Bears.

Yesterday was amazing! We got up in the morning and had breakfast with the family. Then we hung out with them for a bit before going to shower and get ready for the day. After we showered, Justin, Katie and I went to see The Ugly Truth. It was rather funny, but Katie and I both agree that they didn't do a good job of tying up the plot at the end.

After the movie we decided to go play putt putt. I actually got us there before Dad had a chance to tell me how to do it. I was rather impressed since I hadn't been there in probably nearly 10 years. Anyhow, we played putt putt. Katie won, and Justin lost. I landed somewhere in between. Seeing how Justin KILLED me last time we went I will take 2nd place happily.

When we were done with putt putt we went to Wendy's. It was entertaining, but I think only to us. We had about a half hour conversation on Frosted Flakes and Wendy's, then discussed piercings and attached versus floppy earlobes. I'm telling you, only the three of us would get it. When we came out we realized that it was 530. We were hoping to see the people come out of the clock at Glens, and by we, I mean Katie. So we decided to go back to the house and pack up our stuff then go back and wait for 7 to roll around so we could see the clock go off. Katie decided we should play slap or tap. Then we drove by a bear statue. And one of us said "that statue" and a lovely idea was formed! We decided to drive around Gaylord with our extra time and play slap or tap with the bear statues and take pictures of it. (Once again, for photo evidence please see Facebook). We had a great time doing so, and got back in time for 7, but the clock didn't go off!! :(

So we sat and talked for a few minutes, then they left me. Even though I know I will see them soon it's still hard saying bye. After they left I went back to Mary and Gene's and tore the tent down and packed it up. Then I got home and spent some time online and got some of the pictures uploaded. Nothing real exciting from there on out. I fell asleep working on pictures. My computer and Facebook no longer get along so it takes FOREVER to upload pictures.

Here are the pictures:

Day 126:
the falls at the Call of the Wild.

Day 126:
back in Indian River.

♥ Sara

Random Fact of the Day:
Each year, more people are killed by teddy bears than by
grizzly bears.

"The rule about bears is their unpredictability."
- Anonymous

Pranks.

Yesterday was an awesome day! We got up in the morning and we were dry! :) We had awful rainstorms so I was rather worried that we would leak, even though I knew I waterproofed it, I don't think a tent is ever fully waterproof. So on our way out to go get showers and get the food for lunch we got to laugh at Dan dumping out his lake. His tent was so full of water it was ridiculous. Katie, Justin and I went down to the house to get our showers. I made pistachio salad, we showered, and we all got to check our facebooks. We are rather ridiculously addicted. And I started my blog for Friday. Once we were all clean and presentable we went back to the reunion. They had just started eating so we got food.

After lunch we sat around and talked, took some pictures and just hung out with my family. Then we played games, well a game. We did the mummy game (where you make a mummy out of someone with toilet paper). Justin and I were partners and we totally kicked ass in the game. I was so dizzy though. I was actually shocked I didn't pass out since I seem to have that problem again.

After the game Dan, Leah, Katie, Justin and I took a trip into town to get supplies for our ambush. Then we drove to Indian River to Burt Lake State Park, where Rachel was camping. She went to Mackinac Island with the group she was with, so we decided to leave her a little surprise for when she got back. We put corn flakes in her sleeping bag, toilet papered her tent, inside and out, and inside we tore up six rolls of toilet paper and left it laying all over the tent and then we left her a sign letting her know who did it. We decided that wasn't enough and went to the store and got shaving cream for her pillow as well as nutty bars (from her nutty family) and bananas (we call her monkey woman and she hates it). Well when we got back, they were back! So we did a drive by and threw the bananas and nutty bars out the door at them and kept going! She wasn't mad and found it rather funny.

When we got back to the reunion, the kids were in a water fight and Justin, Katie and I decided to play catch. Well, the kids kept getting closer and closer to me with the water. So I threw my camera out of my pocket knowing that in just a short time I would be wet. Of course it happened, so I sent the kids to get Justin as well. I didn't want to be the only big kid in the water fight, and quite frankly I don't think I could seriously date a guy that wouldn't want to get into a water fight with the kids and I! :) Don't worry, he more than passed the test. We played with the kids for a couple hours and then we went and changed and got some food. We were both tired from running around that much.

Once we were done eating we hung out with the family for a while. Then at like 1030 I had to go get Rachel because she wanted to stay the night in Gaylord with us. So Dan, Leah, Katie, Justin and I went to get her. Then we came back and had some marshmallows. Justin and I laid out and watched the stars for a bit until Leah and Dan were ready to go to the tent. Katie went to bed as soon as we got back to the reunion, so we got our air mattress out of the tent and slept in Dan's tent so we wouldn't wake her up when we got done hanging out with them. We played cards and then they went to bed and Justin and I went back outside and watched the stars for a while longer. I absolutely love star-gazing and doing it with him is even better. After we got too cold/too many bug bites we went to bed.

Day 125:
Rachel's tent after we visited.

Day 125:
yes, I realize I am in the same spot wearing the same clothes as yesterday's. Bad me.

I had to share the video. In the future if I have a good video of the day I will share it here. :)

♥ Sara

Random Fact of the Day:
In a recent survey, Americans revealed that banana was their favorite smell.

"It always rains on tents. Rainstorms will travel thousands of miles, against prevailing winds for the opportunity to rain on a tent."
-Dave Barry

Reunion.

I am going to start this today but I know more likely than not it won't get posted until Sunday or Monday.

Yesterday was great. I got up and talked to Justin and Katie via phone and internet for a while before they left Kalamazoo, then I packed my stuff, took down my tent, mixed up brownie batter and got ready to head to Gaylord for the reunion. I got to the house in Gaylord (my grandma's house that my mom inherited) just a couple minutes after Justin and Katie. I was so excited and happy to see the two of them. We went in the house and I made my brownies and gave them their thank you gifts. We spent most of the time just laying there talking and we had a mini-photoshoot. (No, you shouldn't be surprised. You can see the evidence on Facebook, of course.)

