puffing our way back up the 222 steps, we collapsed on their deck. Wendy, Dan and Marge left but Barb joined us and we kept refilling our glasses as it got dark and Dave joined us. We finally came home at 11:15 and Oliver is still sleeping now at 7AM!! We sure enjoy our wonderful neighbors.
July 7, 2012
Karaoke is the invention of the devil!! But darn, it's a lot of fun!! After a couple more really hot days, we went to dinner last night at Victors with J&R, P&S and then decided to drop by the Yacht Club for an after dinner drink. The karaoke machine was just cranking up and of course, we were sucked right into the vortex. It's a fact that there is a direct relationship between one's degree of sobriety and one's assessment of one's singing ability! Many many songs and drinks later, we dragged ourselves on home-lucky thing that we live within the "Zone of Safety" as neighbor-and naughty bartender-Bill says. Actually, I am generally quite right for driving but still glad we live just up the hill! Today the heat is supposed to break at some point but it's pretty hot right now so we'll just take a short stroll in the park and then rest up a bit. I think we will cook out down at the marina tonight.
July 4, 2012
Happy 236th birthday America! It was blazing hot here today. We went down to the bandshell this morning to see the ceremony but didn't stay long. The Yacht Club was selling beer and wine, there was an ice cream social, brats and burgers, a watermelon seed spitting contest, a decorated bike contest, and some other small town America events-all very nice. This afternoon we wanted to go back down to listen to the music but decided it was no fun with sweat dripping down our backs and faces, so we stayed in the house. The fireworks, which we were lucky enough to have because they set them off right at the harbor so no worries about setting grass fires, are a little scary for Marina and Skipper so I was going to watch them from the yard while Oliver stayed with them, but I decided even that was too much outdoors time so watched them from our sitting room. As you'll see, we have a pretty good view.
July 2, 2012
We had a MOST fun day today, thanks to Rose's sister Elaine. She gave us tickets for the practice round at the U.S. Women's Open up in Kohler so we went today, as it was to be the "coolest" day this week. We walked the dogs and then drove up mid-morning. The parking was easy (and free) and the shuttle to the course just a 5 minute drive and ready and waiting for us. We walked around the beautiful course and then had something to drink before sitting in the grandstand at hole #1 and watching a few foursomes tee off. Then we went over to hole #10 and watched a few more foursomes before the celebrity/pro shoot-out started. We saw Cheyenne Woods (Tiger's niece) as well as a few Wisconsin celebrities-Ron Dayne (Heismann trophy winner), Bill Schroeder (Packers), Tony Smith (Lakers) Mark Murphy (Packers President) Wayne Larrivee (voice of the Packers) and I can't remember who else. It was fun and very entertaining. After that we took a stroll through the merchandise building where they had all manner of cute things and then grabbed a shuttle right back to the parking lot and we were home in less than 1/2 hour! Now, the bad thing is we FORGOT to take a camera so no pictures but you'll just have to trust me when I say we had a ball!
Tomorrow is supposed to be in the 90s so we will walk the dogs at 6AM and then hide out all day. The Fourth is a big day here in Port so we are looking forward to it.
July 1, 2012
It continues to be very hot here and we so desperately need rain! Everything is brown and dry, including our yard. We did have a nice week-end though. Friday night was dinner at Victor's with Joe & Rose and Paul & Sharon and then we went next door to Bill & June's "office party". They were showing old tv shows outside-we watched the first ever Gilligan's Island and a couple episodes of Leave it to Beaver. A warm night, some popcorn--what could be better!! Yesterday Oliver worked on the deck and then we went down to the marina for cocktails and a cookout. It was a great time with a big group--Joe&Rose, Mike&Sandy, Bill&Julie, Russ&Dorothy, and Rose's sister Elaine and her friends Neal and Sandy. Today we walked th dogs early (like 6:30!!) and then went to church. Oliver started working on the deck and I made him take a break to go downtown with me to a little street fair-crafts, farmer's market, food and drink, entertainment. He very patiently sat and waited while I bought a necklace and a straw hat but as soon as we got home, he was back at it!
Here's the street festival
And Oliver back at work!
