September 25-28

What a fun Moms/Daughters weekend in Chicago....7 of us from IL, NC and FL took in some shows (Wicked & Jersey Boys), lots of shopping, sightseeing and eating. Here are a few highlights...

Daughter-in-law, Annette with her mom, Judy, Pat and daughter, Anne. We are are on the architectural river/lake cruise - awesome!

The NC girls....daughter-in-law, Brooke, her mom, Judy and Bea (friend and "adopted" daughter for the weekend). We all had been oohing and aahing at The American Girl store. We took a break in front of the John Hancock Building after these 3 gals admired the phenomenal views from the top where "on a clear day you could see "forever" and it was just that!

Bea, Brooke and Anne on the Navy Pier ferris wheel

Annette, Anne, Judy, Pat, Judy, Bea and Brooke at Navy Pier

Walked around wonderful Millennium Park and lined up in front of the lovely flowers for another photo - Bea, Pat, Brooke, Anne, Judy, Judy and Annette

What a neat surprise to have Catrina and Crew in Chicago.....met up with them at DuSable Marina (near Navy Pier) and here I am back on my "former" summer home with Brooke and BeaCatrina's mast has been taken down for her trek down the river system, into the Gulf and her new home in FL. Deb (new owner), Brooke, Bea, Pat, Dawn (friend who also has a PDQ at DuSable), Mark and Tom (new owner)!

Our weekend was just delightful with perfect weather and enjoying this special time with family. We've already got the wheels spinning about where we'll meet for our 3rd Annual Moms/Daughters weekend???

September 23

Mark and I had a delightful day with our grandsons, Liam 3 and Connor 2. The boys love to play on the shelf in "Liam's" bedroom closet at Grandma's and asked if I would please take their picture???

Grandpa pushed them around in this car at Schnucks while Grandma got a few groceries.
Miss Sandra read a story at Barnes & Noble during Story Time
And now for the craft project - coloring a nice picture to take home to Mommy and Daddy.

Tonight we are all sleeping on Daisy (in the driveway)!

September 22

Happy First Day of Fall! Feels more like summertime! We enjoyed Liam and Connor today and they will be staying with us the next few days as their sitter is on vacation. After they left this afternoon, Mark and I went for a bike ride and for the first time ever, rode on the Constitution Trail. What a beautiful biking/hiking area. All summer long we so enjoyed long rides on nice paths in the small towns we visited. Our collapsible bikes were usually on Catrina or Daisy, so never took advantage of what we have right here close to home. But now we're on a roll and look forward to many more good rides as we just checked out a small segment of the trail!

September 21

We've had a busy week of getting more things done around the house and yard and traveling, including visits to our parents. So, catching up on the blog today and celebrating with Philip even though we're not together!Happy Birthday, Philip!!! Today our pilot-son from Florida is 32 and this picture was one of the last taken on Catrina in late August.

September 19

Happy 10th Anniversary to our son, Michael and his beautiful bride, Brooke

September 18

It's a beautiful Thursday and we are off to Racine (driving truck and towing car). We left the truck for friends, Paul and Kathy to drive home after they deliver their catamaran to Racine for winter storage. After spending 12 summers here, it's always a treat to come back and eat, shop, stock up on kringles (Danish pastry) and walk the docks at Reefpoint Marina.One of our favorites - "The Yardarm" where we enjoyed a great lunch!

September 12-14

What a fun weekend with all my "sisters" for our annual September weekend of just we girls! This was our 15th annual and we spent the weekend at the Victorian Verandah B & B in Winnebago. Our great hostess "Ret" prepared fabulous breakfasts while we gals spent the 2 1/2 days eating, drinking wine, shopping, playing games and just yakking away!!!
These gals are actually Mark's sisters (+ 2 sisters-in-law) and here we are:

Marilyn, Sue, Doris, Theresa, Joan, Nancy, Janet, Lydia, Pat and Beth.

Karen missed the picture and we're sorry Sharon couldn't be with us for our weekend - missed you!

September 10

I spent a fun afternoon with my friend, Brenda's quadruplet grandchildren and enjoyed feeding and cuddling!!! They are 6 months now and doing sooo well!Reese, Maggie, Lauren and Gavin
Liam and Connor hanging out with Grandpa on the porch enjoying a snack!
The boys love checking out "guy" things in Grandpa's garage!

September 9

Beautiful day and enjoyed a 3-hour lunch/visit with good friends at Biaggi'sClaire, Pat and Kathy
Liam and Connor are spending the night and after tubby-time, it's ice cream sundaes!
Grandpa reading to Liam
Nite Nite Connor - sweet dreams!

September 8

A rainy, cool day, but fun catching up and visiting. Mark and I had breakfast with 6 couples (friends/neighbors). I had lunch with 7 gals who are long-time boating friends and tonight, it was good to be back with my "Monday Night Friends"! FUN day...

September 7

After 3 1/2 days of getting our stuff organized and put away and a bit of housecleaning/yardwork (we've been gone since the end of May), we are winding down tonight and do believe there is a light somewhere at the end of the tunnel???

Actually, we are in pretty good shape and it's sooo good to be HOME!!! Had a fun evening last night with Anne (daughter) and Patrick and the grandsons, Liam and Connor.

Tom and Deb are sharing their travels with Catrina (they are keeping the name) and if you're interested in following where they are with journal/pictures, you can check out their blog at http://sailingcatrina.blogspot.com/

September 4

The Nomads are HOME!!!! It rained all the way and is still raining hard (remnants of Gustav)! We will spend the next few days getting all our stuff organized and put away. It's been a very enjoyable summer cruising western Lake Erie and southern Lake Huron. We visited 35 ports (some more than once), anchored out 3 nights and are now boatless. Selling Catrina was a bittersweet time for us, but know she'll be well taken care of by Tom and Deb. And we are looking forward to moving onto boat shopping and new adventures!

September 3

We left East Tawas at 8:30 and stopped in Frankenmuth for a few hours...great little town known as "Little Bavaria". Flowers and fountain in downtown Frankenmuth
We ate delicious lunch at Zehnder's - great for eating & shopping!
The Covered Bridge with "The Bavarian Queen" coming into port
Bronner's Christmas Wonderland....this place is phenomenal with over 90,000 square feet (the size of 5.5 football fields) and the world's largest Christmas store.
We are in South Haven tonight and HOME SWEET HOME tomorrow!

September 2

After 14 years of wonderful memories, we have sold Catrina.... and are pleased to introduce the new owners, Tom and Deb who will sail Catrina to her new home in Crystal River, Florida
Last photo of us with Catrina

East Tawas, Michigan

August 31 - September 1

Spent two big days transferring our stuff from Catrina to Daisy (really convenient that the marina and RV park are next to each other). On Monday, after Mark was able to fit everything in Daisy and Toad, we walked to WalMart and then to Marion's for ice cream treat! Weather continues to be just grand....after very busy holiday weekend, Monday was pretty quiet around East Tawas!