After the mini-photoshoot, we went to the Parrott Family Reunion. We got our tent set up and had dinner with the family, then we went to town to get the stuff Mom needed. When we got back we hung out with the family for a while. I helped Dan set up his tent. Then we went up to Indian River to see Rachel and scope out where her tent was for tonight. On our way up Dan saw a porcupine on the side of the road and decided he HAD to hit it. (I don't blame him.) So we swerved to the other side of the road to get it. We had hit it, but it wasn't dead, so he tried getting it again but it ran into the woods. The rest of our trip was rather uneventful, until we got there that is. We were told her campsite was number 398, there is no number 398. So we decided to try 298. Well, we made the right decision but finding it in the dark was rather difficult. But we finally did and by that time it was pouring. So we made her come out and say hi to us. She has no idea what is coming today!

After we were done visiting Rachel we went back to the Reunion and played cards in Dan's tent, which was really more of a covered lake than a tent. My pants got soaked. They seriously had a lake in their tent, it was rather ridiculous. But our tent was dry, so we went to bed there! =)

Here are the pictures:

Day 124:
our tent.

Day 124:
in Dan's tent.

♥ Sara

Random Fact of the Day:
The world's youngest parents were 8 and 9 and lived in China in 1910.

"The great gift of family life is to be intimately acquainted with people you might never even introduce yourself to, had life not done it for you."
-Kendall Hailey, The Day I Became an Autodidact

Games.

Today I got up way earlier than I would have liked. So I laid in bed and messed around on the computer for a couple hours before finally rolling my butt out of bed. I spent quite a bit of the day working on a secret project for Justin and Katie. Then I went to town and got some stuff that we needed for this weekend from the store.

After I got home from the store I finished up the special projects and Dad and I went to the pole barn to set up the tent so I could waterproof it for this weekend. This weekend is my family reunion and Justin and Katie are coming up for it! I'm so excited to see them!! Anyhow, so Dad and I try to set up this tent. The area we decided to do it in was just big enough for the tent to sit, so setting it up was a pain in the ass. We finally got it done though, then we had to spray it down with the silicone stuff to waterproof it. It should be good for the weekend now. It's supposed to rain, so I guess we will find out. I don't remember the last reunion we had where we didn't have rain. One year we flooded, since then I have remembered my rainboots and coat every time.

After we got the tent set up and taken care of I played some online games. Justin has me addicted to the darn things. Then I worked on my bedroom. I got a lot of the stuff picked up and put where it belongs and I got one more wall painted. (I think I might need a third coat on some of the circles, but I'm not 100% sure yet.) I did red circles similar to the purple circles on the first wall. I'm rather excited to get my room finished!! I'm still looking for ideas for the other two walls, I have black, red and purple paint. I won't be doing any more painting until Monday so please, if you have an idea, leave a comment here or message me! :)

Now I am in bed and Skyping with Justin til I am ready to go to sleep. I'm so excited that in about 16 hours he will be here!!! Ahh!!! :)

Here are the pictures:

Day 123:
my projects.

Day 123:
painting the red circles.

♥ Sara
Random Fact of the Day:
The world's longest game of Monopoly lasted more than 660 hours.

"Our whole life is solving puzzles."
-Erno Rubik

Missing You.

Last night was the first night that I actually slept good alone here. Maybe it was the body pillow, maybe it was talking to Justin while I was laying in bed getting ready to try to go to sleep, maybe it was just sheer exhaustion. Whatever it was, it worked. After I posted and Justin went to bed I watched a bit of TV on my computer then I decided to try to go to sleep. I was shockingly successful the first time and didn't wake up until morning. Well if you consider 11 morning.

Today I got up and had breakfast then started working on my room. I tried drawing the circles by hand with a string but it just wasn't working. So my genius boyfriend said "why don't you use, like, dinner plates or something?" Um, duh, why didn't I think of that?!? So I went upstairs and gathered a wide variety of round dishes: plates, glasses, cake covers, cups and bowls. And I drew all my circles out, then with some input from Katie, Krissi and Justin I finished one wall. I'm not sure how I am going to do the rest of it. Dad mentioned freehand drawing some four sided shapes and having them overlapping and stuff. I thought of paint splatters. Or I could just stick with the circles. I have red and purple paint. Any input would be greatly appreciated. ASAP though!! =]

Anyhow, so I finished the one wall while Skyping with Justin and IMing Katie and Krissi. Such close contact makes being away not nearly as difficult. After I decided to be done with the wall I had dinner with my family and then came back downstairs and thought about working on the rest of it but instead played a bunch online games and talked to Justin. I am determined to beat him at his own game eventually. It was much more enjoyable than moving stuff and painting. I will work on it more tomorrow.

We were talking and we heard Krissi yelling outside so Justin went to see what she wanted and then he told me he was blowing me up full screen so they could see me. And then he put me in the window so I could see Katie, Brett, Krissi and Tony before they left for Wild Bull. It was sad not to be able to go with them, but it was nice to say hi!

After that Justin and I talked for a while longer, we played more games, and I took a break from game play to write this blog. So after this I will go back to playing games, and talking to him, and then go to bed!

Edit: I have one more thing to add in. Today Katie and I were talking and she told me "oh, and yesterday Krissi and I were trying to think of a way to describe life without you and Gailey, and we came up with: it's like a barn in Kansas when they're missing their two prize winning cows." So I decided that I needed to come up with a way to describe life without her and Justin and this is what I came up with:
Life without Justin and Katie is like Rice Krispies without Crackle and Pop." Seriously I feel like I'm missing my other halves, but there are two of the and I feel like more than a half of me is missing. Wait, I am missing two thirds! I get it! Never mind, I'm tired, done writing for today!!! =]

Here are the pictures:

Day 122:
my wall.

