You know that life is a contradiction and you got to face the fact...you gotta take a little bit of this and a little bit of that..

So a little bit of this and a little bit of that....that's exactly what this post will be. My Internet has not worked properly since the huge storm that took it out. After several visits from our provider, he finally laid a cable and hard wired us up temporarily....it was working well until SOMEONE ran over it with the lawn mower. Thus, I am going to try to figure out in some type of order what we have been doing over the last couple of weeks and get it documented.


In anticipation of her cousin's arrival, Emma baked her first cake all by herself (not a mix). It just happened to be Janna's favorite!

Stole this picture from Janna....She is with Evelyn, her older sister. God just didn't make any homely Karpel girls...

And here is another Karpel, my niece Chelsea in her Sr. picture. She and Janna both graduate from high school this year.

The Rossmassler families (the three brother's bought our large house) were for their annual summer visit with all the children. The following Bill, Wendy and their two children entertained three other families for a week. The weather was spectacular and they played their hearts out. They were also so kind in including Emma in their tubing time. Emma has gone from a complete scardey cat to a hellish daredevil all in the last year.

Betty has been working for us all summer, so it has given us the opportunity to spend lots of time with Emma (and save Betty babysitting monies). One of the perks has been listening to her practice the guitar. She looks like a little Janice Joplin here with her bell bottoms and bare feet....

Betty and I cleared a lot of debris out of the woods and now have a much better view of Mama and her twins when they come to eat my flowers......

Finally after 3 years we have steps coming up to the house (from the beach)

The last two weekends were Pirates Weekends at the Bay, so it was not uncommon to glance out the window and see tall ships flying their pirate flags.....

Finally one of my rocks are cleared of berry bushes and scrub wood....I now have my sunset swing in place.....

A perfect spot....

or sunrise if you are so inclined....since I am not, I stole this picture from a friend!

Some of the beautiful granite that has been hiding under years of berry bushes....

Betty and Salt hosing off the excess dirt.....

Emma's doll Emily got headgear for Emma's birthday.....now they will both have straight teeth...in FIVE years!

And last but not least....Congratulations to our good friends Terry and Sue Muldoon. They have another beautiful grandson! Welcome Landon!