July 24, 2009

Patrick, Nina, horses & dogs all made it home safe and sound. I am so thrilled!

It was a great trip and we all had a great time.

But oh it is so wonderful to get home!

July 23, 2009

Patrick & Nina got up & finished packing loaded the horses up & after lunch with Miss. Mom hit the road 'around 11am.

I had already been on the road for several hours, since 7:30am. I was excited this day because I knew I would be home soon. Had a very easy day of travel. Had many times where I was almost the only person, practically, on the road.

Hit some traffic when I got to Hattiesburg, MS, about an hour & half from home.

Patrick had a nice ride, only having one small problem of the trailer brakes locking up. Had a nice driver point out that smoke was coming from the back of the trailer. After stopping & adjusting the trailer box, there were no more issues -- thank goodness.

Nina & Patrick stopped & would let the horses & dogs walk around at the rest stops. A time or two, which I'm sure boke up the trip for the animals.

I made it home about 5pm thrilled to be there. Unpacked the car & crashed.

Wednesday 22, 2009

Time for the trip home! Lets see what did I do this day! Oh right I drove & drove & drove.

I did make the wrong turn once or twice & I did run into some rain where I had to slow some. Got into some traffice. But all in all had a nice drive.

Stopped somewhere to sleep over night, not sure where I was.

Did have a garabage truck wake me 'round 4am then a car alarm of a car right next to mine go off 'round 6am. At that point I decided to get up & get going again!

Tuesday July 21, 2009

After breakfast, Nina & I went to see the horses. Patrick stayed behind at the cottages to take care of homework and work-work that he needed to do.

We rearranged the trailer to get ready for the trip back on Thursday. Sonny's eye doesn't look better but no worse. I hope it continues to heal. Bella's place is disapating nicely but still you can feel it. If we ever take the horses to a boarding place again, I will make sure the girls & boys are separated!

I re-mixed feed for the next day and went to say good-bye to everyone at the Stables since I would be leaving early the next morning. When we finished up at the Stables we ventured to McDonalds for a wonderful lunch.

On the way back from McDonalds to the cottages, I made several stops at various places, gathering my gifts that I was going to take home to friends. We stopped by the Wood Orchard for some wonderful Cherry Fudge to bring back to Miss. J and Rowan. We stopped by Julies for some of her delicious Strawberry Rhubarb Jam for Miss. Millie and Mr. Bob. I hope they enjoy it as much as I have.


Once back to the cottages, Nina & I washed & wiped down the two cars to ready them for the trip. Tried to vacuum the Jasmine hair out of the truck with no avail. We got some, but most was left. ha. I started packing up my belongings & Nina helped me put things in the convertable.

Dinner time we visited the English Inn again so that we could enjoy it with Patrick this time. We were able to get the table by the fish fountain. If you have ever been or if you will ever go to the English Inn in Door County, as for the window by the fish fountain! :)

Back to the cottages I got ready for bed. I wanted to turn in early to get plenty of sleep for the long trip home. Even though I knew I wouldn't be home the next day, I was excited to see the ole homestead.

Monday is for Miniture Golf!

July 20, 2009 Patrick, Nina, & I decided to take in a little mini-golf. After a wonderful luch we headed out to the Red Putter. It was a lot of fun and somewhat more challenging than the Pirate place we had gone to before.

After retuning to the cottage, we decided to play our favorite card game Shanghi before dinner. Of course I won!

Then it was off to dinner at the Summertime. Dinner was wonderful and the evening was so nice that Nina & Patrick decided to go for a boatride.

I went back home to enjoy my book by the water with the dogs. When Nina & Patrick came by on the water they stopped breifly to say hello. Once they drove the Streblow over to say hi, they went back to get the SeaDoo. Patrick was brave & let Nina drive!

Boating, Maybe Not

July 19, 2009 Church was good today had Father Mothey again today. He is wonderful. He was the preist who was to help Nina with her baptism thing, but we couldn't work it out with our schedules. Shame really because he is awsome!

After church, it was brunch time. Met up with Rob, in from Washington DC. Great seeing him. Afterwards we were out to the horses to put Bella & Sonny in out of the sun. Beautiful day. Nina rode Bella in the arena for a little while. Bella did real well. Finally she has stopped limping & her big ole knot is going down. The place on her chest is still very tight but it is slowly but surely going away! I'm so thrilled. Her sunburn is so much better. It is amazing how fast horses heal.

