Another cousin story ...

Good morning all!  I have to say I am not looking forward to trying to PICK ONE saying for my door on the cottage.  It is killing me!!!!  They are all so amazingly good.  heavy sigh.  a good heavy sigh, but still a heavy sigh. 

Anyway, for the Sunday story and picture (remember I told you I would show you this amazing potting bench/table that my cousin Larry built for me).  Cousin Larry (AN AMAZING CARPENTER)  is my second cousin, Jenny's first cousin, which yes, makes Jenny my second cousin too.  Growing up this was a difficult thing to follow because Jenny's Mom was my Dad's Aunt, which made her my great Aunt and, they were only like a couple years apart (Dad and Aunt Rosalee), (well me and Jenny too).  And frankly, in the Hrovatic family, second wasn't really an option.  And cousin Larry was a boy and the boys always got to do really cool things, like hunt and fish and play ball and during family reunions I had to be a girl.  UGHHHHhhhhh  UNTIL one family reunion at Grange Hall, the men were playing cards and the women were talking and cooking and organizing, but I saw my cousin Jenny bring in this case and pull out this AMAZING instrument.  I was glued to her.  She started (bet you didn't know this about Jenny)  singing and playing that guitar and I knew instantly I wanted to be a first cousin and play the guitar and make up my own songs and sing and be just like her!  I told my parents I want a guitar for Christmas, nothing else, that's what I want, pleasepleaseplease.  AND I got it, woohoooooo, but I forgot to ask for lessons to go with my new shiny guitar.

Have I mentioned I can't sing, or carry a tune or even clap with the music at church, let alone the radio?  It's all good though, I have other "mad" skills. 

So back to my other "second" cousin Larry.  He is a fabulous cousin and we do trips with him and his wife Chris.  We golf together.  We fish together.  We have parties together.  We hike and camp together.  We snow ski together.  He was very close with my parents, like a son in some aspects.  And remember, he was my Dad's first cousin.  (eyeroll)  Anyway, I do need to get back on track here ................ this past President's Day we went skiing in Michigan.  We do an annual trip to Boyne as part of our vacation package we own and we MAKE them come with us.  We have SOOOoooooo much fun with them. 

This past winter after a great day on the slopes I said to Cousin Larry (the super talented carpenter cousin), HEY, you remember that three legged table you made Chris and you said you would make me one and you haven't?  (He gave me the very familiar Hrovatic look) Yes he said.  I said, well I don't want that anymore, I want this!  And I showed him a picture of this bench from some very chic' magazine.  I said I am NOT paying $795 dollars for it, so make it for me ...pppleeeeeeeeassssseeee!!!  He rolled his eyes and took the magazine.  I had been waiting for that three legged table for ten years now, so I knew I would never see the bench!

SO, Addie graduates from high school this past May and we have a party.  I wanted the cottage done, but it wasn't, but Larry hadn't seen any of it.  Larry and Chris are sitting on our back porch when we get home from the graduation and I am soooo excited to see them!  I said, have you seen my cottage, never mind Addie just graduated high school????  They said no, we were waiting for you!  So we take the hike back there and I am rambling and rambling and I see this thing in my cottage!! 

Legs down.

Both legs opened up.

One leg opened up.

The beautiful hickory grain.

OH MY GOODNESS!  I hug Larry.  I hug Chris.  I hug Larry again!!   Larry says hold on, it isn't finished.  I am like huh, what???  He said, well the wood is bare, I know you PAINT EVERYTHING.  No, I am not going to paint this bench!  I LOVE it!!!!  Can you believe he made this from a picture??  Mine is better.  Just saying!!

So, after that long winded story.  I will have the winner posted tomorrow!!!!!!!!  And no, you can not have my bench.  teeheeee