Its Been Tooooo Long!!

Hello Hello!

Hope everyone has been good!  I have been gone from my blog busy with life for the past few years, but I am ready to dive back in. 

You should see many changes coming to my blog with many new posts.  I'm super excited to have some time to do this again! Thanks to everyone that has still been visiting while I have been gone!

Bathroom Remodel Pt2

We are down to plywood and drywall.  After knocking out the tile and pulling the old hardware we noticed we have about 3 feet of empty space behind the shower.  We have taken the wall out and in deed there is dead space of about 3 feet.  We have decided to extend the shower. 

Now plywood is what we can see when looking up when we should be seeing the floor joists.  We have a header above the shower.  Header (as in it looks like one but not sure it actually is one) that we are debating on knocking down to make the shower taller. 

After going to Lowes, Menards, and Home Depot repeatedly to look for tiles and not finding anything thats just right we decided to go to some tile stores.  We saw many horribly plain tiles and then ran across the one we will most certainly be using.  The tile is a 12x24 blue gray randomly stripped tile.  Once we have the order I will post pictures as it is hard to explain. 

For now we are working on cutting out the remaining wood in the dead space and then we will need to re plumb and hang the Duroc.  Its a work in progress but its been fun with the demo so far. 

Bathroom Remodel

How does a simple Paint Job turn into a Remodel??

I decided it was time to freshen up the bedroom, including the closet and bathroom.  My parents had just painted their living room a greyish purple and I liked it so much that I decided to use this color.  After painting the closet, to make sure I liked it, I moved onto my bathroom.

First came out the shower doors, then came off the counter.  After this I realized the tile was rather old and could be replaced, but I did not feel like going that far so I figured I would just fix it.

I went looking for a vanity top to fit my vanity and come to find out my vanity is a custom width.  Therefore only a custom vanity top will fit.  After realizing that I was looking at the same price for the custom top as I would be for a complete new vanity I decided the tile was going to come out and be replaced.

When the home was built they decided not to tile the flooring under the cabinet therefore getting a new (smaller) cabinet means I need to re tile.  I have checked Menard's, Home Depot, and Lowe's for tile I like and I am having problems deciding on the color.

I have never taken on a task of re tiling anything so this should be interesting and a learning experience.  If anyone has any good tips they would be appreciated!

More updates will come as I move through this adventure

Kiteboarding in the fall!

Fall has arrived but is it too cold to Kite?  Definitely not!!

The water is warm and I have wetsuits, but I would like warm weather!  Tomorrow is supposed to be 78 degrees why couldn't this have come on the weekends when I do not have to work?

Has anyone had some nice sessions this fall? My last day of riding was September 8 on the bay side of Tawas.  My favorite city in Michigan will be visited again soon, hopefully the weather will cooperate and be warm so I can get another session in this summer.  If not, I will definitely do some paddling on the river!

If you have any questions on stand up paddling or Kiteboarding message me.  I have some very good contacts that can get you in to the sport quickly!

WARNING:  Kiteboarding is a very addictive sport!  It's all or nothing with Kiteboarders!

Day in the Life of My Boxers

I have a 5 year old white Boxer whose name is Bella.  I also have a 1 year old Boxer whose name is Shiner and she is fawn and white.  We originally got Shiner to entertain Bella during the cold winter months when she continually whines because she is bored and wants to go outside and play.

My Boxers wake up when its time for me to go to work and are awake about 1 hour.  They then spend the rest of the day lounging around and sleeping.  In the afternoon its all tails wagging and ears flopping, as this is there time of the day to PLAY!

My Boxers are the best of friends and will run around the yard playing chase, catching Frisbee, antagonizing squirrels and doing anything else they can think of.  During the evening hours they are back to their routine of lounging and sleeping untill they get hungry.  Then they sit and whine until their bowls get filled :)

After dinner they are ready for bed and this completes there cycle of their work week!  Now when the weekend comes its all playing all day unless of course they are left home while we go out then they recoup!


My dogs are some of the most spoiled dogs in the world.  They are not merely dogs but my best friends and part of the family.  If your looking for a family dogs definitely take a look at Boxers.  They love when my niece comes to play for a few days, but are grateful when she leaves so they can rest back up:)  

Harsh Winter Upon Us?

Many news casters cannot make up there mind as to what type of winter they foresee for Michigan.  I have heard its going to be a bad winter, mild winter, average snowfall, etc. 

Now when it comes to weather this is fairly standard for the forecasters to change their mind all the time on their predictions. 

I would love to see a warmer winter with lots of snowfall.  Here in Michigan we got cheated last year.  We had a few snowfall days but it did not stick and our lakes never froze over safely.  There were no days of snowkittig of even sledding.  Our slopes were sloppy and barely worth paying for. 

Although I enjoyed the warmer winter, winter lasted a very long time and there was too much time indoors for me. 

Fall has Arrived

Wind is blowing, colors are changing, and the smell of cider and doughnuts is in the air.  I love Fall! 

