He went beyond what the plan was...

and it was very much appreciated!  The place he intended to get food was closed.  He was trying to get what sounded good and drove out of his way.  When he got to the place, he found out that the person on the phone didn't have a clue.  "When I have to stand and order after driving to order something you don't even offer...do not expect me to hit the tip button!  And don't get nasty when I ask for all that I ordered make it into the bag!  What is wrong with people these days?"  Our al fresco supper on the patio in the beautiful weather was delicious.

He didn't have to go to such lengths to do what he did!  But...it is what he does all the time!  I don't deserve it, but he spoils me.  I am grateful for his love.  It wasn't the original plan, but it tasted so good and I didn't have to cook!
 

We Celebrated 27 Years together on August 18th

A Monday night date to Howell to go to Diamonds for a delicious steak dinner.  It is one of our favorite places to go for our special events in life.  When our plates arrived, I realized I had ordered the same thing as the last time we were here.  It was that good!

We split the pot de crème again!  MMMM!

A little sweet and a little salt...both of which fit us!
 

Morning By Morning

I am so thankful for time in the morning to sit and read and study.  Slow mornings are a gift that I do not want to take for granted.

Coffee and a taste of Michigan summer...in the form of yummy peaches!
 

All In An Investor's Week

Ted had to replace another set of front steps!  This time he chose to do wooden.  He has gotten to perfect his methods this year.  Each time nothing goes as expected or hoped!  Nothing is level or consistent.

We found another contractor to try out.  The dryer vent job was something to test him.  Check.

I had to go check in with our Detroit tenant and found these notices to be ironic.  What is not shown is all the garbage in the lots blowing all over that indicates evictions.  Makes me mad and then sad for those neighbors who try to take care of their property.  If everyone did a small part by cleaning up after themselves, our cities would not look so dumpy!  

A gathering of investors to go over helpful things to know when working with tenants and housing commissions.

Another beautiful summer date night!

 

Goals!

I went to Costco to pick up some meat to make jerky for Ted.  I walked around and found a couple favorites and yummy looking peaches.  As I rounded the corner, this gal was stopped arranging her box and then zoomed away.  I had to laugh as I decided that was what I am going to do when I am much older too!  A goal for keeping myself out and about in public settings.  She used the store's motorized scooter and had a box in the basket with several paper cups from the sample carts.  Tuesdays don't have as many, but she had an impressive variety.  She had finished the different samples and was on her way over to the trash can.  I don't know if she did any other shopping, as I did not follow her, because that is just weird!  But I made a mental note for future goals when I am old.  Costco often stresses me out with the sheer number of people wandering aimlessly amid other people on a mission.  But it is an outing that meets all the needs in one area...food, clothing, home decor, health and beauty, car, snack food, and gas!  It is very peopley all the time and I always spend more than I planned on...so that is another goal to work on too.
 

Spending some extra time reading...

and studying in God's Word so I am ready to give answers that I have been called on repeatedly to do lately.  If our heart is not right...NOTHING IN LIFE WILL BE RIGHT!  As I read and study, I am seeing what a daily fight it is to choose to follow God's way and not my own.  We want to control all the things so we can be happy!  God's goal for us is not our happiness...it is His glory.  When I hang on and try to manipulate everything to work out how I think it should and it doesn't...then I am not happy...and "Look Out!" to the people around me.  I was asked, "Will I ever get it right?"  And I was honest and said, "No, not always...not while we are on earth!  But we confess and continue to try to do right and follow His ways...singing and making melody unto the Lord with a heart of thankfulness for all He has done for us!  Life is hard.  Life is messy.  But God!"

When we choose to be honest and deal with the hard and messy...God sends people our way to encourage both of us!  So this week, we know satan is throwing the fiery darts.  We know God is our ever present help in trouble...so we release our tight-fisted hands of control and trust Him for the wisdom, guidance, and protection.  "It is like I just had a huge weight lifted off my shoulders!"  Yes...that is exactly how we should feel...He is bigger than all our problems!
 

Summer time treats

Fresh squeezed lemonade for my love.

Strawberries in a pot that the critters like to get first.

Keeping electrolytes in balance.

Facebook memories that bring a smile and a little tear!

 

There is always something on the "to do" list

We found an issue at one of our rentals on a visit.  "Oh yeah, someone backed up on the lawn and this happened."  I love it when tenants don't let us know of issues.  This is a problem!  It is a sinkhole...and now we have the city on it...took a couple days.  They investigated and added a cone for safety...we will see how they fix it.

When front steps crumble, they have to be fixed!  Every three years we have city inspections.  Homeowners that live in the residence do not have these inspections.

This is how the city gets funds...from landlords with tenants.

So we pay inspection fees and property upkeep and damage fixes and city fines and mortgage payments and property taxes and more inspection fees...while other homes on the block are in disrepair or vacant or burned out or filled with garbage.  The whole time biting our tongue not to retort to the city's claim of "wanting to keep our city beautiful and safe for all".  Requiring a certificate of occupancy is a way for the city to track who owns the home and who lives there...and we happen to follow the city's requirements...and we pay...to keep our properties looking nice and in good repair for our tenants...and the city inspectors.

We will have had three housing commission inspections and three city inspections by the time summer is over.

 

Some fun things to remember

A continued funny for our family from an episode about a can opener and tuna.  I bought tuna from Costco and the cans have the flip lid top.  I made lunch for Ted and I and had to laugh when I opened the can and the "tuna juice" got all over my hand as I took the lid off.

The dogs are enjoying the treats from Eastern Market.

What would you do for a Klondike bar?  Just about anything...ha, ha, ha!

A crafting day was successful...and how do I know?  Because the mess that was left behind.

Coffee always tastes better from a favorite cup.

A little outing to celebrate Mari's birthday.

A trip through the carwash so I could use the vacuums!

 

Little flowers make me happy!

 

Another memory of our chair fillers...12 years ago!

The time Papa and Grandma came to visit and then took the kids on an adventure!  This was our first summer in Michigan 12 years ago.  I cannot believe we have lived here 13 years in September. WOW!  
 

A funny memory for a then and now picture

A trip to DQ  and a trip to the market...he loves me...really!