You Don't Know What Life Brings

Wiley and Mondo "cat napping."

Well, the weather has been awesome here in Saugtuck/Douglas (from now on I'll refer to it as "S/D").  It's been very dry though.  So, the sprinker has been working overtime.

Another friend of mine (Tom) has come up this summer to help me.  He is doing awesome!!  Doing a very great job and working hard.  Taking a lot of extra effort off me.  Between him, Drew, Marguerite and I we can breeze through this busy summer.

I joined a gym yesterday.  Actually both Drew and I did.  We had our first workout today.  It felt good to be back to doing something positive and healthy for my body.  Now I just have to get the "eating right" thing back on track.  So, tonight we're having chicken ke-bobs.  We'll put chicken, onions, tomatoes, green pepper, and pineapple on the skewer and barbeque them.  We also have rice to go along with it.

I've been feeling real good lately.  My drug must still be working well.  It's a shame that I need it to feel normal, but thank God there is the science out there for them.

In a few days the big Indepence Day week begins.  I am BOOKED!!!  I've got a couple slower days right now that I am going to take advantage of because then we'll be working our socks off. 

I've really learned a lot of lessons over the last year and a half.  One of those lessons is to relax and enjoy the moment.  You don't know what life brings! - Jimmy

Busy, Busy, Busy

Jim Gowran and Mary Beth Cloutier

OK, this is an OLD photo.  I worked with Mary Beth at Bloomfield Savings and Loan and then First Nationwide Bank.  We were good friends that would go out on a Friday night together (after work).  This was at Trappers Alley.  The year would have been about 1987.  This is a random picture I picked to post today.

I have been so busy.  This is the busiest season in years!  I've had three walk-ins in the last couple days which I don't think I got three all last year! 

My mom, sister and nieces were here last weekend.  My mom said she got more emotional than ever since Ray died.  I guess it hits us all differently. 

I'm upstairs in the apartment....getting ready to sit on the couch and watch TV....maybe a Judge Judy or something.  A full house is checking in tomorrow.  So, I will be busy, busy, busy. - Jimmy

My Major Focus Is ME

Marguerite's pugs (Beau and Kirby) watching the sunset.

It's Wednesday.  I awake at a decent hour.  I've been doing much better emotionally.  I just finished an email newsletter and sent it out.  It takes quite a bit of time to do one of those things.  I enjoy doing it though.  It's not like work to me. 

Early this winter I got a chip in my windshield.  It then cracked right across the front.  I waited until winter was over before I replaced it.  So, today I get my new windshield.  Just waiting for their arrival.

I look forward to my family's visit this weekend.  I just wish they could stay longer.  It's going to go by way too fast.  I especially look forward to spending some quality time with my mom.  I love her so much.  We are truly like best friends. 

I have no guests today.  Friedl is leaving for North Carolina (to be with her family) for a few months and my friend Tom (who is visiting) is working all day today.  So, I am taking a "JIMMY DAY."  Just for ME!  Obviously I have work things to do like fold laundry, answer the phone, have a potential walk-in, etc.  But my major focus is ME!  - Jimmy

I Look Forward To Seeing Him

My first visit to Saugatuck in 1990, and one of my favorite pictures.

Twenty-two years ago I would NEVER have imagined I would be owning a bed and breakfast in Saugatuck.  Life is filled with surprises, disappointment, fear, excitement, joy, sadness, loss, gain, grief and MORE.  I guess this is what makes life exciting.  You don't know what will happen.  Just like reading a book.  You never want to know the ending as it will make the book not so exciting to read.  If we knew our ending we would probably not take any chances in life.  Not live it to it's fullest.

Last night Marguerite called me and asked if Beau and Kirby (her dogs) were here at the Kirby House.  She had come home from her paper making class at Ox-Bow and her door was slightly open and the dogs were gone.  I posted a notice on Facebook (so locals could be on the look out).  Then my friend Tom, Friedl, Marguerite and I went out on a search and rescue operation.  We drove all along the path Marguerite takes the pugs on a walk.  Calling their name, stopping people, walking the beach.  Nothing.  When we got back to her home Friedl saw Kirby come running from behind a bush.  They were both there...safe, but a little dirty from their six hour wilderness walk.  I would have loved for there to have been a camera on their collars just to see what they experienced. 

It's getting hot here.  Summer is on it's way.  I'm looking forward to it.  I'm expecially looking forward to seeing my mom, my sister and my three nieces this weekend.  Drew returns on Wednesday or Thursday this week.  I look forward to seeing him! - Jimmy

For The Better I Have Changed

In Puerto Vallarta on our last cruise, January 2009

It's Sunday.  I had a full house this weekend!  The weather was great!  I am on an additional medication and I feel great too.  This week is pretty slow, but that will allow me to get some chores done.

My mom, sister, and three nieces are coming here this weekend.  I am so excited to see them.  My youngest niece, Megan, has never been here.  She is going to flip out.

I would like to go on a nice, long bike ride today.  I need the exercise and I think it would be good for my mind.  Exercise and fresh air. 

God is taking care of me and has been teaching me many lessons over the last 2 1/2 years.  Sometimes we ask "why" when something happens.  Although I don't understand why Ray was taken so young in life, I do know that my life has changed dramatically.  Some of it a lot for the better - although I wish Ray were here to see how much "for the better" I have changed. - Jimmy 

Haha!

Kirby House

I have decided that I would try to add a photo every day to my blog.  This one was totally random.  I hit the "add a photo" button and then "browse" and then scrolled through the file names and hit this one.  Which just said "picture 234."  So here it is...the southwest side of the Kirby House.

By Wednesday morning I was feeling so anxious (as mentioned in the earlier post) I finally called my doctor.  I just couldn't take it any more.  He added a prescription to go along with my current medication.  By yesterday I was feeling just great.  Wonderful today.  I just hope I don't need medication for the rest of my life!  I never had these problems before, and it's been 2 1/2 years since Ray's death.  I would think I should be fine by now.  Maybe it has nothing to do with Ray's death.  Maybe my life at 45 (gulp) has changed.  I guess our bodies evolve as we age.  YUCK!

Drew has been in Chicago since Sunday.  And yes...I am missing him.  He is tying up some loose ends that he needs to take care of and spending time with some of his friends before he comes back to help me this summer. 

The weather is awesome!  Finally sat on the front porch last night without a jacket or blanket.  And now it's supposed to get REAL HOT!  But that is fine.  I have airconditioning and a pool to take care of that problem!

Last week we did finally watch the departure of the SS Keewatin.  Last I saw she was docked in Mackinac City.  Soon she will be in her final port in Canada.  The port she originally sailed from in 1907.  We'll miss her, but the view now is awesome!  Especially from Friedl's porch!  Haha! - Jimmy

Every Day Is A New Day

Me at my second NASCAR race in August of 2004

The last few days have been really tough on me...emotionally.  I have had a very hard time with anxiety and depression.  My heart feels like it's racing and there is this feeling like something bad is going to happen.  The real problem is that I have NO idea why.  Everything is going fine in my life.  Business is great this year.  My health is good.  My cats are well.  Maybe it's a stage in the grief process.

I had a guest that stayed with me recently who lost his wife several years back.  He is also a counselor/therapist.  As we both discussed how we dealt with our loss and how we grieved we found out that it was the same for both of us.  There were things only "we" could understand.  It was nice.  It made me feel as if I haven't been insane. 

Every day is a new day.  -  Jimmy