Christmas at Crossroads

How many lights are on this tree?

Had a great time getting into the Christmas spirit this weekend. Bill and I spent an evening at Crossroads village. We road the Huckleberry Railroad, had hot chocolate and cookies, and walked the streets of the village checking out the lights and the old buildings. It was a cold and crisp evening very worth it and tons of fun.

Bill and I with a baby reindeer

Peeking around the brightest tree ever

Me and the Grinch

Love the old outhouse

It's been Awhile!

Well, it has been almost a month since my last blog and a lot has been happening. Grad school has been an unbelievable stress this semester. For one class the bulk of my grade is based on just 1 paper. I have been working diligently to finish it...I have spent many hours in the library and online doing governmental research (not very much fun).

I have also had some health issues arise. I have been diagnosed with endometriosis and fibrosis. I am scheduled for surgery the day after Thanksgiving so the doctor can see exactly how bad it is. It is an outpatient procedure, but I will be out of commission for a couple days. This is nothing life threatening or by any means terminal... but, it can really effect my quality of life! Doing this procedure will determine the next step . My doctor says he can fix me and that's what I am hoping for!

Halloween Happenings

Went to the local watering hole to enjoy some Halloween fun. I didn't dress up, but I had a great time being around some great friends and looking at all the unique costumes. Here ar some pictures from the evening.

A slighly larger version of Sherlock Holmes

The Joker

This is the weirdest costume of the evening...Really didn't need to see this

Bill and David

The Priest and the Devil having a beer together

Paula, Daryl and some random guy that popped into the picture

Grace the Flapper

Lisa the Military Girl

Linda and Art

Bill and I

Paula, Kid Rock, Paula

Avatar...she was actually airbrushed

Scarecrow

Color in the Kitchen

For years my house has been shrouded with white walls. Well, I am slowly changing things to add a little more pizazz to the house and my life. I have completed the first step by adding color to the kitchen. I love it. Here are some of the before and after pictures.The color looks more pink in the pictures, but it is actually a darker Terra Cotta color.

The dining area...white of course!

In the process

The lower wall is painted now time to tackle above the cabinets

The dining area with color

Above the cabinets...no more plain white!

The rest of the wall is going to be another color to blend in with the rest of the living space.

Notice the cool Ikea wine rack!

The finished product!

This one is just to show of my wonderful Ikea finds

The bar above the stove and my spice jars to the left

Jeff Daniels: 'Grandfather's Hat'

Here is video one of the songs that Jeff sang the night I saw him. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

An Evening with Jeff Daniels

Went and saw Jeff Daniels at The Whiting on October 8. It was a really great show! He was quite funny and I was impressed on the way he could play the guitar. After the show I had a chance to meet him. He is a pretty down home Michigan man. He is super tall and I loved that he dressed up for the show....a flannel shirt and blue jeans...now that is Pure Michigan!

Wendi, Jeff Daniels, and a friend of Wendi's

Jeff Daniels mixing backstage with the fans

Bill and the ever so tall Jeff Daniels trying to crouch down to my level

Happy Anniversay

My mom and dad have cause for celebration today. Today is their 46Th anniversary. They have been wonderful parents and friends throughout my life. Through their years together they have had five children and they now have nine grand children ranging from the ages of 20 to just a few months. They have given each one their children undying devotion, love and support. They have helped keep the family together even though we are miles apart. I think I speak for everyone when I say you are both deeply loved and cherished by everyone.

Rave #1

An old friend has reminded over the past few days how wonderful it was back then. I have a lot of great memories from my past and I recall very few bad times. My friends, along with my parents and family, have been the standing foundation in my life. They all have a special place in my heart that cannot be replaced. I may have made some bad decisions in my life, but they have all stood behind me 100%. You are the people I cherish most in my life. Whether you live far away or are just minutes from me I want you all to know that I love and adore you. Thanks for all the good times; the memories we have built together have never been forgotten.

Rant #1

My arch enemy! I hate these machines and they hate me equally in return. Why is that when you go to return bottles half the machines don't work and the other half are making that annoying beeping noise? Today, I had the lovely experience of strategically placing my bottles and cans in the UPS bar code up position because the silly machine wouldn't rotate the can. What was supposed to be a five minute task turned into 15 minutes of annoyance. Remember the good old day when you took your can to the service desk....someone counted them out for you...and all was good with the world. Sometimes technology can be a serious pain in the a**. I say bring back the people and rid the world of these machines. It would definitely make my shopping experience a little better.

Chapter 1

You should all probably know by now, that I am at the beginning of a new chapter in my life. Being single again at my age has not been as difficult as I once imagined. I have recovered some very long lost friends and I am making new ones everyday.

I lost myself when I was married. I lived for my husband and set aside my own needs. As I reflect back I realize that I always had that pattern. I become so consumed with someone that I forgot who I was and the rest of the world falls to the waist side. Well, no more....it's time to break the pattern. I am living for me!! I have wonderful friends that have shown me the person I once was....The fun-loving, spirited woman who laughed everyday and enjoyed the little things in life. Well, believe it or not I have been laughing.

People are shocked at how calm and serene I have been over the past few weeks. Yes, I didn't think that my marriage would ever break up and yes, I was bitter; but if I keep holding on to the past I will never be able to start my future. So, this is how I look at it...I met a man, I fell in love, and it just didn't work out...Its not the first time it ever happened. My mother reminded of the person I was before my marriage and I realized that this is the person I like best. So, here I am...living as I choose....making decisions for me...and seeing hope for a wonderful future.

Hello

Hello everyone and welcome to my new blog. This blog will be used for my rants, raves and crazy adventures. Thanks for coming along for the ride.