Summer Bucket List

My summer bucket list this year was simple:
1). survive
2). read 
3). find a place to live
4). re-arrange curriculum folders

I am very happy to say that 3/4 of these were accomplished.

Here is the breakdown: 

1). Survive:   
This one may seem funny but at the beginning of the summer I was faced with the prospect that Zack and I would be spending two whole months up in Michigan with my parents in their small two bedroom mobile home...the one with wood paneling, carpets, and drapes straight out of the 70's.  We now have only 5 days left here and things have gone much better than I expected. Zack has been happy and has kept himself occupied pretty well.  I have tried to help with meals or cleaning up and have chipped in financially so we are not mooching.  I have to say that overall it's been pretty low-stress.

2). Read:
Nope...did not happen.  I usually only read over the summer - and only read while sitting outside in the sun.  This summer we have such crappy weather (and I mean CRAPPY) that I have read only 1/2 of 1 of the  4 books I bought to read this summer.  I have sat outside a total of three times to read (otherwise have read a bit in the car) and Zack and I have not been to the lake one. single. time. 

3). Find a place to live:
This was not as easy as it seems.  Finding an apartment that accepted dogs was tough.  In the end though, I settled on a place that will let me out of a lease on May 31 (when Zack and I will move to Orlando).  The apartment is on the second floor which makes me a little nervous because I have a son with flat feet who walks like an elephant!  It may take some time to teach him how to walk quietly.  We are able to move in August 1st.  

4). Re-arrange Curriculum Folders:
Each class I teach has a desktop folder with assignments in them.  These folders were created by the previous computer teacher and  were there when I took the job three years ago.  In the past three years, I have added and deleted assignments and have also typed out explicit directions for all assignments (because some children learn better that way vs. following my oral instructions or some forget the directions and need reminders) All these things have not been added to the folders yet and I have just been printing them and handing them out...in other words...wasting a lot of paper.  

So I spent this summer moving things around and arranging folders to make everything easier and more self paced.  I also made an extra credit folder for those who finish earlier and want to earn extra credit (and also for those who cannot behave during free moments - brilliant!!!)You know, now I can say, "I see you cannot behave during your free time so open up the extra credit folder and do assignment 6."  It's all about making it easier for me!  

Yep...I'm ready for the school year.  Oh wait...I have to wait four more weeks.

Gator Fans Unite

At the Soo Locks Boat Tour we came across this car

Oddly, they spotted Zack's sweatshirt and we started talking.

They were from Jacksonville.

North to the Soo

Earlier this summer mom and dad suggested taking Zack to Sault St. Marie to see the locks.  This city borders Canada and is the place ships come to navigate from the Lake Superior to Lake Michigan.

We left on Saturday and headed north.  We found another Big Boy to eat at - in Manistique.

We took a round about way so we could drive across the Mackinac Bridge.

Mackinac Bridge

 We had planned to take a boat tour of the locks (the boat goes through the locks) but it was flipping freezing out so we decided to pass.

Instead we went over to the locks - there was a ship due through the locks at 11:30.

Zack "helping" Grandma

Paul R. Tregurtha (ship going from Superior to Michigan)

Also going through the locks was the boat tour we passed on.  The purpose of the locks is to transition boats/ships from the water levels of one great lake to the other.  This particular tour boat was going from Lake Michigan to Lake Superior (I believe) and the water level in Superior must be much higher.

The boat entered the locks and they close off both ends.

The boat looked like this when it docked

Then they slowly raise the water level

Until the boat looked like this when it was finished

Then they open one end of the locks and the boat/ship is ready to move on.

Interesting...just wish the weather had been better.

Bridge to Canada

Border Patrol

By the time we stopped for lunch in Munising it was much nicer out.

Munising is on Lake Superior and the place where you pick up the pictured rocks boat tour.  We took this 10 years ago when we were here.

Interestingly, we ate at the exact same restaurant too.

As usual, Ollie traveled well

I'm Comfy

I know I'll always find him in the most comfortable place in the room.

Side not:  He got groomed last week so all his hair is gone.

The Dog Whisperer

Another picture from our visit to Oshkosh last week.  The two dogs belong to our friend's.  Ollie was up there as well but as soon as I walked in to take the picture, he jumped off the couch to come by me - of course!!! Pathetic mutt!

Celebrating a Birthday

While I was down in Oshkosh intruding on my bf's life for a week, we had a little birthday celebration for her.  

I made spaghetti and meatballs for dinner (used the jar sauce this time instead of making it from scratch) and also made a cake.

Of course, we had to add candles...I won't give away her age but will say that we were 3 candles short (and I wasn't going to buy another pack of candles for just 3).

I thank God for crossing our paths 21 years ago.  She has been the biggest blessing in my life besides my sons.

Waiting in the Car

Ollie loves to go in the car - even if it means he has to wait in the car while we shop or eat.  

As soon as we remotely unlock the car...his head pops up and he starts looking around for us.

Well Hello

Wow..it's been a while.  

We took a week and ventured down to Oshkosh and stayed with friends.  It was a great week and I am so thankful for friends who let you descend upon them and intrude on their lives for a full week!

While there I toured some apartments and I am pretty sure I found "the one".  It is small and has its issues but it checked off most of my boxes...more on that later.

NOW...

Continuing with our Marquette day...we drove back along Lake Superior and stopped over in Escanaba.  It was still super cold but we got out to walk briefly and Zack fell in.

Kidding...this was staged.  There was a second dock below this that he was standing on.

After that, we just drove back to Iron Mountain where it was somewhat warmer (because it isn't on the lake) but still cool.