We came back to Cottage Row, in hopes to play Shanghi. We popped a movie in & rested instead. Got up in time for dinner a Julie's.

Patrick, Nina, & I were going to take Jasmine out on the Streblow. Battery dead as a doornail. Changed the battery tender on it & enjoyed the sunset from the dock.

Saturday having to say our Good-Byes

July 18, 2009 LP & Mr. Dad started off back to Dallas. LP was flying, Mr. Dad driving. They left around 10:30am. Aftwards, Patrick, Nina, & I were off to the horses. We checked everyone out, Sonny's eye looked the best it has looked in a long while. We put the two sunburnt babies in and took off for the boat. Sailing time!

The wind was perfect, we took the Streblow out to the Ethchells. The waves were pretty good & we had to fend the boats off each other. Transfering ourselves & goodies from boat to boat was stressful but we managed w/o too much difficulty.

Sailing was too fun. We had good wind up & down the coast. Can't wait to get back home to the Gulf Coast and put our little Sand Dollar in the warm water! When we got splashed here it was freezing!

Once back to the moring we had to fend the boats off again! Man what a pain, but once again we managed. We got back on land just in time for dinner. Tonight was the Summer Time, very good. Nina & I shared a dinner of Alfredo Pasta. The portions here are so big that we often share, that and the fact that we aren't use to eating so much, I am rarely hungry! ha

Out again to see the horses & check on Sonny's eye. Patrick & I decided not to contiune to put the meds in Son's eye. We will see how that works. Should be getting better by now.

Friday is for Bowling

July 17, 2009 Patrick comes in tonight! Can hardly wait. Next week is his week off & our journey home.

Meanwile, Nina & I went with LP, Mr. Dad, Miss. Mom to the hanger to get the Jeep, so that it could be taken to the shop for repairs. Little did I know that in going there we would spend what seemed like hours preparing the Jeep for travel. First we had to find the top for the Jeep, looking under everything in the hanger, then we had to figure out how to put it on, then finding the doors were another challenge. Once found they were so bent up they wouldn't close. Finally we got the Jeep put together & dressed. Turned the engine on, made an awful noise. Had to end up towing it.

Once we hooked the Jeep up to "Big Red" & stowed the caddy in the hanger we were ready to take the fam to see the horses & the Lucky J Stables. Bella & Sonny are looking better -- their sunburns. I would have pictures but Nina left her camera either on the back of the Jeep or on the back of the truck. Either way the camera is long gone along with my pictures. I will kill her later.

We hopped back in our cars and took off toward Colverts for hamburgers, Jeep still in tow. Hamburgers were good & Nina & I got a strawberry sundae to share. I will never lose any weight at this rate! :)

Once finished with lunch Mr. Dad & Miss. Mom went their way to take the Jeep to the shop and run other errands, LP, Nina & I went to the Apple Lanes in Sturgeon Bay to bowl! What fun that was. I bowl unusually well, wish I could do that durning league time! We played two games, my first game was 144, second 118 - huge difference.

Afterwards Nina & I dropped LP off at the Greenwood so he could eat with the fam. while we went out to check on the horses.

Horses were good & once back at Cottage Row LP, Nina, & I settled in for our nightly game of Monopoly. Tomorrow LP travels back to Dallas & we will have to trudge on with our monopoly games without him.

Harry Potter Movie Time!

Yesterday Wednesday July 15, 2009 After going by to see the horses and putting Sonny in with Bella, LP, Nina, & I went to see the 1:30pm showing of Harry Potter, Half-Blood Prince . It was really good, just as you have come to expect from the HP series. Can't wait for the next installment!

Left the pups home, it got pretty warm today hit 81. So after the movie we went back to Cottage Row to check on them & take them for a walk. Afterwards we headed back to the horses to put medicine in Sonny's eye. Concerned a little that the eye doesn't seem to be getting any better. Not worse either...

Upon getting back to Cottage Row, we went out on the porch to play Mononpoly, Nina, LP, & I. It was very windy and nice outside. We let the pups run around. Jasmine & Cleo found a way to get under the porch. They had a ball investigating the underside of things. I think they even rousted out something that was living under there. Not sure I wanna know!

