wow, its been a week since posting!

Sorry, Life has been a blurr since the last sat am post. Wow, has it been that long?
Our day at Klackles last saturday, was fun, full, and so many activities. Corn maze, dirt bikes, rides on tractor pulled trains to the orchard to pick apples, pumpkins, and for fun. Lots to eat, zip line, as well as lots of apples to eat.
The kids just fell into bed, when we got back late. So did we, after our showers of course.
Sunday....we got up early, and got all the last minute things loaded, and went in to say good bye to the kids. Figured if we left early today, when they would have church to turn around and focus on, might make our leaving easier. Played one last card game of 3's with the boys and Sadie.
It was still a truly sad moment in time. Loving each other, and having to be apart is no fun. But the idea of having something to focus on soon after our departure, did help, but we weren't there to witness it.
Our trip back was great. Sunny, and got warmer and warmer, the furthur south we came. 70's is sure better than 40's.
Stopped in Des Moines and got to visit with Aunt Helen. what a sweet lady.
Got home 1:30 am, and showered, and fell into bed.
Monday.... Todd showed up for work at 8:10am, and we just rolled over and went back to sleep. At 9, Gary intercomed down to the office, and ask if Todd needed him today, and got an immediate yes. So out we rolled, and the day began. Still in vacation mode.
We learned life went on, even tho we stepped out of our lives for a month, but it didn't stop or wait for us. Todd did a great job keeping up with the business, and some of our duties here at home. He became a great pilot in this past month. He piled "stuff" all over the place here in the office. I looked thru the piles, and decided they can wait. Still in vacation mode. After Gary got home, we unloaded the boat. Wow! My house looked like it exploded with all the stuff everwhere, but there is always tomorrow to put it away. I am still in the vacation mode. Went to bed early.
Tuesday....did laundry, laundry, laundry, put some stuff in the rooms they belong, or actually put some stuff away. Slowly, I am making progress at this, but I am still in the vacation mode. Went to get groceries, so we will have bread, and milk etc now.
Wednesday...put away some of the final things still out. Handling some stuff in the office. Gary got the algea eater fish in from the pond to the sun room, so they might live thru the winter. Only the smallest didn't make it, but the 3 biggest, about 1 foot long each, are now inside, and learning to live in a much smaller area. The coi, and goldfish will be fine in the pond all winter. Still need to bring in some of my plants before they freeze. The ones I left out when we left got frosted while we were gone, so I just need to cut off the dead and move the pots in. maybe tomorrow, since I am still in vacation mode.
Went to church for dinner and choir. Good to have so many smiling faces greet us. Still in vacation mode.
Thurday.... Doing office stuff, and hanging out. Still in vacation mode. Talked to my grandbabies up north, and doing this blog entry. Still in vacation mode, and each day I have been calling folks on the landline to touch base since we are back now. Fot 2 more weeks anyway. Then we are headed to Mexico for a week of swimming and fun in the sun. Still in vacation mode.
Tonite is survivor! and of course I am Still in vacation mode.
Luv BJ

fri, sat

Getting around, headed to Cales football game this am. Also loading bikes, and balls, cause we are headed to an all church event this afternoon and evening at Klackles. It was/is an apple orchard, that the owners have added so much in the way of events, rides, mazes, bike trails, inflatables, etc. this will be a long full day.
Yesterday we didn't get to do the home school museums in Muskegan, due to the midwife hearing an irregular and slow heartbeat in the baby thur evening. So Mandi went in for a medical sonogram to check out our new baby coming. Mandi is 23 weeks, and the baby is a boy, and so far the test showed nothing wrong. So Monday she will go for a 2nd level sonogram which will show more in depth stuff, and find out why, and how to make the rate faater and regular.
Pray for Isaac Smith Corliss, because if they are not able to correct this, he might not be well and normal, if he makes it to birth. God is in control, and can fix all problems.
Yesterday we went for a walk to see the neighborhood, and then to check all the woods around their house. Fixed a couple swings that needed repair, and the girls raked (played) in the leaves.
Went to Brann's for steak last nite, and then played cards till nite.
Pics latter.
BJ

