Tuesday, June 17, 2014

A LAKE GETAWAY


I had a bit of time to post on Friday but I thought I would bore you silly.  The week consisted of a little grocery shopping, a little shopping spree with Emily for her birthday, and a lot of puttering in the garden.  The battle continues with the squirrels.  They now know they cannot reach the bird feeder so they scramble around the patio eating seeds that my sloppy little birds drop.  Then, and I don't think they are trying to tuck away the seeds for later, but they have been digging in my pots and popping flowers out left and right.  This morning after being at the lake for several days, I found dead little flowers all over, they had just dried up.  The feeder was empty and I thought maybe I just wouldn't fill it again.  Seriously, I may have to move it and then I'll never hear them or watch their little antics.  I did have a tray of flowers I brought home with me so I potted them up in the poor old pots and I have them spread around, just not on the patio where I like the pop of colors.  Sigh.



A funny thing sort of happened...serendipity~like.  Every year we get a truckload of sand delivered.  It's a long and back breaking job for The Husband to shovel and wheel barrow it into the lake, going out about ten feet so we have a sandy bottom rather then muck.  It takes an entire day if he does it alone, a half day if he has another guy to help.  And this year we actually had it delivered when we weren't there so instead of the guys dumping the truckload on the beach, they dumped it in the driveway, not close to the beach at all.  About 4:00 Saturday afternoon, The Husband laid down for a little nap.  He was tired and sunburned and hadn't made a dent in the sand.  I worked on the patio cleaning the table and chairs, sweeping and arranging everything...just trying to make it livable, when a stranger appeared.  He said he was working on a beach a few houses down and it looked like we needed help.  I was like, "Sure!  When can you start?"  And he replied that his crew was in between jobs and they could start that minute and be done in an hour or less.  I nearly fell over.  Within 5 minutes I had eight guys there with 8 wheel barrows making the trip from driveway to water and back and forth and each time one went by me I was beaming!  The Husband came downstairs and outside after hearing the commotion and I thought he was going to keel over. And you want to hear what's funny?  These guys call themselves The Beach Boys!  And the Husband made sure he got their card!   Darn, I should have gotten pictures of the whole thing.  I hope I didn't bore you, but this whole weekend ritual of getting this place in shape is just something else.













I promise to get back soon.  

XO,
Jane

44 comments:

Doreen said...

You're so right Jane! That was serendipity that those guys came along when they did. It sounds like back breaking work for your hubby's to do solo. I love their name too :).

Please don't worry about not blogging or visiting as many blogs as you would like. It happens. Just role with it. Blogging should be fun so don't pressure yourself!

Leslie said...

Lots of work.. but it is so worth it. Such a beautiful place!!!

Talk about a bad blogger... I haven't opened blogs in months. : )

Stacey said...

Languishing with a Blue Moon - now that would make my husband happy. Next year I'll remind you to get that service to come and you remind me too. OK? Maybe we should do it right before the Christmas holidays too. :)

Vel Criste said...

Glad you had the "BEACH BOYS" to help you out, wondering if they did some singing too! ;-) Love the nautical wall gallery, it doesn't matter, water is water. :-) Remind hubs to slather on some sunblock or else spray him yourself if he refuses! Hope he still felt special on Fathers day, I'm sure you made sure of that Jane. :-)

Terra said...

Jane, keep the number for the Beach Boys close at hand, next to the phone. What a nice gift for your hubby that they moved all that sand.
Don't feel you need to post 2 or 3 times a week, I post about once a week and that is more relaxing. Your Lake House is gorgeous.

Michele M./ Finch Rest said...

Great about those Beach Boys, what a great story!

My sister has a huge vacation lake house and she says the same thing, it is work work work - it is a love/hate she has with it.

Your poor hub's sunburn, ouch!

Anyway, have a great summer. Hugs.

20 North Ora said...

Bless the Beach Boys! There are just times we women have to take over and get things done! LOL glad you had a good weekend.

Judy

Unknown said...

I love these decorating ideas. The designs are so vibrant and the view is so happy and cheerful.
Best Decoration Style on Miniature Garden

Wsprsweetly Of Cottages said...

I loved this post..not exactly sure but it was just...so..neat. Having sudden help..getting things done and the thing is, Jane, you will one day not have the energy to do all you are doing now. Enjoy it my sweet friend. Time is racing past you at break neck speed. These past six years have made such a difference in what I can and cannot do anymore. I keep going..being careful not to fall..stumble over things..and realizing there are things I can't do anymore is so difficult.
So..enjoy! Wish I was back able to do the things you are doing!! :)
Hugs!!
AND..thank you for your sweet comment. :) Made me feel so good.
Mona

Pondside said...

