Weekend Happenings 9/13/2010

On Friday, I didn’t have a thing planned to do – which is a very rare day indeed.  I could have biked, hiked, shopped, read, worked crossword puzzles (I’m about two weeks behind – I do the ones in The Detroit Free Press), or gotten a pedicure.  All those options were open.  I cleaned out closets instead.

My rationale was to be ahead of the game when our last week on the island rolled around (only five more weeks).  If I already had things organized – what was staying, what was going – that last week wouldn’t be so panicky and hectic.  My plan was to separate things into four categories:  1)  Summer clothes that were staying here; 2) Summer clothes that were going south (I’ll still need those in October in Georgia); 3) Winter clothes that were staying here (heavy coats, snow pants); 4) Winter clothes that were going south (light jackets and blue jeans). 

All this organization is because I got in trouble last year when we packed to go home.  I left a lot of summer and winter clothes in Michigan, but I forgot what I left.  When I packed to come up this year, I kept thinking, “Geez, I have nothing to pack!  I have to buy new summer clothes!”  Then, when we arrived and I opened my closet, it was already full of what?  Summer clothes!    So on Friday I got everything out of “my” closets and dresser drawers and put each item into a category.  The summer things going home are now in a drawer upstairs where they can be taken out and packed without even thinking about it.  Same with the winter things going home.  Summer and winter clothes staying here have now been photographed.  Next May, when I’m packing, all I have to do is call up these pics on the computer, and I will know what’s up here . . . . if I remember I took the photos!  If all of this sounds a little too much like something Ted would do, what can I say?  I’ve been living with the guy for 21 years now – his “ways” have to rub off on me every now and then!

Categories #1 and #2.

Categories #3 and #4.

I can’t tell you what a feeling of accomplishment I enjoyed at the end of the day – silly, I know.

Saturday dawned chilly.  Ted was registered to walk in the 40th Annual Mackinac Island 8 Mile Run and Walk – the “walk” part.  He’d been fighting a cold and sore throat for two days, and Saturday I woke up with what?  A cold and sore throat.  I tried to talk him out of going, but oh no!  He was registered, he had his official t-shirt and number tag, and he was walking!  Which meant I was walking too – down to Mission Point to be there, camera clicking, when he crossed both the starting and finish lines!

We walked over to pick up Ted's registration materials on Friday afternoon and passed the part of Mission Point that used to be Mackinac College. This building was used as the Men's Residence and for faculty housing. Two of my readers, Irene and Barbara, attended college here, and next week there is a reunion. Irene can't come from California, and I am bummed out about that - wanted so badly to meet her in person.

Waiting outside a conference room at Mission Point, as Ted picked up his materials for the race.

Saturday morning was beautiful! This is the starting line of the race - runners lined up first.

Ted, as he crosses the starting line . . .

. . . and pushing into that wide stride that I have never, never been able to keep up with.

Crossing the finish line and checking his time . . .

. . . he was pretty happy. He placed 5th in his age group and 91st overall among the walkers.

Quite a crowd! Over 2,000 participants either walked or ran the race.

Ted and I after the race.

We both felt bad Sunday morning, but decided to go to church anyway. After church we biked into town and ate a fast lunch at the Chippewa on the top deck. The day was perfect on the water.

After we got home, Ted went upstairs to watch TV, and I crashed on the couch and slept for three hours.  I woke up with a temp of 101.5.  Yikes!  I have loaded up on fever meds and am going to close this blog  and go to bed.  Jill sent four pics to me a few minutes ago, and I have to share them.  Bless my blogging friends’ hearts – they always come through for me!

Jill snapped this photo of our friend Leanne this afternoon as she rode through town on Prancer, one of the 4-H horses. Leanne is in charge of the island's parks and recreation department. With the summer over, she now has a little more time to relax and do some things she enjoys - like dressing up on a Sunday afternoon in formal riding attire and riding through town. Sorry I missed you, Leanne!

LOL! Jill sent this one and said my readers would NEVER get this picture from MY camera! She took it just after sunrise this morning. I don't know, Jill. I might surprise you one day!

Sunset Sunday afternoon - just before a big storm hit. Dazzling.

And after the storm - a rainbow . . .

 I’m off to bed.  Please pray that whatever this mess is that I have is over fast.  Jason and Blair arrive Thursday – so excited!!