Live from Tormville!

Three Dollars / Day 113

My original plan for this morning was that I was going to wake up, get dressed and go for a long walk before the heat and before my breakfast. 

I woke up tired. New plan: I'm continuing with the old plan for another day. 

Yesterday was a full day. 

Mark and I started it in the water again, after dropping off Brian for his last day of class. 

We finally got around to digging out the floaties, and yesterday was a perfect morning to kick back and enjoy those. We lulled for about a half an hour before I got up and decided I was going to do my laps. 

I'm not sure how far apart the ropes are at Thompson Lake are. I'm going to have to measure them some day, because now I'm curious.  Yesterday I challenged Mark that if he could swim from one to the next without stopping, I'd give him a dollar.  I feels like its over 100 yards.  He knocked it out no problem.  eta: I did my best to measure it this morning. It appears to be 90 yards at the beach. 

I told him if he could do it again on the way back, I'd give him two dollars. 

I'm three dollars poorer. 

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While laying on the beach, Allan called and said that the groomer called and said they had a last minute cancellation, and if I could get him there in 15 minutes - they could take care of him today rather than the end of the month. 

No laws were broken, and we made it. Rocket looks SO much better now. 

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My mom and I went in for our insurance explanation meeting. My mom got a nice reduction. I have a little homework to do. Greg ended up having to go into the office for work in a panic, so he couldn't make it. 

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It was hot HOT yesterday, but I walked to the insurance meeting. Then another walk later in the evening, when it was still hot. I got my five miles in yesterday which is probably why I'm so drained this morning. It's the heat.  Mark ended up back at the beach again, this time with Allan. 

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Lots of coming and going yesterday, lots of being out in the heat. 

Today is less scheduled. 
Greg has today off, but Mark works. 
We need to take advantage of this weekend and pull some camping things together for next weekend. 

That's all I've got. 

Al's Home / Day 112

It was when I went to type this blog post that I realized I don't have any pictures of Allan from yesterday for this post. 

What I do have is a quick amateur video of a water balloon fight in our front yard. Mark had filled one of our 100 clusters and was lying in wait for the truck to pull around the corner. Mark has a long way to go in learning the art of defending his ammo. Allan took control of the balloons in under 0.3 seconds, which had Mark getting much wetter than Allan. I really don't think he minded at all. 

The hose got involved for a quick moment.  The neighbor, who happened to be watering her garden at the time, walked her hose over too, but we did work towards keeping it lower key. Bill has all kinds of attachments on his chest that would cause him to short out and, well - die - should he get wet, and he'd just housed Allan for the last 5.5 years and drove him all the way home, and it just wouldn't have been right to end it that way.  We like Bill. 

So Allan is home for a bit until he figures out his next step. 

He'd had an interview the beginning of March that went well, but then came Covid and a hiring freeze. 

He's got a few more applications in. He has a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice. 

For the time being, he's transferred from Harbor Freight in Big Rapids to the one here locally. He's also had some consignment art jobs. It makes me happy that he's still pursuing his art and finding the right market for it. 

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Mark and I hit the water again yesterday. 

I keep saying that he's not going for the 100 days in a row swim thing again this year, but I'm starting to wonder how many days in a row it's been. I can't recall the last day that he didn't swim. 

We had the lake pretty much to ourselves yesterday morning, so we swam a few laps and did twenty minutes of any water aerobics that I could remember. We'll do the same today.  It's a hot week. 

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I worked on trimming Rocket up a bit yesterday. We do a little at a time. He'd gotten into one of those wax wrappings from a Babylon cheese, so I had to trim that out of his chin hairs. 

A few cuts in, I decided I just needed to call and find out how far out they are with groomings. We didn't have an appointment scheduled pre-quarantine, as we'd always been fortunate to get in quickly when needed.  I tend to call when the cottonwoods start dropping, and that can fluctuate a bit from year to year.  

He's looking pretty home grown right now. Appointments are about four weeks out, but she offered that she could get him in sooner for his face and nails. 

