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Posts Tagged ‘saving the family cottage’

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.

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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.”

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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!

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They like their dishes really clean

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With summer approaching to the end, so do the long lazy days at the family cottage. The walks on the beach, the summer sunsets, the icec ream trips into Suttons Bay, the fireflies, the hiking of Pyramid Point all seem like a summer wonderment.

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Do you belong to the circle of kindness? This means, to belong, you do something kind for someone. Kindness costs you nothing. It is a friendly gesture that you don’t think twice about. There is no ulterior motive. You never know when you are going to make a difference in someone’s life.

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The family cottage sets in motion vacations to remember. At the family cottage you relax, unwind and nurture yourself. It is a wonderment and an oasis of peace on the water’s edge. It doesn’t matter how you spend your day off from work or household chores. Enjoy nature whether you bike, boat, hike, or simply take a swim. My teens and my husband Dan enjoy swinging a club or two at the golf course. Even if you enjoy watching the world go by, it is just fine.

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The family cottage is a fabulous place for new beginnings and perfect endings. August is National Picnic Month. There is no better way than celebrating with family and friends – birthdays or holidays – at the family cottage, than with a picnic. So pull out your blue and white checkered table cloth (or red and white checkered) and a wicker picnic basket.

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Summer began as usual at the family cottage. The dogs, our chocolate labs Jake and Ginger, and our two cats Max and Joey and the three teen boys plus a friend were all settled in for a glorious summer at the cottage.

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A cottage in northern Michigan is a way of life. It is a place with a purpose. It awakens the heart. There is passion and dreams at a cottage. There are water bays, beaches, bonfires, friends, family, pets, and vineyards with great wineries. A cottage is a feeling of peace. This becomes a beautiful place to be, especially when you don’t want to be anywhere else.

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