Day 122:
did I mention I found the tripod?!?

♥ Sara

Random Fact:
Only 6% of the autographs in circulation from members of the Beatles are estimated to be real.

"Love is missing someone whenever you're apart, but somehow feeling warm inside because you're close in heart."
-Kay Knudsen

Skype.

Today, yes that's right, two days in a row of posting on the correct day! No, the world isn't going to end, I don't think. I am actually starting this post mid-day because I am taking a break and feel like continuing to be productive in some way. Craziness. Anyhow....

Last night I didn't sleep too well, again. I actually stayed up til almost 430 watching shows on my computer, I got a bit behind and had a two hour season finale of Harper's Island to watch. It was AMAZING. And I thought the killer was the killer multiple times but would constantly change my mind because it seemed sooooo odd. Anyhow, I did get some sleep though. I got up at like 11. So 6.5 hours, not too bad. The crazy part was that I woke up with an insane amount of motivation. I spent a half hour or so laying in bed thinking about how I would organize my room and lay it out. My goal is to have my basement room done or near done today. It's looking like I am going to need a second day on it, but still!

I got up and went to town to get sandpaper and some paint supplies. My dad about had a heart attack when I left the house sans shower and makeup. He asked me if I was ok. lol. He's used to me having to shower and wear makeup for everything, like volleyball! (My Kalamazoo friends will get that.) Justin and Katie have been good influences on me in that department, I now realize that I don't need to shower to run to the store, or to play sports. And I am comfortable going out without makeup, which is an insane difference for me. Back to the real story. I went to the store and got the stuff I needed, including a body pillow. I'm really hoping it does the trick. Then I came home and got to work.

I had to sand the door and door frame before I could paint them. I painted the doorframe with magnetic paint and the door with chalkboard paint. I'm so excited for them. And they actually match my room, the gray magnetic paint is just a bit darker than the walls and the chalkboard paint is black, like my floor. Thank you Katie for the genius idea. Oh and the paint is all spray paint. And not thinking, I didn't wear a mask, so my nose is full of paint. Then again, that isn't any different than any other part of my body. I'm covered. After I am done writing this part of the blog I am going to work on the circles on the walls and as I get walls done I am going to go over the floor in that spot then move the furniture where it belongs. I'm really looking forward to getting this stuff done!

After I finished writing that first half I decided to go over the spots where the spray paint hit my wall so the walls were all the same color. Once that was done I was talking to Justin and remembered to tell him that I downloaded Skype in the middle of the night. And that I had found the old webcam. But that it wasn't very good so I wanted to find the new one before I used one. So we chatted for a bit and I went to look for the newer cam. Surprisingly I remembered exactly where it was. Then I found out I needed the software for it. And surprisingly again I found it right away as well. So I showered and ate as quick as possible while my software installed. Mom made a comment about never seeing me again, she's about right.

Once my shower was done, my food was ate and my software was installed I had Justin call me on Skype and we talked for a bit. Then Katie started talking to me on facebook chat so I told her to go upstairs and say hi to me there. So she did and Krissi came with her. I was so excited to see and be able to talk to them! They left and Justin and I talked for a while longer and then he left and I took my picture of the day and worked on writing this. He is back now, and I think I'm just going to talk to him for a bit longer and then go to bed, so I'm going to go ahead and post this now! =]

Here are the pictures:

Day 121:
Jeremiah and my feet and my one hand. that's what happens when you paint with spray paint.

Day 121:
cuddling with the new body pillow. aka Justin's replacement. =P

♥ Sara

Random Fact of the Day:
The wingspan of a Boeing 747 jet is longer than the Wright Brothers' first flight.

"Can miles truly separate you from friends.... If you want to be with someone you love, aren't you already there?"
-Richard Bach

Boring.

So I realized today that my blog might take a turn for the worst. I have a feeling it will be rather boring most of the time. I will do everything in my power to keep that from happening, but my life just isn't all that exciting up here. Today will be a fine example as to what I mean.

Let's see, we will actually start with last night. I didn't sleep for shit. I went to bed at like 12 or 1230ish and got back up within a half hour. It was so weird being in bed alone and I just couldn't get comfortable. So I stayed up until like 230 when I finally made myself go to bed. I was up for at least a half hour after that. This sleeping alone thing isn't working so hot for me, I think I'm going to get a body pillow tomorrow.

So I had to be up at 9 this morning. I had a meeting with the Superintendent of the school to discuss the job that I am hoping to get. The meeting was short and I didn't really find anything out about it, aside from the fact that the job isn't posted yet. Then I went to the grocery store to pick up some things my parents needed.

Want to hear the rest of my day? Uploading pictures, talking to Katie online and on the phone, talking to Justin, Dennis and the WB girls online, uploading my blogs that I got behind on, watching tv, and eating. Yes, that is all I did. Ugh. And now, I think I am going to try to go sleep. I'm exhausted, but I don't foresee myself actually sleeping. Ahh.....

Photos:

Day 120:
the view across the road.

Day 120:
just got home from the meeting. notice the lack of lip ring.

♥ Sara

"Boredom is like a pitiless zooming in on the epidermis of time. Every instant is dilated and magnified like the pores of the face."
-Charlotte Whitton

Goodbye.

Yesterday Justin and I got up, got ready, and packed up our stuff. We had breakfast with Tom before leaving. I had a wonderful weekend and really didn't want it to end but I had to take Justin down to Houghton Lake to meet Katie so she could take him back to Kalamazoo with her. But thankfully she wasn't in a huge hurry to leave. So we came back to my parents' so I could get Katie's blanket that she forgot when she was here for moving day. Then we went down to the lake.

I wanted to take some pictures and have some time to spend with just Justin. It was a rough day knowing I was going to have to say goodbye soon. But we had a fun time down at the lake. I got some good pictures, destroyed some flowers and played with some bugs. And Justin got to throw rocks. lol. But for real. . . .

