The Lakehouse

Ok, so it's not quite as brain convulsing as "The Lakehouse" with Keanu and Sandy. In fact, it was nothing at all like that!  Instead it was wonderful, relaxing, giggle-filled, dog-kissed and wet...all courtesy of H & Z.  H's fam has a great lakehouse up north in The Big Ol' South.  My idea of a lakehouse was not one that was flattering to anyone who owns an actual lakehouse.  And H & Z's blew all preconceived notions out of my mind!  It is a retreat, for sure.

Who couldn't fall in love with a house that has this path?

The path from the house to the lake

There were friends, great food (um, we're talking FANTASTIC food), jet-skis, a boat or two...and maybe an adventure involving murky lake water and a life jacket. Just sayin'.

From the top down...Hank in his lifejacket, Hank loving the water and The W's...the last is my favorite I think just because Momma N looks like she's trying to see shore, Papa T is in total control and Little T is just hanging out!

With permissions, I present Little T and Hank in "On the Lakefront".

Does anyone else find it ironic that they're braver than I am?  I have had this innate fear of water since I was a little kid.  Now, I can look at this fear and know that it is 99% mental. That there is no logical reason that I can be in a pool and have my face parallel to the water, tip of the nose touching and not bring myself Yankee self to go any further.  My sweet little outer ears haven't seen water since the age of four. I cannot swim. I don't chose not to swim.  I actually cannot swim.

This past weekend was my first experience with all of the below:
lifejackets - love them
jet-skis - may love them in the future but have a healthy fear currently
ski boats - could possibly live on one

Hank is wondering whether this will be an enjoyable ride in the ski boat.

And here he is with Momma B on his first ever (but certainly not LAST) tube ride! (This video will be added after Blogger stops messing with me!)

I'll also add some wakeboard footage of Momma B and Papa J that features our Water Expert H once Blogger and Flipshare start playing together again on the playground.  Currently they're giving each other the silent treatment. Why did I invest in adolescent technology?

Not only did I wear a life jacket, I rode a jet-ski, drove (directed? steered?) a jet-ski for a few minutes [until I realized I was in the middle of a lake and I had no idea whether the lifejacket worked...then I panicked slightly and slowly maneuvered my way back to the boat house with shaky knees], went out on the ski boat, and finally SWAM next to the dock. Who knew that lifejackets actually make one buoyant?!?  I am inordinately proud of finally getting in the water and starting to conquer this fear. And a little ashamed of how proud I am. And then I swing back to really freakin' proud!

 Yes, the dock was in arms reach, and here it looks like I'm just floating, but I was swimming!

The day ended with dinner with friends, a beautiful sunset over the lake...

and a lovely ride back to a lesser civilized world with my new boyfriend Hank. We played a version of Peek-A-Boo the whole way home.