I can't believe this is FINALLY happening. Dad and Mom have decided to start remodeling our house. The plans are drawn up, they look awesome and it is actually happening. I hope the project goes according to plan and that everything turns out great. Just think at Christmas Mom will be putting up her tree in a new living room and Piper and Nola will be sitting by a new and improved fireplace leaving cookies for Santa. I can't wait to see the finished project, until then....Mom hang in there and Dad please wear your dust mask!!!!Here is a picture of Dad making the first cut into the brick outside their bedroom. He is standing where the hot tub will be this winter.....SWEET!!!!

Above is a video of the first cut into brick, it is kind of loud so you may want to turn the volume on your computer down.

Here is a picture of Dad is Betsy's old room. He got pretty far in just one day I would say. Can't wait to see what tomorrow brings. Keep up the good work Dad, you are putting Bob Villa to shame.

Now that I officially live in Northern Michigan I can go shroomin whenever I like. Today I walked around Lance's dad's property for a few minutes and found all of these white morals. I really really wish dad didn't live 4 hours away because I am itching to find Grandpa De Jonge's cabin way back in the woods and go shroomin around it for a few days. I can't wait to throw these little buggers in a frying pan with some butter...yum!!

Check this out....a perfectly done pork stir fry dinner for two...only about 6 dollars. Even better yet, I had enough left over to have lunch tomorrow. I highly recommend using your rice cookers people!!!

This post is for dad. Dad I know you have been sick for a couple of weeks now with a terrible cough/cold. Lance has been sick for about two weeks now too and he has been making himself a streaming tent to help loosen it up. Just boil a pot of water and enclose yourself in a towel to catch the steam....Genious I tell ya!! I can only imagine it is good for your pores too, just like having a sauna in your kitchen.

Petoskey living

This past weekend, I got pinned at a nursing ceremony, graduated and moved into an apartment in Petoskey. I was extremely busy, and felt like I was on a rollarcoaster of emotions. I was happy to be graduating, sad to be leaving my friends, estatic about living closer to Lance and nervous to actally have to answer "yes" to the question "are you my nurse?" But now that I am here i am excited to see where life takes me. This week I am taking some time to make my "house a home." I do not start work for another two weeks so I will be enjoying some time to myself before getting started. Here are some pictures of what the place is looking like so far.....enjoy!

The guest bedroom where I hope all of you will have the pleasure of staying sometime. Can I lure with a new mattress and some extremely comfy blankets?! And yes Dad, I will have cable hooked up when you come next time!
My bedroom. I actually have a bed frame now! I also have a dresser which is something new for me as well.
My kitchen/office. Check out the table. Now isn't that inviting?!? This room is also my office, I just couldn't resist passing up a view like that while working on the computer. I do important stuff in my office like blog and watch past episodes of the Bachelor.
My living room. Guess what is under that slip cover. I just got that plant yesterday, lets hope I don't kill it.
And finally, my view. This is by far my favorite part about the apartment. Although this camera does not do justice to the view, that is the water in front of those buildings. As I sit here and type a sea gull is flying by and I can see a boat out on the lake. If you come and visit I promise you will NOT be disappointed in my view.

Here is a picture of the BEST mom on earth. Mom you have given everything you have to us girls and we all would not be where we are today without you. Thank you for being such an awesome person and for loving each of us so much! Here is a picture of mom with her new rice cooker we gave her for Mother's Day. I can't wait to come over for some dinner. I love you Mom.....enjoy your day I wish we could all be there for it!

Today while Smokes was being naughty in the basement he stumbled upon a little friend. I am sure he had tons of fun with his newly found, much smaller friend, that is until he got a little rough with him and rendered him unconscious. He didn't kill him, but mom did. Good Job Smokes on your first mouse! Now dad even thinks you are good to have around. Now lets have a moment of silence for Smokes' poor little friend.

Smokes cleaning himself after his mouse friend was no longer any fun.

Dirty got a new bed. Smokes will not give up without a fight, even if it means having to share!

