Save the Boobies!

Saturday, 05.22.2010, downtown Detroit was PINK.

Comerica Park was the starting point for the 19th annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Detroit. Although I didn't run the race, I joined my PINK posse of sisters (in every way) to walk with thousands of others, united, to raise money and awareness of Breast Cancer.

I couldn't help but to feel good among all the strangers supporters joined with a common thread. Celebrate Life, Love, and Hope. Always hope, ( it DOES float you know) hope for a cure to this awful disease.



Sunday was [insert fake shocked look here] a day of relaxing and fishing on Lake St. Clair from the early fog covered morning until the early evening sunset. Don and I both caught fish, but mostly caught a lot of long anticipated sunshine. Let the summer begin!


With Memorial Day coming ... 3 days off work ... I see fishing in the near future!

Oh Yes We Did!

The weather prediction called for thunder storms. After seeing what has happened in Tennessee, I knew there was no whining about the weather here.

Another boat! We're weren't the only kooks!

Just in case the storms did come, we decided to go out this morning ... this morning being 10:00 AM, so for morning fishing, we were late. The skies were gray and the wind was up, but the temperature was comfortable.

Actually we did go out for a quick first fishing trip this past Friday. I caught my first Muskie. He put up a good fight, but I have to admit it was a baby. It was about 30" and weighed about 6 pounds. I took a picture with my phone camera, but it didn't save.

Today, my new pole, "The Green Goddess" ... yes I name my poles, remember "PINK"? (may she rest in peace) caught a Rock Bass, Pumpkin Seed (looked like an orange Blue Gill to me), and a White Bass. Nothing we'd keep, but fun to reel in. Don caught three Rock Bass.

"The Green Goddess"

We only stayed out a couple hours because the storms were heading our way.

So the beginning of our summer has started!

Time to catch up ...

March is flying by. My days are filled with endless to do lists that must be taking fertility drugs because they keep multiplying. At the end of the night, instead of crossing off things on the list, I'm adding to the "carry-over-to-the-next-day" list.

Caitlin finished her first semester and was so excited she got an A on her final in her pharmacy class. She's been working hard at school while also working two jobs. I'm proud of you Cait!

Cait out celebrating her "A" with a friend.

I was surprised on my birthday last Thursday, with a dinner party Don had at MacRays. What a freaky feeling to walk into a room and be totally surprised. I had no clue.


Both our immediate families were there. It was so nice, and very special. Thank you to everyone .. I can't put into words how much that meant to me.

Don got his boat (our fishing boat) out of storage and over to his friend who will overhaul the motor. It should be ready for a day fishing by the time the warm weather is more consistent. I'm looking forward to trying out the new telescopic fishing pole Don bought me for my birthday.

Here's a few pics from the party.

Showing Cait how to crack into crab legs

Piggin 'out on endless crab legs

Me, Sandi, & Bryan

Bailey & Casey are Don's nieces, with Caitlin

Cheers, and thank you!

Michigan = Fishing = 12 Months

We fished all last spring, summer, and fall on this beautiful lake.


Don has been out there ice fishing for the past few weeks. He's been having fun catching an average 75 perch each time out. Okay, so most of them aren't keepers ... but the fun of the sport is still enjoyed.


Most of you know how I dislike cold, damp winters, so ice fishing wasn't ever on my radar. With Don's daily fishing reports, I kept getting the urge to get out and fish.

Saturday, I put on my jeans, a t-shirt, sweater, hoodie, hat, scarf, 3 pairs of socks, Don's ski pants, Don's ski jacket, 3 pairs of gloves ... and we headed out.

I could weigh anywhere from 100-200 lbs.,
who'd know the difference in this get-up?

The lake just doesn't look the same with shanties, four-wheelers, and snowmobiles.

(click on pics to see all these shanties!)

We moved from hole to hole [insert smirk here] and after a couple hours, I caught this one perch. Nancy 1 Don zero.


I guess it wasn't our day to fish or after Don's daily catches, they fear him. ;)

Busy or Lazy?

Probably a toss up ... equally ... both.

And...

I have blogstipation.

Summer is over, fish fodder, lake photos, and writing about summer fun has ended. Actually, fishing has come to a temporary halt. Temporary meaning, I'll be fishing next week in Cabo wooooo-hoooo.

