Monday's Musings (3)

Another Monday...

•  We had quite a storm last week. Rain, thunder, lightning and hail (something that doesn't often happen in these parts) about the size of a quarter.

White dots = Hail

• Jim and I drove to Detroit on Friday so that I would know exactly how to get to jury duty. I feel much better about it. Since I'll have to be there at 7:45am, I'm not as worried about the morning traffic (because I will leave early and get there early - that's just how I roll). If I have to stay all day, I'm not too thrilled about the traffic going home. Yikes! But I'll deal. When I called to see if I had to report on Monday (this morning) the recording told me that I was NOT to report on Monday, but to call back Monday evening after 6pm. I look at it as one less day that I'll have to drive down there.
• Feeling better about driving to the court building in Detroit will never ease my fear of city driving. Mind you, I can and have driven around the state of Michigan and outside of the state of Michigan. It only bothers me to drive in big cities. I don't like to drive, but will happily do it...just not in big cities if I can avoid them. I start getting what I believe could be a full blown panic attack even just being in the car. I try to control it. I do not like it. I just can't stop that panicky feeling.
  
• The court building is on Lafayette and so is John K. King Used and Rare Books so of course we had to stop. Jim and I spent the last half hour that they were open browsing. Believe me, you can spend hours there (and we have).

My haul from the John King Bookstore! :-)

• Then Jim spent the next hour driving around Detroit. I don't know why. Traffic was terrible and there were tons of people, both of which made me nervous. He wanted to have dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe, but it was packed so we left.
• We also stopped at a Border's Books and bought a couple of books for Jamie's classroom, a couple of books for Jamie, a couple of books for Brittany, and a couple of books for me. That was a fun stop. Sorry that Border's is closing though...
• Re: Simple Sunday and the antique photos that I have been posting. No, they are not family photos although I have very few of those and do share them on occasion. Yes, I do collect antique photos (of babies and children) and I thought it would be neat to share them through my blog. If there's any name, location, etc. on them I will include that. It was also suggested that I check out Dead Fred and I may just do that this winter when things slow down.
• On Saturday if anyone was trying to get into my blog and saw a message about a possible malware or virus, I had to unfollow the blog that was named and unlink my blog from his. I know it wasn't intentional and thought that I would simply get back in and follow him when he discovered it and fixed it. I tried this morning to get into his blog thinking maybe it was back to normal and got the same message. Just so you know that my blog is still not linked to his and is safe. 
• Last week, I helped my daughter set up her classroom. It seemed as if no one had weeded through the contents of the room in many (many) years. It needed doing and is now (almost) done. It was a lot of work, but I enjoyed it. I try to offer suggestions only when she asks for them and I know I'm not always successful. :-) She told me that she had a dream the other night that we were both working in her classroom and, while her back was turned, I moved a couple of very heavy, almost impossible to move shelving units by myself. When she turned around, I had singlehandedly rearranged her room and not to her liking. I think it means that she thinks I offer my opinion too often...
• Yesterday I had an errand to run which involved both of my kids. I cannot remember the last time just the three of us went out together, certainly not since Jon was in high school and he's 22 now. I mean they're both grown with lives of their own so I don't expect it to happen. We accomplished our mission, which I thank both my children for because it takes a small burden off of Jim and I. We then went to lunch, compliments of my daughter (thanks Jamie ☺). Applebee's - Yum for the Strawberry Mojito which my son suggested. Thanks kiddos!

Simple Sunday

I cannot see the back of this photo as it had been glued very securely onto a mat for framing.
It does say Kruger in the front left hand corner and Houtzdale, Pa. in the right corner.

Have a wonderful Sunday!

Duker-day...And The Swans

My family has a cabin up north. We have to share it with all the other dog cousins in the family and I've heard that not all of the dogs in the family even get to go there. I'm one of the lucky ones. It is my favorite place to go. Not that I get to go to a lot of places, but this place has a huge lake! It's the first place I go the minute we get to the cabin. I love to swim! I love to chase a stick out into the lake! I love water!

My mom and dad like to go up there after summer when the weather is still nice, but it's not hot anymore and there aren't as many people up there. My mom and dad love the peace and quiet. Me? I want someone to play with me all the time.

A couple of years ago, when we were up there, I noticed a couple of....well I didn't know what they were!

I was happily playing stick with my dad one day when I first noticed them!

Wow! What the heck?

I HAD to go see!
My mom was afraid. Afraid that I'd hurt them? Or they'd hurt me? Or that I would swim out too far and get tired?
My mom's always afraid of something!

I was getting pretty close. I do like to make friends with the neighbors "on the lake", ya know!

And then...and then the darn things started coming to see me! And I decided it was time to head back to the shore where my mom and dad would protect me because my mom was so worried.

My mom told me that they were swans. She thought they were sooo beautiful.
And guess what! They liked playing that game over and over!
I would swim out to them and then they would turn around and follow me back to shore.

It really got to be annoying after awhile. I mean, every single time I went out to the lake, there they were. If they weren't near the dock and I thought I could sneak in a few rounds of "throw the stick", they'd be sure to spot me and come swimming over to play. Sometimes I just plain did not want to go swimming!