Todays plan is Putt Putt at a cool Pirate place called Pirates Cove round the corner after dinner at the Engligh Inn. One great thing about eating early is there is seldom a wait!

Time to go out & check on the horses & put Bella and Sonny in!

EC Link Time

Doing updates to the EC Link! Staying up way too late making these changes! ha

Earlier when we went by to see the horses at Lucky J Stables, Sonny's nose was really burnt. I have figured out that the sun isn't more intense it is just out so many hours more than at home on the MS Gulf Coast. I will put Sonny in with Bella for the duration of our stay. Sonny's eye isn't any better, but it isn't any worse either. Going to try to wait until we get home before we call the Vet out again for Sonny's eye. We will just see how it goes.

Hung out around the cottage today. Mr. Dad & LP worked on getting the Sea Doo working. When they took it out Monday, they sucked up seaweed -- bummer.

I watched "Planet of the Apes" the original with Charlton Heston. Such a good movie. Read my book "Inkheart", it is getting really good. Meggie & the Aunt are trying to get Dustfinger to tell them where Mo is. Meggie just discovered that Dustfinger lied to Mo about which direction Capricorn was. We also have Dustfinger fighting his affection for Meggie which is growing. He is feeling some guilt for double crossing her & Mo, sorta! ha

This evening, on the way to the horses, I thought I would stop & try the Mojo Rosa Mexican place. Oh my it was awful. I just don't think these Wisconsin folks know anything about Mexican food. They say the food is authentic -- it's a lie! Either that or what I have had at home in Mississippi & Texas isn't authentic! ha

Think I will turn in now! Good night

Sunburned horses! Oh my

Monday July 13, 2009 Went out early to the Lucky J Stables after a wonderful breakfast at McDonalds in Sturgeon Bay. At 9am the Farrier was going to be there & I was on the schedule for him to do Bella's feet. She was pretty good. He used the foot proper up thingy on her front & she wasn't use to that but with a little patience she did well. Her feet look so much better. Didn't do the other horses feet, they can wait until we see Glen back home.

After her session with the Farrier, we took Bella out to wash her off. I wanted to see how much of her was sun burn & how much was dirt & sunscreen. Unfortunately most of it was sunburn. Bella was good, Nina put her in the stocks to wash her. Bella just walked into the stocks which was good because she was a little nervous being without her pasture buddies & trying to wash her while she was walking all around would have been a nighmare! ha

After washing Bella, Nina & I took her into her stall, got some fresh hay for her in a hay net. Nina went out to bring in Blondie & we prepared her stall as well with hay & water. They seemed quite & content, thank heavens!


Nina decided to ride Sonny around so she went to get him which set Bacardi to running the fences so we decided to bring him in while Nina was riding Sonny. After getting Bacardi settled Nina had a nice ride on Sonny. Took him down the Bridle path around the property. Sonny seemed to enjoy himself what a good boy!

After spending all morning at the horses which was really nice, we headed back to Cottage Row (CR). Once back to CR we found LP & set up another game of Monopoly on the porch. The dogs got to run around (Cleo is being so good) while we played. The day was wonderfully cool & perfect! The game went on for some time. LP & I kicking Nina out of the game early on, we had to continue our game after dinner. After an most unfortunate drawing of the tax on hotels & houses (of which I had many) I threw in the towel. LP emerging as the victor in that game. However there will be a rematch!

Spending time on the water

Nina and Patrick got up early to go see about the horses. Put medicine in Sonny's eye & stick Bella & Blondie in a stall. Bella is getting too much sun. I was hoping the Wisconsin sun wouldn't be so severe on Bella's skin but she is so burnt. Blondie goes in with Bella as a companion. I met the family & Nina & Patrick for 9am church then brunch with everyone.

After brunch we walked around some the nearby shops. The shops always have such cute touristy things.

It was decided that it was time to get on the water so Mr. Dad, Patrick, Nina & I set out for a sail. Once out on the water we noticed there wasn't much wind so we took the Streblow instead. Was a lot of fun. Nina started with us but once we got near the water that is in front of the house she jumped out of the boat to swim with LP, who had opted to swim instead of boating. Plus I think Nina was fearing for her life in the back of the Streblow with Mr. Dad driving! ha Now just waiting for the dinner bell to ring. Off to a new place tonight, The Hoff, a German place that should be interesting.

