While Dick was working at the Visitor Center, I went over to the Huntington Bank and made myself the account manager for Mother's account - I will be getting the statements instead of having them sent to Concord Place. I also arranged for an ATM card for that account - Hooray!! It's so much easier than writing a check to myself every time Mother needs something.
Visited Mother - we had a great conversation. She's relieved about not receiving bank statements - she gets a little agitated every time she gets one because she thinks she's supposed to do something and she doesn't know what to do.
I tried to explain ATM cards to her, but it's going to take a while for that to sink in. We decided that I should get an ATM card for the 5/3 bank also. Hooray!!
I told her about Dylan's spelling test - he was having trouble with the words "purple" and "brown". I told him to just remember that purple ends with an e. His response was "But what about the infamous "brown"?" He keeps us grinning every day.
I met Dick at the Visitor Center at noon and we went to Roma for lunch. It's in a brand new building, and it was very nice. The food was especially good - my meatball sandwich was huge - half of it is still in the refrigerator. Roma would a good place to meet someone for lunch, or to take someone out to dinner. We gave it our stamp of approval. (The Official Okie Dokie).
Picked up the GenFest Test Master DVD at the Camera Shop, went shopping at Sears and bought a small freezer to replace our 30 year old big freezer (which has sprung a leak). Dick also picked out a new griddle to replace the one that has provided breakfasts too numerous to count for our guests.
We are still trying to figure out Whitard's Dr. Seuss cache - we spent some time at Horizon Book Store trying to find specific pictures in 8 different books. We still can't find 4 of the 12 pictures require to figure out the coordinates. It's a challenge. We had a really good time trying!
Friday, August 12, 2005
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
Escape to Leelanau
We left at 10 a.m. and got home at 6 p.m. In between, we found 5 caches, did cache maintainence at 2 of our caches, ate lunch at Boonedocks in Glen Arbor, and drove around the entire county of Leelanau.
The most bizarre happening of the day was finding the Brundage Wilderness Cemetery in Benzie County. This is a cemetery accessible only by two-tracks, and way out in the middle of nowhere. We strolled around looking at the grave sites, which were few and far between. The oldest I saw was Mary Brundage, who was born in 1853 and died in 1903. But the bizarre find was the grave of Dr. Thomas C. Hall, TCHS class of 1953 (my class, by the way). See above link. It was very strange just coming upon his memorial by accident. The whole city was aware of his death last year because his life was reported on in the Record-Eagle when he died of cancer. He had a most unusual life, and his resting place is also most unusual. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/mi/tsphoto/benzie/brundage.htm
It is high tourist season, and the town of Glen Arbor was jam-packed. There were no parking places. I thought they should give out numbers and let a car enter the village when another car left. Many, many people were out walking around and shopping and eating at Boonedocks.
Leland was pretty much the same way - loaded with people. We drove down to the marina to admire the big boats that had pulled in. One of the boats could only be referred to as a yacht.
We enjoyed our day - it was a hot one. Thank goodness for air-conditioning.
The most bizarre happening of the day was finding the Brundage Wilderness Cemetery in Benzie County. This is a cemetery accessible only by two-tracks, and way out in the middle of nowhere. We strolled around looking at the grave sites, which were few and far between. The oldest I saw was Mary Brundage, who was born in 1853 and died in 1903. But the bizarre find was the grave of Dr. Thomas C. Hall, TCHS class of 1953 (my class, by the way). See above link. It was very strange just coming upon his memorial by accident. The whole city was aware of his death last year because his life was reported on in the Record-Eagle when he died of cancer. He had a most unusual life, and his resting place is also most unusual. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/mi/tsphoto/benzie/brundage.htm
It is high tourist season, and the town of Glen Arbor was jam-packed. There were no parking places. I thought they should give out numbers and let a car enter the village when another car left. Many, many people were out walking around and shopping and eating at Boonedocks.
Leland was pretty much the same way - loaded with people. We drove down to the marina to admire the big boats that had pulled in. One of the boats could only be referred to as a yacht.
We enjoyed our day - it was a hot one. Thank goodness for air-conditioning.
Monday, August 08, 2005
Help! Laundry! Help!
Laundry followed by laundry. I got it all washed, folded and put away (4 loads plus sheets). Eek!
Grocery shopping - oh boy! Thrills a minute. We shopped at the Kingsley Food Mart because of the Chum's Corners detour. We can't really get to Glen's. (Tom calls it Glenvo's).
That's the bad news - (laundry and groceries). The good news is that we bought steaks and sweet corn and had a great dinner.
Grocery shopping - oh boy! Thrills a minute. We shopped at the Kingsley Food Mart because of the Chum's Corners detour. We can't really get to Glen's. (Tom calls it Glenvo's).
That's the bad news - (laundry and groceries). The good news is that we bought steaks and sweet corn and had a great dinner.
