Memories to Last a Lifetime

Ever since I was 6 years old my mom, my sister and I would take the 5 hour drive up to South Haven Michigan. Back then our cottages were all owned by the Coehens and every year the same people would come the same week. I remember one year we actually got to go during the 4th of July. We got to use sparklers...I was the happiest 8 year old ever. Another year we were there for the Sailboat festival. The lake was PACKED with gorgeous sails..I can't even describe the sea of color that I looked out and saw. When I was nine we brought our puppy golden retriever Fergus. That was funny, we even brought along my dad that year. We continued to go to South Haven for a few years after that, even once or twice after my sister was sick.

South Haven means EVERYTHING to our family. In the 70's my grandma's WHOLE family moved there. My grandparents bought this HUGE red house on the Southside of the city, two blocks from the beach. At that time, they had no idea what they were giving up when they moved away 15 years later.

A few years after my sister passed away, my mom and dad decided it was time to return. My first year back, I brought my bestfriend Lyndsay. To this day, that week was still the warmest I remember. We had a blast. For the next two years I was allowed to bring along my high school boyfriend..South Haven has a way of making everyone who visits fall inlove with it. This past summer makes it 8 summers in a row that we have gone back and even though the past two years I have only been able to go for a few days, I could not pass up going to my safe haven. I even have a guest room dedicated to South Haven, and hope to marry the man of my dreams there some day... :)

Please enjoy some of my favorite South Haven pictures..(sorry there are none when I was little, I will add those as soon as I can find and scan them. So enjoy some from the past 8 years :))

Sorry that some of my favorite pictures are on here..these are just the few that I had on my computer :)

my parents in our cottage

the gorgeous lake michigan sunset

sunsets

me jumping for joy

i think lyndsay looks like a tigeress

Sign in my upstairs hallway

picture of South Haven that is over 30 years old. I had it rematted and framed :)

my favorite picture

nate and i making smores..not going to post anymore of us..that would be kindof weird lol

my mom and I at my favorite resturant

Think Big Give Big Wish Big

My mom and I were invited as guests to Make a Wish Ohio Kentucky and Indiana's fundraiser to celebrate being a Chapter for 25 years. The event was amazing, way better than any of the ones I ever worked. Everything went completely smoothly, or at least it seemed that way from the other side of things. the only thing that happened was that the day before the lead singer of Rascall Flatts got really sick, so they couldn't perform, but the lead bass guitarist still came and met with the wish child that he had met the year before. Jim Tressell was there along with other OSU alumni, although that made me a bit sick to my stomach...I mean it was hard enough to have the whole event on the 50 yard line of the horse shoe..lol I had such an amazing time, I got to see my friends, enjoy Phil Vasser, support a cause I love with my whole heart and most importantly spend the day/night with my mom. Needless to see it was a successful mothers day :)

She works hard for the money

So I began my new job a week ago, and I have to say I really enjoy what lies ahead. Does it mean a longer drive? yes, does it mean longer hours and I don't get home til 6:30 7. yes. Does it mean I leave feeling acomplished and independent? YES! I'll keep you updated on my new life :)

Obsession

So my newest obsession to be brought to my attention by my lovely co-workers is my love for planning parties..for myself that is. I would have a party for EVERY holiday..even the ones we don't get off work for, if I could afford it. In college I would be that one person decked out in marti gras beads, shamrocks, chili peppers anything that would remotely festive and themed..I was all about it. Not to mention the countless theme parties we held at our house on 311 n. lincoln..for example ..Edward 40 Hands, Christmas Character, Beer Fest, Halloween, Fat Tuesday, First weekend of the Semester, Rock n Roll...we had a great time. Below are some pictures of our fun nights out.

RockNRoll

Edward 40 Hands

Christmas Characters

So back to my obsession, in my free time I constantly go on party favor and invitation websites. I am more in to planning my own party, than say being a party planner or what not. I love the idea of themes and having tons of favors for my guests. I am a big believer in making your guests happy and that is why for my birthdays I always make them a big deal with fun outings such as the Melting Pot, Karaoke Bars, Dave n Busters and party limos. I love to provide food and beverages(can we say 20394823 jelloshots?), anything I can do to assure my friends are having as good as time as I am. All these points have led my co-workers to conclusion that I have a party planning problem..but they are total reaping the benefits so I don't think they'll be complaining anytime soon ;)