In the twilight zone again

Thank You Mandi for posting the last entry for us. That way folks know what is happening with us, when we don't get to blog for a day or 2.
Like now, we are caught in the first big storm of the season. 50 to 60 mph wind, lots of rain, and buckets of rain. its in the upper 50's, so its not that its cold, just a lot of horizontal rain.
We left Holland's Yacht club basin marina at 9 am ish. Headed north, and the 1' swells very soon became 3, 4, 5' . I threw up, and was fine. Then was Gary, 4 rounds worth. Pretty miserable. So we turned in at Pigeon Cove, and got permission to use a dock. Free.
The sun was shinning, and the water was getting rougher by the minute, so we are waiting it out, thank you very much. Still being tied to the dock, and having all the ropes we can find, lashing everthing down. But its still rough bouncing off the bouys all this time.
So we watched a movie yesterday pm, and slept in till noon today, then watched another movie.
We barely have a phone tower, no email, so I can't blog right now. Can only get 1 tv channel.
The very nice couple at this dock, Jan & Felicia, came by tonite, to get us to come to their home for chili and pie. Wonderful folks.
This is where we will be till weather breaks and the 14 to 18 foot swells go back down.
Luv BJ

Ahhhh, wet again!

Got to bed after our showers and blog last nite, and just after getting on board to sleep, it started pouring. God knows I love rain, and boy did it rain, for a couple hours or less. Makes for such good sleeping listening to the "dripage". Then the kiddos woke us up at 8:30am on the button again. I know it was on the button because I had an alarm set so we wouldn't oversleep and be late to Cale's football game. And right at 8:30, there were my buddies climbing aboard. All of them, and boy does that fill up the cabin. Love those kids.

At the football game, Cale is so cute, and boy did he have fun, smiling alot, and did a great job of being everywhere. He almost scored this week, but the other team was very good also. Unfortunatly his team lost 3 to 1. Last week he scored 2 touchdowns. This is flag football so no one gets clobbered.

After the game, went back to the house and had lunch. Then got the boat ready to roll again @2:30. Headed to Holland to figure out where to launch. Ended up at Yacht Basin Marina, on Lake Macataw. Mandi & family showed up just as Malac, Gary, and I got finished rigging. All of us got on the boat and went for a sail before dusk hit. Nice breeze, and the skies were partly cloudy, but it was nice with a jacket. Came back and tied up at b16, which we were assigned to by the marina, and went into town for a great steak dinner at Brann's. Mandi left from there and headed home with the kids since it was past 8:30pm. Mark rode back with us, and dropped us off at the boat and is now driving back home. an hour back home.

Got our showers, and are getting settled for the nite. Hope the yacht club settles down soon, since its blasting music and the folks look like they are party hardies.

More tomorrow.
Luv BJ

we'll be sailing tomorrow

Due to predicted weather changes coming for monday, with rain and 40 mph winds, we are pushing up the launch by 24 hrs, to tomorrow (sat) after lunch. In the morning we have Cales football game to go to first.
Today Mandi and I got to garage sale, and had a great time. Found some wonderful bargins we couldn't live without, Malac got some cute shirts, and other goodies too. The girls were so good.
We played more cards this afternoon, until Gary & I decided to get the supplies we needed, and I did the laundry so we can leave tomorrow.
Watched survivor tonite on the computer. They need to get a clue about Russell!
Earlier tonite we had the Schwan delivery truck driver stop, and he ask about the boat and what we are doing. Funny.
Well had my shower, and headed to bed.
Luv, BJ

2 days to set sail.

Just a note, it would be nice if some of the followers would identify yourselves. Some are obvious and others are not. Just reply in comments please. Gary

Was having so much fun last nite due to the neighborhood picnic Mandi & Mark thru, so I am having to due the post this morning for yesterday. Sorry.

Yesterday, again the kids came to get us about 8:30 am. And the fun begins. Lots of games.

Then we got to go to Reeds Lake for our picnic with Mark. Picked up Wendy's, and they miesses up the order several ways. Mandi caught 2 mistakes, but missed the fact they goofed on Cales cheeseburger, and gave him nuggets. He was NOT a happy camper.

Afterwards we played football, and threw the new fisbieball around. It was sunny and cool, so we stayed more than an hour. Then we toured Grand Rapids checking out the Art Contest pieces. Then picked up a part for Mandi's dryer at !st Source here in town. Gary was happy to use his "Appliance Guy" number for a hugh discount. Today they will put it on so she doesn't need to run the loads 2 times to dry the cloths.

Mandi and I will take some of the kids with us and we are going garage ssling. (She is sitting with 2 other kids today.) The rest of the kids will stay with grandpa. The boys and grandpa just went on a 2 1/2 mile bike ride. Our party last nite was a hit. About !/2 the neighborhood came, and we BBQ's hotdogs. Some brought dessert. and other things. Missed Survivor, but I will watch it on line last nite.

