Through Yet Another Year

Subbing sixth grade in Saugatuck.  I have a little break so I thought I would post.  It's a gorgeous and sunny day here in Saugatuck.  Tomorrow starts spring break, so I won't be subbing for a while.  I haven't been able to "sleep in" in over a week.  So, it will be nice to be able to stay in bed a little longer tomorrow morning.

Friedl and I ate at Clearbrook on Tuesday night.  We had the calamari!  Yeah!  We also had creole shrimp with angel hair pasta.  Delicious!  I had my leftovers today for lunch.

I'm looking forward to Easter.  There will be nine of us having Easter dinner together.  Several of us will color eggs next week.  Then on Easter Friedl will hide them.  The rest of us will go Easter egg hunting.  We did that last year and had a blast.  (We were like little kids....at least I was.)

It's odd how I have this new "normal" in my life.  Everything was so new and different when Ray died.  I just hated it.  Now I have new traditions and a new normal.  Easter dinner and egg hunt, Mother's Day with Friedl at Clearbrook, going to the Windmill Restaurant for lunch, Friday nights at Ox-Bow during the summer, on and on.  It's a new life and I'm enjoying it.  I never thought I would say that..."and I'm enjoying it" - but I am.  It's odd to be able to make decisions on my own about my business without going over it with a partner, but it's nice now.  I love running the bed and breakfast, I just hope this year is good enough to get me through yet another year.  -  Jimmy

Too Many Memories

Subbing sixth grade in Saugatuck.  I awoke to a beautiful spring morning.  The temperature was actually above normal, but after weeks of such mild temps, it seemed cold outside.

I have never had any problems with allergies...until this year.  They are terrible!  I've been taking Zyrtec, which helps a lot.  I guess my body is changing as well.

After school today Marguerite and I are going to Big Lots in Holland.  There is a television stand she wants to get and I have built up my rewards card to get 20% off.  Plus, there is some outdoor furniture I may buy with the 20% off.  I do love my Big Lots stores!

Drew is in Chicago.  He had to take care of some personal matters.  So, Friedl and I are "cheating" on him and plan to go to Clearbrook tonight for dinner.  I'm excited.  I haven't been there in a couple months.  Hopefully they will have the calamari on the appetizer menu.  Tomorrow I am going to Lansing, Illinois to pick up Drew (he will be at his friend Karlene's house).  They are both coming back with me.  Karlene is staying until Sunday or Monday I believe.  I haven't seen her in a couple months so it will be nice to see her and spend some time with her too.

I'm gearing up for the summer season.  It's nice to have such good weather during the off season so I am able to get started on the outdoor stuff sooner.  Marguerite's been doing a lot of raking.

I've mentioned the emotions I get when listening to music.  I think this vacation validated my conclusion.  I notice that when I listen to music from "pre Ray's death" I can get very emotional and sad.  The music I listen to that came out after he died does not affect me negatively.  I had my iPod with me on the cruise.  When I laid out by the pool or at the beach I would listen to my iPod.  All the music on there are from songs released prior to Ray's death.  They all make me think of him.  They make me think of specific times in our relationship.  I finally quit listening to my iPod.  I now focus on listening to music from after his death.  This too may change in time, but right now the old music brings back too many memories.

Cheers!  -  Jimmy

Looking Forward To That Too

Well, it's been a while since I have blogged.  I was on a great vacation from March 9th through the 21st.  Usually when I get home there is still a ton of snow and cold weather.  It was actually warmer here in Michigan than in Florida and most of the Caribbean.  I love it.  Absolutely LOVE IT!

Yesterday I got a new back door installed.  The old one was warped, rotted and wouldn't close shut all the way.. nor lock!  This one was custom made (to the tune of $3,000).  It looks great.  When I was a kid I never would have thought I would be so excited about getting a new back door.

I've really been missing Ray lately.  I think it's the spring weather.  This is when we would get all geared up and ready for the summer season.  It's not the same without him, even though this will be my third year without him here.  I missed him terribly on the vacation too.  I had some real sad private moments.  During some of my deep thoughts I realized again just how much in love with him I was.  When we first met and first started dating I was just swept off my feet by him.  Maybe it was my immaturity...that and some true love also.  I guess I'm a little jaded and don't believe that I will ever have anything like that again.  That's OK.

I'm subbing today for sixth grade in Saugatuck.  It's a great day.  It's Friday and summer-like oustide, so the kids are a bit wild.

I had a great article featuring our Titanic Dinner in the Detroit Free Press Yesterday.  Hopefully I'll get future business from it.  The dinner is in just three weeks!  I'm looking forward to that too. - Jimmy

It Sucks Getting Old

The second "Cooking Class Weekend" is over.  Success!!  Great, great, great!  I can now focus on getthing ready for vacation.  I cleaned my office "big time" today, and have to sub for sixth grade in Saugatuck on Thursday, but everything else is focused on getting ready to go away.

My mom is doing well.  She has a very big blood clot in her leg.  The doctors are going back and forth about her medication.  It's so great that "they" caught it.  This is the type of thing that causes a stroke.  It appears (according to the doctors) that they willl be able to treat it.  She was originally thougth to be in the hospital for six days, but may come home tomorrow.

It sucks getting old. - Jimmy

His Birthday

I woke this morning thinking of Ray....honestly.  I was thinking about how much I was attracted to him when I first met him.  I thought...."I'm gonna post on my BLOG that I am in a 'funk' about Ray."  Then, I realized it was his birthday.  OK, maybe a coincidence (spelling?), but WOW. 

Had a GREAT "Welcome Party" tonight for the cooking class this weekend.  Really great.  Even went to dinner with six other guests after the party.  Someone called me today and asked if I was doing anything for Ray's birthday.  I told them the cooking class weekend was the perfect way to celebrate his birthday.

Jimmy 

If You Don't Like Lots of Snow

Been busy the last few days preparing for the weekend's cooking class and next week's cruise.  Drew and I decided to rent tuxedos.  That way I don't have to buy a new shirt and pack the suit, shoes, tie, etc.  Drew didn't have a current suit that worked and it is a LOT cheaper to rent for the week than buy a new suit, shoes, shirt, tie, etc.  This will also give us much more room in our suitcases...and keep the weight down.

My mother was admitted to the hospital this afternoon.  They found a blood clot in her leg.  She is on a IV blood thinner.  Keep her in your prayers and thoughts.  I haven't heard anything from family since she was admitted.

Yesterday was a great day.  The temps were in the 60's and it was sunny.  Drew and I took a walk down to the lake.  No snow here.  It's been a great winter, if you don't like lots of snow. - Jim