Thursday

OK, I found the previous days posting in the drafts area, because Their internet is wacked sometimes, and so I finished it, and posted.
Now for thursday, Gary got up at 10:30, and then they got started on the basement again. Yesterday they got all the studs up, and nailed to the concrete walls. Today is sheet rock day.
Also last nite both Gary and Mandi could hardly move due to how tired they were
I am taking care of kiddos again, and today playing referee. Cale and Cosette just flint off each other. Also doing laundry again for them too.
Last nite we went to church for a good meal and their classes. Gary and I came back after, showered and hit the hay early.
I am going to check and see how they are doing and see if I can help.
The box of flooring came, so maybe tonite before survivor we can finish.
Tomorrow is Muskegan field day, and we will go do 4 museums for the kids home school stuff.
Then saturday is Klackles and football for Cale.
Headed home sunday early.
Luv BJ

mon, tue, & wed

Sorry, I haven't posted, but we've been busy and having fun.

Monday... Mandi went to the chiropractor monday morning, and Gary and played games with the kids. When she came back, we decided to have lunch, and then Gary and Mandi went to work on the floor again. Finished the kitchen, hall, and most the laundry room, but ran out of tiles. She got on the phone, found some to be shipped, so she can finish probably after we leave sunday, and the tiles come.

The kids and I played games till we were cross eyed.

Tuesday... Got up early so Mandi could go to her bible study, and we took the kids and went out to accomplish a whole list of stops. 1. return (exchange) Malac's new high top shoes, for a new pair. His tore along the sole about 3 " long. Not good for a growing boy, and future skate boarding champ. 2. Went to a pawn shop to look for a guitar case for the boys electric guitar. Found the perfect case for the electric guitar for the boys. No Capo found here tho. (for those who don't know what a Capo is, like me, its the clamp the guitarist puts on the handle of the guitar to change the key) 3. Went to Walmart and got long sleeve jersies that Malac wanted for under his favorite t-shirts. Got him a hoodie also. And of course Cale found a couple shirts also, and the girls each found one shirt. I got the jewelry rings, so I can finish the necklaces I brought for Mandi and the girls. 4. Went to the music store and found the Capo. 5. Went to the bike shop, and found the wheels Malac needed for his skateboard. 6. Called Mandi and met up for a wonderful mexican lunch at El Arriano's.
Came home and regrouped. Gary and Malac fixed the wheels on the skateboard, and Mandi took the final tally of items needed from the lumber yard.
Gary and Mandi headed to the lumber yard to gety what is needed to finish off a bed room for the boys to move down there before the baby comes. The kids and I carded and gamed ourselves to death.
Luv BJ

a full praise sunday

Started out going to church with Mandi & the kids. Nice to be in church again, singing praise to God. Then to s.s. class, home for lunch, and games with the kids.
Got down to freezing last nite, so the heater ran alot.
Sunny but cold today. this afternoon we went to their sunday school class party at Gail & Dale's. What a wonderful time was had by all. And what a way to end the day with them playing their wonderful pipe organ and piano, and some of singing to hymns, and old songs together.
Came home and now Cale and Gary are playing the piano together, and Malac is playing his electric guitar with them to the tune of Heart and Soul. How fun!
Pics another time,
Luv BJ

saturdays adventures

Today started out sunny, compared to the total rain yesterday.
Headed to Cales football game with a lite wind and 41 degrees.
Wore alot of layers, and enjoyed watching the boys play their game.
Cale scored the final score, by receiving a pass and ran right up our side, 3/4 the field, and scored! He was so excited, he ran off the field high 5ing everyone with a hand.
Will include pics next time, since I don't do pics on here.
Came back and regrouped, then went to a civil war re-enactment. Very cool with all the props, guns, cannons, actors in costumes, tents, and buildings. Even had a mill that pressed and made cider. So of course we had to have some of that, and tonite with the rain started again, and the north wind and cloudy, cold temps its really tasty heated.
Gary biked back from there, against the wind, and cold front and rain towards the end of 20 miles, then called and had Mandi come get him for the last 3. He was so cold.
Having chicken noodle soup for supper whenever Mark comes home now. He has the boys with him, and the girls and I have been playing cards.
More tomorrow, after church.
Luv BJ