More later.

Luv BJ

and the fun continues......

Had another great nite of sleep, no wind, about upper 60's, not much traffic noise around here. Both of us heard something bang into the boat about 3 am, and decided it must have been a deer run into the boat in the moonless, foggy nite. funny.
Anyway we again had our early morning wake up from the kids, only this time, it was both girls and Cale. Waved to Mark with the kids as he left for work, and went in to start the day of cards and games with the kids.In between cards and such, I got out the foam sun visors I brought, and all the jewels, and foam cut outs, so we could decorate each ones visors. We made alot of things with all the supplies, and we will still have more fun with that stuff tomorrow, and the next day.
We were going to do a picnic with Mark for lunch today, but it turned all drizzly, so we ate the picnic we had packed here, and he had hot dogs.
Then Gary & Mandi got busy on the dinning room floor, laying all the tile squares. Got about 70% done, before we had to leave and go to their church for dinner and all their classes tonite. On the way we stopped at Payless shoes and bought each grandkid a new pair of shoes for growing feet.
We came home, and Gary decided to hit the project again. Got it done except for the edge pieces that have to be cut. The kids will be here soon.
Talked sailing and Lake Michigan with a couple of men at church, named Todd & Nate. They have done some sailing and knew about different aspects of the lake.
Have a great day,
BJ

Another fun day

Hi all. Hope all is well with you. We are having a blast, Gary and the boys rode 9 1/2 miles on the bikes this afternoon. Gary rode in, and then the boys drug in. One could hardly drag to the couch with very sweaty hair all spiked out, and the other just sorta sat on the bike where he stopped. Pretty funny, since they kept saying during the ride, just go further Grandpa, just a little more, etc. And Gary said, but your not thinking about the whole other half of the ride back. And they said, oh... right. And the whole return trip was mostly up hill.

For lunch we took Mandi and the kids to Steak & Shake. Everyone got shakes on top of lunch so we were very full. But it was good.

I really cleaned around here today while Mandi went to bible study. bost. Mandi is in the process of replacing the dining room floor. When I say in the middle I MEAN MDDLE. I started the laundry and in between we played games. The more I did around here, the kids got with the program without too much prompting from me, and cleaned their rooms too. She was very surprised when she came home.

I started putting the screened room and shade cover on the boat, and Gary came out to help me, bless his heart. Makes our living space much bigger, and safer from the skeeters. He spent most the day making the email group list so I can do the prayer chain for RCC. Right now I am still having trouble sending them from this laptop, so bless his heart Todd is doing it from home for me.

Babysat with the kids tonite, and Mandi & Mark had a date. We got Papa Murphy pizza, and played cards with the kids. Had baths and teeth brushed and in bed before Their folks came home. Us also.

Sending some pics of the boat. And calling it a nite. Sadie woke us up this morning, wonder who will be the rooster tomorrow.

Nite all,

Luv, BJ & Gary

on the road again

We got on the r oad about 8 sunday am. Drove all day,chasing the rain clouds all the way. But never quit catching them. After dark we started seeing the lake effects of fog, and patchy misty conditions. and at midnite, we decided we had 2 hrs to go, so we stopped at Benton Harbor, in a dark parking lot. Remembering their time was now 1am, I changed my watch to the correct time, and closed my eyes. Just then the rain started. Nice to go to sleep listening to the rain.
Yesterday we drove thru Des Moines to see Gary's 90 yr old Aunt. She said she doesn't drive anymore, so after church she is always home. Wel, guess what. She wasn't home yesterday at 3pm. So we left a note, to let her know we tried, but still haven't had a call from her.
Man, some of the roads in Iowa, and Illinois, and Indianna we so terribly rough. Lots and lots of fields of corn, and soy beans. Probably will really change in 4 weeks before our return trip, after they harvest their fields.
Woke up to light rain, and car horns honking as the workers for the law firm locked their cars to go to work. It was 7 am so time to hit the road, and finish the trip. Arrived at 10 am. Mandi had said to call when we were getting close this afternoon, and they were really surpised we arrived so early. I had just dug out the phone to call her, when Gary said never mind, they see us already. When I looked up, the kids were all bouncing in the front window. Its so good to see, hold, and interact with all of them again. The kids are stuck like glue. I had to beg for them to get off of me, so I can finish this blog. They were really hindering my typing, and I don't need any help with my mis-typings. But I am loving it! :)
Mandi and I are taking Sadie (3yr) with us, and we are going to get milk at the farm. The other 3 will be staying to keep grandpa out of trouble. hahaha
Wonder how church went today? Can't take the sound tech out of the boy. Wonder how the choir did with my favorite song today? I hummed or sang my way up here, with the radio, and am kinda horse now.
More later on..... Its still sprinkling and misty.... at 70 + degrees.
Luv BJ & Gary