From what I heard they were living on the lake all summer and people had started feeding them so much that they would eat out of your hand! My parents didn't think it was such a good idea to make the swans used to getting fed by people...but they ended up having to try it out.

Happy Anniversary to the Wilders!

I am home today as Jamie has an all day symposium. My goal is to get some housework, business office work, grocery shopping, etc. done, but first I wanted to to share this passage from These Happy Golden Years by Laura Ingalls Wilder:

Once Laura spoke. "Does Reverend Brown know we are coming?"

Almanzo said, "I saw him on my way over. He will not use the word, 'obey.'"

Mrs. Brown opened the sitting room door. Nervously she said that she would call Mr. Brown, and asked them to sit down. She went into the bedroom and closed the door.

Laura and Almanzo sat waiting. In the center of the sitting room a marble-topped table stood on a crocheted rag rug. On the wall was a large colored picture of a woman clinging to a white cross planted on a rock, with lightning streaking the sky about her and huge waves dashing high around her.

The door of the other bedroom opened and Ida slipped in a sat down in a chair near the door. She gave Laura a frightened smile and then twisted her handkerchief in her lap and looked at it.

The kitchen door opened and a tall, thin young man quietly slipped into a chair. Laura supposed he was Elmer but she did not see him, for Reverend Brown came from the bedroom, thrusting his arms into his coat sleeves. He settled the coat collar to his neck and asked Laura and Almanzo to rise and stand before him.

So they were married.

 I know this probably means nothing to you if you've never read The Little House Books by Laura Ingalls Wilder, but it means a lot to me which is why I'm sharing.

Today we celebrate the 126th wedding anniversary of Almanzo and Laura Ingalls Wilder. Certainly my favorite literary couple, but also one of my favorite real couples.

Monday's Musings (2)

Yes, I realize it's Tuesday evening. Been busy 'round these parts the past couple of days!

So let's see...what's happening?

• Over the weekend, my son, his girlfriend and a couple more friends went to a concert in Detroit. A great evening for them all...that is till the got back to the truck of the friend who drove to find it had been broken into. Ipods and a purse stolen. Plus, what had been a great night ruined by some low-life thieves who steal from some really hard working young people. Grrrr. I was so angry, but also relieved that they didn't come upon these thieves in action. 
• My daughter and I have been working to get her new classroom ready. I've helped her do this before. I enjoy it, it's fun. Wow though! This classroom had a lot of stuff that it didn't need. It doesn't look like anyone's done anything more than accumulate classroom items, but not weed out the old, worn out, broken or no longer needed items. It looked overwhelming yesterday when we started and today it looks much better, but there's a ton yet to do. It's a good though. It'll get done. I'm happy that I can help!
• My jury duty starts Monday. I don't mind the jury duty so much. I am on medication for my IBS which doesn't take the symptoms away, but it does minimize them so hopefully that will be okay. My real worry is driving there. I have a phobia about driving in Detroit (or any big city). It may sound silly or not make sense to some, but it's real to me. And I get really nervous and stressed out about it. I have to do it though. Hopefully after the first time, I'll be more relaxed about it. 
• Business is really slowing down. It'll be another rough winter. We'll make it though. I hope.
• I will apologize ahead of time for not doing much commenting for the next couple of weeks. I'll read when I can and comment when I'm able. I will miss my blogger friends!
• I finally started reading The Help. Now, I don't have time to finish it!

And the winner is...

Jamie and I have drawn the winner and...drum roll please...she is Kathy from Just Stuff From A Boomer! Congratulations and if you email me your address (asimplehappylife@gmail.com), Jamie and I will get your Frankenmuth goodies out to you pronto. Thank you everyone who entered. You never know, we may just do this again sometime. After all, it would be a grand excuse to go to Frankenmuth again!

Giveaway Reminder!

Just a reminder that the deadline for the double blog giveaway is 6pm tonight. Don't miss out! All you have to do is follow both my blog and my daughter's blog and leave a comment on one of the giveaway posts. Details here.

Simple Sunday

Young mother and daughter? I thought it was sweet.
Back of the photo is imprinted:
From The
New York
Photo Studio
Collingwood
C.A. Faujoy (not certain if this is correct)
Artist
Negatives Preserved

Have a lovely and peaceful Sunday,

Duker-day...Relaxing

This was always one of my favorite places to snooze - my mom's little couch in her office. Then my mom put stuff all over the couch to keep Sosha and I off of it. At least that's what she said. I think that she just needs to clean her office.

My mom wanted me to remind everyone that there's a giveaway going on and you only have till Monday to enter!

Frankenmuth Double-Blog Giveaway!

Because we're celebrating Jamie's new job and it made us giddy and happy and full and broke, Jamie and I decided to host a joint blog giveaway!