Lost Birdie

This week Dad and I paid some due attention to "Tonto" and got out on the big lake. We tried our luck at fishing, caught one salmon, however did not succeed with the perch. Don't worry though we are on a mission to find them next week. Anywho, we were about 3 miles off shore fishing and this little bird landed on our boat. He was breathing heavy and I could tell he was tired. Dad thought he lost sight of shore, got confused and landed on our boat because he was too tired to fly anymore. The little bird stayed on our boat for about 10 minutes while we drove real slow and trolled for salmon. Anyway, as soon as he spotted shore the little guy took off....I really hope he made it back to shore safely, that is a long way for such a little bird to fly.

Kelsey is getting married

Here are some pictures from Kelsey's Bachelorete party. We had a lot of fun! First we ate and played games at Abby's house and then we were off to Grand Rapids via a limo to party! We went to Mojos and got in VIP at the Bob's new club Eve. Kelsey ended up sitting on the dualing pianos at Mojos and it was so fun. My camera didn't make it to the bar, but here are a few pictures from Abby's house.

We played the panty game. Kelsey has a lot of "HOT" panties now!

Penis cupcake anyone?

Betsy and I drinking from our penis straws.

Yesterday was a tragic day in the life of the De Jonge family. When I arrived back in Zeeland for the weekend, Mom asked Betsy and I if we wanted to go to Value City Department Store with her. We did, so we all got in the Mazda 3 and zoomed on over to the store only to find it closed down and abandoned. Ugh, I am speechless! What ever are we going to do?!?

Hurricane Jenna hit my room this past couple of weeks and efforts are still being made to clean up the destruction. As you can see I have been neglecting my room and my pets for the past two weeks as I am finishing up at St. Joe and in the process of moving. The entire apartment is a mess, I am sure my roommate thinks I am the best...ugh sorry Angie. Anywhoo, today I am baking fruit pizza cookies for my going away party at work tomorrow and I am also going to try and sort through this mess....wish me luck!

This weekend I went apartment shopping in Petoskey and we got 5 inches of snow in one day...ugh when will all this winter weather end. The good news is that the snow was just about melted when I left today and it was kind of pretty while it lasted.

I decided that if I can't find an apartment, I will just make an igloo and live in that.

Spring!

Spring was in the air today. It was 70 degrees outside and I actually got out to enjoy it. I went for a run....ugh it was not a pretty sight. Anywho, I am so glad that Winter is finally over!The kitties had to fight for the window seat today. They both wanted to sit in the nice, warm sunshine!

Lazy Smokes never moved all day.

Emily inspired me with this one. My very own rice cooker. Not only does it cook rice to perfection, it steams veggies and also makes excellent salmon. I love my new cooker!!!! Everyone is invited to my house for rice and veggies now.

I've been tagged...

I've been tagged...

Sweet! I’ve been tagged by Jayme to answer these questions in all fours. Enjoy!

Four jobs I’ve had:

1. Nurse Tech, I was a certified poop cleaner.

2. Swim instructor

3. Server at Russ', all my tips came in the form of quarters, nickels and dimes.

4. Lifeguard at Bouws pool, never actually saved someone though.

Four movies I’ve watched more than once:

1. Miss Congeniality- don't ask why because I have no idea.

2. Happy Feet-it makes me so happy!
3. Dumb and Dumber- makes me laugh everytime.

4. Cheaper By the Dozen- it inspires me to have dozens of kids myself someday...just kidding.

Four places I’ve lived:

1. Zeeland, Michigan-gotta love Z-Town

2. Auburn Hills, Michigan

3. Rochester Hills, Michigan- this is my current residence until Petoskey in one month.

4. Rochester, Michigan- how silly I moved into three different cities in college all within 5 miles of eachother.

Four TV shows I watch:

1. Trauma Life in the ER-love it!

2. American Idol-although I have never voted

3. The Bachelor- only to see that chick from Holland

4. Fox News at 10- I don't have cable what do you expect!

Four places I’ve been:

1. Dominican Republic-a lovely all inclusive resort

2. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico--with family for Christmas...it rained the whole week!

