Ready For The Season

OK, crummy day today...weatherwise.  It was in the 50's....actually comfortable but cloudy and rainy.  Got some stuff done today, but not tons.  Couldn't do any outdoor work. 

I was listening to an interview on NPR today.  It was with Sissy Spacek (spelling) on "Fresh Air."  She spoke about the loss of her brother in 1967 to lukemia.  Her commentary on how his loss changed her life was so compelling to me.  I want to write about that tomorrow.  I just need to get my thoughts together on that. 

I'm watching "Diners, Drive Ins and Dives."  I just LOVE this show.  Just watching the food being prepared makes me hungry.  I've been to a few of these places in Chicago.  It's "real food" like the food I love at the Windmill Restaurant in downtown Holland.  When you're here you have to go there.  It is a diner with great food. 

Drew is going to the Detroit area tomorrow to spend some time with his siblings.  I should get some outdoor stuff done this week as it is supposed to be in the 80's this week!  I'm ready for the season to begin. - Jimmy

Good Exercise For Me.

Well, I got up this morning and made breakfast for my guests.  I made a new dish this morning.  It's called "Spaghetti Pie."  I found it in a book titled "Entertaining with the Sopranos."  I've been wanting to make it for a few years now and I guess this morning was the morning.  Rave reviews from guests.  You can play around with the recipe too...add spinach or substitute one of the meat ingredients with bacon.  Click here for the recipe.  I should have taken a picture of it like Marguerite does. 

Today was the first "Allegan Antique Flea Market" of the season.  It runs the last Sunday of every month from April to September.  Drew and I went to it today.  When we got there it didn't seem like it could have been seven months since being there.  It felt like only a couple!  The only things I got were four water glasses that match the ones in my guest rooms.  I have to keep stock on those becuase they are always breaking one way or another.

After we got home I decided to take a nap.  I was tired...the early breakfast, clean up and walking the fair grounds.  I should never have done that.  I fell "mostly" asleep for two hours.  When I woke up I felt like a zombie.  I used to do that when I worked in Detroit.  I would come home from work after a busy day and rush hour traffic.  I would tell myself I'm going to lay down for just 20 minutes.  An hour and a half later I would wake up and not know what day it was.  Then I felt like total crap the rest of the evening. 

It finally warmed up today after a few weeks of extreme cold temperatures.  It's in the low 60's right now.  Very comfortable.  I'm sitting on the front porch, Moscow is laying about five feet from me.  She's getting to be an old girl, but she still loves going outside and checking on her domaine.  I'm hoping to get some outdoor projects done this week.  Painting, hammering, patching, fixing, and lawn work.  If nothing else it should be good exercise for me. - Jimmy 

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I'm subbing for sixth grade today in Saugatuck.  It's an absolutely beautiful spring day.  The sun is shining, the trees are popping new green growth, lawns are freshly cut.  I'm looking forward to a nice sit on the front porch this evening when I get home.

Yesterday Drew and I did a ton of yardwork.  Raked leaves, cut the lawn, cut old branches off trees and shrubs, etc.  The yard is looking very nice.  I need to get some painting done outside too.  Maybe if it gets warm and doesn't rain this weekend I can do some of that.  It always seems like I have a ton of time than BAM - it's the peak of summer.

I've got a great special going on now for the month of August.  It's my "Flash Sale" - only 72 hours, so it ends on Sunday the 29th of April at 2:00 p.m.  Check it out if you want a great deal on a great stay.  Go to www.kirbyhouse.com for the link.  Join the mailing list too.  -  Jimmy 

Looking Forward

I've had a few dreams about Ray lately.  In one of the dreams I called him from my cell phone and I could actually hear his voice when he answered.  In the dream he was apparently thinking of leaving me.  When he answered the phone he said "everything's good."  I asked him what he meant.  He said "you know I'm not a poet, everything is good between us."  I felt so happy and relieved.  (In real life Ray was actually a very good poet.)

I've had a great year so far...business wise.  It's been my best January through April since 2006!  Still struggling though trying to recoup from those bad years.  I'm just trusting God for what he has planned for me.

The house is looking pretty good for summer already.  Both for reservation and just overall appearance.  Me, however...I am struggling to lose some weight.  I've got to get serious and get some good walking in too.  Soon enough I'll be exercising every day with running the bed and breakfast.  Looking forward to a busy summer! - Jimmy

Open For The Season

Wow, it's been a while since I've posted.  I've been busy with Easter, Titanic Dinner and my birthday.  I've had amazing dreams over the last few weeks.  Very vivid. 

I went to the cemetery just before the Titanic weekend began.  I "talked with Ray" about what was going on.  It went fabulous!  The food was just amazing.  Although I really do not like to pat myselft on the back, I have to for this.  It was wonderful.  Plus, I had amazing family (Marguerite) and friends (Todd, Michael, Drew, and Friedl) who helped me out.  They helped me pull everything off without a hitch.  Marguerite and I could focus on the kitchen while the others made sure everything in the dining room (and dishes) was taken care of.

Tonight Drew and I are having Mexican food from Su Casa in Fennville.  I haven't eaten from there since Ray and I went about five years ago.  Drew and I saw Mexican food on the Food Network and our cravings kicked it. 

Ray's sister Susie will be in Michigan in a couple weeks.  It will be really nice to see her.  Oh, and the pool is open for the season!  - Jimmy