reactivate entry

Saving the worst for last......

The Dining Room is the last room on the first floor we have not started. The green carpet had been replaced with a brown shag to get the home ready for sale??? We, really Bobbi (see has the vision I lack) has several changes in mind: removing the carpet to expose the hardwood floors, removing the wallpaper and repainting, replacing the baseboard trim along with a new ceiling light.

We made some progress over a weekend in March. The carpet has been removed along with a layer of wallpaper, yes there were multiple layers of paper. We rented a sander and started refinishing our first hardwood floors (note the black spot of oil and motorcycle treadmarks on the floor - part of the house history as a motorcycle shop). After Spring Break we will return to paint the walls, add new baseboard trim and paint the hardwoods.

Winter at the Lake = Plenty of Wine

Really Cold - Lots of snow falls fast and accumulates quickly.
A cat in the hat machine sucks it off the street.  o_O



Pugs freak out in the deep snow - That's Zeke's tail back there.

I could not get any closer it was so cold and windy.  I know it doesn't look that way.

Zekie is a snow pug.

What a Difference

Frank has been working on getting the multiple layers of vines, glue, paper, etc down from the inside of the upstairs hallway, steps and dining room. It has been this way for a long time.

 There was ALOT of wallpaper. 

We found multiple things under the wallpaper...other wallpaper, and more wallpaper under that next layer of wallpaper, moldy stained wavy walls, plaster, plywood, wood, paint, wood filler, holes, etc...  Nothing of any value, but alot of things that make you say huh. 

This doesn't even account for the dining room

  SO.MUCH.BETTER.

The color is a Porter Paint Shortbread Yellow.  These pictures are not doing it justice.

We decide to leave a small wall with the paper on, for now as a reminder of days gone by in this space.  Maybe someday we will have the energy to remove it...but not anytime soon.

 

A glimpse of the redo of one of the guest rooms.  Next post...

 

And here is a glimpse of our upcoming weekend plans. 

 

Here is the wallpaper under the wallpaper we just took down. ;(

The Life of the Lucky Deck -

With messages...Go Clinton???

Watching tv - bizarre I know

 

 

Lola loving to snow.

 Do you notice she is in almost every picture?  Even the pictures of the walls???

 



So Much To Enjoy...

A typical beautiful sunset four houses away. 

It is an evening ritual.

 The Friends Good Will - or for the tourists...the Pirate Ship on a sunset sail.

Happy happy happy.

A glimpse of our quaint, fun downtown just a few , easy blocks from The Lucky Deck.

Walk four houses down...and here is your beach.

So much to enjoy.  

2013 South Haven Events

We had many friends & family visit us throughout the 2012 summer season.  It was so much fun sharing our first official summer at the lake with all The Lucky Deck newcomers!  We anticipate a full summer in 2013.  In preparation, here a list of all the official events:



1. Second Annual First One In the Water Contest. -  First one in the lake - up to his/her neck - witnessed by Frank or Bobbi - is awarded $50. The winner will be commemorated with picture and name framed on our wall of fame.  Last year's winner was Bryce Sears on April 2 with a tepid 38F water temp. Grace Gumino & Logan Sears ran a very close (nanoseconds) second.   For all of you eager beavers...the current water temp is 32F.  BRrrr.  No wet-suits allowed.  We are also not responsible for any injury or illness resulting.  We do have a waver that must be signed prior to the plunge. 
2. Riverfront Concerts - Every Thursday, starting May 23, a different band performs on the riverfront.  This is really nothing special...but it makes for an interesting walk by on the way to the ice cream store.
3. Blessing of the Fleet - Friends Good Will Launching - Public sailing begins.  This is one of my personal favorite passtimes while at the lake - just hanging out at the river front watching the beautiful boats come and go. 
4. Allegan Antique Market - The last weekend of every month brings all things old or lost to this antique market.
5. Memorial Day Parade - Several local, and I mean local, beauty queens will be available for the wandering and wondering eye.  I am astonished, with each parade that I watch here in South Haven, that there are so many darn beauty queens...with so many different titles/sashes.  Even their parents get to ride in their own special car in the parades.  This puzzles me...it really is a conundrum if you think about it too long. 
6. Festival of Cars   - As you can imagine, this is one of Frank's favorites!  He has already started to plant the seed - he is bringing the 57.
7. Waterfront Film Festival - ohh..the town is all abuzz over this!  Normally, this festival is in Saugatuck.  But they are taking it on the road this year...and we are thrilled.  It was reported in the South Haven Gazette that someone "in the know" heard that one of the movies being premiered at the festival was produced & directed by Daryl Hannah's ex-chauffeur's cousin's boyfriend's little sister's boyfriend's dog groomer.  Needless to say, this is the event of the season. This is June 13 - 16.
8. Harborfest - June 20-23 - People, food, music, more parades/beauty queens, boat shows, classic boat shows, vintage baseball games, garden club flower shows, etc...
9. Lipbone Redding Concert - June 28 - I guess this is a big deal??
10. SHOUT Garden Walk & Carnegie Garden Walk - June 29
11. Fireworks - July 3 - over the lake - best in the world
12. July 4th Parade - yes, you guessed it.
13. Summer Art Fair - July 7
14. South Haven Garden Walk - July 13
15. Fish Boil & The Elders in concert - July 20
16. Family Farm Fest - July 27 - rest assured the beauty queens will be in attendance
17. Quilt Show - August 3
18. Wine and Beer Tasting =) Vintage Baseball - August 3
19. The INTERNATIONAL Blueberry Festival.  Crowning of Miss Blueberry, Miss Teen Blueberry, Miss Pre-teen Blueberry and Mrs. Blueberry.  - This is an event you do not want to miss.  Lots of food, all with blueberries.  August 8 - 11.
20. Craft/Art Fair - August 31
21. Old Engine and Tractor Show - September 1 (I find this quite annoying and loud)
22. South Beach Triathlon - September 21
23. Juried Art Show - September 28

