Hi Guy’s! I’m back! Again!
Some of the Gals from CareGroup went over to a bed and breakfast on Lake Michigan for a little R&R. It was SO relaxing. Have I mentioned that there has not been much relaxing going on around here lately? I know that I thoroughly enjoyed not having anything to do!
Here we are for the requisite “before we leave” picture. From left to right; Philly’s Mom, The Oreo Mom, Three Good Kids, The “Mayor”, Capri Kel and The Peanuts Champ. Do you think I could have found a shorter group of ladies if I tried? Just call me Shaq.
On our way across The Mitten, we stopped in Kalamazoo to pick up our friend, Ally, (front left) who is also short. We spent a lot of time on the porch of the bed and breakfast. I think it’s name was The Sunset Inn.
We played games, shopped, went to the beach, ate, and generally talked nonstop for 3 whole days. It was fun!
We also celebrated The Peanuts Champ’s BIG birthday with a little blueberry pie. She is all about the blueberries.
The Sunset Inn at sunset. Or dawn, I can’t remember. Over to the left of the picture, there was a Tiki Hut where you could get breakfast and beverages. They played Frank Sinatra in the mornings. The whole place was run by a guy called Robert. Or Craig. We never did figure it out. He was from L.A. and was a laid back, free spirit of a fellow. I’m sure he would have posed for a picture, had I thought to have taken one.
We walked across the street to the beach to catch the sunset. We had front row seats! While I have them all lined up like convicts here, I will tell you something about them all. In order.
First is Ally. Of “Sammon and Ally” fame. That’s what Honey calls her and her husband. Her family was a part of our CareGroup until they moved 4 years ago. We still miss them enormously, so it was especially good to see her! She is a middle school math teacher and her motto in the classroom is “No Blurting”, because it then leads to MORE blurting!! I was most impressed with her will power on this trip. She wins the title of Low Carb Queen, because she was SO good!
Next is The Oreo Mom. She is a high school Home Ec ( I am sorry, I am aware that they have a different name now, but I am old, so humor me please!) and social studies/history teacher. I tell everyone that she works full time and STILL does more than most people I know when she is not working! By far, the busiest gal I know. She had to get home to prepare for the food pantry that our church hosts once a month. She heads up the kitchen where they serve soup to the recipients, if they want it. Hundreds served monthly!
Third is The “Mayor”. Now this tickled me. She said that is what her out of town sister calls her because she knows and introduces her to everyone in our town! When I thought about it, it’s true! She knows everybody! She works as a pre-school teacher’s helper. She has a lot of her own kids and is an expert in going many directions at once.
Fourth is The Peanuts Champ. We were celebrating her Big 5-0!!! She is also a teacher! A special education teacher, so that ought to tell you a little about her patience, and kindness level. She has been to this B&B before, so she made all of the arrangements for us! She and I were absolutely loving all of the beautiful flowers and gardens we saw over there! She has her own loverly garden right here at home!
Fifth is Three Good Kids. I always knew she entered contests and won prizes, but I had NO idea! She was telling us all about her “stuff” and it was amazing to me! She showed us all of these gift cards to stores and restaurants she had in her wallet. She won her pajama’s in a contest, and they were so cute! She has won an X-Box, a wireless gaming chair, movie tickets, i-pod shuffle, and endless gift certificates. Since we have been home, she sent me a site to enter a HomeGoods sweep-stake contest! She thought I might like that one. She knows me well!
And last, but not in the picture, is Philly’s Mom. She is our friend still recovering from a stem cell transplant. We were so happy that she was able to join us! She is not a teacher, but works at a school as a social worker. She was quite the trooper, heading down to the beach, checking out the little stores, and playing games til all hours! We are so glad she is on the mend!
I thought it was SO sweet of that boat to glide by, right at the perfect moment! Thank you sailboat, for completing my Kodak moment!
The Peanuts Champ commented on the way down that it was nice that we had 6 in the van and everyone was chatting away with their seat partner. While there, we gabbed and shared, and got to know each other even better. I thought perhaps the ride home would be quieter, that the conversation might be tapering off, that some might even nap. That’s how much I know!! The van was buzzing all across the state! We stopped at The Grand Traverse Pie Company, just outside of town, so that the talking and consumption of food could continue!
It was a wonderful time, and special thanks to The Peanuts Champ for doing all of the planning! If I were the betting sort, I might predict that this will happen again!
Hopefully, I will be around a little more! Thanks for being patient! Love, Capri “Shaq”