Places by road

Manistee, Fish town in Lealand, sand doons. movies of fish going upstream

Back to Mandi & Marks with the boat

The kids brought the truck & trailor to us monday, and we went sailing for the afternoon, and then pulled her out of the water. Got ready to roll, and had dinner at the nearest pub, with wonderful food, and went to White Hall Best western for the nite.
Spent the next 2 days traveling all up the coast to every port we were going to hit by boat. Man was it good to do it sooooo fast, compared to one the water, since the weather turned so rainy and cold. Lots of white caps, so we made the best decision. Stayed in Manistee Inn the 2nd nite, and ate at the Local fish house. Very good. Nice to have a warm bed, since the weather thru a wild storm at us during the nite.
Made it back last nite at 10:30pm.
We will tell ya more about the trip and ports as time allows. Tonite isn't it. We are with the grandkids, and they keep us very busy. Today we went skating, and played games all afternoon. Tonite is Survivor together.
Gary is playing games yet with the kids.
Luv BJ

Still traveling north

First, did I mention that Miss Kitty is back? Gary just couldn't let it go, and kept looking, and voila! He found her, washed her, dried her, and hung her up to dry. The lost has been found.

After pulling the boat, and getting her ready to tow around, we went into montique for supper, then went to the Best Western for the kids to stay. It was already 48 degrees, so when they offered us to stay in one of the beds, we decided to take them up on it, so we can have a shower, and a warm bed. It started raining during the nite, and so it was a good call to switch plans.

Today, we are traveling in our truck, towing the boat, with Mark and Mandi and the kids following us, and we headed north.

I am tired, so I will write more tomorrow.

Luv BJ & Gary

The adventure continues

Our adventure will still continue. The main difference is we will be traveling on land in the boat, instead of water in the boat. Mark and Mandi and the kiddos came to White Hall Marina where we were today, and we all went sailing out on Lake Michigan. We could see the front coming in as we were returning. As predicted, another storm is to hit tomorrow, and it will be just like the first one we hit they say. So we decided to cut our losses, and put the boat on the trailor, and just go to the little towns and marinas we would have struggled to get to by water.
The Lake was mostly calm today, and the kids had a great time climbing all over the boat. Only one casualty, Sadie lost her KC chiefs stocking hat in the lake. At least we still have Sadie.
We are tired tonite, so I will blog tomorrow.
Luv Bj & Gary

Making Lemonade

Ok, still here at White Lake due to a weather front, and big water out on Michigan Lake.

Very overcast here, windy, spits every now and then, and 50's degrees all day. Some of the wind gusts have gotten our attention!

Walked to town for lunch after sleeping in till 10:30 this am.

Ate at the Harbor View Grill again, and boy was the food good. Only one slight problem....

When they brought our food, and Gary gave me his brocohli, we both dug in to pork roast, mashed potatoes, and veggies. Gary stopped me just as I was putting a fork full in my mouth, and said "you don't think there is mushrooms in this gravey do ya?" When we ask, it does!!!!!

Saved by Gary bless his heart. They remade mine without gravey and we ate in peace.

Came back to the boat and studied maps a while, and then watched Benjamin Button. That was pretty good, out of the ordinary. I then made supper, we ate, and then took a walk for the fresh air, and get rid of the trash also.

Upon returning to our boat I tried to find our Miss Kittie. We looked everywhere. Miss Kittie has been with us on every sail since 2002. We walked the docks, looked in the water, checked the waters edge all around, looked in the boat, all to no avail. Heavy sigh. Now we are wondering if someone came by the boat, and wanted Miss Kittie for themselves. Anyway, she is gone. Dang! Gary even said he really liked her. Guess I'll have to go find another Kittie flag to fly when we get home.

Praying for less wind tomorrow, and less swells, so we can sail on.

We sure have alot of swans here. They are beautiful! When they go to take off to fly, they sure make a loud thunder sound with their wings, as they run on top of the water with their feet till they lift off.