last day.. tons to do

Ok, time has finially dragged by, and I have one day left to complete the rest of that list (I mentioned it before). Really am right on target, and have a really full day ahead of me, and actually don't have the time to be on here, but hey! whats 5 minutes, right? I won't take time to play Majong or Farkle, and I mean it, really I do, but I can hear the games calling to me, no, I will be strong! I'll just think about the grankiddos and that will keep me on track. Went to the Heights HS football game last nite, and they won big. 55 to 21 over NW. Butt is still sore from sitting on those bleachers. How about getting well padded theater seating? I vote yes. Did they ask me? Anyway, it was great to watch the half time show since I have 2 grandsons in the marching band. It was great. A real THRILLER! (thats the name of the song they did) It was very good, especially the whole band zombie dance in the middle of it.
Well have the boat in the drive so I can load it. Lots to do in here too.
Be writing from the road next (probably).
Enjoy...... cause I am going to!
Luv BJ & Gary

Still gathering

We are getting so excited to leave on the trip, but lots still happening here at RCC (church) that GAry is needed for yet. Personally I am just packing, gathering from all over the house the stuff we need, and laundry, got my nails done for the last time before I leave, etc. Thank You for spoiling me so much Marnie, I love being able to get my nails at my home/office, so I can still answer phone calls and schedule the customers. My feet feel so good right now since my foot massage, you have miracle hands. Luv you.
Mandi called and is getting so excited for us to come. Got to talk to her 2 girls also, and they already had counted on the calander I sent, and told me it was 4 days now till I get there! Gary was here and ask about Mandi's Daddy-Do project list, so she gave it to him, and he said he could get those things done in a day. Good! he will have time to play also. Had lunch, and now to accomplish some other things on the list, and change the laundry.
Please sign in as a watcher, so we know who is laughing at our antics. We also want to encourage anyone that wants to, to post on this blog also, as we love to have those touches from home. You are our life, where ever you are. Long distance or close. We love you all.
Mandi says one of the older guys at her church has an ear ful for us about the different ports on the Lake, so we are anxious to talk to him when we get there.
Survivor starts tonite, so those of us that love this show, will have another adventure of sorts to follow :)
Luv BJ

Counting down the days

Tuesday Sept 15th. Its hard shutting down your life here for a month, but it is going to be so much fun. Dr.'s appointments for both of us this week, lots of church duties to handle little details for the conference happening this weekend. Tons of errands to gather everything we "think" we might need. Today I spent taking care of most of the gathering of "misc stuff" we will be needing. My house looks like a mess has exploded inside it, but after its all gathered, then I can "pack" it where it goes.
Funny thing happens to me, whenever I am "going away" somewhere. As I am packing, suddenly I find all these things around here to fix, sew, mend, clean, or chg litebulbs for. Guess this is a good thing, cause when I come home, the house is clean, and everything is in fine working order. hahaha
Lots of office work to stomp down also, so Todd can handle it when we are gone. He's great at repairing, but doesn't know the office end of things. So I'll just do all the bills I can, sign extra checks, and after that he just piles it for me to do when I return. Ugh!
Later in the week is where alot of my list has to happen. Like lawn work, call the paper & trash etc, so for now I am feeling pretty good today. Hope I haven't forgotten to put something on the list, cause that is what I am operating off of.
Time to go to dinner, more later.

Getting ready for our Michigan Lake adventure

Actually, we leave Sept 20, Sunday am early (we hope), and head to Mandi & Marks in Caladonia Michigan. We will live aboard in their driveway for a week, while we do projects for her, and play with the grandkidos. Then we will take the boat over to Holland Michigan and dip her in Lake Michigan. Planning to sail up the east coast of the lake, and back down for a couple weeks or so. Then back to Mandi's for another visit, before we return somewhere around Oct 20th (or so).
Gary has been modifying several things on the boat getting ready for our next adventure on Lake Michigan. Some of those ideas came from me, but he is so good to make my ideas a reality for our use. I still have a couple of projects going myself, like making tight fitted sheets to fit the V birth, so they can't get so bunched up. Also adding some velcro sewed onto the cabinet cover, since some of the snaps pulled off, and this stays better. Just have a problem with the glue not holding the velcro onto the material when we stuck the velcro on. Where there is a will there is a way. :)
Today we had 4.25" of rain, so I didn't feel like dragging all the stuff out in the rain to get anything done in the boat today. Maybe tomorrow. Did inside "stuff" aiming towards our target date to leave. I did call the kiddos and Mandi, and spent the morning listening to all they had to say about their camping trip this past weekend. Sadie the (3 yr old) is so cute trying to be patient for when we are coming. She starts the call with "Hi, Grandma, are you coming today? Tomorrow? etc" I mailed them a calander page, with the dates of september on it, and told them how to mark off the days as they pass, so they can "see" how many days are left. Cosette says its 12. So I'm going with that. :)
Will try to keep these entries of our trip preps current.
Luv, Gary & BJ