Jane - it's nice to see you when your posts pop up, so don't worry about frequency of blogging. It's about quality, not quantity, and I always enjoy your posts.
Getting a family home on a lake ready for the season sounds like a monumental task! I can't even imagine moving all that sand.

Jane and Lance Hattatt said...

Hello Jane,

It is so good to have a second home which is so very different from the main house, but it does bring just the kind of problems which you outline here. There is always so much to get ready after a winter hibernation and preparing for people visiting is also a job!

Whatever, it was so good that the Beach Boys arrived when they did and perhaps they can be commissioned annually!

Your wall looks great fun with all its new additions and the barbecue looks to be a very serious piece of equipment! Happy Days!

Susie said...

Blondie, I love the beach boys story. So handy. Your poor man looks like he got burned badly. So sweet your daughter just jumped into helping and her husband Mike what a helper. Blessings for lots of fun days at the lake. xoxo,Susie

deb @ frugal little bungalow said...

Put some plastic forks in your containers, in and around the flowers. I did this for my tomato containers and other containers and the squirrels don't like getting stabbed by forks so they tend to move on : )

Balisha said...

So happy for your husband that he didn't have to move all that sand. That's a back breaking job. Keep that # handy.
Your daughter has the right idea...hire someone to get your house ready. That way you two will just be able to get there and then really enjoy what leisure time is supposed to be.
Have a nice week.
Balisha

Kathleen Grace said...

First, no apologies needed for living your life instead of posting! I'm seeing a lot of that going around, and it's much more important. We just wait til you have time to post again :>) What a blessing to have all that help opening up and cleaning the summer place! I hope you enjoy every moment of your summer weekends there!

Primitive Stars said...

Love lake life, enjoy my friend, Francine.

Junkchiccottage said...

Jane,
Wow that is a great story about the "beach boys" and what a great blessing to have them do that work for you guys. Don't worry about blogging and getting to everyone. It is summer here in the midwest and after that harsh winter we had enjoy the few months of this beautiful weather. Blog world will be here and so will we. Enjoy your summer.
Kris

Simply LKJ said...

So glad to hear a stranger saw your need, and you were able to fill his as well. Definitely a God thing! We were so thankful to have our girls and #1s beau here to help us with the rock and mulch. It is break breaking work. No worries about not blogging...it is summer...ENJOY!!

Traci said...

WOW 300 blogs!!! I so feel your pain with the squirrels only my problem is birds. I swear they're not God's creatures, they come directly from the devil!! I have lots of potted plants on my patio. I walked outside the other day & a couple of my flowers were broken because a bird was using the pot to build a nest. Dean saw him in the act. UGH!!!!

bj said...

Well, Janie, first off, you SHOULD, for sure, have taken photos of EIGHT YOUNG MEN working ON THE BEACH....:)
Next, don't worry about not blogging or visiting as often as you THINK you should. Hey, this is summertime, girl, so just enjoy it. I am slowing myself down a little bit, too.
Love your wall of sea things....

jp@A Green Ridge said...

We all get busy with life...so enjoy!...:)JP

Judy at GoldCountryCottage said...

Hi Jane. I am trying not to stress out because there is never enough time to visit and chat with everyone. I know that I miss alot of what is going on but sometimes that can't be helped. I feel that once a week is about all I can do. I can't think of enough to write about. What joy you must get out of your lake house even though it's a lot of work at times. I love all the touches you are putting up. It is so pretty. Enjoy your summer there and don't stress..Have a happy week..Judy

Marigene said...

Jane, I agree with Emily, you should have someone come in to do the cleaning just before you open the lake house, that way you won't be so tired you can't enjoy your time there. It is enough that you have to do the cooking, bed changing and picking up the rest of the time.
Your poor husband...sunburns are no fun!
Have a great week!

Unknown said...

That's how we do when we go to the lake. Hubby works outside, me inside. Once we get it done we just relax. I'm so wanting to go, but until we find out what is going on with my heart and lungs, we're staying home. Hope it's soon. Heart Dr. today. Keeping my fingers crossed that he can get me in to the Lung Dr. quicker than Aug 5, which is the date they gave me! UGH!

Your place looks so pretty. Love the beachy items, and that Em can come change things here any time she wants to.

My daughter has been working on her porch. When it's done I'll do a post on it. SO, so pretty!

Take care!!

Your pal,
Kathy

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

Yes, you should probably get a service in to clean, Jane! I'll bet they would have it done in no time for you and you would get to enjoy your first visit of the year. Love the beach {or should I say "lake"} inspired gallery wall. I love all the pieces your daughter put together here.

Laura Sudderth said...

I love your blog and glad you decided to let us regular folk comment. I had a big rat in my bird feeder. That rat squeezed her big body through a one inch gap. Was I ever startled, because I really thought it was a squirrel until I got my camera out.

