A terrible loss for Put-in-Bay, a wonderful gain for Heaven

I can remember going up to Put-in-Bay when I was very young. We had finished the cabin and would often spend lots of time there over the summer. Being young, there wasn't a whole lot for Marissa and I to do, but we found our ways of having fun. I can remember going swimming in Lake Erie, wearing water shoes because the rocks were sharp. I remember going down into Perry's Cave at least once every summer, and sometimes the Crystal Cave (though I haven't been down there for years and years). I remember riding on the tour train multiple times just because my "Uncle" Chip was the driver. I remember having a pop and lemonade stand at the end of our lane with my cousins when they'd come with us for a short while. They used to make Marissa and I attract customers using our adorable "twin" qualities. I remember getting season passes for the carousel, and riding it over and over again, and often times fighting over who'd get to ride the fish with the worm in his mouth. I can even remember going fishing once with my dad and brothers. I think it was the one and only time I've ever seen someone catch a fish in person. My dad threw it back, but it died anyway.

But of all the memories I hold dear to my heart, there are some that will always be the most dear to me. Riding our bikes down that long road past the Miller Boat dock; the wild flowers blooming and the train tracks ready for some adventure. That small one story house that will forever have the distinct smell of childhood happiness, even when I go there today. The gumball machine in the kitchen, the comic strips on the fridge that would change with every passing summer, the binoculars in the dining room that we'd use to look out at the lake to see the boats going by. I remember the chess board underneath the table in the living room, and that fuzzy carpet that we spent many nights watching Carpool and Who Framed Roger Rabbit while the adults went out for the night.

I remember the carousel horse in the hallway right when you walked in the front door. I remember running immediately to my cousin's old bedroom to play with her old barbies, which were kept in the third drawer down on the left side of the dresser. That blue room with the twin beds that we had always considered our own because it's where my sister and I always slept when we stayed there before the cabin was built. I can remember climbing down the stairs, which were always covered with green plants that had overgrown on top of the deck, to get near the water. I remember awaiting eagerly for the paths to be ready so we could go trailing through the "woods" to find the train tracks. And there will never be a sunset more beautiful than from the view of the hammock in the backyard, the one that he used to lay on.

I remember him. His youthful smile that lit up the room, his round belly that was usually covered with a Put-in-Bay shirt, and suspenders, that went along perfectly with his train conductor hat. He would always wear it when he drove us around in his train, the one I felt like he built just for us, though I know that he enjoyed it just as much, if not more than us children. I can remember getting the pleasure of riding with him in the old cars during the parades. We'd throw our candy and wave to the crowd while he drove with pride, smiling like a child who had just opened presents Christmas morning. He was always smiling because he had it all. But we were the blessed ones because we had him.

Time has gone on now, and we have all grown up. These memories are all I have of him...But I'll never forget my childhood spent with him on that wonderful island where adventures were found and magic occurred. That magic was in him and his youthful and loving character; so full of life, fun, and love. And although the island will never feel the same I can continue to remember the good times and the way things used to be. I learned from the best to hold onto my childhood and never let it go. I'll never let him go. Lord, watch over him like I know he's now watching over me.

To one of the greatest men I'll ever know; the man I've always admired and will forever love,
We'll be missing you, Uncle Skip. Thank you for being apart of my life.

Katherine

Before you criticize someone walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticize them you're a mile away AND you have their shoes

I am not an impatient person and am hardly ever in a hurry unless of course, I sleep through my alarm (or the sound on my cell phone stops working and my alarm doesn't go off-- but that's a horse of a different color). So it's not that my time is so precious that I don't want to waste it walking on the sidewalks to class...I just don't see the point in using the sidewalks when there is a large grassy area that leads me directly to my destination. It just seems silly to me really to walk in a triangle when I can walk in a straight line...