Here's the deal: If you are (or become) a public follower of my blog and a public follower of Jamie's blog (From My Classroom Window) and leave a comment on this post on my blog or Jamie's giveaway post --- you will be entered. Just follow both of us and leave a comment with one or the other of us and you could win:

Gifts from Frankenmuth! The ornament that Bronner's gave us (beautiful blue with sparkly snowflakes), a Michigan bookmark, Strawberry Rhubarb Jam (made at the Bavarian Inn) and some Michigan Wild Cherry Tea.

Remember you have to be (or become) public followers of both of us, but only have to comment on one or the other.

We will toss all the names into a hat and draw one on Monday evening at 6pm (EST), August 22. Yep, you only have the weekend to enter!

Good luck!!

Jamie and I...off to Frankenmuth - Part 3

Day 2 of our Frankenmuth adventure and we did a little town walking and shopping. Oh and we ate at the Bavarian Inn. :-) However, we began our day with a nice breakfast at our hotel. They have a great breakfast. You could get pretty full, but we didn't want to eat too much as we would be making pigs of ourselves eating hearty meal later in the day. Apparently, I was tired the second day as I didn't take nearly the amount of pictures that I had taken the day before. I mean, seriously, why didn't I take a picture of our meal?! And the shops?
Sorry. There are still a lot of pictures though, as you will see...

We started off our day by parking at the Bavarian Inn and heading to the River Place Mall. We see this "Willkommen" sign along the way.

We cross the Cass River to go to the mall, but there is another bridge. It's the old covered bridge that leads to the Bavarian Inn Lodge which is a great place to stay if you have kids.

Waterfall that leads from the mall area to the river.

The is the entrance to the River Place Mall. This is an outdoor mall with all unique shops and boutiques. If you're looking for a "normal" mall, this is not the place. There are some neat shops here though.

Then we head back to the Bavarian Inn. The restaurant is on the main floor and all the shops are in the basement area. Being touristy on this trip, we decided to wait for the glockenspiel which plays at specified times during the day. We had to wait about ten minutes.

So, we headed inside to a little lobby area. Look up and you see this. I love the light fixture.

You are still looking up here. I love the deer. My father-in-law made some like that several years ago.

It's noon and we headed back outside to the Glockenspiel Tower to hear the music and watch the tale of the Pied Piper. Do you see the bells at the top of the tower?

Then the doors open and the tale of The Pied Piper of Hameln (Hamelin) begins.

The Pied Piper makes a deal to remove the rats from the village.

And so he plays...

and the rats follow.

But alas, the villagers become suspicious of him and refuse to pay the Pied Piper the agreed upon fee. The Pied Piper is angry and promises revenge.

And so he lures the children from the village...never to be seen again.

Only a (and I'm using exact words here so please don't be upset with me) "crippled child" and a "blind child" who couldn't keep up remain to tell what has happened.

The End.

No. Really. The End. We went in and ate and were full and as usual I ate more than I should. We did a little shopping and walked about town and did a little more shopping. And my feet hurt. And I didn't take any more pictures. Sorry. I'm sure your upset about that! :-)

We left. We were happy, full, and broke. We will be back. 

And so concludes my three part series of our two day trip.

Jamie and I...off to Frankenmuth - Part 2

We're here! We finally made it to Bronner's! No surprises. Jamie just took an exit she always used to take when she came from the other way. Totally messed up my moose! (Points if you know where I just quoted from) :-)

All around the parking area at Bronner's are Christmas decorations like this jumbo ornament.

All these years and we had never gone to the Silent Night Chapel, which sits off the parking lot at Bronner's. This year I wanted to see it. The next several pictures are from around and inside the chapel.

Heading across the parking lot to Bronner's. See Santa on the roof?

There. See him now?

Love the Gingerbread House Float!

Usually we go in the West Entrance, but since we parked near the Silent Night Chapel which was closer to the South Entrance we went in there. Totally screwed us up. We ended up walking to the West Entrance and started from there. We don't do well with change. :-)

See! Even the Coke machines are Christmas themed!

In the entry way.

What a tourist-like picture! Jamie and Santa.

Santa's eyes open and close!

Well, it was 140 days until Christmas on the day we went. Of course, it's closer now. Have you started your Christmas shopping yet?!

We always have to go to the little snack shop and get a hot pretzel and a pop. Every time. We have to.

Candy-themed tree. Bronner's is filled with trees decorated in different themes.

Here's a beer-themed tree!

Boy Scout ornaments.

Christmas trees that Bronner's stocks.

Tree-toppers.

Do you need lights for your tree?

More lights!

Bronner's is huge. I mean really huge. We always go through the whole store and we never come away empty handed! Next we headed over to the Bavarian Inn Cafe for some snacks for later...like a brownie...which I forgot to take a picture of. It was good. Really good.

For the past several years we've stayed at the Drury Inn. It's a great place. The customer service is great and the have, not only a full breakfast, but also hot food in the evening. Not a gourmet meal, mind you, but you can certainly make a meal out of it. We ♥ Drury Inn

After we ate, I thought it would be nice to take a walk about town. This is what it looked like outside our window though...

So, we watched The Princess Diary instead. And then we went to the lobby because they have a steady supply of freshly popped popcorn!

Tomorrow: The Bavarian Inn. And the end. I promise!