Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Here's the front porch as it now looks...and no mosquitoes! Well, at least when you keep the screen door closed. I likey. If you look closely in the last picture you can see two little white specks in the dark....that's Juan. hehehe. If you click on that picture you can see it better. Also did one more scrapbook page from our trip to Traverse City but will post that one tomorrow. Think I will do a scrapbook page of the front porch....ummmm. We are back to watching Sierra and Alexis although yesterday we only had Sierra. Juan had found this toy that was unopened...a glitter paint set with 24 tubes of paint. Can understand why the parents threw it away. Anyway....Brandy said it was okay to give to Sierra. It is recommended for children 5 and up.
Have to straighten up this house today. Don't know how it gets so messy with just the two of us.

Yes, the men were here to install the enclosure and are coming back this morning to finish. Need to install a couple of the handles and seal in different places. Looks better than what I thought it would. Juan had wanted tinted glass and I thought it would be too dark but not so. Also, the color is darker than siding we have but doesn't look bad. Am pleased! Juan told people that there would be a black tie grand opening. :) Everyone passing by really like it. Will put up some pictures tomorrow.
Did the above scrapbook page of the Music Museum we went to in Traverse City. Lots of neat old musical instruments including big organs like they had at roller rinks or dance halls. Interesting.

Monday, July 14,2008

Still waiting for the men to come and install the enclosure. Not sure when they are suppose to arrive but, planning on sitting out there tonight....with Juan and GiGi. :) Now she will be able to go out there without a leash.
Finished the above scrapbook page of the Sleeping Bear Dunes. Boy, it was so neat walking out of a forest and onto the dunes. Everything was so bright and BLUE! The sky and Lake Michigan were beautiful. But...WINDY!!! Can understand why the dunes are always changing. You can't tell from the pictures but we were standing 450 feet above the lake. A few brave souls ventured down the dune to the lake. Some found out that they weren't as fit as they thought they were when they had to climb back up the hill.

Sunday, July 13, 2008

Did the above scrapbook page of the wine vineyards we went to in Lake Leelanau. For some reason was having trouble piecing the two pages together. Not quite sure what the reason was for this so had to do it a different way. In the process it made some of photos on the right side blurry which they really aren't. Well, you get the jist of the layout anyway. We had a wine tasting here at this particular vineyard...the Chateau Fontaine. You can see some of the grapes growing in the distance on the top right of the page. These grapes were planted by Michigan State University back 22 years ago. The owners did a great job of explaining and letting us taste the different wines. They had cheese, crackers, bread, seasoned oil and grapes out for us and of course, wine. We ended up getting a bottle of their Chateau Fontaine 2006 White Riesling which both of us really liked. Neither of us are big wine drinkers so we bought this for guests who are. I also picked up a package of Bread Dipping Herbs that you add to oil and two cheese ball mixes. One was Chardonnay, Garlic & Cilantro and the other is Red Wine, Red Peppers & Chives. Each package makes four cheese balls so will have pleanty on hand.
Juan is out cutting the front grass. We cleaned off the front porch as tomorrow people are coming to install the enclosure for the porch. Sure will be different. I had to move the flower containers around to make room and also moved the hanging basket. Now it is on a stand, still in front but, near the other end of the house. Have to take down the wind chimes we have out and later will have John install hooks to hang them on the over-hang. And that's what going on.
Oh...and the slide show near the bottom of this page has all the photos from our trip. You can put your cursor over the picture to see a discription.

Saturday, July 12, 2008

Got back from Traverse City last night. Wasn't able to pick up GiGi until this morning and she was glad to see us...happy all day running here and there. We had a pretty good time on our trip although I was a little bit dissapointed with Traverse City. They had all kinds of tents up for the Cherry Festival and you never got a good view of the bay from the downtown area. Still, the lake is big and we did drive round it. We had stopped at a roadside market to pick up some cherries for home and saw in the back a big grove of trees. Everyone was walking out there taking their picture in front of the cherry trees. We did also until someone noticed that they weren't cherry trees at all but apple trees as shown in the bottom picture. Oh well. :) We did see lots of cherry trees in other areas. Went to a winery...very nice....a music museum....very nice...and a dinner show....lots of fun. So...again...a good time. Oh...went to an Indian owned casino and we ended up losing $30.00 but still was fun. The Indians that own the casino also own the hotel we stayed at...The Grand Traverse Resort and Spa.

