Weekend Plans.

Only 9 hours of work left until I get to yell “it’s the weekend.” Then the craziness starts.

Things to do:

Get the iPhone 4S. My phone has had a great run and now it’s ready to be upgraded. I am very excited about this since lately my phone decided it’s too weak to power my apps or allow me to have long conversations. Out with the old and in with the new!

I will be ordering these puppies in a few minutes once my paycheck is deposited. Red and white TOMs! Love love love. Pretty fitting for my beloved Miami Redhawks and Detroit Red Wings. I think its the perfect hockey shoe while the boy thinks I am crazy because they don't "look warm." He should know by now that cuteness over warmth!

My little brother has a football game tonight… ohh and its homecoming and he’s on the court! VOTE FOR JOE! It’s crazy that he is a senior and got his pictures back yesterday. Makes me feel old.

Joe hugging the ball after his game-winning interception last week.

Date nights. This weekend will be full of dates with the boy. He told me last night that “I have to get in my Sarah-time right now because once winter hockey season starts (next week) I won’t be around much.” It’s true. He will be playing games 3 times a night while also being the referee for the other teams’ games. Goodbye boy, goodbye.

So what’s more romantic and a perfect date then a haunted house an hour away? Every October in Wolverine, Michigan a company hosts the scariest haunted house ever. I haven't been in 3 years, so I know it will creep me out like the first time I've gone. They even added a haunted swamp behind it... Yikes. This girl's biggest fear is getting lost in the woods so I can only imagine how much I will freak out once I am being chased through the woods.

Lastly, my best friend sent me this card in the mail and I nearly died laughing. It’s sad but true. I am getting it framed due to the fact its kind of a rule I live/date by.

With that note, I am going to crank out hours of engineering work so I can start enjoying my sports-centered weekend of football and hockey. What do you guys have planned this weekend?

Going Down the River... In Style.

Since I am one of the biggest planners you’ll ever meet… It’s no wonder that I have already made plans for this coming Saturday. After much thought of an idea that involves sun and water, I thought a little “trip down the river” with my friends was muchhh needed. Every summer, a group of us will get together to tube down the Sturgeon River.  It’s kind of a joke because the river is extremely slow moving and all that is left to pass the time is to just kick back, relax, and…drink.  

I made a list of everything I wanted to bring along and starting putting things into my beach tote and after the list was completed, I could help but smile. It’s going to be a good time! Here’s what I am taking:

Ralph Lauren turquoise beach tunic
Ralph Lauren yellow striped beach tote
Old Navy gold flip-flops
Pair of aviator sunglasses with kroakies
Banana Boat spray tanning lotion
Skinnygirl Margaritas in my double insulated Pier1 cup {Reward if I make it down the river alive}

The river takes about 3 hours to complete…at our pace. We always have to pull up to beaches along the way, swim a bit, and make friends with everyone else on the river that day. So this year, you can tell I am a little bit more excited than other years, well it’s because I bought this beauty. I went to the marine shop last night with Jordan and I originally wanted to find a hot pink or purple inner tube to use this weekend. That was until I saw this one… with a cooler! And a cup holder! And a BACK REST!

So needless to say, I am now the proud owner of a pimped-out inner tube. My friends are going to be jealous! :) But now, I am going to be scared of every stick, log, or tree we float/rub against because I am going to be so depressed if she {it} gets punctured. See I am already really attached to my new toy. I just with the guy came with it!

Does anyone else go tubing, canoeing, or rafting down rivers? Let me know if you guys think of anything else that is needed to survive the trip.

Pocket Doors Galore.

In previous blogs I have discussed my plans for our back porch. Since its our newest project, I wanted to find a way to accelerate the progress. So this Mother's Day, I gave my mom a card with pictures of these pocket doors inside. I told her I will pay for any door of her choice! 

The door is going to lead into a half-bath off of the laundry space. After doing some online hunting, I found a few that I fell in love with and hoping my mom will be equally inspired. 

In order from least to greatest doors:

Lastly, this next picture is what I want to do in my future home. The sliding-barn-door look! I love the pop of yellow color, but the overall function and style of this door is just so fun. I am quite the sucker for little touches/tastes of country. I mean can you blame me? I am from northern Michigan!

