Monday, July 16, 2007

Debbie's latest cleaning job

On 7/14/07, Debbie and I celebrated our 34th wedding anniversary and it's no secret how much I love her. From the first day I saw her standing on that lonesome street corner in Detroit waiting for her next trick to drive by, I knew that was the woman for me. She has been not only a loving wife for 34 years, but also my constant companion and best friend. She nurses me back to health when I'm sick, and is just one hell of a wonderful woman. She has a good head on her shoulders and never once has she been afraid to put me in my place if she thought I needed it. Apparently, that alone is a full time job.


Most or all of you know what a stickler Debbie is for a clean house. Hell, a clean anything for that matter. She even goes into the basement once or twice a year with the vacuum and sucks up non-existent cob webs from the corners and ceiling. But now, she's taken this cleaning sickness a bit too far and I have to say something about it.


For Christmas last year, we decided to buy ourselves a laptop computer. We have other computers, but a nice laptop for the upstairs was a nice present for the both of us. Over the months, she has turned into quite a computer person. She even knows how to pay bills online, something she never did before. I've actually become quite proud of my little I.T. wife. Actually, it's becoming quite hard to use 'Her' computer anymore and I find myself using the desk top in the dungeon more and more. The other day, I was out in the yard finishing up some work and as I was walking back through the garage into the house, I noticed her at the side of the trash can, rummaging through a vacuum bag. Curious as to what she was doing, I walked over and asked. She turned around and said, "You need to go in right now and call Gateway. They sold us an inferior computer."


"How so?" I inquired.


"Well, I was vacuuming the couch cushions when I noticed that you must have left the lid up on the laptop and I saw a small crumb. I started to suck up the crumb with the vacuum hose when the 'G' key pulled right out of the keyboard and was sucked down the hose. That's why I'm out here."


Now, you all know that if I ever did something like that, she would be on my ass 24/7 until I drove somewhere and purchased a 'G' key. But, since 'Little Miss Clean' did it, it's not that big of a deal. So, until I can get to a Gateway Outlet, I have to make sure that I hit the 'G' key when a 'g' is in the word. But, you gotta love the woman. At least I can walk into my basement, knowing that I'm safe from spiders attacking me from ceiling.


Monday, July 9, 2007

A Relaxing Four Days 'Up Norf


The Fourth of July, Deb and I sat on our deck watching the fireworks that were going off five miles away at the Miller Complex in town. Sipping our favorite drinks, discussing what time in the morning we'd start our four day adventure and the main topic of conversation, how many suitcases Deb would be bringing. It wouldn't have been a problem about the amount of luggage she thinks we need, but since we can't seem to stop the wind noise the straps make holding the kayak down on the top of the Jeep it now rides inside of the Jeep. We've tried everything, twisting the damn straps, putting padding under the bow and stern, EVERYTHING WE COULD THINK OF, but the noise was so bad, people passing us would look over, laugh and cover their ears. What made it even worse was that I fell asleep on the way home despite the noise the last time we took the kayak to the river, and that made Deb CRAZY. So, until a metal rack for the roof is located and we're guaranteed no noise will be heard, the kayak goes in the back.

Thursday-7/5/07 Day One: Steve and Stacey were also going to Mark and Libby's cabin on the Manistee River, so it was only natural that our first stop be Cadillac. We hadn't been there more than five minutes before Debbie and Stacey had a drink in hand, leaving me, bad back and all to unload the Jeep. Thank goodness I arranged the car and knew what was going in on 'Day One'. Steve and the girls arrived and we partied until Deb told me it was time to go to bed.

Friday - 7/6/07 Day Two:

Steve wanted to take his boat out in the morning and when I awoke around ninish, he had the boat ready to go and was waiting for me, a first. After a quick fill up of gas, we arrived at Lake Cadillac and Steve put the boat in the water for the first time this calender year. I stood on the dock as Purr began to prime the 125 hp power house that propels his 17 1/2 foot Four Winds to neck break speeds and turn the key. Something was wrong, it didn't sound right. He tried again and decided to throw a charge to it. Again, nothing. What to do? Think damn it, Think. After a few minutes, Steve returned with the car/trailer and we headed to the battery shop for a new battery ($70). With the boat back in the water, we enjoyed about an hour of boating until the engine suddenly slowed down and we turned around once more and headed in. Headed in that is to O'Neal's Service to get the engine checked out. Once Mr. O'Neal greeted Steve with a hearty handshake and smile, he said it may be the oil pump and the engine would have to be pulled to check it out. Steve mumbled something about raising his clients fees to pay this guy, but at least the boat would be fixed. We were on our way back home, Steve feeling a little better after a rough morning and saying "What the Fock else can happen to me today?" when he received a call that Jamie was in a little fender bender in downtown Cadillac. Off to the scene of the accident we drove. Nothing much happened, Jamie backed into a truck and no one was injured. Well, I guess if you call Steve somewhat losing his mind, injured. After numerous lectures about drivers safety, we headed to Fife Lake, Michigan and the Manistee River to hook up with Mark and Libby for a little partying and 'ca-brewing'.


Day two will continue tomorrow,
I'm tired.