After we finally left the lake, we got gas and headed to Houghton lake. We met Katie and stood there for probably an hour talking. I don't think either of them wanted to leave any more than I did, which was not at all. I am going to be lost without them. I spend almost all my time with one or the other or both. Oh well, I will live. So, anyways, they went back to Kalamazoo and I went back to my parents' house. And did nothing the rest of the day.

Here are the pictures:

Day 119:
the flowers I destroyed.

Day 119:
at the lake.

♥ Sara

"Don't be dismayed at goodbyes. A farewell is necessary before you can meet again. And meeting again, after moments or lifetime, is certain for those who are friends."
-Richard Bach

Fudgies.

Yesterday (Saturday) I got up well before any of the boys did, so I wrote part of my blog, showered, picked up the kitchen and got ready for the day. By the time they got up it was lunchtime. They showered and I went outside and took some pictures. Then we had burgers for lunch and discussed what we were going to do for the day. We decided on going to Petoskey and being fudgies. Well they already are, I was just playing along. lol.

So, we drove to Petoskey. We walked around downtown for a bit, walked through and art show and got some ice cream. Oh did I mention it was FREEZING outside again? We all had jackets/sweatshirts on and I was shivering at a couple points. After we got done freezing our butts off we went and played putt putt at the Jungle. For those of you who don't live up here, the Jungle is an indoor putt putt place. Justin won. We will have to rematch sometime. We went to the Pines for dinner then back to the cottage for more games. After playing ping pong the guys climbed up in the rafters of the garage. Then we found a bat up there and Justin climbed up to get pictures of it. (By the way, the pictures are on facebook and they are great.)

Let's see, the rest of the night. . . we played cards, catchphrase, Justin performed "Stayin' Alive" by The Bee Gees for us, um yeah. . . .I think that about sums the night up. Then we went to bed. It was rather difficult for me to go to sleep knowing that it was the last night I would be with him for who knows how long. He may come up next weekend for my family reunion, but if not, I don't know when we will see each other again. Long distance sucks.

Here are the pictures:

Day 118:
the rocks and water.

Day 118:
by the lake.

♥ Sara

"The worst thing about being a tourist is having other tourists recognize you as a tourist."
-Russell Baker

Vacation.

As I write this I am wondering how I will decide to split it up since I know the weekend plus Thursday's posts will all be published after the weekend is over. I think I will probably split it up by day. I am actually writing this Saturday, but since I am at the cottage there is no internet signal, so I can't edit my pictures of the day or upload the blogs until Sunday or later.

Ok, anyhow. Yesterday (Friday) was great! Justin and I got up and had breakfast with my parents then I packed for the weekend then we just kinda hung out around here waiting for Tom to call. Tom is Justin's friend. We are at his cottage on Lake Huron in Cheboygan for the weekend. That's right, I'm vacationing like 20 minutes from my parents' house. Once Tom called we headed out there. The cottage is gorgeous. We immediately left again to go get groceries for the weekend. Grocery shopping with three boys is definitely an interesting experience, especially after being surrounded by girls for as long as I have been. When we got back the boys decided to go swimming. Let me paint you a picture. I have a fall jacket on, and jeans, and I am freezing. Insanity I tell you, insanity. Well then I felt the water and decided it wasn't that bad but I left my swimsuit at home and packed a long sleeved shirt in it's place.

After their swim, Rockband was played. I opted to watch in amazement rather than play. I am no where near as good as they are and would rather watch than embarass myself. After Rockband we sat around and talked for a bit then had tacos for dinner. Once our stomachs were full and we were content we played some ping pong, powersphere (I took pictures), Mad Gab and cards. I ended up losing one section of one of the card games and ended up having to go swimming. Ugh. It was so so so so so sooooooo cold. Mind you, this was now almost 2 am. FREEZING. Tom went with me and actually carried me out as far as I went so I wouldn't have to walk in in it. After the freezing swim I changed into the warmest clothes I owned and we played some more ping pong before heading to bed.

Even though we are only 20 minutes from my parents house this is a much needed vacation after the last week and a half or so. It is nice to get away and not have to think about moving, packing, unpacking, the distance from my other halves (Justin and Katie), painting, and all the other stuff on my mind. It's nice to have this time with Justin when we both know our time together could be fairly limited in the future. I also enjoyed meeting a couple of his friends. They are both really nice and I'm looking forward to the rest of the weekend!

Here are the pictures of the day:

Day 117:
Justin playing Mad Gab.

Day 117:
on the porch.

♥ Sara

"A vacation is having nothing to do and all day to do it in."
-Robert Orben

Attached.

Yesterday Justin and I got up and headed to my apartment right away to do the last bit of cleaning that needed to be done. The two of us worked our butts off for about two hours to get everything done before noon, when my keys had to be turned in. We got it done with a few minutes to spare. When it was all done I had Justin take the final pictures of the apartment while I bit my cheeks to try and hold in my tears. It was so hard locking the door for the last time knowing that I wouldn't be back. I took my keys in to the management. After seeing them it was a little easier to leave knowing that I wouldn't have to deal with them again!

We went back to the 409 and I showered and packed my stuff up in 4 while Justin did the same in 5. I hung out with the girls for a bit. I am going to miss them so so so so so much! I finally got my stuff packed and in the car. Justin and I went out to lunch before heading north. Once we got up here we didn't really do a whole lot, hung out, ate dinner, took some pictures out in the yard, just thoroughly enjoyed each other. I really don't know what I'm going to do when I don't get to see him every day. He has become such an important part of my life, which when I started this relationship I promised myself I wouldn't let myself care so leaving wouldn't be hard. I'm glad I broke that promise to myself, I wouldn't have it any other way.

After dinner and time outside we played Euchre with my parents. Then I made my bed and we went to bed.

