Monday - July 20

 MAEVE is TEN 

10   10   10  10   10

Happy Birthday, Maeve

Sweet Maeve hit the double digits today - our little moppet and the baby of the family is not a baby anymore. She's a crafty one who keeps busy with friends, doing her girlie activities, loves mani-pedis's, all things "pink", her cat, Carlos and will soon be a big 5th grader.   Wish we weren't so far away to do some fun Grandma/Maeve stuff.

Not only are we thinking of Maeve today, it's also the birthday of  Mark's sister, Karen (Auntie), my good friend Allie and our neighbor for many years, Angie (who died in 2009).

After I got up and my head was more stable, we did the exercises (Mark is THEE best once again as my nurse, caregiver and exercise driller) and then off to another coffee shop (there are 11 in Muskegon)!!!

Today we went to Aldea - nice decor in a new building but made to look old with brick walls, tin ceiling, etc.    But disappointed that they only had blueberry muffins and cookies for food;  the muffin was very good, but no microwave to warm up!    We remember only one other place (Crafted in Bloomington) that does not have a microwave and Mark and I can't figure out what it would take to add a small microwave to heat up the food and make their customers "happy"!   It's the little things.....

Then we drove all around Muskegon checking out various things including our friends Leon and Helen's home.    We were there a few times several years ago - it is now on the market.   Helen passed away November 5, 2024 and Leon is in ICU very ill.    Yesterday, Mark had a long chat with their boys (Ian and Andy).    We have so many happy memories of boating times with them....

Leon and Helen graduated from Catholic Central here in Muskegon - we have Central Catholic in Bloomington.

Back to Catrina at 11:45 - lunch and then our obligatory naps.  😀

It's really hazy again today but can't smell the smoke.

Tonight our friend from CT who was born and raised in Muskegon picked us up at the marina and took us on a very enjoyable tour of her hometown of which she's so proud.    We had dinner at BoDocks - great food and nice place on Muskegon Lake.    Then we drove around some more, into North Muskegon where she lives and back home!    FUN outing! 

I play euchre and canasta with Linda. 

Mark, Linda, Pat

Did facetime with the birthday girl when we got home.

Mark and I are taking a little road trip tomorrow and visit some of our favorite Lake Michigan ports we haven't been to in many years.   He's getting antsy to go somewhere + get me off the boat!    😉

Sunday - July 19

BLAIR is a TEENAGER!

Happy 13th

How did 13 years pass so quickly?    July 19, 2013 was a very memorable day with the birth of Blair Bliss Chamberlain, our first granddaughter after 6 grandsons!    She's a happy, carefree, smart, funny, and very active young lady who loves to dance, act, cheer, do her gymnastics, be crafty with her friends and good friend to all.    She's a joy to be around.

We went to 10:00 Mass at St. Mary's - wow, sooo many people and presided over by Father David Sacha.   Some unique things we had not seen in a very long time - like many years ago, Father had his back to the congregation during Mass instead of facing forward.    Also several part of the Mass were sung in Latin.    He baptized "Patrick" during Mass.

Went to The Coffee Factory, - now we've been in some funky coffee shops (2 recently - Washington Island and Sturgeon Bay) but today here in Muskegon gets the prize.    Very eclectic with unique stuff here, there and everywhere including lots of vintage clothing.    The important stuff - coffee and cheese Danish were right on!!!

Yesterday when we were at the Exchange Coffee Bar, we laughed when we saw this sign  

Obviously for tips, but with the way I've been feeling, it was very appropriate!

On home....some smokey haze today and an alert was issued for the entire state of Michigan.

We took naps (we LOVE our little cat naps, power naps, whatever you want to call them!)

Connor's performance went well last night.   Along with Nate and Drew, they now have the name "The Verdict" - how appropriate after Patrick's band was "Jury's Out"!

Our long-time friends (since the 80s thru the Mid Illini Power Squadron) picked us up for dinner.    Ron and Pat have lived in Muskegon for many years and we've caught up with them a few times over the years when they wintered in Florida.    What fun we had catching up - dinner at the Handsome Hobo was great and we never stopped yakking!

Ron will be 88 next week and Pat will be 89 in a few months

They are truly remarkable and such an inspiration 

Family zoom tonight but missed some off the conversation cause we were

 chatting with Blair.

 

Saturday - July 18

 HAPPY   BIRTHDAY   BROOKE

Brooke and Millie

Another family birthday (3rd so far in July with 2 more coming) - today it's all about Brooke, our dear daughter-in-law (wife to Michael and Mom to Drew, Davis, Brady and Blair).    So thankful to have her in the family for almost 28 years!!!    She's a Keeper!

Tah dah...clear skies today and no smoke smell.    It's very windy though.

Mornings continue to be weird for me....wake up and always fearful for how it's gonna be getting out of bed and on with the day.    Head just seems to be discombobulated but with Mark's help, I'm up and going.   I cannot imagine having this "vestibular dysfunction" and being by myself...............no way!!!!!!!

We drove around the Lakeside area where the 11th Annual Fresh Coast Fitness Festival is going on in Marquette Park today and tomorrow- packed place at 8 AM and involves weight lifting and other competitions finding the fittest and freshest individuals and teams in the Midwest.

Kept on driving and downtown Muskegon is host to Rebel Road, Muskegon's Biker Rally, a 4-day event drawing 100,000 visitors and 70,000 bikes.    Downtown had several streets blocked off with many food trucks, vendors and porta potties!!!    