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Tomorrow we leave early in the morning for the Cherry Festival in Traverse City. We have never been to Traverse City so should be interesting. We have to take GiGi to the kennel tonight. :( Our neighbor offered to take care of her but she has lots of dogs and since GiGi doesn't like other dogs around her, thought it would be too much...for both of them. She and Aspen were once at this particular kennel before....for a wedding we went to in Illinois. Here is the site where she will be: http://hallidayspetresort.com Not going real fancy with her....just the regular. So...talk to ya when we get back.

Monday, July 7, 2008

Well, the plumber guy is coming this morning at 11am. He was suppose to have come yesterday but called and cancelled. I have some running around to do this morning so Juan will be here with the guy.
Did the above scrapbook page yesterday and nothing much else. Sat out back on my swing with GiGi and rocked away. Such a life.

On another thought....just got back from the store and the bank. The guy was here fixing the faucet. Young guy. Handyman. What was wrong with the faucet, you ask? It was the spray hose. Leaking! Guess what he charged? Twenty bucks! I am ordering a new sink and faucet and we asked how much to install them. One hundred and twenty dollars! Now in case you think I am complaining....NO WAY!!!! Home Depot was going to charge $360.00 to install the them. So....anyone out there in the neighborhood who needs a handyman....we got his number.

Sunday, July 6, 2008

Trouble....yes, we have trouble. Right here in my kitchen. Always something. The faucet is broken...have to get a new one....BUT....I want to get a new stainless sink....one like the one we already have. It's a two part sink...deeper on one side....AND....no one carries them....you have to order them..........SOOooo....a plumber is coming out this afternoon to fix the old faucet. Probably will cost some ridiculous amount.
The above picture is of the cake we had for the 4th and a picture of Sierra and Alexis with their Hannah Montana hair piece that Alex bought for them. Can't really see how cute it really looks.
Alex went with Tanya, Paul and Paige to the Toledo Zoo and will be leaving for back to her home this afternoon.
We leave early Wednesday morning for Traverse City and will be back late Friday night. AND....the front porch will be enclosed the following week. Not sure of the day as they will call. They had wanted to install it this coming Wednesday but we won't be here.
And that's it! OH....JUST ADDED A NEW PHOTO SLIDESHOW ON THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE!

Saturday, July 5, 2008

Saturday morning. Alex is now getting ready to go to Tanya's for the day. They are all going to the Toledo Zoo which John, Brandy and the girls went to yesterday. While ther, the girls had their faces painted. We had our BBQ and later John shot off a bunch of fireworks. I stayed mainly in the house as am not a fan of fireworks at home. Like it better when professionals set them off. :) Today have to clean up from the night before and not do much of anything else.
That's Sierra, 7 years old, pictured on top and then Alexis, 3 years old, on the bottom.
Will try to put together a scrapbook page with the photos I have.

Thursday, July 3, 2008

Well, storms came and went. Boy....the siren here in Canton went off so many times. Of course, Juan and I just stayed put. At one point at around midnight Juan did go outside to see what he could see. Like that was going to do any good. Today, Sierra and Alexis helped make Grape Gelatin Squares for tomorrow. I have the cream cheese out now to soften and will make the Strawberry Jellow Pretzel dessert later today. Will make the potatoes tomorrow. Took out the last of the corn-on-the-cob I had in the freezer. Will have that also for tomorrow and bought a one layer cake for dessert. The cake is really pretty. Will have to take a picture of it before we cut into it. I also bought two frosted cookies for the girls. They have the picture of the Little Mermaid on them. And that's about it.

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

What is with all this rain? Now I'm not really complaining but...wow. I kind of...just kind of...feel sorry for all the kids out of school for the summer. Not much of one for them so far but, unless they have access to a pool, they are never outside anyway. Juan is making his ribs Friday so am assuming that all will be here. Know John will be but haven't heard from Alex and there is a thunder storm here now so don't want to call her just yet. Just thought of something. I suppose I could call her on my cell phone and that wouldn't be the same as calling on a regular phone during a storm.
Well, I called her but no answer and no return. Figure she must be sleeping as she had told me that she probably only got a few hours of sleep the hold time she was there.
Sirens! and Thunder! and Lightening! oh my! Doesn't look like this is going to stop anytime soon. It is already almost 11pm and still it goes on and on.
I'm tired...think I will go to bed early. Yeah, right!