So walking through the grass almost every day you'd think I'd learn my lesson that it's ALWAYS going to be muddy. No matter what the weather is. I don't know why it is like this, but how convenient that I don't remember this piece of information until I hear the squishing between my feet. It's not that I am one of those girls who doesn't like to get dirty...honestly...I don't mind. But I just bought these tennis shoes two and a half months ago and they look like my other two year old shoes already... Logically, I should just stop complaining, clean my shoes and avoid the grass, but it probably won't happen. They're shoes. They're supposed to get dirty....and I really just don't care enough to really do anything about it. :)

In other news, it is finally snowing in Oxford. You know what that means! Winter has finally reached Miami University! Bring on the furry boots, ridiculously long scarves, and oversized sunglasses!

Totally ready for winter
Even if it is over a month late :)

Katherine

Back Again

Well, here I am...back at good old Miami University after a wonderful Christmas break. It went by so incredibly fast, but it's alright. Hopefully that just means that these next four months will go by just as fast and I'll be back in Loudonville for summer before I know it. I just love being home so much...it's a wonder why I don't just drop out of college and work at Broken Rocks for the rest of my life. Ha ha... So, let's see...what did I do over break...I certainly don't want to bore everyone with the details, so I'll just keep it simple with a short summary of the highlights.

• I saw the musical Cats in Columbus with my family
• I made hard tack and chocolate covered pretzels with the Henleys
• I went to Put-in-Bay to see my aunts, uncles, cousins, and their adorable children
• I got a bunch of wonderful stuff for Christmas and went shopping with my gift certificates
• I had a gingerbread house party and made a pretty sweet gingerbread house!
• I went clubbing in Cleveland!
• I went bridesmaid dress shopping for my friend's wedding
• I saw four movies in theaters: Marie Antionette, Eragon, The Night at the Museum, and The Holiday
• I worked at Broken Rocks about three or four times a week
• I got to spend some quality time with my favorite girls
• I spent New Years with the wonderful Joshua Robert Sommers and William Samuel Hansen
• I went bowling twice and actually hit 100 for the first time ever!

Overall, I'd say it was a pretty freaking awesome break and it was exactly what I needed after such horrible last two months. I suppose things are looking up in the happiness department...at least they were a smidge better when I was home...hopefully it just gets better with time...even though I'm away from my family and friends again.

Speaking of being back at Miami...I had my first day of classes today. I have four classes on Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays and two classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Unfortunately I have 8 a.m.s every day of the week...I suppose this is a test to teach me to get to bed earlier. I hope I don't fail...but it's going to be hard to wake up for these classes when my stupid cell phone won't make a sound...the volume or speakers or something is all screwed up...I'll have to use Marissa's phone as an alarm for the time being...

I don't think my classes so far are going to be too difficult. I just really need to concentrate on school and work on keeping my grades up. I did pretty well last semester. It was one A+, one A, two A-, and one B-. Not too bad I suppose...but it would be really great if I could manage all As this semester. I think I'll make it a personal goal of mine. I can just include it with my New Years resolutions...which are pretty good this year. It seems like a lot, but they're all pretty small and easy to accomplish...nothing too impossible.

New Years Resolutions

1. Stop cussing (I don't do it too often, but for some reason I've been doing it more recently and I just want to go back to the time when I didn't need to cuss)
2. Read more books (I got five books for Christmas!)
3. Read the bible
4. Write more (Now there's a good stress reliever)
5. Accomplish more things on my List of things to do before I die
6. Listen to more music (I have so much music that I have never even listened to...it's sad because it's good music too...)
7. Write more letters (I love getting letters, why wouldn't other people?)
8. Exercise and get in shape

Well, I suppose that's all I have to say. Since one of my New Years resolutions is to write more, hopefully you can all count on me to get this blog back in action. I should really try to write at least every other day....we'll see though...I can at least promise I won't let a week go by without some form of writing. I at least owe you that after such a horrible two months of practically nothing. Thanks for bearing with me everyone. And especially thanks for being there for me, even if you didn't realize you were.

Back into the swing of things :)
And looking forward to being myself again...

Katherine