Yesterday, Don took the fishing boat out of the water ice. See the metal walls in the canal? As she cut through the ice, the sound echoed a farewell to summer down the canal and out into the lake.

**********

Tuesday morning my sister Sandi and her husband Gary, Don and I, leave for a week in Cabo San Lucas. None of us have been there before. I've heard great stories about Cabo, and we are all looking forward to the warm weather. I'll write more as we experience it.

And then, once we're back, I may realize that Christmas is thisclose and I don't have a decoration up or a present bought. I think that's where the lazy part comes in.

I'm busy being lazy.

Novem-berrrrrrrr

I dislike cold, rainy, winter weather. We have been lucky so far, it's the end of November and we've had temperatures into the 50's. Yet, that's still too cold for me.

Just at the end of Don's canal,heading out into Lake St. Clair.
It was foggy!

This past Saturday, Don and I took advantage of what very well may be our last time fishing before he has to pull the boat out of the water. The morning started out foggy and crisp, but when the sun came out it was beautiful. I had on 3 hoodies and a couple long-sleeve T-shirts, but the sun was warm on our faces. The lake was calm and the fish were, meh, but it didn't really matter, we were having a great time.

********

One of Don's friend's band was playing at a local pub Saturday night so we went to see them. Don and John have been friends for a long time. Don wanted to wear a certain shirt that night, all in jest for his friend. Actually he has worn it before to the casino for luck. I love the shirt, I think he wears it well. Its black, accented in red velour, [yes you read that right] and the buttons are dice. When I saw what John had on ... it was clear to me why they are friends!


I never got a straight answer on the name of the band. I think these guys have played together for a long time switching out players at times, regrouping and renaming. They were quite good.

As I watched them and looked at the cast of characters, I realized they were all 180 degrees different from each other, but whatever, it worked!


The keyboard player was a Napoleon Dynamite clone, the bass player Jack Black, and the guitar player was the "fat middle school kid with beet red cheeks that takes guitar lessons to attract girls." He was awesome, probably the best musician in the band. The lead singer was right out of Liverpool England (well, in his mind) looking like a 60's Beatle boy. Don's friend was the drummer. He reminded me of Woody from Toy Story. It was a fun night, I look forward to seeing them again.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your families. I count my blessings and I am truly thankful for my health, my job, friends, and family.

Laughter, Always the Best Medicine

I'd like to think the majority of the lines on my face tell a story of laughter over the years.

Don an I have a comfort zone as far as teasing, laughing, and joking. We can easily find humor in most situations, whether appropriate or not. [smirk]

Some of those stories aren't repeated because they translate to a "you had to be there" kind of tale.

This one may fall in that category, but even as I type, I can't help to reinforce these laugh lines a bit more.

Don and I have an on-line store.

[Not PicYourFetish, there's nothing for sale there, just visuals]

Recently, we were listing golf wind jackets. I took the photos and decided, meh, fresh out of the package they were wrinkled, they didn't show that the sleeves roll-up and button, and didn't quite do the jacket justice.

I decided it would look better on someone for the photo ... a model.

"Oh Dahhhhhnnnn"

I recruited him with promises he'd have final say. [Mhm, right]

So, I had him put one on. I rolled up one sleeve and lead him out onto the balcony for his photo shoot.

I'd like to post the out takes, but really, they have been deleted. Here's where I'm being kind, but only because I've learned over the years paybacks are a bitch!

After I settled on the pics and used them in the ads, and published them, I got the giggles.

I began dissecting the photo and laughing until I thought I'd pee mah pants.

[Enter the feeling this is one of those "ya had to be there moments"]

I give you the cliff note version ...

Here we have Don, a former Sears model, I'm sure, wearing the jacket, one sleeve rolled up to show how it buttons.


Right hand placed as such because the first few photos had him unconsciously placing his hand in his front jean pocket with all fingers in except the middle finger, whereby flipping off the photographer!

His left hand at first was resting comfortably on the front of his leg, fingers slightly curled inward, in a relaxed position until I realized it was way too close to "center" and he was looking more like a rapper just about to grab his crotch.

He moved it ... so now we have an "ex-deli-lunch-meat slicer" that sliced off all his fingers just below the last knuckle.