Here are the pictures:

Day 116:
a bug that landed on Justin.

Day 116:
he shouldn't be allowed to be around when I do my photo of the day (notice the grass in my hair.)

♥ Sara

"The most important things are the hardest to say, because words diminish them."
-Stephen King

Hawaiian Night.

Yesterday I had all intentions of going to my apartment when Justin left for class to work on cleaning it out and cleaning it. I had left quite a bit of stuff I didn't want anymore there and it was in desperate need of cleaning. Well I went down to the girls' apartment to get some stuff and talk to Katie. We decided we should go out and get our shirts for the night. (We had decided to wear Hawaiian shirts to Wild Bull that night.) So Katie and I went shopping at a few thrift stores. Then she needed some stuff from Meijer so we went there. We got back to the 409 just in time for her to leave for work. Well I made the mistake of sitting down and starting to watch Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman with Carolyn. By the time that was over it was like 4. So I ran upstairs to say bye to Justin and headed to my apartment. I worked there for an hour or so then Justin called and wanted to come help but his car wouldn't start. So I ran the girls' stuff to their place and picked him up.

The two of us worked on my apartment until it was time to get ready for Wild Bull. We got everything but the kitchen done, which was a relief. He has been so much help. =)

We got back to the 409 and showered and got ready for our night out. The bull was amazing, as always. The girls and Justin rode the bull as well this week. Katie kept saying she wouldn't do it, but as soon as everyone but Justin and I left to go to the dance floor she ran to the bull. Justin decided to tattle on her so everyone else got to see as well. I think Katie has forgiven him for that, maybe. After we decided to leave the bar we went back to the 409 and hung out for a bit before we went to bed for the night.

Photos:

Day 115:
Katie on the bull.

Day 115:
at Wild Bull.

♥ Sara

"One's friends are that part of the human race with which one can be human."
-George Santayana

Moving In.

Yesterday, we got up in the morning and started unloading the truck. Moving in was much easier than moving out. Possibly because there was less trying to fit everything in one spot involved and WAY less stairs. My apartment was on the third floor. At my parents' there was only four stairs to get in the basement and like 10 to get upstairs.Way, way easier. Justin, Katie, my Dad and I unloaded in a couple hours. Then Katie and I took Dad to get his truck from my Uncle's house and then we went to go get lunch. We took a break and ate lunch.

Then we went to Gaylord to drop off more of the stuff. Justin and Jeremiah rode in the U-Haul with me and Katie and Shianne went with Dad. Unloading there went quickly too. We dropped off the U-Haul and drove back. Katie found a little boyfriend. Jeremiah thought she was hot and was doing everything in his power to have her be his girlfriend. He kept trying to kiss her. Absolutely hilarious. We got back to my parents' house and packed up and got ready to leave.

Katie's sister was pregnant and was induced at 5 pm. So since it was on the way back we stopped at the hospital to visit her. That's right! We finally made it to a hospital. Anyone I hang out with on a regular basis gets this. I still think that someone needs to be taken to the hospital! lol. After we visited Katie's family we went back to Kalamazoo. We got back at 1230 but were so tired that we were surprised that anyone in the 409 was still up. We went to bed shortly there after and I know I slept like a baby.

Photos anyone?:

Day 114:
a dead mouse we found in the house in Gaylord.

Day 114:
on our way back.

♥ Sara

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving.”

-Albert Einstein

Moving Out.

Yesterday was long. And exhausting. I got up in the morning when Justin left for class and started cleaning up after the party. We had plastic cups EVERYWHERE. I was moving super slow since I wasn't feeling the greatest. But oh well. Katie and Jake finally got up (maybe because I told them dad was coming 100 times) and we talked and hung out for a bit before Dad got there. Dad and I went to get the U-Haul and Jake went home. When we got home with the U Haul, Katie and I decided to get the desk in the truck and take it over to Justin's and pick up the TV that I had left at Katie's. What an adventure. lol. Then Justin came back with us and helped load stuff up. Marc and Krissi and Nik came and helped for a while too. We finally finished packing up and left at 1030. Yes, 1030 at night. Katie and Justin went home with Dad and I. I drove the U-Haul. Dad drove his truck. And Katie and Justin switched out in my car. And all three were filled with shit! Ahh. We got there at like 330 am. Wow. Then we went to bed.

Thank you so much to all of you who helped moving and packing and cleaning. I couldn't have done it without you! I ♥ you all. Justin and Katie get extra kudos for helping over the past week or more. I really really couldn't have done it without them.

Here are the pictures:

Day 113:
Marc and Nik moving the ridiculous couch.

Day 113:
driving the U-Haul.

♥ Sara

"One can pay back the loan of gold, but one dies forever in debt to those who are kind."
-Malayan Proverb

Hoing-Away.

Day before yesterday, Saturday, I spent the entire day packing. This isn't a lie. I packed all day long. Justin and Katie were in and out. Then Katie and I went to go get groceries for the party at night. When we got back, she went home and Justin and I packed some more. Then we some Cohen and Greenfield's and just relaxed together before going to bed.

Day 111:
our ice cream, this is Justin's handiwork.

Day 111:
so tired.

Yesterday was a long, exhausting day. Justin and I spent a couple hours in the late morning/early afternoon packing and doing some party prep. Then we decided that it was time for a break and I didn't want to spend my last full day in Kalamazoo cooped up in my apartment. So we went and played volleyball with our friends.

I absolutely love volleyball and it was exactly the break I needed. After volleyball we decided to go get Slurpees from 7-11. There were 7 of us and we piled into Ben's little car to get to the 409 then Krissi and I took her car and met the boys there. We may or may not have raced them and we definitely won. Both ways. After we got our Slurpees we went back to the 409. The boys had a scrambro to go play. Scrambro is their way of mutilating Scramble (golf). Katie and I went back to my place to pack and finish getting ready for the party. Brendan came and insisted on pissing me off to no end. It was bad. Then Jake came and helped as well. We got quite a bit done before people got there.

