Michigan Cottage Law definitely gains new perspective on game day in Michigan!

Hope you found the right crowd of fans to gather at your Michigan family cottage to watch and enjoy the game. Such rivalry and so much at stake on a day like today.

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It doesn’t matter what time of day you arrive, everything always looks the same. Granted, the trees are taller and wildflowers seem to be growing everywhere. But your family cottage is the same to you today as it’s always been.

Cubby holes filled with trinkets and treasures
While waving hello to neighboring friends you realize every family cottage and summer home is as different as the memories gathered by families every summer. Each cottage has a special cubby hole filled with trinkets and treasures from sandy beaches and hiking adventures through surrounding woods. Weathered hinges guarantee screen doors will squeak open and slam shut right on cue announcing that this is summer. It’s easy to get caught up in the moment of racing down to the lake and assuming every summer will be just like the last.

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Succession Planning for Vacation Property
Steps for Cottage Sharing
With summer here, many families will be enjoying their family cottages during the span of summer’s endless sunshine defining the lazy days of summer at the family cottage.

This is how summers have always been. You enjoy the laughter of denials and finger-pointing about who created the latest mysterious heap of sandy wet towels on the cottage porch floor. The children stand shivering from their latest dip in the lake and you silently wager bets against how long it will take for the lake water drops hanging from ends of clumped wet bangs to land on the table.

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If your family cottage property is adjacent to a lake with public roads, this information may be useful to aid you in determining the legal rights the public has to access the surface of the water next to your family cottage.

Water access points along Michigan’s inland lakes
As families begin contemplating vacations up north or weekend getaways to one of Michigan’s many inland lakes, water access points deserve careful consideration as they have become sources of lawsuits regarding the public’s right to access the surface of the water from public roads adjacent to the water. Many of these lakes are bordered by subdivisions that were platted decades ago and depending on the language in the plat and the type of public roads, whether perpendicular or lateral to the lake, will determine whether the surface of the water can be accessed by the public by means of the platted streets.

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Most people would think “economic value” is the most important factor to protect the family cottage. Common “emotional value” has proven time and time again as the most important motivation behind developing a cottage succession plan to protect the family cottage.

Yes, it’s true when they say, “beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” and it’s especially true when thinking of the family cottage. Whether the family cottage is a family retreat in some stunning mountain region, or a luxurious custom built retirement home on one of the Great Lakes touching Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, New York, Ohio, Indiana or even Canada, or a small rustic cabin on a pristine lake or stream, it’s not “economic value” that is the most important factor to protect the family cottage, it’s the “emotional value.”

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They say, “beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” That’s especially true when applied to the family cottage. Whether the family cottage is a small rustic cabin on a pristine lake or stream, a luxurious retirement home on one of the Great Lakes or ocean shore, or a family retreat in some stunning mountain region, it’s not “economic value” that is the most important factor in keeping the family cottage, it’s the “emotional value.”

Some would argue that a place is just a place but the people make it special. When it comes to the family cottage, it can be argued “the place” is special, sometimes almost magical, and can transform those who spend time in that place from stressed out, overworked adults back to their carefree days as a child; skipping rocks on the water, swimming off the dock, nursing a sunburn and eating s’mores by the campfire. For most, the family cottage creates a place for memories and traditions to be formed and a safe haven to retreat to for rest, reflection and reminiscing later in life. The family cottage is a constant in an ever-changing world. It’s where experiences can be shared and passed on to the next generation in their purest form.

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AHH-teenage sleepovers make me appreciate Cottage Law Michigan all the more! Without a cottage succession plan what would these teenagers do when they get together for a sleepover? I often wonder how they do it, these teens manage to stay up late at all hours and then they proceed to sleep on top of each other like a litter of puppies. For them it is heaven bliss, for mom it is work in the making, especially when they decide to fix a morning batch of pancakes and syrup. They smile when I come in from outside saying, “Wish you would have come in sooner we could have used your help.” The bliss of boys who want to experiment in the kitchen. “Sorry we didn’t clean up after ourselves.” Lovely- but I do have to say I do love it, because I know where they are, safe and sound. Even if things are in disarray. Their laughter is infectious and they really are fun to be around!

I put on my classical music and began clean up time in the kitchen and for all of you sceptical people out there, it does work. After 10 minutes, I felt so calm, it’s amazing! So grab those iPods and download some classics, you will feel so calm that even a big clean up does not upset you. Classical music is suppose to be great for projects and studying, it boosts creativity and learning.