On one hand, I'm glad I got that cheese wax out, but on the other hand - he's more crookedy than ever. The groomer isn't going to say anything about us having done a good job, that's for certain. 

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Talked to Wendy for a bit yesterday.  

She had a couple days off work and had gone north with a second cousin and gone tubing down a river and followed it by an all-nighter. Good times and fun memories. 

I'm excited that we'll get to see her at family camping coming up quickly. 

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That's all I've got. 

Be good

 

It's Water Week / Day 111

Another hot day = another day on the water. 

Mark and I dropped Brian off at Confirmation and headed straight to the lake. Between kayaking and swimming, we were out there for three hours. 

Remember last year when I didn't get out in the kayak at all?  This summer is much improved. 

My arms are burning a bit, so we've already decided that today we're just going to swim. 

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A few from yesterday: 

My boys are a bit slower than the local average as far as getting on social media, and they don't have any older siblings around to encourage or advise. 

Mark has had Snapchat for awhile as an easy way to share videos and pictures of Rocket with his sister. He made a promise to send her a picture of the dog everyday when she moved, and he's committed to that promise. 

Brian just installed the app yesterday. Together, they worked on creating their Snapchat emojis. 

Brian: Mark, that does not look like you. Don't you know what you look like?
Mark: I only look at my face in the mirror, cuz that's my money maker.
Brian: If that's your money maker, no wonder you're broke!
Mark: Yeah, but I have more money than YOU!! (It's true)

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Brian had cut his foot on Monday's kayaking trip, causing him to limp. 

Between him not being home that much, his quiet nature and tendency to downplay - I keep forgetting to check it. 

Last night he was limping up the stairs, triggering my memory. 

Me: Brian, I'd like to take a look at your foot. 
Brian: Mom. It's no big deal, it was only a stick in the mud. 

Stick in the mud! Ha! 

I still haven't looked at it. This morning!!

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That's all I've got ~ 

On the River / Day 110

Yesterday afternoon was about chaperoning Brian's Confirmation class as they canoed down the river.  We couldn't have asked for better weather. 
This year's class is made up of 50 boys and 10 girls. 
Every bend in the river looked pretty much like this. As a chaperone, we remind them that there are other people on the river and that if they keep tipping each other, they'll never make it to the bridges or lake. 
My part of the group never made it to the bridges or lake, but they had fun. 

My favorite moment came when one young man, whose frontal lobe hasn't fully developed yet, said "Hey, should we tip the moms too?" 
His canoe partner responded, after glancing my way, "No, that wouldn't be a good idea" 

We were Heavner's first group of the year, and they were so appreciative and kind. They normally get a few school groups in the spring,  but - well, you know how that went this year. 
They are also hiring. They are looking for a few 16/17 year olds to help work the check in and docks and 18 and up for drivers. 

AND they are on the look out for a few big vans if you're looking to sell. 

Back to the river. There were some calm moments as the group pulled ahead. 

Then pizza, snacks and games as they waited for pick up. 

I was well tuckered out when we got back home. 

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Other stuffs: 

• This past weekend would have been Balloonfest. We are consoled by the fact that it would have been a crap year, with Sunday being the only flyable day. We had a crew meeting/dinner at El Patron on Sunday as a way to connect. 
• Allan is moving back home tomorrow, so we've been busy making room. More on that later. 
• We have reservations at The Henry Ford later this week as they open for members only a week prior to opening to public. I need my Greenfield Village fix. It's reservations only right now, and two days were already booked solid by the time I got around to checking. 
• I have a meeting with our auto insurance this week to be sure we're taking advantage of the July 1st lower rates. 

And that's 'bout it! 

Happy Tuesday! 

Working Hard / Day 107

Mark started his summer cleaning up the neighbor's yard, and now does upkeep for a few hours every Friday. Yesterday was mulch day.  

