July 11, 2016: Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee

We had around 350 miles to go in order to get to Memphis.   I looked at a map and noticed that on highway I-55, it goes through Arkansas and Mississippi so of course I had to stop in those two states as I haven't been to them before.   We were impressed with the Welcome Center in Arkansas and saw an ad for the country singer, Johnny Cash's boyhood home in Dysell, Arkansas.   I set the GPS and off we went to the small town of Dysell.   Johnny Cash lived in the house from the age of 3 to 18 and then went into the service.     He's best known for the songs "I Walk the Line" and "Ring of Fire".  He was born February 26, 1932 and died September 12,  2003.  He graduated high school in 1950 and served our country from 1950-1954.   He was stationed in Germany.    

The GPS had us driving on some dirty roads to get back to the main highway which made my car quite dirty.    

Traffic was pretty bad around Memphis.   We took I-55 south so we could go into Mississippi.   We only had to drive around 12 miles to get to the Welcome Center.

We got to Graceland and stayed at the Heartbreak Hotel which was across the street from Elvis's house.

Had a nice pulled pork dinner at Marlowe's Ribs and Restaurant which has a pink pig on the outside.  The food was delicious.    I highly recommend the pulled pork, Mac and cheese, and corn fritters.

July 10, 2016: Tuscola and Effingham, IL

Mom and I dropped Josh off at Starbucks this morning and started on our road trip to Memphis,  Tennessee.  We decided to break up the trip and drive 6 hours today and 4 hours tomorrow.   We took highway 57 through Illinois which is such a boring state to drive through.   Our first stop was for lunch in Tuscola, IL at Flesor's Candy Kitchen.  All the food was delicious.    We split a hot fudge sundae for dessert which was to die for.  

We decided to stay at Country Inn and Suites in Effingham, IL.   Had a nice dinner at a local favorite restaurant called "Niemerg's Steakhouse" which also was delicious.     

June 19, 2016: Swimming across Duck Lake

I was planning to go to the B-93 Birthday Bash with Becky, but got up too late and it was supposed to be 90 degrees so we decided not to go.   I had been excited to go, but didn't want to get more sunburned.    Becky was fine either way.  

I was so excited when Josh said we would go to the beach.      We stayed inside for a bit and played on our electronic devices and then went down to Duck Lake State Park which I had never gone too.    At first, the water was cold, but I pinky swore I would go in the water.  Had a great time with Josh.   I swam across Duck Lake and back and impressed Josh.   It was the highlight of my day.  Actually,  hanging out with Josh always brings me happiness.     We had pizza for dinner and hung out.   I think it was a great weekend.

June 18, 2016: Grand Haven and Emma's Open House

Today, I walked across the street to the White Lake Arts and Crafts show and bought a crushable hat for $36.   Then, Josh and I decided to go to Grand Haven for breakfast and to see the sand castle contest.     We got to the restaurant and there was a 25 minute wait so we had lunch in the other room.  I picked a wet burrito and chicken enchiladas which was too filling for us.   We walked down to the city beach and I walked down to see the sand castles.  Josh waited in the shade by the beach house for me.     The people were working on them so there wasn't a lot to see.   It was a hot day so probably not one of my best ideas but I did make my 10,000 steps for the day.

In the afternoon, Mom and I went to my cousin, Emma Vanzanten's open house.   She invited 250 people.  They had pizza, pasta salad, veggies, strawberries, desserts, popcorn, slurpees, and cotton candy.   They went through 61 pizzas in the first hour.   We got to visit with Ken and Christi Kosheba,  Joe Zellar and his girlfriend, Deanna, Linda Thomas, Marnie,  Wick, and Brandon Carpenter.

Mom and I went shopping at Woodland Mall and then I went back to 

Whitehall.

 

June 17, 2016: Saylor Golf Fundraiser

Today, many of us didn't have to go to work, but worked at the annual Saylor Golf Fundraiser held at Chase Hammomd golf course.   I was a little nervous about what I would do as it was my first one.  I was real happy when I found out I was paired with Jackie Hodges,  who was a good friend of Grandpa Thomas.  She lives down the street from where my Grandpa lived.  We filled bags for the participants and put them on the golf carts. Then,  Dan Stout Jr. drove us to the tee at hole 17.   We got an easy job. 

We got served hot dogs or hamburgers, chips, cookies, and pop for lunch.   Got ice cream mid afternoon and then steak, cheesy potatoes, and green beans for an early dinner.   They had a raffle and I won a beer cooler on wheels filled with tshirts and baseball caps.   I was thrilled to win something.  They gave fold up chairs to those who didn't win anything which was nice.   

We were done around 3 p.m. So I went home and took a short nap.

Then, we went to the Taste of Muskegon.  I was still full from the golf outting so I just got a slice of hummus pizza and a strawberry smoothie.   We met Shari Resnick down there which was nice.

Went to Barnes  and Noble and gave Josh one of the t-shirts and baseball caps I won.  He came over my house and we hung out.  Then, I stayed at his house that night.

June 2, 2016: Kristin Saunder's Birthday

A bunch of us girls went to PT Nails to have pedicures and went out to Sports Page bar on Holton Rd to celebrate Kristin's 41st birthday.   We had a lot of fun together.   I bought her a prayer box from Francesca's.  I thought it would be perfect for her.  Food is cheap at the bar.  

May 30, 2016: The Deck with Josh

I thought it would be nice to take Josh out for lunch so he left it up to me where we would go.  I chose "The Deck" which is a seasonal restaurant out at Pere Marquette.  It was a nice, warm, sunny day so I thought it would work.    I don't think he was excited about being outdoors as his job is outdoors, but I tried.   I just enjoy his company.   Then, we went to Barnes and Noble for a bit.   Overall,  I had a great time spending it with him.