Straight No Chaser

Tonight, Bobby and I were lucky enough to see Straight No Chaser at The Morris. These guys were AMAZING!! They are a group of guys (www.sncmusic.com) from IU Bloomington, who preform a wide variety of music A Cappella. They are fantastic! Their show is a must see if they are in town!

Sent from my iPhone

There's Just Something About A Fall Night

After another wonderful dinner at our favorite Three Rivers restaurant, Paisano's, Bobby and I came back to the cottage for a relaxing bonfire. As I walked out to hang up our towels, I took a few minutes to take in the lake at one of it's most peaceful times.

As I looked through the trees above, it looked like I could see almost every star in the clear night sky. The lake was calm, reflecting like glass the house lights from the other side of the lake with the occasional light from a rotating lighthouse across the way. The air was cool- crisp, reminding me that summer has gone and fall is here to stay. The buzzing insects also welcomed the fall with their chirps and noises, drowned out for a brief moment by the howls of a nearby coyote pack. A large, low half-moon appeared just over the trees, deceiving, almost like it was close enough to touch.

All too often we go through life without appreciating the beauty around us. I am thankful I have a place where I can stop to enjoy life- a place where I have peace. I am so thankful that my grandparents found this place so many years ago, and that my parents allow us to use it as much as we do. I appreciate the hard work and sacrifices that have been made so that we can take time here- thank you.

Sent from my iPhone

Nine Years Later

It's hard to believe that a single event can have so much impact on our daily lives and how when something like that happens, every detail can be remembered. When I look back at September 11, 2001, I feel like I am remembering frames from a movie, not my life. I remember the emotions of that day: astonishment, anger, fear, sorrow, pride and the feeling that I needed to help in any way I could.

I woke up that morning and went to the Miller's to babysit since I didn't have classes that day. The baby was still asleep and I had dozed off on the couch when my mom called my cell phone. She asked if I was watching TV. No, I responded. After I turned it on, I just sat there in disbelief. Was this some joke, like a modern day "War of the Worlds" broadcast that had caused so much panic decades ago? No, this was reality. We just sat on the phone together in disbelief, neither of us needed to speak. We both understood the tragedy that we were watching unfold before us.

I watched the newscasters replay the video if the first plane as it flew into the first tower. Then, in astonishment, the world watched as the second plane flew into the other tower. How could this be happening to us- to US?!

As the world was watching the smoke and flames, the cameras were filled with crying, screaming people running for their lives in a dusty, hazy New York City. An unimaginable panic filled those surrounded by the terror that day. As the brave members of FDNY were entering the towers to usher people to safety, they had to dodge panic stricken people who chose to risk jumping from such great heights rather than deal with the flames, smoke and unearthly hot temperatures of the burning jet fuel.

I watched as the first, then second towers fell. In disbelief I sat on the floor in the living room and cried. I cried for the families, for the victims, for myself- because I knew that the world as I had known it would be forever changed, war would be inevitable.

By the end of the day, two more planes had crashed. One into the Pentagon, the other in a field in Pennsylvania. The brave passengers, knowing their fate, decided that they would not go quietly and attempted to overtake the hijackers. They unknowingly saved hundreds, possibly thousands, of lives. Heroes.

When I think of that day, I still find it hard to believe that it happened. It feels like a dream- I wish it was. Thousands of people died, families forever changed because of the hatred of an organization that desired to see the demise of the United States and all her people.

Soon, the media pulled the footage of the plane crashes off of the television. Our soldiers went to war to defend our honor and initially received the support of all Americans. Soon, people forgot and our soldiers, still fighting for us, were drawn into the middle of a political game and have since received the brunt of Americans anger toward the situation.

America lost some of her innocence that day. It is something that we can never get back, but it is our duty to remember those that were killed in that violent terror attacks on American soil and those that have died protecting our freedoms since then. Never forget. Never forget. Never forget. God Bless America.

Thank Goodness for the Mishawaka Police!

Thank Goodness for Mishawaka Police!

About 4 years ago someone tried to break into my house while I was home, sometime after midnight. For a long time I was scared to be home alone- until Bobby.

Tonight, after he had gone to bed I was sitting at the table in the dining room- doing what you might ask?- FACEBOOK. Well suddenly I heard the screeching noise of the screen door on the back door opening. Oh My Goodness! To say I was scared would be an understatement. I ran into the bedroom, flung myself on the bed and scared the crap out of Bobby, waking him up out of a dead sleep. And to wake up to that- he didn't know what was going on and I couldn't form the words to tell him.

He got up and had to tell me to call the police. Then I couldn't find the phone- are you getting how much of a mess I was? Crazy! So the fine officers of the Mishawaka police dept came out and they were here quickly. They didn't find anything except that the door wasn't latched. So now I'm here in bed, still jacked up, trying to calm down and listening to Bobby snore. Urgh! I wish I could sleep.