And here's my cute straw hat
And my necklace
June 27, 2012
I had a fun day yesterday with two of my favorite girls, niece Libby and great niece Erin. They came up to go to the playground and Erin had a fun time exploring all the great elements but loved the slide the best! Afterwards we came back to the house and grilled hamburgers. Erin is not quite 2 but she is SO smart! She knows colors and numbers and even letters! She had fun pointing at the name plate on Marina's crate and she knew the m and the a's. What a brilliant child!
Here she is having fun and then eating a cookie
Oliver continues to work on the deck. He gets up at 4:30 almost every day and is nice enough to tell me when he leaves for Home Depot at 5:45AM!!! He goes to Home Depot, the lumberyard, our local hardware and Menard's on a daily basis and still spends hours working on the deck. He's trying hard to get it done before they start the new siding right after the 4th.
June 24, 2012
We're back from Door County. We had a really nice time-didn't do too much but relax, which was our plan. We drove all over DC, into every town and they were all crazy busy! By the time we had worked our way to Bailey's Harbor-the quiet side of the peninsula-we were very glad to be there. We stayed at the Bailey's Harbor Yacht Club, which is a condo development. It's nice, in a great location, but the economy has hit hard and the marina is up for auction. there are quite a few boats there-14 or 15 I would guess-but the breakwater definitely needs repair. it's such a lovely location that I hope someone buys it who has the means to fix it up.
We had dinner at the Harbor Fish market and Grille-one of the best meals we have had in a long time! Oliver had perch, which was a huge portion and VERY tasty and I had shrimp and steak skewers. The steak was melt in your mouth tender and there was a really good, light creamy garlic sauce. The sides of mushroom wild rice and green beans with carrots were delicious and I had the carrot-coconut-ginger soup first which was yummy. As if all that wasn't enough, I took a huge piece of cherry bread pudding back to the room with me and nibbled on it all night! We enjoyed our meal so much that we went back for cherry pancakes this morning!
Here's the marina from our room
Here's looking back across the bay towards the condos from the restaurant
Oliver is now hard at work, replacing a "few" boards on the deck off our guest room. Making me a nervous wreck!!
Yesterday we walked with Sue and company. Here in order are Marina, Skipper, Cody and Rocker. Notice that we are ALL panting!!
June 21, 2012
It's been a quiet couple of days here. Yesterday I had lunch with my friend Sue, to celebrate her birthday and last night we attended the funeral of our next door neighbor Bonnie's Dad. He was a lovely man and we always enjoyed talking with him when he was visiting Bonnie and Bruce. He had a wonderful long life of 92 years but will be missed. This morning a friend had to put her little miniature schnauzer to sleep and I've been feeling badly all day for her.
Today we walked the dogs and then started cleaning out the basement. Didn't get too much done but it was a start. Tomorrow we will walk with Sue, Cody and Rocker and then have dinner with the usual crew. On Saturday morning we're going to take Skip and Marina to the Bark and Breakfast and then drive up to Door County. It's our anniversary so we will have a nice night out and come back Sunday afternoon.
I'm not sure why the Dennis Sullivan was in town for a couple of days but it always makes for a beautiful picture.
June 19, 2012
Well, we left St. Simons to get away from the heat---and now it is 92 degrees here!!! Of course, that will only last a day or two and then it will be in the 60s, so guess that is why we're here! Oliver had a nice time shooting although he didn't do very well and our church had a wonderful Father's Day service. Yesterday was more doctor's appointments-my dermatology check-up, and today we are seeing our financial guy and then having a wine and cheese vacation trip video at Alice's. She went to New Zealand a few months ago and she is absolutely one of the BEST vacation photographers we know, so we are very much looking forward to that.
Here's a couple of cute doggie pix. marina doesn't always like to walk, so when she sees the leashes coming out, she hides under the bed.
Our kids love to sleep together!!