3. Waikoloa, Hawaii- went to visit the parents, loved it and wanna go back!

4. Ft. Myers Beach, Florida--my favorite spot
oh i was also in INDIAN RIVER, MICHIGAN once or twice!!!

Four people who email me regularly:

1. Professor Vallie- making sure my clinical stuff gets turned in

2. Ashley- nursing friend I am doing a study with

3. Jayme- thank yous for the coke rewards

4. Mom- taking care of business

Four of my favorite foods:

1. Pasta- I love carbs!

2. Raspberries- I could eat them all day if they we not so expensive

3. Pizza- I love JETS

4. steamed Oysters- Smokin Oyster Bar yummy!

Four places I would like to visit:

1. Hawaii-all the islands as opposed to just the Big Island

2. St. Lucia

3. Australia

4. Key West

Four things I’m looking forward to in the coming year:

1. Living in Petoskey

2. More fun times with Lance

3. Graduation

4. perch fishing in Tonto with dad and mom

Four friends I’m tagging:

1. Jenna DeJonge

2. Betsy DeJonge

3. Ernie

4. Emily Elling

Here are some more pictures of my trip to Florida...ENJOY!

My Aunt Cathy and Uncle Brian have a condo in Lovers Key, the same place that my grandma has a spot. We went to visit and here is a picture of the pool from up above...kinda scurrry looking down because they are on the 11th floor.

We went shelling a couple of times throughout the week, we found some really cool ones!

Here is Bel-Air Beach Club from a boat. Looks pretty sweet to me!

Mom and I at Salty Sam's marina. We docked the boat to eat lunch here.....it was a hoppin place.

Here are some pictures from my trip to Florida. I was able to spend some quality time with the family and wish it never had to end. I am already excited for next year...hopefully the entire family can come (Jayme, Dan and Dad that means you)!!!!!

Nola riding in the car on the way to Florida. Both Piper and Nola were very mature about the whole thing and did an awesome job riding in a car seat for 18 hours.

Emily and her little "munchkin". Nola I see you peeking out!

What a good looking family! I wish we were back there right now!!!!

Aunt Betsy and Nola. I think Nola was loving all the attention!!

This past weekend I went up north to Petoskey to visit Lance. It was still very wintery and it made me excited to go to Florida!!! I had a job interview at Northern Michigan Regional Hospital, ahhh it was kind of scary, but I think it went well. I will find out in a week if I get the job or not...pray for me! Anyway, it was great to see Lance and I am sure going to miss him the next couple of weeks while I vacation and tie up loose ends with school....oh yeah and somewhere in there I am scheduled to work...ugh. FLORIDA HERE I COME!!!!!

Here is what I wore to my interview. I had black pants on in case you can't see that. I hope it was an appropriate outfit, I had the lady at Express dress me because I tend to lack in the stylish category. Let's hope I got the job!!

This picture is for you Dad. They are ice fishing on Little Traverse Bay still. I don't know what they were catching but there we little shanties everywhere. Just a couple months till we can fire up Big Tonto!!

Frozen pier....burrrrrrrrr

Lance and I played a few rounds of ski ball at the arcade in Petoskey. I wont 3 out of 4 rounds....so I got to choose the prize we got with the tickets. I got a water weeny and a bunch of stick on earrings.

This is what my bed looked like this morning when I woke up. I don't know about you, but I don't see much space for me. Smokes slept under the covers all sprawled out right next to me and well, Dirty slept on top of the covers (basically on top of Smokes).

This was one of the few days I got to sleep in, I got up at 10:30 (lovely), Smokes got up at 3:30 (pathetic) in the afternoon.....I think I will start calling him Mr. Lazy Bones.

Dirty looks pretty tiny on our big baked potato of a couch.

Lance came to visit me for Valentine's Day and here are a few pics of our time together.

We kind of had a lazy weekend because I had to work on Saturday, but it was still very nice. Smokes was Lance's remote / pop holder while all the basketball games were on Saturday night...what a great kitty!

We had a huge melt down and then everything turned back into ice. Lance found this GIANT icicle on our car port, in the same spot that I biffed it on the ice last week. This thing was huge and we left it to melt in my shower. Anyway, I hope everyone has an equally relaxing weekend.