June 27, 2014: Rockford, The Deck, and Movies at the Beach

 

I took the day off so we could go meet up with Betty and John Westra at the Arnie's Restaurant in downtown Rockford, which is northeast of Grand Rapids.    We had a nice lunch at Arnie's and then Betty, Mom, and I went shopping in the downtown area.  We stopped in this glass shop and went upstairs to where the glass making classes take place.  That was quite interesting.  I didn't realize they first make a pattern, then melt the glass into that pattern.   It sounds like it takes several months to finish a project.    We got some nice jewelry at the Women at Risk store.    We also took a nice walk on the waterfront which was nice.

We wanted to go to the Hush Puppy Store, so headed over there.  I parked the car and tried to get the key out of the ignition, but it wouldn't come out.  I kept trying everything, but nothing worked, so we skipped the store and headed to Betty's house.  Her husband tried to get my key out, too, but he couldn't get it out either.   So, my Mom and I went to the Honda dealership and would you know it, the service person got the key out right away.   What happened is that the cord from my GPS was hanging down right where you put the car in park, which prevented the stick to fully go into park, which in turn locked the key in the ignition.  Can you believe how easy that was to fix?  We thought that was so funny.    We hurried back to Muskegon as we had a dinner date with Shari Resnick and Sue Arnouts.

I had been waiting for about a year for the new restaurant to open at Pere Marquette State Park.   Since April, I have tried to drive down by the lake to see the construction progress of the new restaurant.  The old Captain Jack restaurant on the beach was bought by Harris Hospitality.    The new restaurant, called 'The Deck' opened a couple of days ago.    

Sue Arnouts and Shari Resnick met us at "The Deck" for dinner.  It was a nice sunny day. Mom and I split a chicken salad which was very good.   

Shari didn't want to see the movie on the beach, so she went home.  Kay, Karen, Drew, Sue, my Mom, and I sat down on the beach and watched the movie 'Ghostbusters'.     Each year, they make improvements on the movie screen which makes it nice.    

June 21, 2014: Becky Ruger Stowe's Housewarming

My friend, Becky, whom I met through my friend Molly Piersma King, got remarried on February 14th this year and bought a historical home in downtown Allegan.    Her husband, John, decided to have a housewarming/birthday party for Becky. 

My Mom and I drove to Allegan to see Becky and her new home.  Earlier in the week, Becky adoped a cute little dog from the dog pound. He has one brown eye and one blue eye.  He is so adorable.  Becky's mom was there, too.   Her dad was at the hospital getting his dialysis treatment so he wasn't able to come.

Becky gave us a tour of the house, which has about 4 bedrooms.    It is a cute house, but will require some work such as tearing down the wallpaper, painting, and new flooring.  

It was really nice to see Becky again, as I hadn't seen her since her bridal shower at Molly's house.   Becky call's me her 'fun friend' as I am always on the go and doing fun things.

June 14, 2014: Devon VanZanten's High School Open House / 2013 Honda Civic

Back in February and March, I started to get my anxiety back due to the polar vortex, the lack of sunlight, my financial stress, etc.   I got on a new medication, we sold both our cars for a 2013 Honda Civic to share, and cut back on other expenses.   It was hard to give up my Honda CRV, but I knew I couldn't afford the payments at that time.   A few weeks ago, I saw this 2 door black 2013 Honda Civic on the lot and we asked for a quote.   The quote we got was $16,500.   I really wanted my own car again and even tried to work out a deal with my mom, but she said no.

Well, last night, Mom was thinking again about the car situation, as she was the one who didn't have a car during the day, as I was driving our 1 car to work.    She said we should go back to the dealership and see if that car was still there, so we went last night.   Sure enough, the car was still in the lot.    I secretly was hoping I could get the car, but new that financially, I wouldn't be able to do it again.

Mom decided that she would co-sign for the car for me, as long as I made the payments. She also gave me part of my early inheritance to pay off the credit card bills from our move into the condo.  This was the only way I could afford a car payment again.   I was thrilled to get a car again.    I haven't had a 2 door car since high school, but this car was a great deal ($3000 off blue book).   I always wanted a black car, so I was getting that too.     

So, we spent the morning at the dealership getting the car, and then hurried home to get ready for my cousin, Kelsey's son, Devon's, open house.   I still can't believe he is 18 years old and graduated high school.   He will be attending Central Michigan University in the fall.  College now costs about $20,000 a year, so Devon is responsible for half.  I can't believe college is so expensive these days. How are kids supposed to pay for that, a car, housing, food, etc?

We drove my new car to Kelsey's house.   It was nice to chat with our relatives, Christi, Larry, Pam, Charlene, Steve,  Kelsey, Matt, Emma, and Devon.
They did a great job with the party. They had the food in their garage and the tables and chairs in the driveway.   They served chili dogs, pasta salad, chips, etc.  They had a snow cone machine, cotton candy, and a candy table with all of Devon's favorite candies.      

Christi said she and Ken were moving to a home on Bear Lake Rd, so she was excited about that. She is also working on her master's degree from Cornerstone University.

Overall, this was a fantastic day.

June 8, 2014: Kenny Kibbey's High School Open House

 

 

This must be the year for graduations, as I have Brittanie, Kenny's, and Devon's parties.    Kenny Kibbey is the son of one of my friends, Kathryn, whom I used to work with at the health department.  Kathryn is now working at the Juvenile Transition Center.     About 8 years ago, I used to hang out more with Kathryn and Kenny.   I had them for Maggie's birthday parties, went to their camp site in the summer, and to Summer Celebration.  In past years, we both have been busier, so haven't been able to get together.

Kenny graduate near the top of his class at Reeths Puffer High School.  He will be going to Muskegon Community College in the fall.  He already got a nice internship at a shop in town.   

It was nice to see Kathryn and Kenny again. I am very proud of him.

June 7, 2014: National Asparagus Festival

Mom and I had been wanting to go back to the asparagus festival for several years, but there would always be something else going on that weekend.  Well, we had this weekend free, so decided to check it out.  I asked my friend Rhonda Collins if she would like to go with us and she said yes.

We got to Hart, MI around 9 am and waiting for the first activity which was a visit on an asparagus farm.    It was free to take the school bus up to the farm and learn about how an asparagus farm operates.   I learned that it takes 3 years from the time the asparagus plant is planted to when it is ready to be harvested.     The harvest season ends in mid June.     This tour was very interesting and such a nice addition to the festival.  

I got to pick asparagus and eat it right away. I was surprised that it had a sweet taste to it.

After our farm tour, we went to sample some foods made with asparagus.   It cost us $5.  All of the samples were delicious.    We kept going back for more samples.

We walked around the small art fair and bought some bracelets made in Uganda.   They matched our necklaces we bought at another art fair in Newaygo.

We watched the parade and acted like little kids running after the candy that was thrown out into the crowd.  I even caught at t-shirt that was thrown my way.  That was a nice surprise.
Rhonda and I truly act like kids when we see candy.  She said she usually sits next to kids at the parades, as she can get some of the candy; otherwise, no one throws it at adults.

We went to the chicken dinner at the Methodist church.  It was good, but not like the dinners we remember where many of the items had asparagus in them.

Took Rhonda around Silver Lake and walked up the large sand dune.  She said she had never been to Silver Lake which surprised me.   Of course, we had to stop at Cherry Pointe Market and get some blueberry streudel.  I was disappointed that they didn't have the cherry donuts.  They don't start production on those donuts until later in the season.

It truly was a wonderful day up in Hart and in Silver Lake. We are very lucky to have these places to visit in the summer.