Sunday, August 07, 2005
Ice Cream and Little Old Ladies
We surv... um... attended the Ice Cream Social today at Concord Place. It was held in the Albany Room (dining room). There was not enough seating for everyone, so people were sitting all up and down the hall. Mother went assisted by her trusty walker, and had a little ice cream, and a little cake. She had a chance to greet some of her acquaintances, and everything was fine. We stayed at the Social for about an hour.
Saturday, August 06, 2005
NMG Picnic at Higgins Lake
Had a nice phone conversation with Dylan this morning to start our day off right! He wanted to talk about a dinosaur game he is working on.
Drove over to Higgins Lake to the Lyon Twp. Park #27 for a meet and greet picnic of the Northern Michigan Geocachers. This is a group which is kind of a break-off group of MiGo, the official Michigan Geocachers Organization. We belong to both groups, and we don't play favorites.
The picnic was delightful - good food - good friends - good conversation. And the day was cooler and not so humid. So it was delightful all the way around.
After the picnic, Dick and I did a dozen caches in that area - that's a lot to log! Thank goodness that Dick takes care of that!
It was almost a perfect day, except we made the mistake of stopping in Kingsley for dinner at the Pine Tree Cafe. Don't.
But the good far out-weighed the bad!
Drove over to Higgins Lake to the Lyon Twp. Park #27 for a meet and greet picnic of the Northern Michigan Geocachers. This is a group which is kind of a break-off group of MiGo, the official Michigan Geocachers Organization. We belong to both groups, and we don't play favorites.
The picnic was delightful - good food - good friends - good conversation. And the day was cooler and not so humid. So it was delightful all the way around.
After the picnic, Dick and I did a dozen caches in that area - that's a lot to log! Thank goodness that Dick takes care of that!
It was almost a perfect day, except we made the mistake of stopping in Kingsley for dinner at the Pine Tree Cafe. Don't.
But the good far out-weighed the bad!
Friday, August 05, 2005
For Rent
I feel like I'm living in a parallel universe....we drove past Mother's ex-house today, and there's a big For Rent sign out in front. The window treatments have all been removed, and there are mini-blinds in the front window. What a strange feeling!
I know there will be a lot of changes yet to come. Like I said, it's now in a parallel universe.
I know there will be a lot of changes yet to come. Like I said, it's now in a parallel universe.
Thursday, August 04, 2005
Banker's Hours, or Hours at the Bank
Dick and I spent 2 hours at the bank today setting up 2 CDs with the check for Mother's house. It wasn't really that complicated, it's just that it was time-consuming. Plus we had to wait a bit before the banker was free to see us.
We deposited that big check, and got a free box of plastic storage containers. Whoopee!
Visited Mother with the details - she's relieved that everything is over and taken care of. And so are we all.
We deposited that big check, and got a free box of plastic storage containers. Whoopee!
Visited Mother with the details - she's relieved that everything is over and taken care of. And so are we all.
Wednesday, August 03, 2005
Closing
Jim arrived this morning to go to the closing meeting for Mother's house. We had good conversation, and then had to leave for the meeting. We were in the waiting area when John and Jillian arrived, and we all introduced each other. The meeting was not too lengthy, the papers were all signed, the checks were distributed, and all was well. The house is now sold. A fait accompli.
The buyer, Jennifer, is a real estate agent and a renovator. She plans to fix the house up and then sell it. She does most of the renovation by herself, surprisingly enough. I think it will be interesting to see what she does with it.
Jim went to spend the afternoon with Mother. Dick and I went on a Subaru Cruise until it was time for his haircut. I dropped him off and waited at Horizon.
Jim spent the night with us. Dick did burgers on the grill and we had sweet corn. It was fun to have Jim here - I really enjoyed it. Mother enjoyed it too.
The buyer, Jennifer, is a real estate agent and a renovator. She plans to fix the house up and then sell it. She does most of the renovation by herself, surprisingly enough. I think it will be interesting to see what she does with it.
Jim went to spend the afternoon with Mother. Dick and I went on a Subaru Cruise until it was time for his haircut. I dropped him off and waited at Horizon.
Jim spent the night with us. Dick did burgers on the grill and we had sweet corn. It was fun to have Jim here - I really enjoyed it. Mother enjoyed it too.
Active July!
Laurie, Chip and Dylan arrived on July 8th, and Laurie and Dylan left yesterday morning (August 2).
During that period of time, for one long weekend, we had our whole family here at one time, a very rare occurrence. Tom and his friend Conni arrived on July 14th, and Jana got here on the evening of the 15th. Tom and Conni had to leave on the 18th, but Jana was able to stay for a week, leaving on July 24th. Chip left soon after because he had to go back to work.
The entire month went by in a blur of activities - it seemed to go so fast!
During July, we watched the Cherry Festival Parade, attended the Harry Potter Book Release, and the First Annual Traverse City Film Festival. (Laurie and I went to see "You, Me, and Everyone We Know" at the Opera House. And Dick, Laurie, Dylan and I went to see "The Princess Bride" at the Open Space. Such fun! Both times I wanted to see more movie! I wasn't ready for either of them to end.)