June 16, 2012
We have had a very busy week. We missed our dinner in Milwaukee with J&R&S&P because Oliver was feeling a little punk-some medication changes are causing him problems. But by last night he felt well enough to go down to the Yacht Club for Freeport Music Festival. They had a good warm up band and a SUPER band from Chicago as the headliner. This is such a great event that the city sponsors. The club sells wine and beer and there is always a good turn out and a fun time. Today I went to the farmer's market and then to church for the 50th wedding anniversary celebration of some friends. The service was sweet and moving and our Pastor has a voice that could make you cry. He sang The Lord's Prayer and Don't Go Changing.....by Billy Joel!! What a great guy!! Tonight was the Summer Solstice party at the Club and we had a FABULOUS time with all our peeps. Seriously, how we ever think of selling our house here is beyond me!!! Tomorrow Oliver is going shooting with his friends while I go to church and pray for the whole bunch of us----and for all of you who care enough to read my blog!!! Bless you!
June 12, 2012
We are continuing to get settled in to Port Washington. Mostly we are all going to our various doctors, dentists, etc. Oliver, Marina and I are all getting our teeth celaned this week! We had a nice birthday dinner with Paul and Sharon and Joe and Rose on Friday night at Victor's (Sharon's birthday) before going to the Yacht Club for a meeting. Saturday night we ate at home but then went down to the marina for some of Sandy's yummy chocolate cupcakes! Sunday was church and a little shopping, and some play time with the dogs. Today we are waiting for the air conditioner repairman to arrive-lucky it's nice and cool!!
Oliver got a new camera and has been practicing with it. Here are some fish in the lake-he took this from all the way up on the bluff!!
Tomorrow night we're having dinner in Milwaukee with Joe and Rose and Paul and Sharon. Thanks for stopping by.
June 6, 2012
We are recovering nicely from the big celebration last night. Soon we are off to meet some co-workers for lunch. But I got some pictures of the wedding from brother-in-law Tom this morning that I thought I would post.
This is how Tom and I spent most of the week-end.
At the reception-Mary and I
Me, nancy and Carol
My beautiful niece Spencer
My gorgeous sister Bunny
Tom and Carol
Here comes the bride (and Groom!)
Her dress was just awesome
We are family-I've got all my sisters with me
The Ladies of the family. Carol, John's sister Judy, Nancy, Alex, Spencer, Bunny, Mary, me
Oliver was just thrilled to meet Harry Reid (actually, it's John's brother in law Jim!!)
June 5, 2012
Just got back from the Yacht Club. What a GREAT night!!! I'm proud of my state tonight.
June 4, 2012
Well, Oliver and Joe didn't make it for the "Wench Walk" but we did almost run over a coupole on our way down to the marina! We had a nice dinner Saturday night with Joe and Rose at Pasta Shoppe and then a nice dinner last night at Newport Shores with Russ and Dorothy and Paul and Sharon. We also had our first walk today with Sue and Cody. Skipper is feeling much much better so we walked all the way down to town and back. It was just such a nice week-end for our homecoming.
Tonight there is the most beautiful full moon. The pictures aren't too good but it really is spectacular
Tomorrow night we will be at the Yacht Club to watch the election returns. It's stupid that there are any returns to watch, since we just elected our Governor not even 2 years ago but we have a bunch of cry baby poor sports in this state that have wasted MILLIONS of dollars on a recall election that likely will not change anything, so it's a good excuse for a party! It makes us seriously consider whether Wisconsin is the right place for us to stay but we shall see.
We have lots of busy days ahead-doctor's appointment, teeth cleaning, vet appointments, etc-nothing that makes for good pictures but I'll try to find something interesting!!!
June 2, 2012
First of all, Skipper is doing just fine. He's eating and keeping everything down and taking his pills like a good boy. His regimen is so complicated that I have had to make a chart to follow! I think just 4 more days of that, though. The only lasting effect is his "poodle leg" where they had to shave hime for the IV. Not sure how long it will take to grow out!
Also, he can't have his nightly Kong so Marina has to hide in the bathroom to eat hers.