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

July....half the year gone by already...wow. Anyway...have to go to the mall today and find something for the up-coming wedding next month. Also, have to order some shirts for Juan through the Penney catalogue. It has the style of shirts that he likes. Went to John's place Sunday for pizza and to meet Brandy's mother and step-father...her sister was also there. Ended up bringing some boxes of Christmas items of Brandy's to store in our basement as they really don't have any room. John, at one point last week, told me that he was bringing his clothes over to our house. I said, "What clothes?" He told me, his clothes that need to be washed. "Don't think so, John!" I will still iron his dress shirts for him but laundry is now a no no. Do his laundry! Eh!
Juan is going to be making his ribs sometime this week-end....not sure which day...Friday or Saturday. Alex is suppose to be going to Tanya's....I think. She is currently at some lake house in Harrison, MI. Back to work for her tomorrow so she will be coming back to her home today sometime.

Just past midnight - Friday, June 26, 2008

The excitment never stops on Wedgewood Road. A couple of days ago Juan had to call the police to report that this kid, who lives down the street from us, just walked into our garage, opened the refridgerator, and took out a drink for himself. Juan just happened to be going out the door and caught him. We don't even know his name but he seemed to think that it was okay to just waltz in and take whatever he wanted. Police came and took a report but we weren't going to press any charges. Police went and talked to his mother and the boy and told him what could happen to him if it ever happens again.

So anyway....tonight the police were here again. Juan like to sit out on the front porch every evening of every day and have a couple of beers and talk to the people passing by on their walks. Two of our neighbors happened to come sit on the porch with him and as the evening progresses all of sudden the two get into a big argument. The neighbors are both women and both had been drinking. I don't usually sit out there because I hate the bugs so here is this frantic knocking on the window from Juan. I go out there and one of the women throws her drink at the other woman and yikes. See....this is another reason why I don't like to sit out there. We have a couple neighbors who like to drink and since I don't anymore it just isn't fun listening to people who have had too much....and I mean TOO MUCH to drink. Crying and yelling and it's all at our house. Police talked, in our home, with the one woman and another officer talked with the other woman in her house. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! Never mind what was said between the two as it probably would never have been said if they weren't drinking.

I learned a lllllooooonnnnngggg time ago that it just isn't worth drinking alcohol. And how has your week been?

Monday, June 23, 2008

Another layout of photos from Mackinac Island. Had to include the fudge making photo as Juan LOVES his candy. Geeh....John just came over to borrow syrup. He's making pancakes for breakfast. ??? Is this my son?????...making pancakes???? The only thing I think John has ever made was Stove Top Stuffing and Kraft Macaroni & Cheese. Pancakes??? Well, you just never know. He only has the one girl, Sierra, today and tomorrow. Every other week one of the girls stays two days with their grandmother....this week Alexis and next week will be Sierra.
So...off to take a shower and get going here. Oh, and that's my Alejandro singing Sueño Contingo....Dream With You.

Sunday, June 22,2008

Beautiful day outside. So what will I be doing, you ask? Cleaning the house! Ü Am in the mood and believe me....it needs it. GiGi is a little confused on where Aspen is...only eating some of her food. As no one else is there to gobble hers up. So....have to get started with the house.

Saturday, June 21, 2008

Our Aspen died yesterday. We had her for 15 years and she brought lots of joy into our lives. It's so very hard to say good-bye to someone...even pets. We still have GiGi, who is three, and she will be our last pet. Too hard when they go.
Another layout from our trip to Mackinac Island. First photo is of Fort Mackinac, then the long road leading up to The Grand Hotel, a lighthouse, Juan and Arch Rock. If you look very closely there is a teeny, tiny speck at the bottom of the Arch Rock opening. That's a bicyclist riding by on the road below. Still working on more layouts.

Friday, June 20, 2008

Another layout of our Mackinac trip. Beautiful day out but not a happy day for me.

