Monday, July 25, 2011

time seems to have gotten away from me...

WOW!   I can't believe my last post was so long ago!
So.... what have I been up too, you ask?
Between summer being full of just plain crazy business,
I was also without a computer because our router decided to say "so long".
I could use Duane's when he wasn't busy on it, but I could not make a post because
I only know how to upload the camera to mine.

Grand Haven

 
So hang on to your seats, this is going to be a long catching up post!

Last weekend we went to our favorite beach.
We love it because it is only about an hour away so we can go there without much planning.



o..k., forgive me for the excessive pics of this ADORABLE stackable snack container,
but when I found it for $1.00 at a yard sale down the street from me I just couldn't
wait to use it for picnicing at the beach!
It's first order of business?  
Carting fresh berries to the beach...


to fill this belly!



and these bellys!
My kids hated that I wore the hat, but I figure I have enough wrinkles as it is,
and so a day of humiliation for them is a small price to pay!



We were actually further down the beach where the sea of humanity wasn't so crowded.
We tried to take a walk down to the pier but it was too crazy down there.

ALSO...
Duane and I celebrated our 25th anniversary last week,
...this is our story;

We met at the restaurant where we both worked,
him as a manager and myself as a waitress and bartender. 
Duane asked me out many times
but I was kind of sick of dating and really didn't want to date someone that I worked with. 
 Have I ever told you how persistent he is?
I agreed to ONE date and 18 DAYS later he asked me to marry him and I said YES!
We were married 6 months later, and although it hasn't always been easy,
it has been a wonderful journey.
A journey that I would not want to be on with anyone else.
(and they said it wouldn't last.)
really, they did., in fact I'm pretty sure there was a betting pool going on.
anyway...
 to celebrate, we turned right around on Tuesday,
and headed back to the beach for a wonderful walk on the pier,
a bean burger for me and a real carnevor burger for him.


I know, I got a nice little farmer tan/burn going from the weekend excursion.  I had to put a shirt on after only being there a little while because I burn way toooooo easy.

here are some of the highlights of the night...


We bought a sky lantern to light to celebrate US.

I was so excited to light the lantern.  If you have not seen these at your local fireworks, they are beautiful.
They float so peacefully in the air that they are perfect for celebrations.


We had  a bit of trouble lighting ours though,
first ~ we only had matches
 we will bring a long grill lighter next time.

We thought the beach was perfect for it, I still do, but it can't be too windy.
it was too windy.


see the burn hole on the bottom right? not good.
the 'flame retardant' paper caught fire when the wind sucked the air out of the balloon.
This is as high as it flew.
We bought two, and will try this again soon.
There were some very nice helpful people at the beach.
One man helped block the wind with his towel,
and there was a group of kids in their 20's watching in anticipation of the launch
 and one of the girls took pictures for us.



the night sky just kept getting more beautiful.



I just have to share this with you.
As we were walking back toward the car
We heard the best, happiest laughter and
we came across this couple, I'm guessing in their 60's
who went into the lake with their dress clothes on.
Their dress shoes were on the beach, then we spotted him in his dress pants and shirt
and her in her fancy dress going out to the buoy.
I loved their spirit and had to snap a few shots of them!
I swear if we didn't have an hour drive home or had an extra set of clothes
I would have joined the party!


last shot of the night.
I have to tell you, these shots were not 'doctored' this is really what the sky looked like that night!

Duane was a bit down that we weren't able to do something huge to celebrate
our 25 years together but I have to tell you,
this was one of our best dates yet.

As I get older I relish the simple things even more and am returning to my
'wanna be hippy' roots. 

Going to dinner, enjoying a good burger and a beer, walking the pier,
lighting a lantern, laughing at ourselves, and holding hands while we walk the beach,
was the perfect way to celebrate US.

This has been a long post, I know, if you stuck it out until the end ~ Thank you!
Next time I will show you what else has been going on around here.

Here's a preview :



I thought I would take you on one of our rivertrail walks...

plus, of course a project or two!
so tell me what have you been up to?
inquiring minds want to know!
See you soon!

love,
Theresa xoxo

12 comments:

  1. I love on the Eastern Shore- in Cambrige, Maryland. The town is currently reconstructing a light house that will be seen crossing the bridge into our little coastal town.