Still, we know we're lucky that it alal turned out well. Our very good frined the Driewer's lost their beloved Bessie a week or so ago. Here's a picture they posted called All Dogs Go To Heaven
On a happier note, we just had so much fun last night seeing all our friends for the first time! First up was cocktails on Compozer--thank you, Sandy and Mike for hosting our return home celebration!! Bill & Julie, Bill & Pat, Joe & Rose, and Paul & Sharon joined Mike and Sandy and Oliver & I for the party. It was great to catch up with everybody, although now I need to see them all one on one to REALLY catch up. Afterwards, J&R, P&S and Oliver and I went to Victor's for a yummy dinner and general silliness. The boys just took up right where they left off with their jokes and we were the last to leave the restaurant and they were probably glad to see us go!! We stopped at the Yacht Club for a nightcap with Bill and June and it was great to see a few of our friends, especially Jennie, who's little guy Kameron has been recovering from a serious illness. I've been following his progress on Caring Bridge but nothing beats hearing directly from Mom!! Both Walters twins and wives were there as well as Pete and a few others. We're looking forward to more great Friday nights.
Off now to walk the dogs and then go down to town for Pirate Fest. Oliver and Joe decided they wanted to walk around an take a look at the wenches!
June 1, 2012
Well, nothing ever goes as you think it will! Almost as soon as I wrote the previous entry, Skipper started vomiting and couldn't stop. I saw blood in it so we jumped in the car and went to the emergency vet clinic, which fortunately is just about a mile away. By the time we got there, he just laid in Oliver's arms like a limp rag and they wisked him away to start an IV and try to figure out what was going on. At 10:45PM they called to say his blood work looked fine--which surprised them because they were expecting to find something. We called yesterday orning and they said he was better but they wanted to keep him because he was still dehydrated. Our own vet called and said she thought they were the best emergency vets she had ever worked with so we felt a little better but it was a very long day. Finally they said we could come see him at 7PM last night and decide what to do then. He looked pitiful, with an IV in his leg and a collar-the cone of shame-around his head to keep him from biting at it. The vet felt comfortable sending him home, since we live so close so that's what we did. He seems to be doing fine. He looks like his one leg came from a poodle because they had to shave the hair for the IV! He and Marina were happy to see each other. He's on a special diet and a fairly complicated drug regimen for a few days so we will be busy here! They don't know what caused it-possibly the stress of the whole trip. When we picked him up, they put us in the "cry room" and I had a panic attack before they brought him to us--but then we got the bill and found out WHY we were in that room! Seriously, I am so greatful that we could afford the best of care for him and it makes me feel sad to know that many people would have lost their dogs because they couldn't get them what they needed. We're hoping to get to the marina and the yacht club tonight, if he seems well enough for us to leave him. Updates later.
May 30, 2012
We are finally home!! The day after the wedding, we went to Bunny's for a lovely brunch and then took Mary to the airport and picked up Alex's wedding dress and Whit's tux from the hotel where they stayed before they left for Hawaii. In the afternoon, we all sat at the pool and relaxed, before Bunny, John, Spencer, nancy, nick, oliver and I met for dinner at the Atlanta Ale House. Yesterday morning we picked Marina and Skipper up at 7AM and started off for what turned out to be a LOOOOOONG day on the road. There was construction and accidents and rain, oh my! We finally reached our hotel in Seymour, IN at about 4:30. We walked the dogs and had a carryout dinner from Chilis before turning in. This morning we left at 6:30 (which was 5:30 central time) so we were home by noon. Spent the afternoon unpacking a few things, doing some laundry, grocery shopping and eating a light dinner. I visited with June for a few minutes and now we are ready for bed. A BIG day of unpacking and cleaning tomorrow! Our wonderful neighbors had a little surprise for us when we got here.
May 28, 2012
Just a quick note while I am waiting for Oliver to wake up. The festivities went on quite late last night!! The wedding was beautiful-I'll have some pictures later but here are a couple from the rehearsal dinner. First, my Mom and my sisters and me
Then the bride (on left, my b-i-l John, Oliver and the groom (on right)
Just realized what a weird picture this is! While my niece, john and Whit ARE all quite tall, this makes Oliver look like a midget!!
Looks like we got out of SSI just in time to miss tropical storm Beryl which made landfall right on the island. Yetsreday Jim Cantore from the Weather Channel was broadcasting from our beach all day!!
Need to rouse Oliver so we can get to my sister's for brunch. More later.