Melanie said...

Hooray for the Beach Boys! That would've been back-breaking work for sure if your husband had to do all of that shoveling, hauling, and spreading of sand himself. I really like the patio wall with the nautical theme. Perfect for a beach house! Your poor hubby with that bad sunburn - he forgot to use sunscreen, huh? Don't worry about not blogging so much. It should be something pleasurable and fun for you; not burdensome and worrying about posting on a schedule. xoxo

Mary@mydogsmygardenandmary said...

It's hard Jane to get to read everyone's post, so I know what you mean. Even though I am retired, I have so much to do with the gardens and house and it takes longer for me since I have COPD - have to work awhile then sit down for a little bit and then back to my chores.
I loved reading all about the Lake House. You need to have the help when you open up the house in the Spring - then it will be more restful for you and Mr.
Have a great weekend.
Hugs
Mary

Helen Philipps said...

What a lovely story of the Beachboys! I love the idea of having a lake house as well as your main home, even though there is a lot of work involved. Lovely that your daughter helped out, and I like the patio wall decorations. I hope your new plant pots thrive away from the pesky squirrels.
Happy week!
Helen xox

Helen Philipps said...

What a lovely story of the Beachboys! I love the idea of having a lake house as well as your main home, even though there is a lot of work involved. Lovely that your daughter helped out, and I like the patio wall decorations. I hope your new plant pots thrive away from the pesky squirrels.
Happy week!
Helen xox

Lin from A {tiny} Cottage In The Woods said...

You have so much going on, Jane. Your husband is right... you've got to take some time to just kick back and enjoy life!!!

You have the squirrels ~ we have bunnies. For some reason, they haven't munched my garden down this year and I am finally getting to see my flowers bloom! Yay!!!

Hubby tried talking me into installing interlocking paver walkways & a patio this year. I said no way. I've already got too much on my plate, and this project we're hiring out! Hey - I'm turning 62 this year. At some point, we need to call in some help and sit back and watch! Love that you have the Beach Boys at your place. :)

Be happy, take good care, and blog & visit when you can!
xo,
Lin

Art and Sand said...

I can barely keep my little cottage clean. I can't imagine having more than one house to take care of.

I love that you hired The Beach Boys to take care of the sand.

farmhouse-story said...

thank god for the beach boys! the patio wall looks great, jane! enjoy that lake house--no worries on the blogging!

Lisa @ Texas Decor said...

The Beach Boys! I love it!! I've learned so much about "lake living" from reading your blog. I never realized you have to bring sand in like that. So glad you found a service to help you out. It was well worth it, I'm sure!

Celestina Marie said...

Hi Jane, Well I sure enjoyed catching up with your adventures.
What a blessing The Beach Boys showed up to help. I know it is so much work to keep a lake home in top shape. My family in Michigan have lake homes and I know what they have to do.
Love the gallery wall and the Lake Cottage sign is awesome.
Enjoy the summer and don't worry about blogging. Spending time with family is more important.

Have a great weekend.
Hugs!

Betsy Brock said...

Tons of work! But worth it...how fun!

oh that sunburn! ouch!

Deserae said...

I battled with the squirrels last summer with the flowers in our whiskey barrel. They were pulling them out faster than I could put them in! LOL I'm so glad you got the card for the beach boys, I'm sure your husband is VERY grateful too :o) Have a great weekend!
~Des

Sarah said...

Jane, great story about the Beach Boys. I feel good if
i post once a week. Life take priority. Ha! Enjoy time at the lake.

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Maria Elena said...

Looks like you are enjoying your time. Too funny about the Beach boys! But I know you were glad to have the job done and your husband is probably very happy also. Have fun!

Debbie said...

Hi Jane, love your pictures of downtown Chicago. I showed my daughter and she said you were right around the corner from Sprinkles Cupcakes! We went walking at the lakefront last night and saw the fog roll in. What a great deal you found with the Beach Boys! We have friends who have a lake house in Michigan and they said it's almost impossible to get services out there to help. It used to be an annual tradition that we'd all get together at the house, dink Margarita's, shovel and rake the beach.
Now that the hard work is done you can enjoy your summer!

Kathy@ Gone North said...

Hi Jane, How are ya?
I haven't been around the blog world for a few months, haven't even read any... thought of you this morning & just thought that I would see what you are up to..
What a fun story & nice father's day surprise for your hubby, ( & yes, you should have taken a pic of 8 hunky guys working on your beach : )
Your Beach wall looks amazing, nice job, Emily...
Enjoy your 4th holiday @ the lake, we will be @ our lake home also, with the whole crew...
The lake house is double the work, but I always say "Double the Blessing"

DCAja said...

thanks again Jane!
askewa