Playing Catch Up

 

Have not felt much like writing lately,

 although much goes on everyday, just like always.

 

So here's my new toaster oven.

It is the most amazing invention ever.

The door opens upward on a swivel.

What a great idea.

 

Sandy and I went to the pumpkin store.

Got some funky gourds.

 

I added a little "Fall" to the mantle,

with some tiny pumpkins and some orangey flowers.

 

We carved the pumpkins...

 

but for the first year ever...

 

I refused to cook the pumpkin seeds.

(Sick of doing that).

 

Bought a birdfeeder...

 

but have not seen a bird go near it yet.

 

(the squirrels are trying to figure it out though).

 

Hard to see in this picture,

 but my morning glories are still going crazy.

They climbed up this tree

 and they just refuse to quit blooming.

I go out every morning just to look at them.

 

This last weekend,

 we winterized the patio.

Covered the barbeque,

 and wrapped the pergola canvas.

Took the chaise lounge chairs in,

 and fired up the snow blower...

 

Terry got the garage ready for winter...

cleared it out to fit the cars in when needed.

 

All of my pampas grasses are going to seed...

 

They are pretty in the wintertime.

 

Finally finished the vestabule.

This has been a really slow project.

 

We just weren't that into it.

 

But we layed the molding,

 and caulked, and painted,

 and it's finally done.

 

This is just one of four digital antennas.

We are going "off the grid!"

 

The cable company finally pissed me off

 enough to get rid of them.

 

So far, we have two TV's hooked up and

we are just fine with limited viewing.

 

Now we just have to get Sandy on board,

and I can cancel the cable.

 

 

We had Randazzo come out to fix the furnace,

 and it's still screwed up.

 

We bought a new thermostat...

 

still not working right.

 

Terry is pulling his hair out over this stupid furnace.

 

I called Randazzo today,

 and they are sending out a "senior" technician on Friday.

 

Just want this furnace crap to be over.

 

 

Cleaned and rearranged the living room.

 

There's the antenna for the TV...

 

A man who offers to vacuum,

 is a man who is truly appreciated...

 

Tonight, I watch the first game of the World Series...

 

I DON'T NEED CABLE.

 

"We're goin' off the grid !"

Pure Michigan

 

This weekend we took a little trip up north.

 

Me & Terry, and Bob & Peggy went up to Mackinaw

for some end of the season fun.

 

We rented a little cabin right by the Mackinaw Bridge...

 

It was definitely "roughing it" for me.

Tiny little cabin, space heater,

no amenities, and a bed in a shoebox...

 

at least there was a shower.

 

First thing Saturday morning,

we took the ferry over to Mackinaw Island.

 

The ride was cool...

it took us under the bridge.

 

Awesome sight.

 

Peggy and I thought it was fun.

 

We went to the butterfly house...

 

always an amazing thing to see,

just butterflies everywhere.

 

We toured the island church.

It was quite beautiful.

 

We walked and we walked and we walked.

 

We smelled horse crap,

 and we went into every shop,

 and we had a great lunch in a little bar/restaurant,

and we even saw a wedding.

 

We bought some fudge

 and decided to head back to the mainland.

 

It got increasingly colder,

 and very windy as the day wore on,

 and the ferry ride back was a little scary.

 

Actually, me and Bob were white knuckled,

 but Terry and Peggy thought it was great fun.

 

Back in Mackinaw City, we went out for dinner,

 at Nonna Lisa's Italian Restaurant.

 

It was a really cool place;

full of stuffed wild animals, birch trees,

 and white lights everywhere.

 

It sounds weird but it was one of the

coolest places I've ever dined at...

 

and the pizza was awesome.

 

 

When we got back to the cabin,

they were letting off fireworks.

 

(I can never get good pictures of fireworks).

 

Sunday morning...

 

goodbye cabin.

 

It was an adventure,

but we know we'll never do that again...

 

Halfway home,

 we decided to stop at the casino in Mount Pleasant.

 

 

Good fun...

we didn't stay long,

 and we didn't lose much money,

and we decided we would like

 to make an overnite trip here soon.

 

Almost home.

 

It's always happy, but a little sad to get home...

Furnace is Working Again

Terry got the new motor,

and the furnace is back working again.

 

Thank goodness it was under warranty.

 

Michigan Isn't so Bad

 

It was a nice evening.

Furnace still not working,

but we got a nice toasty fire going.

 

Terry worked on the vestibule molding.

I made a cake...

 

and started my October baseball schedule...

 

Tigers played Chicago,

and Texas played Angels.

 

We bought the wrong size molding,

oops... back to the store tomorrow.

 

My cake is done.

Italian Creme Cake.

 

We'll try it tomorrow.

 

Snuggling under blankets tonight.

 

Feels kinda nice.

I Hate Michigan

 

I planted these seeds way back in June,

 and now in October,

 the morning glories are going crazy,

climbing up the trees and blooming every day.

 

Go figure.

 

Finally finished painting the porch railings white.

 

Looks good.

New storm door,

everything freshened up.

 

Makes a big difference in curb appeal.

 

Tried to start up the furnace,

it's broken.

 

Have to wait for parts to be ordered.

 

It is 58 degrees in here right now.

 

I hate Michigan.