After dinner we went out to see the horses & put meds in Sonny's eye again. Everyone looks good. We kept Bella & Blondie in for the first time today. She is just getting more & more sunburnt. Was hoping she would tan -- guess not! ha

Once back to Cottage Row we settled in for a game of Monopoly! Of course I wiped the floor with everyone! Was a lot of fun.

Patrick will be off again early, 3:30am Monday morning, sure hate to see him go. The weekends go by way too fast!

Lazy Summer Daze

Falling into a comfortable routine here in WI. Get up in the mornings take the dogs for a walk then feed them. Get ready to go see the horses. Usually ride the horses, mix their feed then back to Cottage Row to hang out either by the water or down by the shops in town. Haven't made it to the park yet, but did make it to the Library & was able to get a card. Checked out some books & a few movies.

Horses are settling in very well. Still a little nervous about being away from each other but won't pitch a fit, as they had before.

Dogs are doing pretty well. I take them most places with me. When I do leave them in the cottage they seem to do okay. Only yesterday, when a stray puppy wandered into the yard did they go a little crazy & push the screen, to one of the windows, out. Later that evening, while in the main house, I looked out the window to see Jasmine looking in! She had pushed the screen out again & jumped out the window! Crazy dog.

Today Nina rode Blondie in the ajoining pastures. That was fun. One of the pastures had a big hill. What a thrill riding up & down that hill.

There is a nice path Jan, the owner of the stables, told us about. It goes around the outside of the entire property. Part of it is through the woods. Takes about 30 minutes to walk the path. Next time we will have to remember to apply bug spray!

Met the family for Chinese. WI folks may not be able to do Mexican, but they can do Chinese. Was very good.

LP was on his way, as we parted, to get a hair cut. Hopefully we will have before & after pictures soon! :)

Tuesday July 7, 2009

Vet came out to look at Bella's place. He thinks it will go away on its own & no need to drain or do anything.

Had him take a look at Sonny's eye. Cornea is scratched! How did that happen. Anyway got medicine that I have to put on twice a day, which will keep the eye from getting infected. Great.

Was so thrilled to hear about Bella & I will keep meds in Sonny's eye.

4th of July!

Had a great day! Dad, Patrick & Nina sailed the Etchells back to Fish Creek. I hung out by the water with the dogs.

Around 5pm we headed down to Greycliff for the annual 4th of July party, with food in hand. Dropped food, Mary, & LP off there, then headed down to the dock to pick up Dad, Patrick & Nina.

We headed back to the house so that Patrick could whip up his wonderful whipping cream for the Shaum Tart he made for desert. Then headed back down to Greycliff for eating, drinking, and socializing. It was nice seeing people I hadn't seen in ages.

Party started to break up when everyone started heading down to the water for the fireworks. Nina and LP went with Uncle Mike & the others, to watch the show on the Gal. They had a great time.


Patrick & I listened to the fireworks & watched Dexter from the comforts of the North Cottage. All three dogs strategical placed around us.

Happy 4th!

Fireworks on the water!

Friday July 3, 2009 Slept in late which was nice. Once up we went out to see the horses. Patrick & little Patrick went with Nina & I. Horses looked good. I mixed feed while Nina brought Bella in for Patrick to look at her goose egg. Patrick thinks Bella has a herniated vein in her chest, or something like that. We are hoping it will heal on it's own. If it doesn't get better we will call the vet next week.

Afterward Dad, Mary, Little Patrick, Patrick, Nina & I went down to Sister Bay to rig the Etchell. I didn't realize it would take so long. We got hungry and decided to eat at the famous Sister Bowl, which was wonderful. I got the chicken tenders.

We decided after dinner that we would wait to sail the Etchells back to Fish Creek, which would take about three hours, until tomorrow the 4th. Instead we went back to Fish Creek to eat pie!

After tasting an assortment of pies as a snack & watching Little Patrick climb on the roof & detach the huge vine that had taken over the chimney, we went to the water to pick up the Streblow. Hooked up with Uncle Mike who was going to sail the Gal to Egg Harbor to see fireworks.

