HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!

Love that we have our freedoms! Take a moment today to be grateful for the freedoms we enjoy here in America!

Mysterious Bites

I need to find out what's biting me when I go in the lake (water) on our beach. They aren't mosquitos. The itchy blotches appear 24-36 hours after we're in the water. They don't appear just on my legs either (where in contact with water) but all over my body. Any ideas?

Now that our deck and porch are looking nice, we enjoy sitting there reading. Nestled in the woods, deer often come by whether to drink from the lake or graze on young green shoots. Last night we had dinner in the 3 season room called "porch" or "Michigan room". It was just heaven to also see boats cruise by while enjoying our meal. Soon the railing will be stained, making the deck(s) job complete. Looks like new again.

Have you ever been out, just window shopping? And fallen in love with something you just had to have? That was how my 1997 Honda CRX found me and took me home.

Our love affair is still strong, going on 10 years. He provides me with dependable and comfortable transportation wherever I desire to go. At 26 miles to the gallon, he doesn't ask me to break the bank but does get thirsty for clean oil every 4 or 5 thousand miles.

I love how he comforts me, cradles me in his soft arms with ample room to stretch my legs while still allowing me to fondle his pedals, even slap his "brake" should he get too frisky on the road! This tireless fella even lets me carry loads on his back! I have loaded my family, groceries, even my bike (though he gets jealous when I choose an opponent for alternate transportation but I've explained I'm just biking for "fun" - really).

My guy is a typical guy - simple. His AM/FM radio delights my ears with easy push buttons. No CDs for this man. He shines my way with bright lights, cleans and wipes my teary vision with easy to control knobs. No 2nd guessing or playing hard to get here. It's simple and clear.

One thing I love him for - he knows I'm lazy so he powers my windows for me, up to keep me warm (just like the heater which works in 1 minute tops) and down to bathe me in the luxuriant cool breezes.

Sometimes we go on a picnic! Like a man, he provides the heavy equipment - a picnic table which is built in the rear floor. Now how smart is that? Once , we even crashed a tailgate party -prepared!

Ah, I love a man who's prepared, smart, trustworthy, dependable, and even forgivable. Yes, I'm guilty of being a batterer. Poor guy, he didn't see it coming when I rammed him into a steel sign post while backing up. Using my feminine wiles, I told him I'd make him whole again by fixing and repairing his poor body which put us on speaking terms again. Once in a while though he gets testy by refusing to unstick his back gate for me. But I butter him up with my slick oily ways to get him on my good side again.

We do understand each other. My old guy and I still plan to stick together for many years. With his 128,500 "years" I think I may outlive him. I hate to think of life without him but I will do my best to treat him with the best of my care and love. Check him out here! http://www.nctd.com/review-intro.cfm?ReviewID=319

Catching Up

Some of you reading this haven't a clue to my recent life, whether earth shattering or not! I'll be brief as possible but hey, if you skip over this, no feelings hurt. Just know that this is my only chance to be long winded. In person I have not mastered that skill yet (if you want to know....hmm, well...)

Ok...the biggest news - THE SPEC HOUSE IS SOLD! Probably is the biggest financial disaster in our lives but the monkey is off our back. It took nearly all our assets....hey, we'll live. Just back to scraping along like newlyweds again. Can't be too bad, eh?

Being away from HOME has its drawbacks. When you come back there's work to be done! But golly, does it ever end? A month later we're still at it. I'm so proud of Ron who has worked faithfully to get the house, etc. back in order. We're tired....and poor!
1. Both decks were stripped and stained
2. Boat seats were washed and disinfected. The floor (carpet) was full of moss and mildew -it was removed.
3. My Sea Eagle Kayak 330 leaked. Ron tried to find hole(s) without success. Cleaned it up and boxed it to send back to factory.
4. Weed wacked half the large front yard
5. Mice did damage to both the boat and trailer. Took days to clean up and repair.
6. Hot water heater quit and flooded the floor. The floor wasn't clean enough so we had another flood, at 5 am, caused by a ghost who loosened the bath spigot, causing an overflow down to the studio (basement) floor. That's another $100 gone for replacement parts.
7. Again, the mice chewed all the boat seat covers. Only $900 to replace!
8. "Robbers" damaged our door frame, trying to break in. Another $1,700 out the "window" to be replaced.
9. Needing to be feel safe, we now have a home security system. Worth every dollar we're paying if it keeps us secure.
10. Tent caterpillars have evaded our property. Ron burned all nests except those in one big tree he couldn't reach. For 4 days I continued to stomp them to death hourly in attempt to rid of them. Don't know if it worked but it gave me exercise and a good feeling!

Bringing the Wildlife in

I love my big picture windows in my studio which give me great views of the woods and lake while I sew. (For years I sewed in my shop's windowless back room never knowing what the weather was like). It's a treat to see deer, people fishing, boats motoring by, kayakers enjoying the tranquil waters. Early this morning I had quite a treat. The duck family with their 3 babies came strolling by. These summer residents of Chandler Lake love to show off when I go paddling. Cute!

How is your memory?

Welcome to my new blog. Actually it's just me, Cathy, with a new title. Does it sound familar? I took the name from a favorite old TV show back in 1994.
I think it just fits with what I hope to share here.