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The Mouse Adventure with The Cottage Cat “Spike” at The Depot

We became owners of a fluffy 20 pound orange and white barn cat name Spike. Spike lives in The Depot- the northern Michigan offices of The Penning Group, and formerly the law offices of Stuart J. Hollander, attorney author of “Saving the Family Cottage – A Guide to Succession Planning for your Cottages, Cabin, Camp or Vacation Home.”

Spike loves to wander around the office and visit the desk of cottage law attorney Dan Penning. He tries to grab a snack of a muffin and just sprawl on Dan’s desk top. He loves to lounge underneath the potbellied stove in the cooler winter months. He gets so close that my husband thought he might catch on fire. With all that fur, how could he possibly be anything but cold. He enjoys greeting clients when they come in and he truly does like to ‘meow’ to say hello. Spike wags his tail out of love. He struts around like he owns the place. I wonder if he isn’t part Ragdoll?

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Repeat after me I feel fabulous, I feel fabulous! I am terrific! I am terrific! There- I just powered you up for the day. Better yet get in front of that mirror and say it ten times over. Your family will think you are weird and your spouse might think you lost it but that’s ok- you’re doing this to increase your creativity and get excited about your day and your future. Now I want to challenge you to get up every day and look in that bathroom mirror and say hello you good looking thing you. You may get a good laugh but you are beautiful and you have great gifts to offer this world. So go with the positive side of life. See yourself with that victory. Every one of us has gifts and talents to soar to a new level. Get rid of that negative mindset. This is not part of your vision- besides it will only bring you down and others around you down. Take good care of yourself. Author Debbie Mandel in her book “Addicted to Stress: A Woman’s 7 Step Program to Reclaim Joy and Spontaneity In Life” says that people need to keep themselves in balance by making good choices with a healthy diet and exercise. ” Something as simple as walking will help.” Make sure you get plenty of sleep and if you are in a bad mood, call someone who isn’t. Instead of bringing others down, let someone lift you up. Download some uplifting music and by all means dance- it will lift your soul. Your friends may think you are strange but you just keep that positive spirit going. Who knows you may show up on YouTube as a dancing sensation. If you have never watched the “Ellen Show” take a few moments. She is always dancing and her merriment puts a spring in your step. Debbie Mandel also states to “Activate your sense of humor. We all take ourselves too seriously. Our friend Tommy is always having a good time, I can hear his laughter even when he is not around. Find someone like this who will get you laughing, and put joy back into your step. Marla Sloane, Ph.D.’s positive affirmation tip states “Happiness doesn’t mean everything is perfect, it means I look beyond the imperfections.” Nobody’s life is perfect and yes we all have those disappointments and down and out times. It is what you do with them, and your your reactions to them that counts. Find hope and joy. Quincy Jones, who is 77 years old, tells USA Today that music is culture’s most essential art. He states that his dream is to see hip-hop some how incorporated into education. “It’s the only one that engages the left and right brain simultaneously, the motion and intellect. “it’s the voice of God.” How amazingly well put. Jones just released “Q:Soul Bossa Nostra,” a sound track disc featuring A-list stars interpreting songs. I wonder what the world would be like if we all found music we enjoyed and turned that TV off. Right now Casey is singing to that song “All the Right Moves” by One Republic. He truly was blessed with a gift of song. He has great talent and he is healing his left and right brain by engaging in emotion and intellect. When you sing there is no stress. Music lifts your soul!

Bananas are a serous fat-burner. They have potassium and B vitamins. Enjoy that easy portable fruit. It comes already in its own protective skin. We keep this as a snack to go at the family cottage. Try a Conor favorite- one of our teens; a peanut butter sandwich with banana. It will give you the fuel you need to get all those to-do-list chores done. A great cancer fighting drink for this time of year is hot cocoa. This chocolate drink has more phenols and flavonoids than a glass of red wine and 1 cup of green tea. So say hello to hot coco! Chocolate is rich in antioxidants. Drink up for your health. Just one cup of hot coco has less than 1 gram of saturated fat! Remember to find the positives in life. Don’t feel bad about gossiping. In a British study (you have to love those British studies) gossiping makes you feel supported. They also discovered that whispering good things can boost yourself esteem. For example “she looks fantastic.” Don’t forget everything in moderation- you don’t want to be known as the town gossip. Stay hydrated with plenty of H20- drier air can lead to dehydration so don’t forget to stay sipping. Keep on believing in yourself and stay fantastic at the family cottage.

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The Detroit Free Press just ran a section on the Top Workplaces ‘10. In this article 41,000 workers spoke about the top states workplaces. Employees basically stated that 6 reasons really made a difference in the workplace. They were rated on importance factors.

The first being direction.
75% believed that organization and direction in the workplace was a key factor to the work place. They approved of the strong values and ethics.

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