Thursday, June 19, 2008

Finally finished the above layout and actually finished another one but will put that one up tomorrow. Yesterday the guy who installed the backyard light came and installed a new outlet for the front porch. We already have one out there but Juan wanted one more. The enclosure for the porch won't be done until August so there was plenty of time to have it done. Today I am to go with John grocery shopping. Who'd a thought? Also, we will be watching both girls today for the hour between when John goes to work and Brandy gets home.
Cold outside....only 55º right now but is suppose to get up to 71º this afternoon.

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Something new! and not just the light in the backyard. John and Brandy are engaged to be married. He asked her Saturday, down on one knee and ring in hand. She said yes. Don't know when the marriage is suppose to happen...probably late next year...not sure. So....seems there will be a Briseno marriage.
On another note...still working on another scrapbook page...should have it done today. There was too much going on for me to really concentrate on the page. Yesterday, Juan and I watched, for only one hour, Brandy's little girl Alexis. Cute little thing. I helped her make a birthday card for her mom whose birthday was yesterday. John works afternoons and starts at 3pm....Brandy works days and gets off work at 3pm...so there is this gap of one hour (2:30-3:30) where the girls will need someone to watch them. This won't be an everyday thing because sometimes the girls are with their grandmother. So, guess we will be watching them at times.

Father's Day - June 15, 2008

Yesterday we were quite busy as John moved into a new apartment....still in Canton and not that far away. Alex came down to help him organize..something she loves to do and John certainly needed her help. She ended up staying the night and left early this afternoon.
Finished the above scrapbook page today and have started on another one. Have some painting to do with this next page I an working on. I have some chipboard that think I will paint red...if I have any red paint. Had given Alex so many of my paint bottles will have to go check. The layout is of the Grand Hotel. That place sure is nice.

Thursday, June 12, 2008

Home again from our trip and what a homecoming. Aspen...well, let's just say she left her mark. What a mess! Other than that, the trip was fun as we hadn't been there in ages. Was a lot cooler than down here in Canton. Yesterday afternoon it was 87º in Canton and only 54º at Mackinac Island. I had to buy myself a sweatshirt as we had gone on a carriage tour in the morning and it was cold! Didn't think there would be such a difference in the temperatures. We had lunch yesterday at the Grand Hotel. Had heard so much about it and how grand it all was that I was a bit disappointed. Really only one meat...beef...which I have to say was excellent. But not that many items to choose from...except for at the dessert table. The dinning room holds 1,000 people and it was crowded. They told us that the luncheon buffet is served every day. Cost is $45.00 and that includes the $15.00 to get into the hotel. Still....it was great to see and to be there. It is very "grand"...just wish we had more time to explore the hotel. Took lots of pictures but one that I really would have liked to have and didn't get was one with the Grand Hotel trotter horses and carriage. Geeh....it was soooo neat to see that but went by to quickly for me to get a picture. It was a fancier, smaller carriage with the driver in his top hat and red coat but, the two trotter horses were something to see. They were so magnificent looking with their white plumes and their fancy trot in unison....beautiful. Wouldn't mind going back again sometime.
So....have all these pictures and will just have to start on some scrapbook pages.

Monday, June 9, 2008

Tomorrow morning we leave for Mackinac Island for a couple of days. We are going to the Lilac Festival being held there on the island. Haven't been up there in ages....long time. Just trying to get the house in order for John to come and take care of the dogs. Already have their food in separate bags so all John has to do is pour them in the bowls. Juan went and got his haircut as it was getting kind of long.
Alex will be down here next week-end to help her brother move. He is still staying in Canton...just another apartment complex....this one on the main floor, thank goodness. Should be much easier for moving.

Saturday, June 7, 2008

Garage sale is over....done.....finished....bye-bye. Juan had his fun talking with all the people and making a few bucks too. And the first thing to go? The Knight in Shinning Armor pictured above. See...you just never know. Am always surprised at what people buy although I shouldn't be as we have been having a garage sale every year for a while now. And most all of the stuff are Juan's things he picks up on his weekly "rounds". What didn't sell is being boxed up and taken to the dumpster....or where ever he takes it...not sure. Just as long as it doesn't stay here!