    Nice blog!

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  2. You know, I just was thinking the same thing today. Where has all the time gone? I had such grandiose plans for the summer with projects to get done and nothing is done! I just love love love the pic of you and Hannah! I wish I looked as good as you! The hat just fits you. I like it. Love the pics of you and Duane too. You guys are such a cute couple. Happy Anniversary to you and many more! You are kinda like me and Jeff, except I was a waittress and he was a customer. The sunsets here in Michigan lately have been just gorgeous. I am always out on the back patio looking at them. I can't wait to see what else you have been up to!

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  3. What a wonderful way to spend an anniversary, lovely pictures. so glad it was a great day!
    xoxo Debra

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  4. Hi Theresa
    I loved this post sooo much it tugged my heart strings. Happy Anniversary to you both, ours is the 26th so I will be celebrating as well. Much love to you and your sweet family

    xoxo
    Kate

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  5. Welcome back!! We've missed you! Happiest of anniversaries to you and your hubby, Sweet Theresa!! Funny..."our" story is very similar to yours....I was a cocktail waitress/bartender and my hubby was building a bowling alley across the street and came in as a customer. He kept asking me out and I kept saying no - "I don't date customers." He finally wore me down and I said "once won't hurt...." And within a couple of months he asked me to marry him. I was coming off a bad relationship and declined; some years passed (and a long break-up in-between), but guess where I ended up??!! Gorgeous photos - each and every one...Love you and your hat - and your beautiful daughter with her wonderful freckles!!! Have a great week! Smiles & Hugs ~ Robin

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  6. Oh Theresa,
    I love all of the photos, especially the ones of you and the family! And I adore the older couple throwing caution to the wind and jumping in the water with their clothes on, I want to have that carefree spirit someday!
    Happy,Happy anniversary!!! I thought I was the only one who met my husband and a couple of weeks later got engaged. We met and married 3 1/2 months later and that was 18 years ago next month! See, we are proof that a brief courtship can lead to a happy and long marriage.
    Congratulations!!
    Have a beautiful night.
    Sincerely,
    Melinda

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  7. Hey there! Happy anniversary! Sounds like you had the perfect celebration. We miss Grand Haven this year. Did you get that bean burger at Snug Harbor and Bell's beer with orange slice? One of my favorite places to visit when we are there. I've actually not seen those sky lanterns there before. Pretty cool! Have a great week. Tammy

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  8. What a wonderful anniversary! I love the last photo of the night sky! I'm with you on the hippy roots! I would much rather be outside in a quite place than some noisy restaurant to celebrate my anniversary! You guys look so great together! Awh! Thanks for sharing your anniversary with us! Happy 25th!
    tot

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  9. Oh yeah! And the older couple you mentioned! Priceless!
    tot

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  10. SO much to catch up on! & I LOVE your love story! How romantic! I thought Kel & I were fast..3 months before a proposal...but you guys got us beat! I can't imagine what your family thought & said!!! I gotta know :)

    That beach trip looks like so much fun! You can work any old hat you want to girl! you always look good!!!

    I didn't even know you could buy those lanterns! I am going to have to look for one! across the river of course where I can get the real goods :) MN only has the baby stuff :) But I get out...I will have to get my hands on one & get to our little beach!

    Oh that couple in the water...wish I had seen it :) That is living :)

    P.S. I really need to see one of Hannah's flamingos...and I really need Hannah to be my friend! :) Love that girl! & oh yeah...I love that you got to watch a movie with Cam! As a momma...I totally get it! :) My boys are squealing right now...oh... I just heard Bo say sorry :) gotta love 'em :)

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  11. Oh Theresa another beautiful Love Story!! Thanks so much for sharing!!! XO Fran.

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  12. I just discovered your blog and I'm loving it. Happy Anniversary! You spent it at a wonderful place, which happens to be only 35 minutes from where I live. My 4 month old grandson, Corbin, and his mom and dad, of course, live in Grand Haven. We're all working on my husband to consider moving there. I just started up my own blog last month, so check it out if you get a chance.

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Thank you so much for visiting me here at The Old White House, your comments make my day! ~ Theresa xoxo