ain't nothin' like the good ol' summertime

Yesterday was a day of incredible storms passing through our region - high winds, hail (!) and heavy rains. But they came and went.

We invited our neighbors (and friends) out on the boat for an evening cruise and a visit to the local waterfront dive known for Monday night steak night (yum). Anyway, Paula suggested that it be a "kid-free" night (yay!) and my kids could hang out with her kids. Why didn't I think about that? Her kids (4 of them) range from 8 to 16, and mine will be 10 and 13 (this week!). So, really, while it's fun to do a family cruise, I'm all for adult fun.

So, the weather was iffy, but around 4 pm, it was beautiful and sunny - yay, we're on! Nevermind the dark, foreboding clouds off to the west.

So, at the appointed hour, we ditched the kids and drove into the approaching storm clouds. Uh-oh. The winds whipped up, the raindrops started. The rest of our party called from the marina and reported a tornado watch and high winds. They were taking cover at the bar and we were to meet them there. The skies opened up with torrential downpours. :-(

No worries, we were set with good company, good snacks and a cozy bar. Eyes pealed to the weather channel, we saw the satellite showing the storms passing through and the watch would be over by 7. Yay! We see sun! So, we finish our drinks and move to the boat for more appetizers. We make the short cruise across the bay to the waterfront restaurant where the storm has chased away the other boaters and closed the deck. That's okay because steak night is usually so crowded it's hard to get a table or docking space.

Aaah, good steak (no, GREAT steak), good friends (similarly temporarily liberated from the constraints of parenthood), an excellent beer (Hop Devil Ale) and a beautiful sunset.

The lake was absolutely calm and flat like a bathtub. We saw the end of the sunset, the clear, dark skies, and an incredible full moon. No one fell in (which was a distinct possibility as Paula fell in while docking at the same restaurant last summer). Our English friend kept steering the conversation towards American politics, and religion too - a tough combo in mixed company, but all was well.

Hope you enjoyed your day.

Things *are happening around here

I just don't seem to have the time to put them down on paper, er, computer.

Last weekend was a blast - it was busy and I was exhausted, but it was great to have Emma's godparents John and Denise visit for her First Communion; and for my brother Erik and his wife, Sue to come up as well.

We hung out, we laughed, we ate, we lounged in the hot tub (Boy, am I glad I got it out of my laundry room), we drank, we ate. Okay, I didn't go in the hot tub, but I wanted to. Doctor's orders.

Did I mention that we ate and drank? And laughed.

Woo, boy. And then I slept all day on Monday.
But it was worth it.

So, I have a little time this morning, and what do you know? I forgot what it was that I was going to write about. Grrrr.

Isn't that always the way?

I have to get ready to go to a funeral today. Another one of my friends' mom died. I hate that we're at that age where we're losing parents. It sucks.

No more whining

Okay, since I was just whining, I thought I'd post some things I'm really grateful/thankful for in the past few days before I go to bed.

We had the most AMAZING lasagna tonight. My friend Karen (THANK YOU!!!!) dropped it off over the weekend and I pulled it out of the freezer tonight. Some random comments from the assembled dining crowd (which included younger daughter's friend):

• Oh. my. gosh. this is the best!!!!
• Can I please have some more? (5 times)
• no offense, Mom, but this is better than yours.
• I *LOVE lasagna
• oooh, this is soooooo good.

Really. I'm not making this up. The entire pan is gone. Scraped clean. Eaten by 3 children and moi. DH didn't even have any - he opted for a turkey leg leftover from yesterday.

Which brings me to what else I'm thankful for.

My darling husband (DH) made the entire turkey dinner yesterday. Cooked, basted, and cleaned up. Yup. He cleaned up.

My children have been very helpful with trash, laundry, dishwasher, and litterboxes. And making my bed.

Beautiful flowers.

My friend (and neighbor) Paula bought a gallon of milk for me on her way home. And put it in the fridge because she knew it was heavier than I should lift.

Thank you. :-)