This list is of course, not all-inclusive.  And it does not include all the happenings in the surrounding fun spots such as Saugatuck (a fascinating people watching spot) and St. Joe's (great waterfront water park and carousel).  We can't wait to see you this summer!  AFTER you sign up to follow this blog - you may contact Frank or me with your dates. 

 

See it?

You Get What You Pay For

I am reminded frequently that I am falling behind in my blog postings.  We have been quite busy at the LUCKY DECK...  I am not really sure where to begin. 

Since our last post in May of last year...we have been spending our time enjoying the unique little city by frequenting the beaches and restaurants; getting to know our little cottage and our amazing, interesting and helpful neighbors; and of course, shopping!  Time passes so quickly there...

Our first order of "summer business" was to clean up the landscaping a bit.  It had been neglected over the years and was overgrown and smothering. 

 

I was eager to get started, wanting the outside of this old cottage to look as charming as possible for all of our scheduled summer guests.  Frank was, as usual, supportive of my efforts, and dragging a reluctant Gracie in tow, we suited up and headed outside with the blue waves just a few doors down.

 

Frank grabbed our newly purchased shovel, all shiny and clean. He started to dig.

Soon came a few choice words...

 

So off we went to Menard's (...again) to get a second shovel  (in as many days) after the cheap one that we purchased (the previous day) broke in a record 43 seconds.  I can't remember if the head of the shovel came right off or the long part of the shovel, whatever that part is called, (and I'm sure it has a name) broke in two.

 

 This provided me the opportunity to use one of my favorites: 

You get what you pay for.

 

But really?  ...43 seconds?

 

So with a new shovel and gloves we began...

 

This shovel, although stronger and durable, proved inefficient for the overgrown shrubs.

 

The old chain saw came out...and within 43 seconds it just stopped. 

 

( At this point a fleeting thought occurred to me that Satan lives in lawn equipment!)

 

Frank was not happy.

 

Very soon, the chain saw was in 17 pieces spread all over the driveway.  No...Frank did not throw it against the side of the house, although I'm sure that is what he wanted to do.  He is a fixer and motor man.  He took it apart, of course.  It was at this stage when I approached, offering well-meaning, unsolicited advice..."Why don't you just go buy a new one?" I asked in the most pleasant, reassuring, upbeat voice I could muster.  I don't think there was actually an audible answer to my question.  But there was certainly the dreaded "look".  So I quietly snorted and smartly sauntered to the other side of the house to pull a few weeds on my own.

 

Well...we all know...a disassembled power tool in a man's front yard is like the glowing bug light to every man within walking distance to the disassembled power tool. 

 

So now we have the 17 pieces of the chain saw, various tools needed to fix the chain saw, oil, gas, greasy rags, beer and several (male) neighbors standing around looking at and talking about ... power tools.  Tools they once had, currently have, or longing for. I think one of them even brought their own lawn chair.  I thought it best to go inside at this point.

 

Zeke and Lola wanted in on the action though...Zeke feeling left out of the boy toy convention...and Lola, with a total disregard for the gender exclusion, just eager for the occasional spilled beer.

 

These are the ugly shrubs responsible for the chain saw's massacre. And the location of the disassembled chain saw. And where the Local Convention of Tool Talking Men discuss and drink to all things tool.

 

It was eventually put all back together in working order. 

 

And finally, a few days and 56 lawn waste bags later our Lucky Deck looked a tad more charming :)

 

 

Pay no attention to the silver duct tape holding the front porch together. Just look at the renewed landscaping!

 

On the left side of this photo...NO MORE HUGE UGLY SCRATCHY SCARY YEWS!

 

The dirt is mostly sand.  No clay soil there!  Amazing to work with, but the hydrangea require multiple watering throughout the day. 

 

 

A well deserved break before guests arrive.