Headed to bed,

Nite Nite,

BJ & Gary

Made it to White Lake

It was sunny when we left Muskegan Lake, light winds, and a brisk 50's. As we were going out the channel, things began to change. Dark clouds rolled in and winds picked up a little, and the light rain started. We continue, and the swells stayed 1 to 5, with the occasional 8' swell happening. They were far apart so we got to surf them today.The rain continued the rest of the trip today.
The Milwakee Clipper was just pulling out as we left the yacht club. Look at the pic. This hauls people and cars across the lake, and back.
Once we turned into White Lake, we just kept going and going, way back in here till we found the towns of White Hall & Montague. We docked at the town docks, and they only charge 26. per nite. We walked to town, just a couple blocks up hill to the Harbor Side restraunt, and both chose the shrimp dinner. Wonderful food.
As we came in to this dock, we had to scare away alot of seagulls. They think they own these docks. As I was jumping ashore to catch us, I had to jump the poop piles. We hosed the dock off, and are sometimes having to chase birds away yet.
The whole east shoreline of the lake appears to be sand dunes. Some small hills and some tall, but all sandy so far. The water is emerald green. The fish finder doesn't find many fish out on Lake Michigan, but in these inner lakes they are plentiful.
No tv, but we do have computer and phone service. So we will watch a movie or play cards.

Gary will ad the pics now.

Luv BJ

This big grey boat is called the Milwaukee Clipper. It used to do the route across the lake daily with passengers and cars. There is a new one now, but this old one has volunteers trying to refurbish it for sleeping rooms, dinners, shows etc.

The red building is one of the lighthouses at the entrance to Grand Haven.

The old grain mill and train are being refurbished at Grand Haven as an attraction.

And the last pic was as we entered here at Muskegan Lake. This is by far the biggest lake off of Lake Michigan to date. There are at least 5 yacht clubs that we saw in here, before choosing this one.

It rained all evening yesterday, and all morning today, so we slept till noon. Might as well!

This evening its raining off and on since 4pm. The gusts of wind haven't let up, and when the weather channel says 8' to 10' swells, and us to keep our eyes open for water spouts, and for small boaters to rest and not go out, we are listening.

We sure wish we could sail on, so maybe tomorrow will be better. Weather predicts 4' to 6' swells in the morning with 10 to 20 mph winds, so it sounds like Cheney to us. hahaha

In answer to Mandi's comment about the ice cream, YES, we did sample the Blue Moon and Bubblegum Ice Creams. They were good, and glad we tried them.

Had the bar across the road make our pizza tonite. It was very good also.
Walked around again this afternoon, and also got to watch CSI and Survivor on the computer. Boy this digital tv stuff ain't what it used to be. 8:30pm and we are going to watch a dvd movie, and go to bed.

Hope all is well with you all.

God is good all the time.

Luv BJ & Gary

muskegan harbor

Ok, since the last post, from Jan house Monday nite, from Pigeon Bay, yesterday (wed) we finially got to get out of there. The waves looked better, 1' tp 5' , but as we motored along north, the wind built and soon we had 8' to 10' swells. but they were nicer waves than the other day. Those swirly waves sunday from the storm were awful. these were ok, with some space between each one. Made it to Grand Haven and stayed at the City Yacht club last nite. Met some nice folks who gave us the key to the bathhouse, and even offered us their car! The Grand River goes right thru town, so we didn't need the car, just walked the 3 blocks and had a wonderful burger and fried for supper.

Got pretty cold last nite, upper 40's, but we stayed warm and tosty in the boat. Got up early for us, 8:40, and got around and left. Headed north. The wind was slight, and the lake was like glass. Tried to sail, but had to use the motor most the day with the sails. Made it to Muskegan Harbor, and went to the Great Lakes Yacht club. $40. per nite, but they will let us stay another nite for free if the weather demands it.

The weather is supposed to go south tonite. Rain, and storms tonite, and tomorrow. So if we have to stay here, we made the arrangement for that, and then we went 1 block to find something to eat. Had yummy sloppy joes, and then got ice cream cones for dessert as we explored the 8 shops and businesses.

Happy October folks. Luv and miss you all, but we're having a blast

Luv BJ