I Will Take Two Tylenol and a Heating Pad Please

This 4-day we ended up at the lake working on the cottage... again. No, it is still not done. Our vacation project has turned into the most drawn out event- I can't wait for it to be done so we can enjoy the place again. And after a day of up and down the ladder and painting, I am going to need the Tylenol and heating pad so I'm not sore tomorrow. So as promised, here are some pics of our project so far. We still have plenty to do but it is coming along nicely, if I do say so myself. I can't wait for dad to see it when he comes back from Canada.


So, here is the before. We had already power washed the front- that's why there is some paint missing.


And this is what it looks like now (at least the back):

Bobby did a great job painting and replacing a lot of rotten boards- I mean A LOT! Then today he put down the rock in the back and put up the new shutters- they look GREAT! We still have some painting to do and more rock to put down but I think it looks great so far! We are excited about the progress but ready to be done!

On a sad note: This summer I began feeding the birds at the lake. I had about 8 feeders around the cottage and Bobby finally put up mom's Martin house- a little late in the season to get Martins but we did have some Sparrows nest in it. When we got up to the lake on Wednesday, I filled my feeders like I always do. But apparently the time has come and most of my birds have flown away. Bobby and I noticed a few weeks ago that we didn't see any Blue Herons and the arrival of the Sea Gulls always notes the end of summer- and they're here, landing on the raft with their dinners and leaving a huge mess! It seems a bit early in the season for the birds to leave the area but, maybe they know something we don't. I wonder if this means we are going to have an early winter or a cold/snowy one. Just have to wait and see. I really miss seeing my birds this weekend and I know the cats we disappointed too. So now I am on a mission to make my "aviary" (as Pam calls it) better next year.

Also this morning another first- Bobby and I saw a juvenile Muskie under the pier. This is a hybrid fish that is stocked in the lake. It was about 8 inches long, brown with spotted fins and more square than a bass. This is interesting because it was thought that the only ones left in the lake were between 45-60 inches long- yep, no joke. It's a big fish. Someone must have stocked the lake recently since this fish does not breed and this one is the smallest I have ever seen. - At least I thought it was neat.

So back to work we go. I got a text from one of the other Medic 12 lieutenants letting me know our brand NEW truck was in service. However, during a call this morning, someone went to move the truck and didn't realize the side door was open- BIG SCRATCH! At least I wasn't driving, considering my reputation for wrecking trucks!

3 Years Since the First Beer

Today is the 3rd anniversary of the first beer Bobby and I shared together. Wednesday, August 1, 2007, while I was on my way home from mowing the yard at the lake, Bobby called me to talk and we decided to meet up at Mr. G's Bar in Osceola. We sat and talked for a few hours, drinking beer, talking and eating Tootsie Rolls. It was truly the beginning of our relationship, even if we were just friends. I remember that when we said we were going to leave we stood at the back of my Pontiac and continued talking. I think we stood there for another hour, just not ready to say goodbye. I made a promise that evening that when I came back from my dive trip to Canada that I would take him out for his birthday. Unfortunately, I forgot when I returned and never did call him to go out out and celebrate, but I think I made up for it when I called him a few nights later to go to Giannetto's, which has become one of our favorite places to eat.

August is a special month for us. Our beers, the Perseide shower on the 12th at Lake Michigan and Mojito night (ask me sometime why I can't drink them anymore- Yuck!) are all memorable events that happened in our relationship. It's funny how a single event can change our entire lives. Love is something that happens when you are not looking for it. And I will never say this again, but, I'm glad Bobby didn't listen to my advice 3 years ago. If he had, our lives would be completely different and I can't imagine my life without him.

What Happened to July???

It's hard to believe that August is here! Where has the time gone? I feel like it should still be 2009 and here we are in August 2010. The spring/summer always go so fast. Seems like we dread the snow and the cold, which seem to linger, but the summer just slips away.

After we were in the emergency room with Bobby's toe injury, he was off work for a round (3 days no work), lucky him. Then we were both on vacation for 13 days (one of the several perks to our schedule- take off 3 work days and get 13 days off).

we had planned to spend the vacation at the lake painting the cottage. I know, it really doesn't sound like much fun but we were both really excited to do something different to the cottage. We decided (with the ok of my parents) to paint the cottage yellow with white trim and red shutters. (I will post pics soon) It is VERY cute (even though it's not done). Oh yeah, nothing seemed to go right. The power washer didn't take off as much old stuff as planned so we had to scrape A LOT. Then we found several trim boards that were rotten. So those had to come off and be replaced. And I can't forget the high humidity and several days of rain, so we had to wait for the house to dry before we could paint.

