A Crime Sammich

Published today, the 10 most dangerous cities in America:

*I had to remove the link, copyright infringement, they reported me*

Danger, Will Robinson, Danger

# 1 ... Flint Michigan

# 2 ... Detroit Michigan

Map of Michigan 

I'm in the center of a crime sandwich.

 I've lived here way too long all my life.

Nancy has her CPL and isn't afraid to protect her melons.

Hold the mayo, no ketchup please ... looks to gory!

Girls Just Wanna ... Let the Dogs Out

Madonna, Margie, Me, Cyndi, Marie

I'm quite certain as each of us girls were getting ready for a mid-week get together, Cyndi Lauper's song "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" was humming through our heads.

This morning, I woke up still smirking at the six middle-age women hitting Big Fish to see Big Will and the 360 Band, only now the song "Who Let the Dogs Out?" is running through my mind.

Over the years we've all enjoyed our local live bands. There is nothing like live music to dance to. Unfortunately, many clubs have submitted to having DJ's. I guess when we find a great dance band, our zealous excitement kicks in. (Ahem, to say the least!)


Big Will and the 360 Band is just what this metro-Detroit area needs. Not only are they an extremely entertaining band, individually and collectively they have a plethora of background experiences that have brought them to this point.

So who DID let the dogs out? I'm thinking being a Wednesday, a smaller crowd, one or seventy-eleven glasses of wine, an awesome band, and fun women getting together ... well, there 'ya have it.

What happened at Big Fish, stays at Big Fish! *Kinda, join us next girls night out and I'm sure you'll have fun too.

Big Will & Sandi

"Luuvvv yaaaaa Wiiiill"

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!

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. ;)

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.

Cosmetic Surgery at My Age?

My friend Julie and I were talking about growing old gracefully content with how we look.

Cosmetic surgery at my age? No, I'm past it.

I remember being in my 40's and noticing all the physical "flaws" I've fought /gave up on / fought / ignored / fought ... and cringed over. I've admitted to having a "boob lift" in my early 40's and anticipated the tummy tuck, eye lift, face touch up etc., to come.

I never did it. Truth be told, I couldn't afford it otherwise I'd have done it.

Now in my 50's, I'm accepting my flaws. The boobs are okay, but 10 years after a lift, gravity wins again. The crows feet and laugh lines? I earned them. Sure the c-section left me needing a tummy tuck. I remember that emergency c-section. If it hadn't turned out for the best, the scars and paunch wouldn't matter, I'd be carrying around a bigger emotional scar.

Yes, I sigh a little when I see the bikini clad women out on the boats. I keep reminding myself I was there once too. And they will be in their 50's showing their life lines soon enough.

I'm healthy (fingers crossed) and happy in my own skin. This is me, as it. I think what's inside is more important that what's on the outside. It's not to say I won't stick to a diet, or keep fretting about flibbles that jibble, but I know acceptance of my looks is healthier then carrying an inferior image anchor around.

: Okay Nancy, keep reading this over and over until you actually believe it :

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]

Captain Don and First Mate Klutz

I think I am dying.

I must have something going on and God has decided to give me some of the best times of my life before I depart. He must have chosen Don to be my guardian angel and see to it that I enjoy every moment.

Last Friday morning, we headed out to St. Clair for the Riverfest.

Don tied "Sunny" onto the swim platform so we'd have a way to get around town. Proved to be a blessing ... a fun one at that.


At the halfway point, we docked to fuel up and pick up Don's parents.

Don Sr.and Captain Don

I'm still learning all the boat "stuff", and I try to be a good first mate.

I'm a better klutz.

As Don docked, I decided to get out and tie us off. I jumped onto the dock. In flip-flops. Onto a slippery dock. As Don saw it, I went "ass over teakettle" and messed up my knee big time. I didn't feel it right away, but within an hour, I was struggling to even walk. I had 3 more days to go ... so I sucked it up. By the next day I could walk, but still felt sore. No more flippy-flops!


The whole downtown was shut down so the carnival and all the food vendors could set up. There were VIP tents set up along the river for viewing the nightly entertainment and the daily boat races.

As luck would have it, Don's brother had his VIP tent set up directly in front of the stage.

Friday night was Eddie Money ... awesome, a show that had everyone singing and dancing. Saturday night was American Idol's Josh Gracin, another excellent show.

We had cocktails, friends, cocktails, family, cocktails, food, cocktails, fun! Oh, and we had a couple cocktails that weekend.

The weather was on our side and the weekend was a great time. We came home Monday and I think I came to life Tuesday.

The Weekend Crib

::Gasp:: Naked Boating

Yesterday was HOT 86ish.

The lake had tiny whitecaps, but Don and I decided it would be a great day to go fishing.

We took off, out further than last time, to a spot where his neighbor was having luck. We were just out past my last post showing the freighters.

The wind was picking up, the waves were rolling, not another boat in sight. I was diggin' it. I love just laying there, holding the fishing pole, sipping cocktails, feeling the rock of the boat, hearing the waves smack the side. Ahhhhh, nothing better.

Don got a bite ... one bite ... one little perch.

Nancy ... nothing.

For me, it's not as important to catch, as it is just spending some time shutting down the brain and enjoying our conversations.

We were out for a couple hours and the wind was really picking up.

Me: "Don, what is that red chopper doing over head?"

Don: "Just the coast guard."

Me: ::: Holds up bottle, salutes the international gesture for cheers :::

Coast Guard: Waves and takes off.

Me: "Damn, I think I just missed a mooning opportunity. "

Anyway, it was time. Sun beautifully glowing as it goes down, waves really rolling in and no fish.

We headed back, but it was so rough out there the boat would not get "on plane" (yeah my non-boater buds, go link-look, I didn't know either). This was going to be a longer ride back.

We were rocking and bobbing. Don assured me we'd be fine, but I didn't even think otherwise. He's a great Captain and the thought that we wouldn't be fine never crossed my mind. Actually, I was enjoying the ride.

The weather was still quite warm but the spray from the lake was cold. We started getting soaked. I had on a tank and jean cut-offs. Don had a T and light-weight shorts. The wetter we got, the colder it felt. I looked over and Don had his shirt off, hanging from the boat to dry. I could see he was warmer that way because the air was warm. Next his shorts came off. I was laughing and grabbing the camera at the same time.

He was piloting the boat buck-nekkid, the air was warm and he was dry.

Me, cold and wet.

What the heck, we were the only ones on the lake. Seriously ... not a soul around. Off came my clothes. I was warm and dry and standing there in my birthday suit.

Don hung my clothes up in the wind to dry too, but just then, his T-shirt broke loose and was gone. No way was I going risk my clothes going to the abyss, so I reeled them in to safety.

We made it almost back to his place before we put our clothes on, dry for the most part, and even then, there wasn't anyone in sight.

Upside, I like naked boating.
Downside, I like naked boating ... I see more fodder ahead.

Pictures???? He'd kill me!

*** This is really a PSA in survival and how to stay warm in this kind of situation. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. ***

I'm Having Some Good Times!

What can I say? Another camera unload.

This blog may be boring now, but in real time ...
I'm having a great time!