In our own yard, it took weeks of tossing sand around - but yesterday we finally emptied the sandbox. Greg filled it in with topsoil and grass is planted. A big change for our small backyard. 

As for today, it's pretty gloomy out there following last night's big storm. 

It might be a book day. 

I took a walk with ol' whosehername / Day 106

Tina and I used to get together and walk while Mark had soccer practice. 

Being that there was no soccer this year, we were long overdue for a connect. 

I had mentioned that I didn't blog Thursday morning, not because I didn't have time, but because there was nothing in the tank. To that she responded that now I could post about taking a walk with ol' whosehername. 

So there you have it. 

Yesterday I walked. And connected. 

I took a few walks yesterday, in fact. I walked to get my haircut in the morning, I walked with Tina, and late last evening I walked over to my mom's. My daily step counts have been low lately, so I need to get back up in gear. I can feel that I'm stuck in a little bit of a same 'ol, same 'ol rut right now. 

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Speaking of same ol', same ol', I found myself in similiar conversations several times this week. 

They started out with, "You know, when you go to the grocery store now and......" 

Nope. I don't. 

I've still not been. I'm starting to wonder how long it will be until I go. 
Greg is still preferring that he do the shopping. Last evening he headed to Costco. 

I'm completely okay with that. I never had much patience for shopping anyway. 

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Mark and I went garage saling for a bit yesterday morning. It's been awhile since I've garage saled. As the kids got bigger, it was harder to find anything I actually needed. 

Yesterday's few sales got Mark a table top Foosball game that he and Brian have already played for hours, some brand new and much needed hot pad mitts for me, and some cookers for our upcoming camping trip. An hour well spent. 

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As for this morning - the sun is shining, the temperature just right, the coffee is still hot and all is well. 

Be good 

Haircuts / Day 104

Brian was the last in our home to get a haircut, and got that yesterday. 

His last cut, just prior to quarantine, had been cut much shorter than he likes it. Normally the shaggiest in our home, it was interesting to have him look the most kept for so long. 

He wasn't sure on the location of our new go-to stylist, so I walked with him and enjoyed a visit while he got trimmed up. 

Part of the conversation was around his upcoming Confirmation. 

Hairdresser: So, do you have the clothes you need, or do you need to go shopping or order something? 
Me: Well, we got lucky - he's in band, so he's already got the white shirt and black pants thing hanging in his closet. 
Brian:  Um. Mom. My band shirt this year has ruffles (pleats, really). 
Me: !!!!!!  Whoa! Good thing we had this conversation, but you have to admit....that would have made things kind of interesting! 

I can only imagine how that Sunday morning in our house would have gone.  

He went white shirt hunting in the closets as soon as we got back home. 

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I didn't accomplish much yesterday.  
We finished the strawberries. Greg had to head out to a job sight. I cleaned up a few emails, repotted the house plants and brought Mark for a swim. That's about it. 

Today I'm on track to do better. 

I figure I'll get some exercise in this morning before my online class this afternoon at 1pm. 
I'm getting accustomed to these webinars/CE credits that I can do from the comfort of my home. 

I'm enjoying the cooler weather this morning. 
The windows are open and the birds are singing. 

Happy Wednesday! 

 

 

Strawberry Picking / Day 103

While I go blueberry picking every year, I haven't been strawberry picking since our bigs were little. I always think I'm going to, but it just doesn't work its way into our beginning of summer schedule. Typically this time of the year is about swim camp. 

Mark and I picked up my mom and we got there shortly after opening and picked for just under an hour, just before it got too too hot. 

It sounds crazy, but we don't do a lot of jam in this house. Instead, I ran a bunch through our dehydrator. I always bring dehydrated fruit in my backpack. If it lasts that long - it gets eaten pretty fast over here. 

I did freeze some, Mark has a recipe he's going to try out, and I'll put another batch through the dehydrator this morning. 

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I managed to fill my day, capping it off by sitting in on the Virtual Board Meeting while Greg took the boys swimming. I enjoy hearing things first hand. They shared the results of the recent survey and I learned that we're getting a new phone system next year with technology that I would have utilized multiple times this year. 