My Hoing Away Party (yes, we called it a hoing away party! The guys turn everything into bro-something or something-bro so we felt the need to do it as well.) was amazing. We had a great turn out and all of my favorite people in Kalamazoo made it. Dennis even came down for it! =) I was so excited. We played games and talked and just had a blast. I was rather proud of myself for making it though the party without tears. At one point someone decided to sing "I'm Leaving On A Jet Plane" and I had to leave but that's about it. The party finally died at 3 when I went to bed. I was so tired. I swear, Justin is turning me into an old woman! Staying up late sucks so bad now, I NEVER used to be like that, but since he got sick we have been going to bed early and I'm adjusting to it.

Here are the pictures!:

Day 112:
i ♥ these two to bits.

Day 112:
our pin the tail on the donkey!

♥ Sara

"Don't be dismayed at goodbyes. A farewell is necessary before you can meet again. And meeting again, after moments or lifetime, is certain for those who are friends."
-Richard Bach

Euchre.

Yesterday all I did was pack. Ok. That's a lie. We got up (Jake, Katie and Justin all stayed here with me.) and had breakfast/lunch/whatever. And we decided to play euchre. We could have, and probably should have, played one game. But no. We played SIX games. Jake had to leave after that. And my warden told me I had to get back to packing. So we packed. Justin, Katie and I packed.

Brendan called to say that he was almost here with dinner. He made us steaks and ribs something. It was amazing. Even more amazing was watching Katie telling Brendan that she is a vegetarian. After dinner we decided to play a game. Anyone want to guess what we played? If you guessed euchre you win! We played until Brendan and Katie had to leave for their movie. They went to see Bruno. Justin nor I had any interest in seeing it. So we packed some more then went to bed. I'm sorry the post is so short for yesterday, I'm sure today's will be as well. Packing just isn't the most interesting thing to talk about and ya'll wouldn't get most of the stuff we laugh at. Hell I don't get most of the stuff we laugh at when I think about it later. lol.

So here are the pictures (and proof we have some fun!):

Day 110:
Katie and Justin wearing my hats.
lol. I ♥ them.

Day 110:
the tape on me is Justin's address. that's where he wanted me delivered to. =)

♥ Sara

"Vegetarian: A person who eats only side dishes."
-Gerald Lieberman

Behind.

Packing and preparing to leave Kalamazoo does not help me stay on track with my blog writing. I am sorry guys. Please be patient with me, I don't want to lose my loyal readers, I love you guys! In fact, as I am writing this Justin is packing stuff in my room. I told him I really needed to write my blog because if I missed today then I would be three days behind. That would be the most I have been behind since I have started this! He told me to go ahead and write my blog and he would pack while I did so. I don't think I need to say it again, but he really is the best.

Ok, so, Wednesday. Justin was really sick on Wednesday. I felt so bad for him. Katie and I went back to my place (I stayed at the 409 Tuesday night.) so I could get medication for that sick boy of mine. (I have plenty and he needed some and the more he takes the less I have to pack!) I took DayQuil, Vicks and some chicken and vegetable soup over to him. When we got there he was playing video games. I don't think he's really sick, I think he was just looking for a way to sit at home and play video games! ;) (I'm just messing with him because I know he reads this.)

After I gave him his stuff, Katie and I went to Hobby Lobby. We got some chalkboard paint for my room up north! I'm so excited about that. During our trip Katie was telling me about all the ways our tattoos could possibly bring us together when we are 90. lol. It was hilarious. I love her. We hung out for a few hours, ate lunch, talked, and packed until she had to leave to go to work. Then I spent some more time packing.

Justin came over later in the day and then I got ready to go out. Katie, Krissi, Sara, Justin and I went to Wild Bull. Of course, it was necessary to go to the Bull on my last official Wednesday in Kalamazoo. After the Bull, we went to Shakespeare's to celebrate Brett's birthday. He turned 23 on Wednesday. It was so much fun hanging out with everyone. We closed out the bar then came home and went to bed. I was pleasantly surprised that Justin was able to stay out that late considering how he was feeling. (I told him we could go at any time, but he was having a good time with the guys I think.)

Here are the pictures:

Day 108:
Krissi's phone showing the text I sent to Blake.
it took forever to get a picture of this and I'm not even sure why Krissi told me to do it.

Day 108:
at Shakespeare's.

Yesterday Justin was at his place because he had to help his roommate move some stuff out, then he had lunch with the guys and had to work on a paper. Katie had to work. And I was in a funk. I had no motivation to do ANYTHING even though I had a dinner party planned for last night. I was tired and moody and just wanted to be with someone, anyone. Obviously I had two top choices but I would have taken a bum off the street at that point. I really think my way of handling my sadness is to ignore it by being with people.

I finally made myself get out of the funk like three hours before the dinner was scheduled to be served. I spent two hours cleaning and getting myself ready then an hour cooking. Justin came over about an hour and a half before dinner was supposed to be served. Krissi, Tony, Carolyn, Ben and Jake joined us for dinner. After dinner we played a game of Imaginiff, then everyone but Jake and Justin left and Katie came over. We played a couple games of Catchphrase, then a couple games of Mad Gab, then a game of Euchure. At that point Justin and I decided we were done for the night. We were both so tired.

Sorry the posts weren't all that interesting, I'm in a hurry to get them done so I can help Justin for a bit then get to bed. I'm so tired.

Here are the pictures:

Day 109:
the light up spoon in Pepsi.

Day 109:
not a fan.

♥ Sara

"If it were not for guests all houses would be graves."
-Kahlil Gibran

Help.