We found the Exchange Coffee Bar and enjoyed our coffee and white chocolate cherry scone (me) and breakfast sandwich (Mark) sitting outside.  Back to the car and Mark wanted to check out West Marine as he had a gift card from Father's Day.   Several of these stores are closing including this one but he found several things marked down and they had a good-size inventory.   

Then we drove south 20 minutes to Grand Haven, a very nice town that was busy busy this Saturday - the downtown was bustling with families, dogs and people everywhere enjoying the nice day.    We were last here June 8-9, 2006 and remember refurbished old buildings converted into shops, condos, etc.    Downtown is really neat with so many shops, restaurants, etc.    We walked and walked along the waterfront with so many boats and today was the big Rock the Coast Poker Run attracting dozens of cigarette (go-fast boats) from all over (we saw one from Las Vegas).   

Got some ice cream at Temptations and then stopped at the West Marine in Grand Haven and Mark did a little more shopping.    Back to Muskegon and Catrina.   I did some of my vestibular exercises and then nap time.    

Another wedding on the pier today - smaller with just 3 bridesmaids in green -  yesterday had the smoke, today, the strong wind.

We had an early dinner at the Muskegon Brewing Co. which is here at the marina - Mark had the beet salad with smoked pork and I had the walleye tacos - all delish!    Walked around the marina but so crazy windy!    Around 5ish we noticed the haze moving in over the water and the smell of smoke - more alerts on our phones.   UGH!

Tonight Connor and friends made their musical debut at the "Make Music Normal" festival in Uptown Normal.    Wish we could've been there and so glad the show went on after some heavy rain!

Connor, Nate and Drew

Friday - July 17

 Smokey skies and smell were maybe a bit worse this morning when we got up?   Mark fixed scrambled eggs, ham and bagels for a nice hearty breakfast.

Yesterday Mark noticed a bunch of people out on the pier (not that far from us).    They were having a wedding rehearsal.    Today all the white chairs and other wedding decor were set up - oh my.......not a good day for an outdoor wedding and the guests having to breathe that smoke.    On a beautiful sunny day, what a great view overlooking Muskegon Lake but not today😞

Ron picked Mark up at 10:15 and took him to Enterprise to get our rental car for a week  (charcoal Buick Envista with just 5,000 miles and NJ plates).    Then he stopped at Meijer's to see if they had any masks - apparently ours are on Flo!    A nice lady was just unwrapping a package and gave him 6 masks - now that's service - hurray for Meijer's.

Late morning we went to Biggby's for coffee - my 1st in a week!!!!   (Maybe that's the problem with my head???)    Then to Meijer's for groceries and back to the marina - got a dock cart/wagon and wheeled our stuff to Catrina.   Put groceries away and took it easy rest of the day.

Biggby's and Meijer's both originated in Michigan.  

The wedding took place here at the marina at 4 with lots of guests (no one wore a mask).   8 bridesmaids in pretty green dresses, 2 flower girls, 2 ring bearers, etc.   The sun came out but kinda pale.    Later the reception was held here in the event center at Adelaide Point.

Mark found a video on YouTube about after vertigo and BPPV, what to do when still having the dizziness and just out of sorts - wow, along with exercises from Dr. Freeman, these are so right on with what's going on with me.    This Dr. Matthew from Canada really explained and demonstrated it all very well.    Even after the crystals are back in place, the brain needs to be retrained and these vestibular exercises have all had great results.

Enjoy your weekend!

Thursday - July 16

 Dr. Olga Freeman, my primary in Fort Myers is my SAVIOR for recommending I stop taking the Meclizine.    I feel sooo much better today - not 100% but nothing like yesterday - that stuff gave me such a weird feeling + the dizziness and wooziness.

So........my Captain decided we would take off and he would take care of everything - I had orders to just sit.   At 8:12, we were leaving Manistee (got to know this town really well).    BIG problem today was the very poor visibility (3/4 mile) and awful smoke smell.    Mark drove from down below and we kept the door and windows shut.    Radar was big help as there was a fishing tournament going on outside Ludington, so lots of boats - can't believe there were so many other crazies out there.   But the lake was nice and calm with winds from the north (and that's why the smokey haze is so bad blowing from Canada).

We were settled in our slip at the Adelaide Pointe Marina off Muskegon Lake by 2.    Walked up to the dockmaster and ship's store to check in - not going outdoors anymore today. 

After lunch we each took a nap and so happy to be here, feeling better and out of the nasty weather conditions!!!!!!

Yesterday Maeve and Graham met for the first time!

60 years ago today (7/16/66), my cousin  Billy (16) and a friend were killed in a horrible moped accident south of Sublette, IL (my hometown).   I will never forget that very tragic day and the sad days that followed.   Billy was my Aunt Marian's son.    I had just graduated from high school that spring.

Our friends from Port Clinton (boat sister, Chris and Michael) had planned to spend today thru Sunday here in Muskegon.    We were so looking forward to some fun times, BUT with my head issues, they canceled and probably a good thing especially with all this smoke.

We are renting a car tomorrow for a week - Ron is picking Mark up in the morning, so will be good to be out and about (well.....depending on the smoke)!   Latest update for air quality here is "very unhealthy".   So glad we got here ok and Ron and Pat did not have to make the trip to Manistee.  

2 of my faithful blog readers commented after last night's blog they knew things were bad when I didn't feel like going out to eat!!! 😔