I'm thinking he has a career change coming!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Yes, laughter IS a good medicine. Last Wednesday, Dons father, was taken into ER and ended up having triple by-pass open heart surgery. As the family waited on pins and needles for the next 3 days, the amount of humor that came out was the key to everyone keeping it together.

"Seriously Uncle Dan, did you have to give Bailey a wet willy just as she was saying good-by to her Grandpa before they wheeled him into surgery?"

"And Cindy? We all thank you for the hilarious antic of accusing someone of taking your car keys while we were all out to dinner ... only to exit the restaurant an hour and a half later to find your car unlocked, keys in ignition, and still running in the parking lot!"

"Darren? The nurse explaining there had to be a bowel movement before leaving was directed towards your father, but we were all glad her directions moved you."

Don Sr. had everyone smirking as he "innocently" described how the nurse had to shave him and how he now sports a Mohawk! I think that opened the community brain storming for a new business, with Brad as CEO ... "Manscaping" ... by Brad Scissorhands.

Casey handled cooties like a champ and Cheyne had his Grandpa joking about the "pajama" pants he wore to visit him.

Even Don's mother Janet didn't miss a beat with her endless fast thinking. She realized with his driving restrictions, she'll be at the wheel and they could end up at the casino on her whim!

Don's father is doing so well, he'll be released to go home sometime today.

Janet? Get your nickles ready ;)

Wedding Bells, Backwoods Style

Saturday night Don and I went to a "hillbilly" wedding and reception.

The themed party was at the Huron Pointe Yacht Club. Everyone dressed as hillbillies. NASCAR folk (sorry for the label), trailer trashy, and Deliverance type hillbillies.

Don Bubba and I Sugar Britches, made sure we had our finest on. My red flannel shirt tied at the waist and just low enough to show my tit-tat. Bubba had his cut-off shirt over his wife-beater and all 13 of his tat's showing. We had matching neck tat's ... shooting stars.

In anticipation of being the bride, Don bought me a diamond ring. Indeed, a beautiful heart shaped diamond ring. It has to be 50 carats if not more. There is no doubt it's real. The best part, it's totally adjustable!


When we walked in, our names were put in a "bucket" ... gals in one guys in another. Once the preacher finished his drink and put down his stogie, the weddin' plannin' began. Names were drawn and a bridal party was picked, along with the bride and groom.

Our friend Mary, dressed like Elle Mae Clampett, sans blond hair, critters, and a c-ment pond, was picked as the flower girl. Needless to say, flower girls are notoriously shy, so to conquer her fears, Mary threw back a few vodka's & Coke.


Don was picked to be the father of the bride, and the groom. Yes, his role was father and in true (alleged) southern backwoods style, both bride and groom were his "children". With shotgun in Bubba's hand, the bride proceeded down the newspaper taped together aisle.

The drunk joyful bride and her brother groom
with "dad" in the background waving his shotgun in celebration.


Oh, and here is Bubba's friend,
who is also Mary's boyfriend, Homer:

Is my Boyfriend a Super Hero?

Last Sunday, 1:00 a.m.

Don is snoring (a nice soft kind, not the freight train kind)

I'm awaken by a sound.

"fffttt-fftttt-fffttt"

Crap, something is flying around in this room ... in the dark!

Nancy: "Don, something is flying around in this room."

Don: [still asleep] "It's just birds outside."

Nancy: "Nope, it's in here"

Don: " zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz"

So I got up, turned on the bathroom light and looked around.

Nothing

Listened

Nothing

Went back to bed, fell asleep.

"fftttt-ftt-fttt-fftttt"

W- I- D- E- A- W- A- K- E

Nancy: "Don, there IS something flying around in here."

Don: [asleep, but a wee bit annoyed I'm waking him up] "It's the birds outside."

Nancy: [thinking] FUCK THIS SHIT (oops, but that IS what I thought)

I was too afraid to get up because at that point I figured it was a BAT. I've read if they get in your hair, they freak and may bite. Soooooooo....

Under the covers I went. My head was covered and I cocooned my body in the sheets. I decided to wait it out until the sun came up.

"fttt-fttt-fttt"

There is a door wall at one end of the room, a window at the opposite end. It was going back and forth trying to get out.

I was sweating like a sumo wrestler in a sauna under the covers.

About 5:30 a.m, Don got up to use the restroom. As he walked back into the room I said:

"I just heard it again ! ! ! "

Then it flew right into him. [expletive]

Now, he believed me.

