Wednesday July 31, 2013

The weather has been much better the last couple of days and that's allowed us some more lake time, soaking up a little sun, remembering why we love this place.  Peaceful and private.  Yes, on some level it will always be a bit painful, and certainly poignant to be here, but we must take the good with the bad as we carry on.

Yesterday was an eventful day - Erin got her first taste of a "big" golf course playing nine holes with me and Dan at The Preserve.  It's so fun for us to have golf as a family activity.  Erin hit some good shots and made bogeys on the last two holes to finish strong.


The best way to refuel after a taxing nine holes is to stop in Nisswa for pizza at Rafferty's (we have been here 5 days and been to Rafferty's three times...)  Then, of course, dessert involves ice cream at the Chocolate Ox.  (5 days, three times...)

But, the biggest event of the day happened on the ride home.  My trusty minivan rolled over to 200,000 miles.  Ol' Bessie is still running, and that's a good thing.  I'm not a car geek - I just want one that runs - but making it to 200K is an accomplishment.  Every month without a car payment from here on out is a bonus.  I'm a lot like Ol' Bessie - past my prime, needing minor repairs, but still kickin'...


Today Dan had to shower up, dress up, and head out on some sales calls.  After burning much of his vacation on our European adventure, he needed to mix business with pleasure this week.  Not the "ideal" week at the lake, but it's the best he can do.

As Erin and I were hanging out today, she brought up the "B" word:  back-to-school shopping.  Tomorrow the calendar will hit August.  Still a month of summer left, but her brain is starting to churn.

Eighth grade is looming larger every day...

But, we've got two more nights here at the cabin, so I shouldn't get ahead of myself.  It's sweatshirt weather tonight.  Maybe even a bonfire later...