Oak Island 2008 Recap

We are home from the third annual Kogut/Sanne/Cummings/Beef Oak Island Vacation. This year was extra special because my Grandma spent the week with us, which was such a rare treat since we never see her living all the way in Seattle. Some of the highlights/lowlights of the week (and I will write in more details later).

• Karoke - Duffers the local bar (only a golf cart away) has instituted Karoke every Tuesday and every other Saturday night. Pearson, stole the show with his Mick Jagger impersonation and singing of Beast of Burden. Matt, truly is an alum of UVA and JMU and sang Dixieland Delight on perfect note.
• Susan and Eddie - A couple we met last year and ran into again, again, and again this time, mostly at Duffers. Awesome folks and can't wait to see them again next year! I think there was a bet going around about the "silver fox" [Susan] but can't recall exact details.
• Wii Fit - Who says you can't get a work out playing video games. I can feel my core already stronger. The best babysitting tool for Luke, you simply turned it on and he just stood there and watched you bouncing soccer balls off your head.
• Repeats - Pearson has yet to stop reminding me how much we all repeat ourselves constantly. Pearson has yet to stop reminding me how much we all repeat ourselves constantly. A habit I am trying to break.
• Professional Photography - I decided it would be a "great" idea to do family photos on the beach, which was then met with resistence by some, a huge fight an hour before the photographer was going to show up, and then of course, a celebration of the family on the beach AND ultimately everyone very happy.
• The Crisses - We now have the fortune of getting to see them at least once a year.

Took down last year's pics and posted this year. Yes, I got everyone in full body shots. Motivation to get in shape next year.

Beach Balls, Beer, Birdies, and BBQ

Alison and I are getting ourselves squared away for another trip across the continent to visit with family and some friends in Oak Island, NC. It's truly a gorgeous place, with a peaceful rhythm that you can really feel, especially when the Kogut girls aren't yelling at me or Joe.

We really don't do much--we sit on the beach, drive the golf cart around, drink beer, play cards and horseshoes, and mess around in the ocean. This year I am particularly excited to play with my nephew, Lukey Bobby, who truth be told is my favorite nephew. He is growing up pretty fast and speaking all kinds of complex phrases; let's just hope he doesn't get "Kogutbonics". If he doesn't get it, he'll be ok.

Alison has set up a link to our pictures from last year. Ignore the fat belly and white body--it's all an illusion.

And tell me why again we live in Seattle.

It is officially summer - two weeks after Memorial Day - time for grilling, sailing, getting a tan, and swimming. Time for flip flops, shorts, tank tops, summer whites, and sun dresses. Time for cold lemonade, popsicles, and the ice cream man.

Not for me...I feel that I have entered a time machine and I woke up this morning in March, give or take a year. Today, I woke up to the cold and rain yet again this week. Instead of putting on my lovely linens pants that have been hanging from the dry cleaning bag since last August, I reach for my winter clothes, complete with my sweater that Pearson tells me "looks like a bathrobe." I have skipped the gloves and scarf. The weather people are worried about avalanches in the mountain pass this weekend since it is predicted they are getting 2 feet of snow.

As I long for summertime, I hear from my colleagues, life long Seattlites, and/or people who just think this is the best city on the planet "Welcome to June Gloom!" As they say this with a smile and an exclamation point, I think to myself they get excited about this as I used to get excited about the pool opening on Memorial Day. I wonder to myself are these folks masochistic or do they simply like being melancholy. And the thing I find even odder is everyone is "ok" with it. No one complains, unlike myself, who can't stop. Following the June Gloom comment, people then always say in followup (as to make you feel better), "oh don't worry, the sun comes out on July 5th and shines through September." I simply stare at them and think to myself, "and tell me why again we live in Seattle."

I am now waiting to see if the prediction comes true and if the skies clear on July 5th. Until that time, I am going to make the most of it and I am going to hit the Farmer's Market that I can see out my front window. I can only hope that the local farmers showed up today to sell fresh produce and meats. I will buy some flowers, which will put a smile on my face and be happy that I am able to buy fresh and organic food a stones throw from my house every week.

Looks like it is a love/hate relationship I have with the Emerald City.