As for the next school year, we won't have a clear picture until the 30th, when the governor announces the guidelines for returning. 

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Today? 

It's raining. It will be a putter day. 
Brian has a hair appointment. 
I'm getting a slow start, but I'll get going on the strawberries soon and go through some paperwork. 

Here's to Tuesday. 

 

Self-Care / Day 102

Getting outside is my self-care. 

This week was on my calendar as a self-care week. It wasn't until our backpacking trip was canceled yesterday morning that I realized just how much I'd been looking forward to it, and just how much I needed it.

The forecast (mid-50's and lots of rain), bugs (horrendous right now) and circumstances (with 6-10 ladies over 50, there are always circumstances) just aren't cooperating.  

But it hit hard. For me, it makes the third backpacking trip in a row that I've had canceled. Third in a row!  Last year, two of us planned to do the Manistee River Trail on what ended up being a rare 100 degree week. Not doable. Earlier last year, I was unable to get my life to work out with the group packing trip dates. It just wasn't happening. I had to bail. 

I roll with the punches pretty well. It's one of those things that I'll get the occasional comment on. I'm pretty good at switching gears and I like to say that I'm never bored. There is always something to do, and that's life. It's something I work on teaching our kids. 

But yesterday, I cried. 

It was the first time I've cried, like really really cried, since quarantine began. 

It 
just
all 
hit
like a pile of bricks. 

In these last few months where our little family has had multiple cancellations: Mine and Brian's trip to New York, our archery trip to Kentucky, our spring break vacation to Florida, Greg's Memorial Day four-wheeling trip,  Greg's St. Ignace weekend, 5K's that I'd already signed up for, conferences, Balloonfest, ballooning in general, and the list goes on. 

All those I took in stride, partly just knowing that I still had one thing still on the calendar. Getting outside hadn't been canceled. 

Stupid bugs and weather. 

In a feeble effort to pull up my boot straps, I joined several Michigan backpacking groups online. One of them is specifically for Women who hike alone in Michigan. So that they can hike together, alone. I'm not quite sure if I'm up to going completely solo. Yet. I've always enjoyed meeting people, so this might be my thing. Time will tell. If you're going on an adventure the end of July and don't mind a tagalong - call me! 

Someone suggested that I take the boys and go, but backpacking isn't camping. It's a whole different set of gear, and - at this time - I'm the only one with gear. It's on the list. 

While the group will attempt to reschedule, I'm realistic enough to know that my schedule is the most difficult to work around. My window is small. 

I go back to work August 3rd. 

I'm back on call for a volunteer unit beginning July 8th, something else that had been on hold this last 102 days. At this moment I have three weeks the end of July with nothing on them, and if we get a plan - I'll block those out before we make an on-call schedule. 

Brian has a week off this week, but Confirmation begins again next week. 

Fourth of July weekend is full. 

The week following the fourth is full. 

This was my week. 

Sigh. 

So. Today I'll have to pull a few things out of my 29.4 pound pack. My sleeping bag, at the very bottom, needs to be pulled out of the stuff sack and hung back up. I'll hang my winter jacket back in the closet, in hopes that the forecast is better for next time. I'll pull the batteries back out of my lights. The Goldfish crackers will be eaten, but I'll keep the peanut M&M's in the pack for the next few weeks as a placement of hope. 

 

SSS / Day 101

Mark, at about 8:20:  Hey Mom, I still need to get my SSS! 
Me: What is an SSS? 
Mark: Summer Solstice Swim! 

Photo taken at 8:37

The water is much busier at 8:37 at night than it is at 8:37 in the morning.

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Yesterday's weather alert stated: Air quality will be unhealthy for sensitive groups this morning through this evening

I'm sensitive. 
I got a lot done inside the home yesterday. 

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Today will be all about the Rest and Relaxation. 

Happy Father's Day!