Yesterday was fabulous. I got up, showered and started cleaning my kitchen. It always seems to be in need of a cleaning. While I was working on that, Katie called and said she was on her way over. Justin had gotten up and told me he wasn't feeling well. I immediately drank an emergen-c. I don't need to get sick right now. So I started breakfast and Justin took over dishes duty, without me requesting it and actually telling him not to because I felt bad that he has done my dishes the last two times. ( :) ) Katie cooked the hash browns and I took care of the pancakes and bacons. (We had to make veggie bacon for that girl of mine. lol. I love you Katie!) Justin took over the bacon (the good kind) when he was done with the dishes. We had a lovely breakfast. And veggie bacon isn't all that bad, unless you compare it with the real stuff, then it's awful!

After breakfast both Justin and Katie cracked the whip (as one of you girls referred to it earlier). lol. We packed, and packed, and packed. We got quite a bit done but Justin was feeling like crap and I had a terrible headache. So we took a nap and Katie finished packing the buffet then did whatever on the computer. After the nap/break packing ceased to exist. The three of us had a weird photoshoot. They really are the best. lol. Then we decided we were starving.

So we went back to the 409 so they could shower and get ready to go out to dinner. We went to Olive Garden. By the time we got home sickly boy went upstairs to get ready for bed, then I hung out with Katie for a bit before heading to bed myself.

Here are the pictures:

Day 107:
the tower Justin built.

Day 107

♥ Sara

"Friends are relatives you make for yourself."
-Eustache Deschamps

Dinner.

Today, that's right, I'm writing about today today! Craziness right? But I know I won't post it til tomorrow because I'm too tired to edit pictures. And that's where my writing yesterday ended. I was laying in bed, Justin already sleeping, determined to get some done, and I literally wrote about how excited I was to start it the night of and crashed. Haha, I'm such a dork.

So, yesterday I came home and was determined that I was going to get some cleaning and packing done. Yeah, determination doesn't equal motivation. I started and ended up on the couch staring at my computer through tears. Then Krissi called to see if she and Katie could come over and raid my movies for one of her classes. Of course I said yes, so I hopped in the shower and got dressed quick then I talked to them for a bit. That put me in a better mood. After they left I decided I should really go grocery shopping so I had the stuff I needed for breakfast this morning. So I called Justin to let him know what my plans were so he didn't come over while I was gone. While I was making my list for breakfast and dinner Thursday I remembered that I had chicken and broccoli in the freezer so I decided to get the stuff I needed beyond that to make Justin dinner. I hadn't cooked for him yet, and it was beyond time.

On my way home from the store I called him to let him know I was home and that he could come over whenever. So he did. And I made dinner and dessert (double-decker brownies). And I was thinking he would crack the whip and make me actually pack, but he didn't. We just hung out and had a nice evening together but it was discussed that I would be packing today. :-S I hate packing. I hate the reason I am packing. Ugh. Not a fan. But back to happiness. It was great spending the evening together and having that time. I'm so much more aware of every second I spend with people.

Ok, pictures:

Day 106:
my two favorite pair of laced shoes.

Day 106:
.

♥ Sara

“Cooking is like love. It should be entered into with abandon or not at all.”
-Harriet van Horne

Happy.

Yesterday, I got up at like 8, napped on the couch for a couple hours and then was awake completely at 11. Katie and I went back to bed for a couple hours at like noon. Still, no where near enough sleep considering we were up til almost six. Brett called at like 2 to see if we wanted to play tennis. I begrudgingly said yes. Katie really wanted to and was giving me puppy dog eyes. I just wanted to sleep. So I got ready and Katie ate breakfast/did whatever on the computer then we went to 409 so she could get ready and we could meet Brett. (He lives downstairs.) Well he texted us and said he couldn't play because he had a migraine. Now, I'm not happy Brett had a migraine but I'm happy I didn't have to play tennis. Katie went for a run and I started trying to catch up on this.

When she got back we decided to watch a movie. I think it was her way of trying to make me less jumpy every time I heard a car in the drive (I was waiting for Justin to come home.), it worked. We were watching Toy Story and all of a sudden I heard Justin's voice in the kitchen. I didn't even hear a car or see him drive in. Toy Story was great, but having him back in town was better. So I hung out with him and the girls at 4. Then he went and ate and Krissi and I talked and watched Family Guy. When Justin was done eating we went for a walk around the neighborhood. After our walk we decided to watch Good Will Hunting, then Krissi and Katie came back from Brett's and we talked with them for a bit then went to bed. I can't remember the last time (if there ever was a time) that I felt this happy, secure, content. And I'm leaving....

Here are the pictures:

Day 105:
I forgot to take my picture of the day and they were happy to help.

Day 105:
at 409-4

♥ Sara

"Happiness is excitement that has found a settling down place. But there is always a little corner that keeps flapping around."
-E.L. Konigsburg

Independence Day.

Happy Fourth of July!

I'm going to start this post out by letting you all know that no one died or was injured in the making of our crazy night last night. At least no one we know.

Yesterday I started off the day by going down to the fire hall to be my dad's model to show off the new ice rescue suit. I got to meet some of the people who live on Mullett Lake, ya know the ones who don't actually live there but instead spend their summers in their "cottages" which are bigger than any normal person's house. So I dressed up in the suit and walked in during dad's talk so he could show off the new equipment. He also announced to them that I would be joining the department. =) Afterward, quite a few people came up and talked to me about it and then one lady brought her daughter and grandchildren down to see the fire trucks. The kids were so cute. The cutest thing ever was when the little one (probably 3 or 4) grabbed my coat and said "Mrs. Firefighter Lady, can I get in this truck?" It was so adorable. And of course I said yes.

After the kids left, Dad started packing stuff up and said he didn't need my help so I went back to the house to finish my laundry and painting before I left to go home. When dad got back from the station he started helping me paint. Then we ran out of paint so I went into town, in my painting clothes, well I put a shirt on, and got more. While I was there Katie called me to make sure that I was coming back for the BBQ and of course, I was. And when I was talking to her I was making fun of her for eating veggie hot dogs and the paint guy started making fun of it too. He said "what is it, grass wrapped in edible plastic?" It made me laugh so hard.