We turned on all the lights and couldn't find it. We opened the door wall, shut off the lights, closed the door and hoped it found it's way out.

Monday night, I didn't stay at Don's ... but the bat did!

Poor Don was awaken by it flying around again. He got up and read online how to get them to leave the house. FYI - lights out, door/window open, light on outside ... then it should leave.

So now, Tuesday night, I'm home and hoping tonight Don isn't awaken by "fftttt-ffftttt-fftttt"

Hummmm, maybe it was Don all along ... could he be ...

"Over-baaaaaaaaaaaay"

Bottom of the 9th: Jays 5, Tigers 2

BUT, we had fanfunkintastic seats!
First row behind visitors dugout.

Beer, hot dogs, peanuts, down by 3, did I mention great seats?

We also had the drunk guy standing/walking/moving/ behind, to the side, and in front of us non-stop yelling to Toronto's 1st baseman Lyle Overbay.

"Over-baaaaaaaaaaaaay" x's 500 x's a million decibel's.

We never did figure out why he was yelling at him and Overbay had his drunk-dar earplugs properly in place.

Abrey Huff hit a homer to tie the game.

Then the rain started.

Damn, did we have great seats!

Bottom of the 10th Brandon Inge scores on Alex Avila's hit and with the win, the rain stops.


But, "Over-baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay" didn't.

Detroit Tigers 6 - Toronto Blue Jays 5

Sorry Sherry, here's your happy campers:

P.S. Remember last game when I got a $30 parking ticket that I was going to fight? I took all kinds of photos of the area (panoramic view even) showing no signs posted, to send in with the unpaid ticket?

Yeah, I didn't remember it either until I got a late notice and an increase to $80.

That spot was always available to park at before ... always for night games.

So oops, I did it again! Another fricking $30 ticket.

I better get my Denny Crane brain going and do something about it.

Armada MI 2009 Fair

Just as we entered the gates, the first thing that hit me was the smell of manure.

The Armada Michigan, 2009 Annual Fair was in full swing.

We walked through the 4H area and smelled checked out some of the animals. Elle Mae Clampett and I have DNA from the same gene pool, so of course I loved (and wanted to hug) every one of these adorable animals. How can you raise them from a baby only to sell them to slaughter? I guess that's why I'm not a farmer.

Then, we headed over to the area where the demolition derby had already begun. Don's father and brother were in the packedlikesardines grandstand with Don's three little nephews. We made our way to them and ska-weeeeeezed in between the other sardines.

My-oh-my, what a riot! We all picked our "winning cars" and it began. I was so into it, I forgot Don's dad was sitting right there, forgot my "sweet lady demure" and began shouting rooting for my car! My car #77 came in second place.

Nothing like the Armada Fair Queen and her Court throwing beads out into the grandstands during the demolition derby!

Off to the beer tent. Wow, just wow. [said the city girl] Look at the size of this tent! They had a great band and one dancer. One, one handed cowboy dancing 'till the cows come home. The mechanical bull had a few giving it the ole I've-got-a-few-beers-in-me confidence try.


As we left through the gates, the first thing to hit me was, I had quit smelling manure 5 minutes into the night.

When's the Romeo Peach Festival?

Right of Way

I've been on hiatus from blogging because, well, I'm still fishing and hanging out on Lake St. Clair with Don and as fun as it is for me, I'm sure ya'll are getting bored with the same ole stories and pictures.

Here's a few pics from yesterday.

First, my biggest perch I ever caught. I had him in one hand, but before Don could snap the picture, he slipped out and landed on his head. Take two, same thing! That's why I'm holding that sucker with two hands. BTW, that glow isn't photo-shopped. I'm getting tan and the sun was glowing orange just before going down. It was a beautiful sunset.


We've been fishing out by the channel and I love watching the huge-ass freighters go by. Don pointed out this one as being 1,000 feet long. I started taking pictures as it was coming towards us. Don decided to cross the channel to fish on the other side. Perfect opportunity to take a front shot. Perfect time to pray we don't run out of gas or stall.





Look at our wake, yes, we were that close! Captain Don had it under control as I was snapping away. I did however have an escape plan in mind ... just in case. It involved a test of my jumping and diving skills. [smirk]