Along the way, we got pulled over by the Harbor Master for not having registration on the boat. We got a ticket, bummer, but he was very nice.

We headed on to Egg Harbor. Once there we tied up to the Gal and watched the light show from the sailboat. It was nice. Very chilly 57 degrees! We were wrapped up in jackets & blankets.

Afterward we made it back to the Fish Creek, Nina & I had ridden the scooter to the harbor, Patrick offered to drive it back & let us take the car since we were freezing! So we did. Didn't get really warm until I was under my pile of blankets back at the North Cottage!

Thursday, Practicing Quads

July 2, 2009 We hooked up with Uncle Mike to take the Etchells to the boat place Yatch Works Friday they should have it the water and the mast stepped! I can hardly wait.

Afterwards we went back to Cottage Row & ate lunch. Nina did some research on the computer, while I watched Tomb Raider.

Went to dinner with Miss. Mary at Julie's. Aftward Nina & I went to see the horses.

They were in the stall just finishing up their PM feeding, which was perfect. I rode Sonny & Nina got Bacardi. We rode in the arena, put up some barrels, rode barrels & quads. We had too much fun.


Once wrapping up, Patrick texted that he was closer than we thought to being home. That he was actually going to beat us here! We hurriedly put everything away & made it back to Cottage Row just as they were pulling in.

They made it!

The three Patrick's arrived in Fish Creek WI safe & sound at 9:30pm

Patrick starts another drive to WI

July 1, 2009. Patrick started his third drive to WI this time orginating from Dallas, TX. Patrick, his Dad, & his nephew (also named Patrick) started out 9pm. We will look forward to seeing them 'round 9pm July 2!

Dreary Tuesday

July 1, 2009. The month of July started out chilly (55 degrees) & drizzling. We ventured out anyway, walking in & out of the many shops in town. I bought myself a new sweatshirt. I'm tired of seeing myself in the same two I brought with me from home! I think the people who see me think I only have those two clothing items! ha

Nina & I ate in town at a quaint cookery that was done up to look like a surf shop. The cheeseburger was good & Nina's hotdog looked eatable.

Afterwards we took the dogs and went up to the Lucky J Stables. It was just feeding time. Nina brought the horses to their stalls & we fed.

After feeding Nina rode Blondie. Blondie did real well & Bella barely neighed to her. Looks like the horses are settling in just fine.

Nina gave Bella a jog-out, Bella was limping a little, still. The goose-egg on her chest was better but still noticable.

Once back on Cottage Row we took the dogs for a good walk near the water. I finally figured out the path through the rocks to the water. The rest of the week is suppose to be warmer, so we might get to in sometime next week. Tomorrow we are going to get the sailboat. We will take it to the boat yard so that they can put it in the water! woohoo. Can hardly wait.

Reading now, Inkheart by Cornelia Funke very good.

Monday Happenings

June 30, 2009 Tried a new dish, corn chowder! Oh my it was wonderful. Went up to the local tavern and picked up some chowder & another soup for lunch.

Went out to stables at our new time after lunch. I like that time much better than going over dinner as we have been. Horses were good. I rode Sonny, Nina rode Bacardi. Girls didn't whinney at the boys too much. Bacardi did his little hoppy thing at the trot a few times but Nina & he worked though it. Sonny was an angel as usual. :)

Even though we didn't take the girls out of the pasture today, we did go in & look them over. Bella has a huge knot on her chest where I'm assuming Sonny kicked when she got out of place! ha We will be keeping an eye on that. Couldn't tell if she was still limping, as she was Sunday. Hopefully it is just because of the kick place. Blondie's place on her gum is looking better, healing right up.
Bondie seems to be eating a little more but still not all her feed. I cut her back to one pound of feed per feeding instead of the two pounds. The pasture they are in is full of good grasses, as long as she doesn't lose weight I will not worry.

Ate dinner at McDonalds! wonderful, then went over to Walmart to get sweatpants and long sleeved t-shirts! I left my keys to truck sitting on a shelf, good thing they were easy to find! That was a momentary fright.

Took the pups with us & they were pretty good. Jasmine got in the front seat & kept bumping the horn! Day before Cleo hit the panic button on the keys! Once we got back to Cottage Row, the girl sacked out from exhaustion.

Was 50 last night & I was glad for the sweatpants.