Michigan apples got hit hard this year so the price of cider is up, but it is definetly worth it.  I visited Yates Cider Mill this weekend for the first time this year.  Kevin and I have been going there for 12 years now and it has become tradition to welcome in Fall. 

The leaves are changing and soon will be time for fall color drives through the country.  There are many country drives availiable to us here in Southeast, Michigan.   The best days are when its warm enough to pull the motorcycles out and enjoy a day of easy riding.

Although Summer is my season and I will miss it dearly, Fall is starting off with a memorable bang.   Cheers to hay rides, Halloween, and Thanksgiving that's soon to be right around the corner!

Do you have a special Fall tradition?  I would love to hear about it!

Mclaughlin Love Lyrics

 I provide the lyrics to this following song as it is a very powerful song.  Every time I sing it I cannot help but feel the emotion and power in his voice.  If I got some of the lyrics wrong please let me know and I will change them. 

Love Lyrics

Jon Mclaughlin

The heart of a wife
but she won't unlock it
all dressed in white
and face in the blankets

The nights with the boys
the RINGS IN THEIR pockets
the drives to work that don't ever drive BACK

It's a four letter word
and who'd ever thought that
a four letter word
would be so hard to spell out
and our hearts skipping' beats
on edges of seats
we'll take time when it's up
but give up when it's down

Freaking out about love
'bout love
about love
'bout love, no
not love
but love
about love
'bout love, no

We're too cool for apologies
and we wouldn't have felt
 our emotional policies
and looking glass selves
it's a realization that we all need to find
it's all in our heads when we're changing our minds

About love
love
about love
'bout love
'cause it's not love
love
about love
'bout love, o no

Or if we're not gonna mind
what's lost in our chest
then I'll spend all my time dodging yours I guess
'cause the life you're denying me is a hole in my heart
advice and society pull us apart

And at the blink of an eye
we'll get the courts involved
and if you don't like her eyes you just get 'em annulled
'cause the justice of the peace
losing its power
honeymoon suites to hotels by the hour

cause' We take time when it's up
but give up when it's down

And it's not love
love
not love
it's not love no
not love
love
not love
not love
no no
not love, oh
love
love
not love
cuz it's not love
love
not love
it's not love, no
it's not love
love
it's not love
not love, no
it's not love
love
not love
not love

CB350 Parts Wanted

I am looking for a few parts for my bike.

1973 CB350

Gas Tank, Seat, Original Pipes.

My bike is nearly restored only need these final touches added.  Let me know if you have these items.

The bike is a 73 but it is not a four and the parts are 1972 parts.

Thanks

Kiteboarder or Beach Goer

By: Crystal M. Canole

All summer I spend most of my weekends chasing the wind up in East Tawas, Michigan.  Over the past few years my love for the sport has grown into taking over my free time completely.  Every chance I get I am going up north to go Kiteboarding!  This year I have spent most my time as a beach goer waiting for the wind. 

This year has been the worst year thus far.  The wind has not been there and that makes for many long days waiting on the beach.  Yesterday it was blowing!!   Started my session at about 11am and rode till about 2pm. The wind was amazing a bit gusty but not bad.  I was getting mad air and everyone out was having a blast.

 After all theses weekends of waiting for the wind I had finally caught it and even though I was having a blast, the wind was becoming to powerful and dangerous.  My session was short but it was intense and amazing.  It reaffirms why I spend all my free time chasing the wind.  The feeling of kiteboarding is one you cannot imagine.  Although at times it can become hectic and body punishing it is absolutely surreal and relaxing. 

This means I need another kite.  A smaller one!  In the meantime I wait for the next chance to get out there and ride. 

Well I got another Boxer

My love for Boxers is evident, I am on my third one now!

My first Boxer was Bella she is absolutely my baby.  The second one I bought my father for Christmas because he was saying he wanted one.  Well, I recently a few months ago bought another boxer!

Her name is Shiner and she is fawn and white with a black eye.  She is your typical boxer full of energy and excitement.  She has been fairly easy to train and she is growing into a gorgeous dog!

I am not sure that my baby, Bella, likes her though.  She is used to sleeping all the time and the puppy does not give her a chance to sleep when we are home.  The three boxers are great buds and get along amazingly~!

Am I crazy to go for a fourth boxer?  Time will tell.

Whats Easter Mean to You?

Ask different people this question and you will get many different answers.  To some it means the bunny is coming with candy, to others its a religious holiday, and still others think its a time for family to get together to embrace each other.

Today is Good Friday.  When I think of Good Friday I think of my grandpa that I lost a little over a year ago.  Just yesterday learned that he would make my mother and her siblings sit down from noon- 3pm and he would read them the bible on this holy day.  Now, I am sure this still goes on to do but many more people probably do not even realize it is Good Friday. 

This Sunday I will sit down with my family and enjoy a feast.  To me Easter is about all three of the topics mentioned above incorporated into one.  You do not have to have only one viewpoint.  I hope you all have a great Easter and enjoy it in whichever you deem best. 

Happy Easter!

Land Paddling

Do you enjoy kayaking, canoeing, or stand up paddling?

These activities are hard to do in the winter.  I suggest trying land paddling!