Once we started painting it went really quickly. We bought a paint sprayer and it was AMAZING!!! Anyway, the house is really cute and not white any more (it has been white for as long as I can remember).

Oh, and then there was the other emergency room visit to Three Rivers ER because Bobby was having problems with his right leg- broken toe leg. I was worried and made him get it checked. I think I am going to write a book about Michiana ER's, eh, maybe it will just be a picture book.

On a sad note, today we attended a funeral of a longtime family friend of both our families. John was a great man who was caring and always had a joke to tell. He will be greatly missed.

p.s. This was the first lunchon/wake that I have attended that had an open bar. He would have loved it.

Update on the Toe

Bobby went to the doctor this morning and was told that his 4th toe on his right foot has a spiral fracture and for the next 10 days he has to wear his shoe. At least we start our vacation in a few days so he will only miss a few days work. We have a wedding to go to this weekend so I am interested to see if he wears his shoe or not. I have a feeling that if he doesn't wear it and tries to pull off a normal shoe, he will cause more damage to his foot.

A Weekend of Injuries

This 4-day was one to remember, full of a variety of injuries that created an exciting 4-day which turned into an unofficial 5 day. Wednesday after work Bobby and I went up to the lake to spend the hot days relaxing in the water with anticipation that we would return to town on Thursday for a pain management appointment for my neck. Thursday morning I awoke with a horrible, take-your breath-away pain in my chest. The best way to describe it would be that it felt like my chest/ribs needed to be adjusted and as long as I didn't move or breathe, I was not in any pain. My appointment provided a little relief but it quickly returned when I dove into the water on Friday. Bobby had to swim over to me and actually help me to the boat because I was in so much pain.

Later that night while Casey, Phil, Bobby and I were playing a game, Bobby got up to get another beer and stubbed his toe on the chair. Now, to many this may not sound like a big deal, however he was in A LOT of pain- A LOT!

Saturday we had taken Casey and Phil tubing and Casey fell off, cutting her nose on some part of the tube. Well, that was the end of that for the day. When we returned to the lake house, I walked into the house to find my dad sitting at the table looking very uncomfortable. When I asked what was wrong he said he felt dizzy, lightheaded and just didn't feel well. I took his pulse, which was abnormally irregular, and then his blood pressure, which was low. I advised him, in my paramedic voice, that I felt he should go to the ER because this was not normal for him. (My dad is a pretty healthy guy and never admits when he is not feeling well.)

After a few hours his pulse was still irregular and his blood pressure was still low and I finally convinced him to go to the hospital. And at this point Bobby decided he should go too since he couldn't walk anymore. We drove back to the hospital in Mishawaka (there was no convincing either of them to go to the one in town) and, dad went to room 11 while Bobby went to room 8. Talk about a circus going from room to room.

The doctor saw dad right away and he was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation. He was sedated with Diprivan and Cardioverted (more or less shocked with a defibrillator) at 100 joules. His rhythm was converted and when he woke he said he felt much better. They sent him home that night and he still says he feels great.

Bobby on the other hand was diagnosed with a broken toe, it may not sound like a big deal, but he will be off work for a few days and has an appointment with the foot doctor tomorrow.

So, Casey's nose stopped bleeding, dads heart is back to normal, Bobby is limping around in a soft cast/boot and I am still having my goofy chest pain. I called in sick to work yesterday because I still had very limited motion- for the most part I have pain any time I move. However I had forgotten that I promised to work for someone today so I had to come in for the first 14 and then back again tomorrow. Hopefully I will be feeling better and able to move/breathe without being in pain.

Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July to all! Today, Bobby and I have to work so everyone be safe and smart today! I don't want to pick up any fingers or go on an accident because bad decisions were made.

So here is a quick history lesson (from the history major in me): April 19, 1775, the day after Paul Revere's ride, alerting Lexington that "the British are coming!" war between the colonies began against Great Britain. After years of taxation without representation the colonists were tired of being ruled by someone that didn't understand their circumstances and didn't want to listen.

On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress approved the Declaration of Independence, drafted by five of its members, including Thomas Jefferson. Boys, and men, were quick to sign up to fight against Britain throughout the colonies. Many signed up for the excitement of the fight, some for the thought of travel and seeing other parts of the country and some because they believed in the cries of freedom.

My 7th-great-grandfather, Zaccheus Salyer, was one of the many boys that decided to join in the fight. He and many others mustered in New York to aid the other Americans against Great Britain. He survived the war and later married Elizabeth Doan(Doane) and they had 13 children.

I am very proud to know that I am a descendant of someone that fought for our independence. I know that many men were not as lucky as Zaccheus and gave their lives for the cause of freedom. America is a great country and we are very fortunate to live in a place like this. As we celebrate today with food and fireworks, we should all take a minute to remember those that have given everything to obtain and protect our liberties. God Bless America!