So much has happened since my last post!

First the GOOD stuff:

Work is going really well. I only work about 20 hours a week and I can set my own schedule. I enjoy what I’m doing and hopefully making a difference. I REALLY like earning a paycheck again, even if only a part time one. My day consists of promoting our current Chamber members and talking to potential new members. I do our twice a month newsletter, help plan events, answer the phone and greet our visitors. It is REALLY nice to have some events to plan again!

Which leads me to the next good stuff. Our beach town WILL have some events this summer. We aren’t sure yet about some of the bigger events and how they may look. But our weekly street dance, community band concerts, farm market and our arts & crafts shows are all happening. I’m part of the fireworks committee and that is going well too. In the past the show was fairly short and generated a lot of grumbling in the community. So our group is working to increase funding for the show in hopes of a longer, dazzling show. It’s nice to be part of a group that is willing to give up some of their time to help make our area a better place!

I am fully vaccinated now. I’ll admit I wasn’t crazy about the idea of getting it. I would be a lot more comfortable waiting a couple of years before getting a new vaccine. But I wanted to do my part to help try to get the country back to normal. Besides, all of our kids got vaccinated so if it turns out there is a problem with them down the road, then at least we will all face it together! I had the Pfizer vaccine. The first one was no problem. The 2nd one left me with a good size knot on my arm It’s been 6 days now and it is still there. I was also a big headachy for a couple of days. The BIGGEST thing I noticed was the fatigue. I was exhausted for days. In truth, I still don’t have a lot of energy. I know this is temporary though and it will pass.

I have a few framed photographs in a new art gallery/gift shop in Oscoda. It’s a cute shop and hopefully someone will enjoy them enough to want to buy them. It is VERY intimidating to have those out there to be judged and critiqued by everyone. It was a big step, one I am hoping I don’t end up regretting!

The not so good stuff:

Our oldest daughter and her fiancé lost their house to a fire on Easter Sunday. We had just finished dinner and were playing a game when we got the news. They only live a few miles away so we got there really quickly. I can’t even describe my emotions when I was on the scene. My daughter literally crumbled to the ground crying because their newly adopted cat was inside and everyone said there is no way she had survived because she was on the second floor with the raging fire. It was agonizing. After an hour, and to everyone’s amazement, a firefighter came out of the door carrying the cat! She was cleared by the vet and a month later you would never know she was in a fire. It really was an Easter Miracle! They have since found a new rental home, though it is 20 minutes away. It’s more expensive and a longer commute, but there weren’t a lot of options. We are just glad to have them safe. Thanks to their renter’s insurance and help from our AMAZING friends, family, and community, they have clothes, furniture and all of the basics they need to set up their new home. A vast majority of their childhood memories and collections were gone and we will all continue to mourn those things that are irreplaceable.

Another thing that qualifies as “not so great” (at US at least) is that the real estate market is very tight right now. Home are snapped up the minute they hit the market, often above asking price and with no seller concessions. Forget about asking for closing costs and them to fix something wrong with an inspection! It is a terrible time to try to buy a house, yet here we are. I’m trying to find my perfect beach house in the middle of the best seller’s market in decades. Those that know me that testify that patience is not my strong suit. When I know what I want, I want it now. I’m a bit obsessed with the housing market in our county, I can tell you every waterfront listing in Iosco County and I’ve seen about half of them. I’d really like to be settled into a place of our own by the end of the year. Hopefully the right place will come along at the right time.

I guess that’s it for now. I hope all of you are well and as always, thanks for reading!