Land paddling consists of a long board skateboard and a Big Stick.  Not only is it a great work out, but its a great way to feel like you are actually paddling.

This activity is not only great in the winter, but also in the summer.  If you feel like paddling but don't have enough time to drive to the water, you can land paddle right in your neighborhood. 

This gear can be purchased from many local retailers.  Almost any skateboard shop will sell the boards.  The stick can be made or purchased online at many different retailers.

If you love paddling, trust me you will love this~!

Will Winter Ever Arrive?

Tis the end of December and lakes are not frozen
Rain in the forecast , no snow to be seen.
Boredom inside, with no winterwonderland to be found
Has winter passed us by
or is it coming sometime soon.

Now, Im not one who actually loves winter but since its cold it could at least be snowy.  There are a few winter activites I enjoy doing.

Sitting inside watching tv is not one of them. but what to do when its cold outside and no snow to be found.

Snowboarding, Snowkitting, snow shoeing, cross country skiing....

All the fun winter sports here in Michigan are on hold.

The season will come but its looking as though it shall be a short season.

New Posts to Come

I have been slacking lately, as I have been very busy with life atm.

I will be back to posting soon!

Is Paid TV really worth it?

By Crystal Canole

With the advancements of the Internet and providers like netflix and hulu, is cable or satellite TV still worth the bill?

I have not had cable TV for 5 years minimum now.  I don't find myself missing anything.  Hulu, Netflix and my rabbit ears give me more hours of television watching then I should probably watch. 

Has America become so much relaxed about paying for TV that they view it as a necessity?  Do they not realize they can be getting it for free?  How are these companies still in business?

Do people just like wasting their money on television broadcasting so they can have it immediate instead of at a later date?  What is the appeal in the younger generation to pay for TV when they know how to get it legally for free. 

SPORTS: TC Waterman SUP Race

On August 20, 2011 TC Waterman held paddle races in Traverse City, MI.  This was the first time this event was held and it went off with a bang. 

I started paddling about a month ago and signed up for the 3.5 Mile race while my boyfriend did the 9 Mile race.  The 3.5 Mile consisted of turns and skill where the 9 Mile is downwind and purely endurance.  I sported my GLK rash guard to support my kite boarding school out of St Clair Shores, MI.

The weather was cloudy all day which kept the heat down and overall very decent race conditions.  Before the 9 Mile Down winder the wind began to blow but as soon as the race started it became calm.  This made for a long race.

There were many vendors selling boards and apparel.  There were plenty of boards to demo and many people who had never tried the sport got out there on them.  The greatest thing was the amount of educated people on the sport that there was an immense wealth of knowledge to learn. 

I enjoyed myself so much that I raced home and looked for more races.  Unfortunately it looks like I need to move to the east or west coast.  Hopefully Michigan will pick up speed and have a few more races next year.

PYMATUNING PARK

It was my pleasure to spend a weekend at this Ohio State Park over the last weekend. It is located near Andover, OH and is on the border of Pennsylvania and Ohio. The scenery, wildlife, and park are one in a million.

The park surrounds a lake of 14,000 acres. This lake is known for fishing and caters to fishers. There is a 20 hp limit on all boats. If you are looking to do some jet skiing or skiing behind a boat this lake is not for you. If your looking for peacefullness and catching some walleye to grill up, your going to the right place.

Wether your out on the lake, on a nature trail, or sitting at the capsite there is wildlife all around you. Walleye, crappie, black bass, and channel catfish are known to be caught from the lake. Woodpeckers, Blue Herons and many other birds fill the air.

The park offers camping, cottages, and hurts. The campground is well maintained and includes spacious sites. There are sections of the campground that are dog friendly so bring your pet with you.

Looking for more info?
www.dnr.state.oh.us/parks/parks/pymatuning

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Poetry Corner:

By Crystal Canole

If I should die
before I wake
will I have lived
the life I wished to live?

Ghost Stories: Harry and the Neighbor

I have been completely enthralled with the radar app by Spud Pickles on the Android Market lately.  I turn it on and surprisingly enough get quite a few relevant hits.  One night I was sitting in the basement with my boyfriend and it started talking to us.


I was confused when it said 40.  I thought maybe it was my boyfriends Mom, because she passed away young, but she did not die when she was 40.  It said some other things and nothing was absolutely relevant.  There were many different dots that showed up on the radar.  


A little while later it said NEIGHBOR.  Now this was interesting to me and I equated it to 40.  Our neighbor passed away when he was at least around 40 and was always over the house.  I started getting nervous so we decided to go upstairs and go to bed.  As we walked past the mantle it spoke again.


This time it said HARRY.  This freaked me out completely.  My boyfriends grandfather was Harry.  The fact that it spelt it the exact way was proof to me that it was him.  Needless to say, I told Harry to please not show himself, and turned on the TV to stop thinking about it.  


I truly believe that this app works now.  It may not always make sense what it is saying but there is relevance in it if you think about what it is saying.  


If anyone ghost hunts in the Detroit area and would like to take me along on one of their hunts, I would love to go.