I am just hoping that the installation of the chosen door will be as easy as shopping for one! Let's get creative.

Summer Lovin'

I just had the best phone conversation with my mom a few minutes ago. She is driving down to help me move out of my apartment in 5 days and we were discussing details of the trip. Somehow we got off topic and started discussing summer plans. I told her that this summer I want to be happy. Call me crazy but this was my birthday wish! Honestly, I want to be a more positive and happier person. I want to be more outdoorsy and hands on. So as you can tell, I am pretty much making New Years' resolutions in April! Here is how I am going to go about it: 

1. Camping on the Pigeon River

This is as "extreme camping" as I get... Its absolutely gorgeous, but there are no bathrooms or running water. It's a make-your-own campsite so the SUV you drive there has to be able to tackle the two-track dirt roads that wind around the river. Any of the spots you choose are in the middle of bear country, so one has to be careful, but with a view like this how can you pass up a few nights under the stars?

2. DIY Projects

So far on the to-do list, I have a back porch, a half-bath, and a stairway to completely redesign and paint. I am thrilled! I cannot wait to to get my hands dirty, learn new talents, develop more skills, and be able to stand back from it and say "I just did that." Be prepared for those upcoming posts!

3. Happy hour with childhood friends

I have had the same best friends since I was in kindergarden. We all went to Catholic school together and then through high school, so its safe to say that these girls know me better than I know myself. We all went to different states for college and whenever we come home for the summers, its absolutely a given that we meet at our favorite bar to dish out gossip and catch up on each other's lives. The picture above was taken at the bar where I am currently working on a beer list. If you complete all the beers listed (50 different kinds from all around the world) then you receive a mug engraved however you wish. The mug is then hung amongst the others on the walls and ceiling that line the bar. So from that moment on, you walk in, grab your mug... give it to the bartender... then the drink poured into your mug is a dollar for life. Its pretty much a given if you live in my area to belong to the club! I am only 5 beers away from finishing. Weird thing to get excited about but hey its the little things that I love.

4. Bonfires on the shore of Lake Michigan

I love-love-love a good bonfire party.... my favorite summer memories involve sitting next to a bonfire looking out into the water.

5. Harbor Springs Boat Regatta 

Live music, free beer, and good friends. It usually signals the end of the summer, but its something to definitely look forward to.

6. Traverse City Beach Bums Baseball Games.

Yeah, its a farm-league but nonetheless its professional baseball. The tickets are cheap and I am a sucker for being able to sit out in the sun and watch some good baseball. Admire the players... Pick a favorite. The games are held an hour away from home, but its the perfect way to get out of town yet close enough to head back afterwards. I am hoping to have a few games picked out in the next few weeks and start getting friends together. Party bus for the trip maybe?!

So there you have it. My plans for the summer... I have to get in/enjoy all of these events while working 50 hour weeks at an aerospace engineering firm, but I know where there's a will there's a way!

How Sweep It Is.

So after holding a successful party, why not host a new one? What better reason to celebrate than my beloved Detroit Red Wings sweeping the Phoenix Coyotes in the first series of the NHL Playoffs?

Love the celebration!

I am going back home to northern Michigan in a week, so my head is already reeling with ideas to show some Red Wings love. Call me crazy but I have had these ideas saved for years because I always joke with my friends that I want to have a wedding on ice... with my dream hockey player at the end of the icy aisle. Haha, I know its wishful thinking, but I girl can dream.

Idea for tables.

No party is complete without a dessert table. Love the Stanley Cup cake!!

Little hockey puck chocolates!

I found the recipe for the chocolate hockey pucks and I am thinking with some Red Wings red velvet cupcakes... My coworkers and hometown friends should be happy. We already get a little TOO into the games so I am sure the sugar high will make us even more obnoxious. I can't help but love the playoffs... It's the best time of the year. There is at least one game every night giving me something to look forward to (even if its not the Wings) and knowing that I get to spend watching good hockey with my friends.
I can't wait for the next round of series to begin because I am going through a Red Wings withdraw. Its only been 5 days since they've taken the ice but believe it or not I am ready for more games... I am ready to conquer my nerves and practice breathing during the games instead of only at commercials.
Don't tell me its just a game! ;)