Meeting Michelle

It is funny in blogland how you "meet" people through different ways and become "friends" through common interests. Or how you can visit a place just once and it grips your heart and never lets go?Michelle from Emerald Cove and I found that we both have a love for Glen Lake (Michigan) and became fast friends. I love her blog and all of her beach~inspired projects. She has always been a kind blogger friend, making sweet comments and sending me emails when we found something interesting between us!

My husband and I made plans to vacation in the Glen Lake area because we were really missing the dunes and the beauty of the area. One day I was reading Michelle's blog and noticed that she was going to be away for awhile and I immediately knew she would be at Glen Lake. I emailed her and I told her when we would be at Glen and asked if she would she also be there. As it turned out our vacations would overlap and then we exchanged cell numbers.

When Michelle called me, I was helping my husband put our boat in the water at Glen Lake. Michelle and I made a plan that I would pull up waterside to their vacation spot. I was a bit nervous. As it turned out, there was nothing at all to be nervous about! Michelle waded out to our boat and even though we were meeting for the first time, it felt like greeting an old friend! We had an awesome afternoon on the water with both of our families. I was glad that we were able to meet each other's families! We found that we also have another thing in common.

We are both slalom skiers. Holy cow look at that gigantic rooster tail!!! Very impressive!

Michelle and her family that we enjoyed so much:

My daughter and Michelle's son:

Michelle's kiddos having a blast on the tube:

My 3 kiddos:

Officially friends, not "just" bloggy friends:

Michelle and I also enjoy the gorgeous sunsets and pinkish skies over Lake Michigan!

On the way home for our trip, my hubby and I were talking about the events of our trip and he asked my what my highlights were and the first one I rattled off was meeting Michelle. It was such a great time meeting her and I see us getting together in the future. And you can bet it will be at our favorite place that brought us together. Love you Glen Lake, for so many reasons!

Hugs,
Cathy

Summer Rules

We have a few summer rules at our house. The first few entail words that are banished in our household.

*Forbidden words:
Bored~if this slips out of your mouth you will earn the privilege of cleaning the toilet!!
Homework~there is no reason to use this word in the summer. Period!
School~not allowed until the first week of August. Why talk about it, if it doesn't happen for 5 more weeks?

*Also you must hang your pool towel and pick up your room.

*Offering help to me is preferred and I may ask you to change a load laundry or to empty the dishwasher. If I do, then you better do it quickly and with a happy heart. If not, then you may incur the wrath of mean momma!

Enough about rules, let's get to the good stuff! We have had an awesome summer! So many new experiences (for all of us) and great memories. We have met new people and played with old friends, as well.

I was able to meet a bloggy friend. I met Michelle from Emerald Cove. She is a doll and it felt like we were instant friends. I don't want to give away all of the details, YET, but we met at a lake! Our favorite lake. We will both be posting about the experience on Thursday, July 28th. So be sure to check back for that post!

Here are a few things that have been keeping me busy:

early morning workouts~tough for me, a true night owl, but I keep going!
slalom skiing~ I am having a ball with it!!!
coffee~drinking way too much of it!
healthy eating~doing pretty well on most days!
celebrating my girls' summer birthdays~they are lucky to have summer to celebrate!!
Bible study @ the pool~amazing women and a great study!
cooking~making lots of healthy and delicious food
photography~taking a gazillion photos and so grateful for an awesome camera and lens to replace the one that was stolen in December
T.O.W=time on the water...watching my kids wakeboard, driving the boat so my hubby can board, using my paddleboard and cooling off in the lake!
driving kids to & fro~their events like swim, dive, tennis, golf, summer gym etc! and friends houses!
weeding~all of the flower beds, pond and anywhere I see a weed..July is a crazy month for weeds.

I am leaving you with a pic from July 4th. I love the fireworks on the 4th and the tasty food and feeling of summer and patriotism. It is my favorite holiday.

On the left is my son Foster, my daughter Ana is in the middle and our friend Pete is on the right. They have been the finale of our lake's ski show for two years in a row. It is a bit tricky to get up 3 boarders who ride different rope lengths and styles, but we did it again this year. I think the photo shows you how much fun they are having.

I hope you are having a fun summer and that you stay within the rules so you don't have to clean too many toilets or do too much weeding!
hugs,
Cathy M.

I found this picture this morning when I was loading pics to my computer. It just spoke volumes to me. There is always so much more to a picture than what you see. And sometimes we need to see the picture to illuminate something that we cannot see, perhaps because we are too close. This picture just moves me. I love the pointed toes and the outstretched arms. The suntanned back and the shoulder muscles. The poise balanced with the power. It just evokes a certain strength to me. 

So this is my 8 year old. She is brave and fearless, yet very tender hearted. This picture was taken a few nights ago. She ended up failing the dive. It was supposed to be with a half twist. I was the announcer and read what was written on her dive sheet, but there was a mixup between her and the coach and what dives they had discussed her doing. She ended up failing 2 dives that night. In my eyes, she was simply awesome.  She also did a front flip and landed on her back. It too was a failed dive but I was so proud of her for trying it. She has had a hard week trying to figure out how to work with her coach. Championships are one week away and she has lost her desire to dive. We have had little talks and she made a list to review with her coach. So when I saw this picture, I almost cried to see such perfection.

I have a feeling this girl is going to do important things in her life. She may not be a diver, but she sure does have so many things figured out for being an 8 year old. Although it isn't easy, I am enjoying watching her stretch her boundaries.

And I guess that is what my kids have taught me, that it is ok to stretch and go outside of my boundaries, particularly if it isn't easy.
hugs,
Cathy M.

The Best Medicine is...Family

If you read my blog, then you know that my mom has been undergoing chemo for Non~Hodgkins Lymphoma. She has been such a trooper through this difficult journey. Most of her treatments were in Florida (where she was diagnosed) where my parents "winter". The final treatments have been in Michigan which is where my sister and younger brother live and is closer to where my older brother and I live in Ohio. We recently celebrated my niece's graduation from high school and had the opportunity for our whole family to spend time together.  It was the best medicine to see everyone together and to talk, visit, celebrate my niece's  achievements and eat delicious food. So here is a picture of my parents, siblings and spouses and the kids:

And here is the "unposed" picture:

And here is a pic of me with my parents & siblings:

And how we really behave. My poor parents! :

My sister and her husband are great hosts and are excellent at making everyone feel welcome at their home in a beautiful setting with their lovely pool. The natural light was awesome for taking photos. This is my niece "the graduate" and my sister, "the party hostess":

I love how happy my girls look in this photo while talking with their cousin:

And Uncle Tony makes for great entertainment while Aunt Jodi observes the energy:

My niece, Miss L, showing her hoop skills, in a dress no less:

My niece and Foster=cousin love:

Wooooo, blogger did not want to upload my pictures this morning! What is up with that? I was patient and won that battle! But as you can see, family is the best medicine!

hugs,
Cathy M.