Functional and Decorative

I saw this cute calendar in a magazine and just had to share. And for $34, it's a pretty good deal since it can be used as artwork too. I'm not sure if you can still get a calendar for 2009, but the 2010 calendars are coming soon. Also, check out the blog.

I really am quite the slacker...

...when it comes to updating this blog. I don't know what it is but I feel like I always need to have pictures in here and then I don't feel like uploading them and blah, blah blah.

So anyway, just a few updates for now:

- Family drama: not going to get into any details, but for a good week my stomach was in knots and I was totally stressed out.

- Cheeto is still peeing on the floor (although nothing last night). We've taken him to another vet and they did xrays and didn't find any kidney/bladder stones or anything so that was good. I guess since he does have some spinal issues, the vet is thinking that maybe he's having some loss of control in the bladder so we're trying a medicine that is supposed to tighten those muscles up.

- Work has been keeping me busy so that's good. Although since I switched teams I feel like I'm back at square one and I'll never be able to catch up and become a "subject matter expert" in my field. I know it all takes time, but I tend to stress myself out about that kind of crap. I don't bring it home with me but at work there's always a million things running through my head.

- Tonight we're going to the Kid Rock concert with some friends and I'm pumped! Love a good Kid Rock show! He was here last night too and it's a like a little block party down in the D. There's a second stage, chili contest, classic cars and a bunch of other stuff. And it's all free! Except for the actual show, but we've had our tickets for months.

ships, monkey jockeys, birthdays, fireworks and more

So it's been a pretty busy couple weeks. June 23-26th I was in Norfolk, VA for work with Jill. We had a few meetings to attend but we also got to do some of the touristy stuff. One night we ate at Todd Jurich's Bistro, had lunch at Kincaid's and then another dinner at Snappers. All of them were very good! We didn't get over to Virginia Beach but we checked out some ships.

...this one is in dry dock for repairs...very cool...

...this is the Battleship Wisconsin...

...here she is at night...

...and here's Jill and I atop the large vessel...

So we flew back to Michigan on Friday the 26th and on our way home, swung by a gem and jewelry show in Novi. I got some really cool glass rings and some bracelet watches for like $5/each. Can't beat that!

That night were the fireworks and Stars and Stripes Festival in Mount Clemens, so Jim and I and my brother headed down there. We met up with my sister and her friend Doug and just sort of walked around, checking out the goings on. So we're walking down a street on the way to the bar and came across the Banana Derby. Have you ever seen anything so ridiculous??

...yes...that's a monkey in a little jockey suit on a dog.

Moving on...

We stopped in at Orleans and had a few drinks and played some darts

...me and my boy...

...my sis and her pal...


Once we left the bar, we headed down towards the water to watch the fireworks. And that pretty much sums up that night.

Now my birthday was actually June 30th, but we celebrated on June 27th. A bunch of us got together to hang out at Fishbones for some drinks, music and pool. It was a good night!

...here's me and Melanie...

...Jill and Ken...

...me and Rachel...

...Rachel and her husband Fred...

...of course one of Jim and I...

...and my brother striking a pose for the camera...


Sunday (June 28th) we headed over to my parents house for a birthday dinner and some cake. Mmmmmmmmmmmm, cake.

Tuesday was my actual birthday. I got some cards, a bunch of birthday wishes on Facebook, Jim brought me flowers and we went out to dinner at Brio. All in all, it was a good birthday.

So this past weekend we headed to our cottage for the weekend. My parents were already up there and then Jim, my brother and I headed up there Friday. Saturday night we went into town to the beach for the big show. We got there around 8:00 so we had some time to kill.

...here's my sexy man...

...and Jim and my brother lookin' like badasses...

FINALLY at 11:00 the fireworks started and I was happy to get some good shots

I posted more on my photo blog.

And I think that's about it for now. I took a bunch of pictures at our cottage so I'm sure I'll be posting some of those in the near future.