Laurie, Chip and Dylan went to the zoo (see Dylan's post) where he actually took marvelous pictures with his digital camera. His Mom put his zoo pictures into a little photo album.
We played in 4 counties - Leelanau, Benzie, Grand Traverse, and Antrim.
We went to the Sleeping Bear Dunes, shopping in Glen Arbor. Everybody visited Mother - Laurie and Dylan about 6 times, Tom and Jana once each. Mother was delighted. Altogether, Sharkie Crew and Basswoodbend found 15 or 16 geocaches all over the place. We boated on 2 lakes, Torch Lake and Long Lake. On Long Lake Shelly, Autumn and Brooke came with us. On Torch Lake we played on the sandbar, Dylan got to pilot the boat, and we pulled Chip and Dylan on the tube.
Dylan visited many playgrounds - Darrow Park, Kids' Cove, East Bay Park, Bryant Park. We played miniature (immature) golf twice at Pirate's Cove. Dylan loves it! It really was fun, even though the temps were in the 90s.
We ate out at every restaurant you've ever heard of. Well, maybe not. Mongolian Barbecue, Scott's Harbor Grill, Apache Trout Grill, Green House Cafe, Cafe Amical, North Peak, Dinghy's in Frankfort, Friendly Tavern in Empire, Docksides on the Clam River, Rico's - I know I'm forgetting something - oh yes, Mancino's pizza twice and subs twice. We really helped the economy in July!
The Basswood Bend Film Festival really turned Dylan into a budding director. We were subje.... um.... privileged to watch several Dylan productions after Gen Fest. There was Return of Pig, Sharkie Adventures I & II, Everquest videos too numerous to count, and a couple of videos showing Dylan saving the world. Whew!
In the meantime, Mother's house has been sold - the closing is today. Mother has already signed all of the papers - the title company was kind enough to send a notary to witness her signatures. Jim is coming up from Saginaw for the closing, and he will be staying with us tonight.
Tomorrow is my day off.
During that period of time, for one long weekend, we had our whole family here at one time, a very rare occurrence. Tom and his friend Conni arrived on July 14th, and Jana got here on the evening of the 15th. Tom and Conni had to leave on the 18th, but Jana was able to stay for a week, leaving on July 24th. Chip left soon after because he had to go back to work.
The entire month went by in a blur of activities - it seemed to go so fast!
During July, we watched the Cherry Festival Parade, attended the Harry Potter Book Release, and the First Annual Traverse City Film Festival. (Laurie and I went to see "You, Me, and Everyone We Know" at the Opera House. And Dick, Laurie, Dylan and I went to see "The Princess Bride" at the Open Space. Such fun! Both times I wanted to see more movie! I wasn't ready for either of them to end.)
Laurie, Chip and Dylan went to the zoo (see Dylan's post) where he actually took marvelous pictures with his digital camera. His Mom put his zoo pictures into a little photo album.
We played in 4 counties - Leelanau, Benzie, Grand Traverse, and Antrim.
We went to the Sleeping Bear Dunes, shopping in Glen Arbor. Everybody visited Mother - Laurie and Dylan about 6 times, Tom and Jana once each. Mother was delighted. Altogether, Sharkie Crew and Basswoodbend found 15 or 16 geocaches all over the place. We boated on 2 lakes, Torch Lake and Long Lake. On Long Lake Shelly, Autumn and Brooke came with us. On Torch Lake we played on the sandbar, Dylan got to pilot the boat, and we pulled Chip and Dylan on the tube.
Dylan visited many playgrounds - Darrow Park, Kids' Cove, East Bay Park, Bryant Park. We played miniature (immature) golf twice at Pirate's Cove. Dylan loves it! It really was fun, even though the temps were in the 90s.
We ate out at every restaurant you've ever heard of. Well, maybe not. Mongolian Barbecue, Scott's Harbor Grill, Apache Trout Grill, Green House Cafe, Cafe Amical, North Peak, Dinghy's in Frankfort, Friendly Tavern in Empire, Docksides on the Clam River, Rico's - I know I'm forgetting something - oh yes, Mancino's pizza twice and subs twice. We really helped the economy in July!
The Basswood Bend Film Festival really turned Dylan into a budding director. We were subje.... um.... privileged to watch several Dylan productions after Gen Fest. There was Return of Pig, Sharkie Adventures I & II, Everquest videos too numerous to count, and a couple of videos showing Dylan saving the world. Whew!
In the meantime, Mother's house has been sold - the closing is today. Mother has already signed all of the papers - the title company was kind enough to send a notary to witness her signatures. Jim is coming up from Saginaw for the closing, and he will be staying with us tonight.
Tomorrow is my day off.
Tuesday, August 02, 2005
Bye Bye
Laurie and Dylan flew away back to Florida this morning. We returned to an empty and quiet house. Washed sheets and changed beds. Dick moved back into his bedroom. Heavy sigh.
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