When I got home Dad had most of the ceiling painted, he finished that and I did the second coat on the walls. It looks really good, I was so sore though. I have calluses on my hands from it. But I'm rather proud that I got it all done in less than 24 hours. I finished my laundry and packed up for my last trip to my apartment. Ever. =( It makes me so sad...

The drive back was rather uneventful. I narrowly escaped being stopped by the cops. I was driving a little over the speed limit, and I came up on a guy in the passing lane going like 65 because there was a guy in the other lane going like 64. UGH. And while I'm bitching about this in my head I see a cop and I think ok, maybe this is a good thing that I got stuck behind slow and slower. And then the cop whips around in the median and pulls over the guy that I had just passed. If he would have been 2 minutes faster I would have received a nice Independence Day ticket. And yes, I slowed down after that.

I pull into 409 , that's where our barbecue, and I get ambushed in my car with water balloons. The girls didn't realize the point of water balloons is to get people, not their cars, wet. Silly girls. We ate, talked and threw water balloons at more people. Then we waited FOREVER for Jake to get there to go get our spots for fireworks. We changed our location for firework watching three times but finally ended up at East Hall (the same spot we went to watch the sun rise a week or so ago).

We hang out and watch the fireworks and listen to the music that people were playing there. Then most of our group left and Ben, Anja, Katie and I stuck around because there were still fireworks going off along the horizon. We enjoyed watching the crazy people up there. One guy was lighting fire crackers and throwing them, and he had one go off in his hand. Another guy was twirling fire sticks (which was rather amazing and he didn't do anything stupid). And one guy who seriously does have mental issues came up with bottle rockets and was lighting them off in his hand and letting them go, well for those of you who don't know, bottle rockets backfire. These ones happened to backfire right into the crowd. Ah, crazies. Then he tried lighting a mortar but it didn't go off. So he left. Then he came back with more bottle rockets but was throwing them off the hill this time, worked better. Less scary. Then he decided to light another mortar. And he doesn't have a tube. So this blew up all over the crowd, luckily we were sitting at the opposite end of the steps. But that was about the end of our time at East Hall. As Anja put it "the longer we stay here the closer we get to death."

On our way back Katie was telling us that Burger King now has veggie burgers. So we decided to go to BK. Then we went back to 409 and ate them outside and Krissi and Tony joined us. We were watching the stars and eating and we got the brilliant idea to go to the park and lay out and watch the stars. Krissi, Tony, Katie and I went then Jake joined us later. Krissi and Tony left and the three of us laid out and watched them until like 4. Then we came back to my place and went to bed. What a long and exciting day to come back home!

Here are the pictures:

Day 104:
all of the people that I went to East Hall with.

Day 104:
the ice rescue outfit.

♥ Sara

There are so many excellent Independece Day quotes out there, but after the night we had I found this one to be most appropriate:

"A statistician made a few calculations and discovered that since the birth of our nation more lives had been lost in celebrating independence than in winning it."
-Curtis Billings

Firefighter.

I am combining two days into one post because, quite frankly, nothing too exciting happened on either day. And I was rather busy so I know this won't actually get posted til the 5th but I want to get it started today.

Thursday I had to be in Petoskey by 8 am to go to the doctor's office. Ugh. I certainly didn't miss everything being an hour from the house. Anyhow, the doctors. I didn't find out anything (duh.) but she has some ideas and she sent me for blood work. They took a TON of blood from me and sent me on my way. I went to Wal-Mart to get some stuff that my parents needed at the house, then I stopped at Big Apple Bagel for two reasons. 1) I was starving and it was after noon by this point. And 2) BAB reminds me of home.

I got home and Dad and I worked on cleaning out the basement bedroom. We stopped for dinner, then went back to the cleaning. There was so much stuff in that bedroom (as those of you who have read the blog from the beginning know from this post.) We finally gave up around 10 and I was in bed by 1030. I was so tired!

Here are the pictures:

Day 102:
my mom's flowers.

Day 102:
I was in bed, ready to sleep when I realized that I forgot to take my picture of the day. It was a close one.

Yesterday I didn't get up until 10. That's right eleven and a half hours sleep for me! YES! As I was sitting in my chair waking up (I totally could have stayed in bed but I wanted to finish cleaning that room and get it painted before I went back home.) my mom announces she has to go back to the hospital. Well I figured we were just dropping her off and she was going to be admitted (because she had just gotten off the phone with her doctor.) so I went with her and dad. Well I figured wrong. She had to go through the ER. We were there until 330. I was starving! So we went out to eat. At lunch, I brought up firefighting with Dad. I have been thinking about it for a while and since I am moving up there now, I decided that I should talk to him about the possibility of me joining the department. He thought it was a great idea, so I am joining and I will be starting my fire school in late fall. I'm so excited about it. After lunch, Dad and I went and got the paint to paint my room. By the time we got home it was almost 6. We finished cleaning out the basement room, then I started painting it.

I was determined to get the first coat on at least. So with some helpful distractions (phone calls) from the four most important people in my life (aside from my parents) I painted. And painted. And painted. I got all of the walls done with their first coat and about 1/5 of the ceiling done when I called it a night at 3 am. I was so exhausted.

See I told you those two days weren't all that interesting!

Here are the pictures:

Day 103:
the walls that I was painting.
yeah I know it's not a good picture, but seriously, it was the only one I took! oops.

Day 103:
painting. I love that hat.

♥ Sara

"I have no ambition in this world but one, and that is to be a fireman. The position may, in the eyes of some, appear to be a lowly one; but we who know the work which the fireman has to do believe that his is a noble calling. Our proudest moment is to save lives."
-Edward F. Croker